Memory

The Drop

When I was eleven years old my parent’s went to the beach for the weekend and left us alone. My older brother Brenden, who was fourteen, was in charge of me Collin, who was eight, and Dillon, who was five. It was either that Saturday or Sunday when Brenden got his idea. He told us to go and get all the pillows and blankets in the house and put them in a pile on the first floor. Brenden liked being in charge, since he could boss us around, but sometimes he took things too far. After we got the pillows and blankets and piled them up Brenden went upstairs.

Our second floor was like a balcony to the first. Brenden and Dillon are the daredevils of the family, so we knew he was up to something. He climbed over the railing and jumped. I was scared when he first jumped, since he could get hurt. He landed in the pile and got real excited, saying how fun it was and we all had to try it. Dillon was the first to run up. He climbed right over and jumped letting out a little squeal. I was really nervous about jumping. I was so scared I would get hurt. I climbed over the railing then inched my way to a sitting position, since I figured I’d be closer to the ground. I took a breath, closed my eye and let go. I think I screamed a little, but I don’t remember. Once I landed it was like a rush of adrenaline surged through me.

Dillon, being his crazy self was up ready to jump again. Collin is more like me. He is timid and shy. He was really scarred to jump. Brenden got upset and started teasing him. Finally, he picked Collin up, held him over the pile, and dropped him. Collin was in tears while Brenden did this. I remember yelling at him and being very mad he made Collin cry, but I don’t recall what I said. Collin ended up liking it, and once he calmed down, he did it on his own. We had so much fun that day. We jumped off the balcony for hours. I learned that sometimes it is good to let go and live on the edge. We only have one life to live. However, you should do things in your own time, not forced by someone else.