Then I went off to college. Freshman year, nothing. Sophomore year, I met this very pretty girl and we dated for a few months until she dumped and cru...hed me. After that I struggled to finish the year and went home for the summer. Got a job, so mainly I worked and played basketball with some friends. Once I met Charlene, I started spending my free time at the state park where she worked in the concession stand. She was so pleasant to be around. I remember talking to her at her work or on the. Their trunks twisted as though wrenched of life by the burping bayou. Every branch was adorned with viscous webs. A forewarning of the crawling creatures that lay hidden within the barren husks, awaiting prey. The luminosity of the full moon looming on the horizon mingled with the marsh gases to craft the ghostly aura of wandering spirits. Spike could hear the crocking of toads, the chirping of bats, the howling of wolves, and distance gurgling groans. If he had to guess, he’d say it was the. "I can show you something tonight that youwill have never experienced before. However, you have to be prepared toaccept marvels and not to freak out, no matter what may occur. Are yougame?" Steve hastened to assure him he was. "Then come with me," Arthurcontinued and they left the offices, locking up behind them, andproceed to walk to a large house on the outskirts of town. "I own thishouse," Arthur explained, "although I don't live here on any regularbasis." He unlocked the front door and. She even bought me a littleballerina light. I told her I was much too old for a girly lamp likethat, but she just laughed it off and told me it was therapeutic. Iwasn't going to argue. She also started buying me Barbie dolls andstuffed animals. Again telling me it was therapeutic. I asked her if itwas for me or her, as I certainly wasn't going to spend time playingwith Barbie dolls. Though I did catch myself a couple of times changinga dress, or admiring her swimsuit (once!)Mother slowly.