Gap Year Project Page 2

  Her mom had quietly entered her room and stood helplessly looking at her daughter’s face with tears streaming, red-eyed, and scared. She knew she couldn’t do a thing to fix this. She had to be strong for her daughter and her husband. Dana couldn’t let her guard down or she would be a useless pool of sobs curled up on the floor beside Ashlyn.

  She took a deep breath, walked over to Ashlyn and wrapped an arm around her slumped shoulders. “You are strong. You are capable. You are loved,” Dana whispered into Ashlyn’s ear. Dana had whispered these same words in her daughter’s ear since she was born. Usually it gave Ashlyn instant peace but not today. It only spiked her anxiety thinking about the inevitable separation from her mom.

  “We will get through this. In a year it will seem like a dream, and you can get back to life. A year really isn’t that long. Your senior year is already over—that went so fast.”

  Ashlyn stopped crying and looked into her mom’s loving face. She knew what Dana said was true, but it still sucked. Being forced to do something was just not something that ever happened to her. She always got her way.

  “I’ve got to get through this week and graduation. Then I can start thinking about this. Thanks, Mom. I’m really gonna need your help. I love you.”

  “I’ll start by throwing you the best going away party. I’ve got to get started. Don’t worry. I’ll take care of it all.” And with that, Dana was on her feet, cell phone in hand, calling her most trusted friend and party planner.

  “Damian, yes it’s true. We’ve got work to do,” Dana said as she exited the room.

  Ashlyn wiped her eyes, took a very hot and very long shower before settling down to study for her exam. She secretly loved science, especially biology—the weird and fascinating world of plants and animals. It was her favorite class, and she adored her teacher, Mrs. Ursula McNulty. But none of her friends liked the class or the teacher, so Ashlyn kept her enthusiasm under wraps.

  Before she knew it, her exams were finished, and senior year had come to a close. She was glad for the experience, the friendships she had made, her academic achievements, but she was sad to leave it behind. She heard high school horror stories from some of her friends and kids from other schools. Besides the early mornings and occasional argument with her closest friends, she had fun and enjoyed high school. It was challenging and interesting for the most part.

  As graduation loomed just hours away, she rehearsed her valedictorian speech. Even with this major upset, she was able to stay focused and keep her GPA. She kept stumbling on the part about how community service was an honor that she looked forward to starting as soon as possible. She could hardly get the words out. It was a complete lie. Ashlyn knew she had to mention it, or it would be THE thing that got talked about—not that she had maintained a perfect GPA for four years, was president of numerous clubs, and had helped create a very successful school lounge and café—but that she left out the biggest life changing event about to take place.

  When the time came for her speech, Ashlyn didn’t skip a beat. She nailed it. It was inspiring, funny, and memorable. She got a standing ovation. She felt great—as if she could conquer anything. For a split second she felt she could even handle GYP. Then the anxiety struck again, and she realized she would need to conquer a lot in the next few months. But she let the thought pass like a leaf on the water. And joined her friends for the graduation party—her going away party.

  Her mom had planned a party not soon to be forgotten. It was held at the luxurious ballroom at the Piedmont International Hotel, her great grandfather’s most beloved architectural achievement. It was built in 1924—the roaring ‘20s. The name was rumored to have come from the mistress of her great grandfather. But no one could ever confirm it.

  The lobby had white Carrera marble floors, mahogany wood trim, intricately carved and overlaid with gold leaf. The walls were the color of sand from the island of Bimini, a soft white with a hint of pale taupe. Five gilded crystal chandeliers lined the long hall from the entrance to the grand ballroom, each one spraying light in flecks across the room.

  The ballroom could hold 1,000 people, and it was at capacity that night. Friends and acquaintances lined the walls and filled the seats. All there to celebrate the end of one era, the beginning of a new one, and Ashlyn as the main tribute. It was grander and more sophisticated than her sweet sixteen party. The room was bathed in blue from the aquamarine and cobalt blue dance floor lights to the navy carpet and table center arrangements of blue violets, hydrangeas, and irises. It gave a feeling of tranquility and warmth and contributed to the atmosphere that was jubilant yet restrained. The young adults, just emerging from their cocoon of high school, all mingled together on the dance floor dancing to the live music of one of the hottest bands at the time, Eve-R. Their eclectic mix of pop and funk had even some of the oldest and most conservative guests at least tapping their feet to the rhythm.

