I don’t know what to make of this past week.

This time last Sunday I was DRIVING home from Las Vegas. I wasn’t there for reasons that some of these teachers and students might think based on what “vibe” I give off unintentionally (that one that says I wreak of mischief). I was there for a funeral. I had been there since Friday night and I was tired on my way back. I came home on Sunday night, the day of the time change coincidentally. I came back just on time for baseball practice in a very tired state. I came back to a TON of Spanish homework, but I also came back to batting practice.

We had our first game on Wednesday and our next on Saturday against Dunn. I had to make up a test, turn write an AP essay and complete another test in English, and another in Statistics. I was gone and I felt, “wow, this is my welcome back? thanks for dying grandma.” In between people not being able to leave my reason for absence at “family issues,” some incessantly interrogated me as to why until I had to tell them.

You ever have one of those weeks where you can’t wait for it to be over? I had a ton of work, a baseball team whom I wanted so badly to deliver for, and the endless inquiries. I needed a break. I guess I kept on telling myself I had to push on to really feel relief. When I finished all my work on Friday afternoon, after receiving much attitude from the AP Spanish teacher, I really needed a break. I felt hazed and wired and in need of a break. I drank my 10th coke and fell asleep.

Saturday I played a baseball game, my last game ever at Dunn. Until the rain ended my 2nd start of the season prematurely, I pitched 5 innings allowing only 2 unearned runs, allowing one hit, walking one, and striking out 5. Afterwards I drove to In n’ Out Burger with my teammates to get a late lunch, and some form of compensation for my shortened success on the hill. I got my burger, told the lady behind the counter she had lovely eyes and left. A group of kids asked us if we knew Gunnar Helman as well.

I got back and fell asleep almost immediately. With no more responsibilities, I laid in bed listening to the sound of pouring rain outside feeling safe from the storm outside. I guess in that moment I found myself in my own personal sanctuary. It was as if I came inside after a rain storm and felt invulnerable to what had just happened, to what I just came out of. I was safe from the past week and past quarter and I could finally take time to think “Does Stephanie still live in Boston?” and “What time do the Lakers play?” Trivial thoughts and coke allowed me to relax, for now.