It's a Green Thing by Melody Carlson

Author:Melody Carlson [Carlson, Melody]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-60142-263-7
Publisher: The Doubleday Religious Publishing Group
Published: 2009-08-31T04:00:00+00:00

July 3

“Any big plans for July Fourth?” Marissa asked me today. She'd stopped by unexpectedly for my lunch break. It seemed the road crew boss wanted the day off, and as a result Marissa and I shared a cheese pizza at the food court. I think I may be getting seriously addicted to cheese. I wonder how I ever survived without dairy before.

“Dominic is taking me to the fireworks,” I told her as I went for a second piece.

“You guys getting serious?”

I shrugged and wrapped a string of mozzarella around the tip of my slice. “How do you define serious?”

“You know, like exclusive, like in love, like you're sleeping together.”

I blinked. “No, then I can safely say we're not serious.” I don't admit that we haven't even kissed. Well, he did kiss my hand that night, but that's it. Still, I have a feeling that our first kiss isn't too far off. Or maybe I'm just hoping. “How about you?” I asked, eager to deflect the attention. “Are you still seeing Eddie?”

She laughed. “No. That was just a one-night thing. He's fun, but he's too young for me.”

“So what are you doing for the Fourth?”

“There's a big party on the far side of the lake. We'll be able to see the fireworks from there but still have a good time.”

“A good time?”

“You know.” She rolled her eyes as she sipped her soda.

“I just don't get why people think getting drunk is a good time.”

She shrugged. “Because you get to let your hair down and unwind.”

“Why can't you do that without alcohol?”

“Because that would be boring.”

“I don't drink, and I'm not bored.”

She seemed to consider this as she reached for another slice.

“Here's the deal, Marissa. I've seen other people—people I know really well—who have ruined their lives with drugs and drinking. I just do not see the attraction. I mean, I never want to end up like that.”

“Like what?”

“Like your life is ruined because you did something stupid… like being arrested for underage drinking or using drugs or drunk driving.”

“Those things wouldn't necessarily ruin your life.”

“But they could,” I point out. “And they have ruined some lives.”

“Not mine.”

“Maybe not completely. But look at you. You're stuck doing community service all summer.”

She grimaced. “Don't remind me. It's been less than a week working on the road crew, and already I feel like road kill.”

“That's my point. You have to know that it's not worth it to keep making bad choices, Marissa. I just don't understand why you're willing to risk everything.”

“Everything?”

“Yes. Like your freedom, for one thing. I mean, you're not exactly free to do what you want when you have to do community service. But seriously, if you got caught again, like tomorrow at the lake, you could end up going to jail.”

She grinned. “Yeah.”

“Marissa?” I stared at her.

“It might be interesting doing time.”

Okay, I was so tempted to tell her about Shannon and how that is not the least bit interesting. But I just couldn't go there.

“Oh, you're such a worrywart, Maya.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.