  The tables were set with crisp white linen table cloths and napkins, bone china with navy and gold trim, crystal goblets with gold trim—one each for water, tea, wine, and champagne, and planked by silver flatware engraved with a P for Piedmont. Each round table sat ten people and five waiters were assigned to each table. Standing just arm’s length away anticipating every need—a crumb that needed removal, a lemon for the water, a pinch of salt, a refill (or five) of the Grand Siècle champagne.

  This was not only a celebration of and for the graduates but for their parents as well. It was a chance to show off their kids’ achievements and boast about their acceptance to this or that university and sought-after internships. It was high society taking notes on whom could help whom in future business. It was business as usual.

  While dinner was served, a slideshow of each student with pictures from pre-k through twelfth grade was shown on TVs hung all around the room. Between bites of New York Strip steaks, truffle risotto, farmer’s market vegetables, and a decadent, flourless chocolate cake, guests were entertained by one of the most hilarious and brilliant comedians, made famous for her provocative routine which included snarky remarks about one of Michael Water’s former girlfriends who also happened to be an A-list actress.

  Ashlyn was blissed out being with her dearest friends, listening to her favorite band and relishing that this was all for her. Letting this evening end would mean leaving part of herself behind forever. She was leaving this night no longer a kid but a member of the adult club. She looked around at her fellow students and reminisced about the days that blurred into one four-year stint.

  Ashlyn loved hanging out with her friends. They were her support, her team, her mirror. She had dated a few of them but never found any of the guys all that interesting or attractive. She would miss her friends dearly and realized that she was going to miss out on so much. They would all be going off on exotic and wonderful trips and starting college in a few months. They were starting their lives and moving towards their plans. She was like a passenger in a cab with a driver that spoke no English and stuck in rush hour traffic—no control and waiting for the mess to clear.

  Ashlyn made herself stop thinking and put all her angst, fear, and unhappiness into dancing which she did until the band stopped, and they forced her off the dance floor.

  As she sat in the back of the car on the way home, Ashlyn remained focused on the feeling of the night—happiness, togetherness, and accomplishment. She was not going to think about Orick until tomorrow and maybe not even then.

  Ashlyn woke late the next morning with sore muscles and a headache. With just a week before her move to Orick, Ashlyn had a lot to do to get ready. But a cup of coffee was her first thought. Yes, hot coffee with a side of Blue Eyes. Just maybe he would be there today.

  She had gone every morning like usual to Highcliff Café without once seeing a glimpse of him. One thing about Ashlyn, she never gave up easily.

  Achy muscles and all, Ashlyn jumped into the shower, shampooed, conditioned, and shaved in record time. Her favorite blue cashmere sweater had been cleaned of c
offee and felt so soft as she put it on, then slipped into her favorite skinny jeans. She applied pale lip gloss and grabbed her Tom’s sunglasses and flats before heading downstairs.

  Dana was waiting at the bottom of the stairs with a letter in her hands. “This just came for you. It’s another letter from GYP. You should read it.”

  Ashlyn grabbed it, then threw it on the credenza.

  “I’ll read it when I get back. I can’t start my day thinking about that yet. I’m going for coffee. Do you want one?” Secretly, she hoped her mom wouldn’t take this as an invitation to join her.

  Dana replied, “No, sweetheart. I’ve had my fill today. Thanks for asking. Don’t be too long. We have a lot to do today.”

  Ashlyn nearly skipped to Highcliff Café, looking in every direction the entire way. No sight of him—yet. Even though it had been two weeks since she saw him, she truly believed she’d see him again. She walked in, ordered her usual, and took a seat next to the large glass window near the entrance. Her order was ready and still no sign of him. She sat again and waited another half hour before leaving disappointedly and not at all satisfied with her coffee choice.

  Chapter 5. Nature Calls

  Dejectedly, Ashlyn picked up the letter from GYP and opened it then read all five pages filled with useless details. The letter informed her that she was to report to Orick the following Monday at 8:00 a.m. for orientation. She was assigned to the “Birch Unit” where she would be working in the national park forestry division maintaining the park and hiking trails. Her unit would be living in the park in yurts—whatever that was.

