jarred

My eyes grew heavy with sleep as I laid on the fresh mowed lawn. I closed them and inhaled the pungent fragrance anticipating the hot summer days to come. The grass was dry, tickling my skin with its roughness. I sighed and prepared for a nice long nap on the lawn.

"Jarred," a soft, squeaky voice called, violently shaking my arm. "Jarred!"

"What?" I asked lazily while turning onto my stomach, trying to go back to my half-sleep.

"Momma wants you to see her for a moment, lazy-bones," Carrie's eight-year-old voice squeaked at me, "Don't forget you have to take me to my dance class, too!" She crossed her arms and made a serious pout.

"Oh, alright," I groaned, rubbing my eyes and getting up. Carrie then took hold of my right arm, giggling. "You can let go now, shrimp." I said as I looked down at her.

"No," she giggled, "I won't let go unless you carry me!" I flexed my right arm, letting my muscles bulge under Carrie's childish hands that would not let go as she dangled higher in the air. I grimaced at her persistance and walked right into the house.

"Mom," I hollered at the bottom of the steps while little Carrie clung onto my arm like a fly hovering over some spilt honey.

"Come up here and talk to me," my mom hollered back to me.

"I can't due to the Carrie-bug on my arm," I bit my lip as I restrained myself from losing my temper and my strength. She was getting heavy.

"Take care of it!" she said down the stairs. I stood there thinking of how to get Carrie off. She was trying to make herself as heavy as possible.

I let my right arm rest at my side, and she fell down on her butt. In a flash, she tried to get back on my arm. I took the steps two at a time to see what my mom wanted.

"You called?" I asked as I quickly closed the door leaving Carrie outside of the room so she wouldn't get back on my arm again.

"Jarred," she began, "You know how you applied to Yale University?"

�Yeah?��

�I just got a letter from them today that says that they can�t take you.� Her usual smile, a bit crooked, but always reassuring, must have been left in another room.

�Oh,� I said looking out the window for something to say.

�You also got a call from your girlfriend about last night,�the payments for your car are almost due, and you still have those payments on the loan.�

�Yeah, I�ve had a lot to handle lately,� I said, holding the back of my neck.

�I just hope you can take care of it. I signed the loan papers, but you�re old enough to take care of yourself, don�t forget. You can go now,� she said in her tired voice. I left the room feeling the walls getting close.

�I went back outside to my spot and sighed at everything that was happening to me all at once. Carrie, as usual, was screaming at the top of her lungs for my attention. �Oh shut up!� I mumbled to myself. �I have enough stress as it is trying to get to a good school and leave home.�

�Jarred,� Carrie called. I didn�t answer. �Jarred,� she said louder. Still I ignored her with my right arm over my eyes. �JARRED!!!!� Carrie hollered into my ear. I jolted up frustrated glaring at her. Carrie took no notice, grabbed my hand, and placed a simple, little white flower from the neighbor�s garden into my hand.