Activity Check: 188
SUMMERTIME – her sun-kissed skin glistens, adorned with the salty droplets of both ocean water and sweat dripping down her nearly naked frame. Her bare feet press against the sand as she makes her way towards the wooden plank steps that lead to the boardwalk. The scent of popcorn and funnel cakes fill her nostrils as her bright optics tilt towards the soon to be setting sun. It’s a beautiful afternoon, the ninety-degree breeze blows through her dark locks, wrapping her flesh in warmth as she exhales a silent sigh. She’s happy. SUMMERTIME – the thin layer of lace and sequins cover her frame as she makes her way into the dressing tent, smile fading slightly as the bright red accent colors are replaced by navy blue, heavy breaths falling from her lips as her chest rises and falls heavily, catching her breath. She’s high off the adrenaline from her performance, her body begging for recovery. He approaches her, a sideways grin lacing his features as he hands her a drink – it’s whiskey – followed by a set of pills. Take these… He murmurs, leaning in to brush his lips against her cheek. She obliges, giving into the easy temptation as she swallows the pills, chasing them down with the harsh liquid of the drink. Before she knows it, they kick in. She’s happy. SUMMERTIME – laughter falls from her lips as she stares into the bright eyes of her son, watching as he runs through the lawn of the small park. They’re in a hotel, just off the interstate. The small town is nice and filled with southern accents, a place she could see herself settling down in, if her lifestyle allowed it. Her eyes are sober, and her heart is filled with love as the belly laugh falls from the tongue of her toddler. They’re leaving soon, after her final performance, but she knows that they’ll have more moments like this in the next town. She wraps her arms around her little boy, pulling him onto her lap as she tickles him, his happy squeals sounding like music to her ears. She’s happy. SUMMERTIME – tired eyes stare at the wine bottle in her hand. It’s empty and she’s more than tipsy as she dangles it over the edge of the rooftop, bare feet grazing the edge as her dark orbs glance down at the empty sidewalk beneath her. It’s a long way down, long enough to…the sound of the bottle shattering against the concrete as she drops her now empty hand to her side. She wants to be happy, but so much has happened leaving her as shattered as the bottle she just released. Maybe, just maybe, if she followed the bottle over the edge, she’d be happy too.