  “Mom, Mom!” Ashlyn yelled. Dana came running out of her study.

  “Mom, this day really couldn’t possibly get any worse. You are not going to believe what they are making me do. I have to live in a national park—in nature and do maintenance. Can you believe this? I can’t believe this is happening to me. We’ve never stayed at a national park. Sure, Yosemite was kinda amazing—to visit. But to live in one. This can’t be happening. And what’s a yurt?”

  Dana took the letter and scanned it before saying, “Well, honey, I don’t know what to say. I’m sure it sounds worse than it is. Just think of it as going to the lake house. There are trees and trails there. I’m sure it will be fine once you get settled in and meet some people. Surely, they can’t expect you do any kind of physical labor. They must have staff that does that kind of work. Maybe it’s just picking up a little litter or planting flowers. That’s probably what it is. I’m not sure what a yurt is. Google it.”

  Ashlyn picked up her phone and Googled yurt. A picture of a circular canvas hut with a teepee style top popped up with a definition that read, “A traditional yurt (from the Turkic languages) or ger (Mongolian) is a portable, round tent covered with skins or felt and used as a dwelling by nomads in the steppes of Central Asia.”

  “This really can’t be happening. If they think I’m going to live in a tent, in the middle of a forest, in the middle of some nowhere town, they are dead wrong. I will not be forced into some hard labor camp with bugs and bears and who knows what. I’ve never been in a tent, and I don’t ever plan on being in a tent. I’m sure I can just call and fix this right now. Give me that letter. I’m taking this into my own hands.” And with that Ashlyn stormed up to her room.

  “But you are not hearing my words. I don’t sleep in tents or in the woods. I don’t go to the woods. Surely there is another position in Orick that doesn’t require living like a homeless person. I’m sure there are a lot of people that enjoy the great outdoors, but I’m not one of them. Please, Melissa, I’m sure we can find a solution. You get the help you need, but I get to live in a house free of nature. What can I do to fix this?” Ashlyn was nearly in tears after speaking with, no begging with, Melissa, the customer service rep, to change her position and unit.

  “Well, Ashlyn, you have been assigned to this unit, and you either show up next Monday or face jail time. I really can’t explain it any other way. I realize this is difficult for you, but those are your choices. I have other reservists to help. Good day,” Melissa hung up, leaving Ashlyn at a complete loss for words. Maybe jail wouldn’t be so bad. At least it’s in a building without creepy crawly bugs and dirt and tents.

  Ashlyn was beginning to panic. What would she do in the woods? What do you wear in the woods? She looked at the list again. The list of items to bring was just six bullet points, “cell phone, notebook, under garments, socks, toiletries, cash for incidentals, appropriate casual clothes for off-duty. All other clothing, bedding, and equipment would be provided.”

  Her whole life had been reduced to a handful of things. How would she survive without all of this? She wondered as she looked around her room. She jumped coming back to the present moment as her cell rang.

  “Stephanie, you are not going to believe this. I’m going to nature jail. Yes, they are sending me to a national park in the frigging woods. I don’t even get to wear my own clothes. I’m being forced to live in a tent and clean the park,” Ashlyn explained to her best friend since Mrs. Kelley’s fifth grade class. Stephanie was her clone. Except for Stephanie’s hair being honey blond instead of platinum blond, they looked so much alike that people often thought they were twins. They had a similar sense of humor, enjoyed the same movies, music and foods. They had been basically inseparable until Stephanie started dating Logan.

  “Ashlyn, I can’t believe it. That’s crazy. They can’t make you do anything you don’t want to do. Why can’t you be assigned to something more reasonable? Have you called them? Has your dad called them?” Stephanie went on without waiting for an answer.

  “Last night was so much fun. Logan was so hot. Wasn’t he just amazing? He was so sweet. I’m packing now, and he’s on his way over. So, I can’t talk long. We leave for Cala Luna tomorrow. I can’t believe you’re not coming with us. I’m so bummed. It’s just not fair that you have to spend your last summer doing janitor work. I know how much you love Cala Luna. And me too. It just won’t be the same without you. The water is so clear and—oh, Logan’s here. Gotta go. Love ya bunches. I’ll call you later.” Stephanie hung up.

