When I ran away from home for the first time when I was about 14 years old.
I woke early and typed a letter to my mom, telling her that I had to go to the library some time that afternnoon. I told her I was out walking, but I'd be back in time. Then I walked from NAS (the "island") toward the other Naval Base, I don't know how many miles away. The walk took me most of the day.
I stopped at a store along the way and bought a bottle of Coke. Then I went to a grocery store near my destination and bought some Crackle candy bars and a bottle of (oops) seltzer water. I had brought strawberry Garlfield "gummies" and a bunch of crackers with me from home.
The first night, I slept high off the ground on a tree branch. I slept really well and thought about just calling the branch my new home. But as I fidgeted around, a big patch of bark broke away and roaches and other bugs revealed themselves.
I shuddered. A lot. lol Then I built a lean-to. I used a large tree as my base, then leaned saplings against it, which I tied together with something I called a "fan plant" (it looks like a spikey palm tree, but grows in bunches close to the ground). Fan Plants were used all my life, when building forts in the woods. They act as a wind buffer.
I had a fire pit, but I was too scared to used it because I was somewhat close to the road.
It was in March, but it was unusually freezing that year.
And I picked the unfortunate spot behind: The Oyster Bar, Popeyes Fried Chicken and some other restaurant I've forgotten. When the wind was right, the smell was torture.
I eventually bbecame so desperate that I found a round cactus. I plucked out the big needles, but wasn't aware of tiny wispy needles. I grabbed the cactus to skin it and all those little needles became stuck in my skin. I stupidly wiped my hands on my pants, and then they became lodged there too.
But the cactus was delicious! It tasted a little like kiwii.
I tied my Coke and water to a string, and let it float in a nearby Creek to keep it cool.
It was THE BEST TIME OF MY ENTIRE LIFE!!!
But, I started feeling sorry for my parents. I dwelled on the things they must be thinking or fearing, so I called my uncle after 10 days.
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