  “Great. Thanks, Steph. No, Logan is not awesome for stealing you away from me. And you’re right. This is the most unfair thing that has ever happened to me. Who do they think they are?” Ashlyn yelled into the phone. She felt completely alone. She could call any number of friends but didn’t think they would have any different reaction than Stephanie. It wasn’t happening to them. Ashlyn was just good gossip for the week.

  She laid on her bed staring at the ceiling, and then Blue Eyes was there again with that beautiful lopsided smile. At least she could daydream about him. She was now certain she would never see him again. So, she let her mind wander some more.

  She woke with a start as her mom burst into her room. “Honey, you won’t believe what happened. Molly just called to say that Campbell has decided to join GYP. Can you believe it? She said he wanted to join, because you decided to do it. Campbell is requesting to be in your unit. Isn’t that great? You’ll know someone. Not just anyone one but one of us. You’ve known Campbell since pre-school. Honey, what’s wrong?”

  “Mom, you can’t be serious. Campbell is a complete jerk. He wants to get in my pants, not my unit,” replied Ashlyn.

  “Honey, don’t say things like that. It’s not appropriate. Besides, you’ve never said you didn’t like Campbell. He’s always with you and your friends. I assumed you were close.”

  “No, Mom, he tags along because I feel bad for him. And I don’t want to start any drama with you and Molly. But he’s kinda creepy in that weird way that he stands too close to people and says the most obnoxious and crude things all the time. But his mom is your best friend so, of course, I’ve always tried to keep it cool with him. I didn’t want it to affect your friendship with Molly.”

  “Oh, Ashlyn, I had no idea. Do you want me to call Molly and tell her that you’d rather do this alone?”

  “Yes, please. I co
uldn’t bear to deal with him and nature jail,” Ashlyn said dryly.

  “I’m going to live in a tent in the middle of nowhere wearing some hideous uniform. Really? Who would ever want to volunteer for this?” Ashlyn replied in a raised voice with her face turning red.

  “Please don’t tell Molly what I told you. I know you like Campbell. He acts like a perfect gentleman around adults. But around us, he’s so weird.”

  “No, of course not. Although, I am completely surprised by this. I never would have guessed. He’s always so nice and charming. I thought maybe one day you two might date,” said Dana, dejectedly.

  “What? Oh, Mom, I can’t believe you would ever think I liked him like that. Gross,” Ashlyn replied, shaking at the revolting thought of dating Campbell.

  “Okay. I get it. I’ll call Molly. It may be too late. If he’s already applied, I doubt there is anything we can do. Your dad may not have been able to get you out of serving, but maybe he can, at least, make sure you don’t end up in the same unit as Campbell,” said Dana, as she stood to leave the room.

  “Thanks, Mom. I really mean it. For everything.” And with that, the tears flowed once more for all the things she would miss—her mom especially.

  Dana hugged her daughter tightly until she felt Ashlyn take a deep breath and relax her shoulders. She too would miss her daughter but for now, she had to remain strong. There would be time for tears but not now.

  She released her daughter but still held her in her arms and said, “I love you. I am proud of you. I will always be here for you. Now go pack. I’ll take you to lunch at Santini’s, so you can have your favorite tuna Niçoise salad. No more crying.”

  Ashlyn stood staring at the door for a while after her mom left. She was feeling paralyzed again. Where to start? It was still overwhelming. “Okay, Ashlyn, take a deep breath, count to four, hold for seven, and release for eight. You can do this. You are doing this.” With that deep restorative breath, she went to her closet and pulled out her favorite carry-on travel bag. She packed her favorite blue sweater, t-shirts, jeans, and shorts and her lace bras and matching underwear in a variety of colors. At least she could have stylish and pretty panties and bras. She tossed in a few notebooks, her favorite Tiffany pen and pencil set, and a book she had just bought. She may not be able to pack a lot of clothes, but that wouldn’t stop her from skimping on the essentials. Her bag was bulging with beauty products, hair styling tools, brushes, makeup, and perfumes.