Monica C.

My eyes gazed out the window of my mom’s car in a trance. As the sleek, black car slowly  
rolled into the driveway, my eyes caught a small, wooden tree house surrounded by looping
vines and towering trees. I snapped away from my trance, and nearly jumped out of my seat
as I saw new steps unfolding from it. The sun glinted on the railings around the perimeter and
the poles coming up from every corner. Was the tree house done? I questioned myself.
What am I waiting for? I’ve gotta’ find out! I thought excitedly. I unbuckled my seat belt
as fast as lighting, and flung the door open. I leaped out of the car and slammed the door
shut. I then bolted across the glistening grass.

My heart thumped against my chest as loud as a performer tapping against a microphone,
as I thought of all the possibilities of things that we could do in the tree house.
We could paint it, wait, that would take too much work. Maybe, Sonia and I could
bring up chairs and tables to create a house, no parents allowed!
That would be so awesome! Ideas raced through my mind, and I took time to take a
look at each one, deciding if it was possible or not. I attempted to keep myself thinking,
because it seemed as if it was taking a million years to get to the tree house. I felt the
butterflies in my stomach flutter even more vigorously as I slowed to a stop in front
of the treehouse. I heard a loud, buzzing of a drill, and smelled the scent of fresh,
new wood lingering. I saw my dad installing the final, absolutely final,
no-other-step-after-this-step, step.  Large pieces of wood laid around, along
with all sorts of sharp of tools. My heart was still racing as I blurted to my dad without
thinking,” Can I go up?! Please!!!” I felt like a little kid, bouncing up and down.
My dad leaned back with a sigh, and he looked at me with a tired face.

“Yeah, sure. You may want to be care-”

“Ok!” I called back, interrupting him. I then, started making my way up the steps.
I grasped the cool metal handles, and peeked at the interior. A few nails and tools
were scattered across the \wood-decked floor, but I didn’t care. I admired how much
space there was! You could fit a football field in here! I exaggerated in my mind.
I pulled myself up. I sighed in relief that the floor stayed firm underneath me.
I headed to the back of the tree house, wanting to take a glimpse at the woods.
I ran my hand against the smooth railing and stared in shock at the woods.
The nearby trees waved their branches, the sun glistening on their bright leaves,
as to welcome me in the tree house. The thin canopy of leaves laying across the
top of the woods made the sun shine upon the ground in ripples. Leaves, of all sizes,
were scattered practically everywhere in a lush green. In the distance, I saw fallen trees,
groups of large, moss-covered rocks, and dilapidated logs. I felt as if I was in a scene
from a fairy tale. As I observed the woods, my mind drifted. One thought made my
snap back into reality. If it wasn’t for my dad, I wouldn’t be able to look at the woods from
here! I pushed myself away from the railing. I wouldn’t even be in this tree house!!
My thoughts scolded me. I was so oblivious and selfish! I ran to the front railing and
leaned. My dad was dusting the wood scraps off the last step. After all this work, weeks
after weeks of hard labor, yet not for himself. For me and Sonia, and all of our friends!
I could already picture the joy the tree house will bring us. I could imagine
Georgia, my friend,  running around excitedly, exploring the tree house.
I could see Sonia, my sister, Georgia and I planning out our ideas for the tree house.
I stepped away from the railing. I took a deep breath and ran to the steps of the
finished tree house. I cautiously lowered myself down. I headed to my dad, who was
now admiring his hard work. He smiled as he noticed me.

“Do you like it?” He asked, a hint of nerve in his voice.

“Dad…..” I paused. “ Of course I do! Thank you so much! All of my friends
will love it too, especially Georgia. They may be a little jealous…..” I smirked.
I pulled my dad in for a hug.

My dad chuckled. “I’m glad you like it.” He replied.

I let him go, and then I tugged on his arm. “What are you waiting for? C’mon!
Let’s go up the tree house!”

My dad’s eyes gleamed with pride. “ I don’t know, is it a “ kid’s only” tree house?”
He asked one eyebrow raised. He smiled, but a different type of smile. His smile,
had a glint of humor in his eyes, and a smile that seemed to be more of a smirk, and
gave off the effect as if he was teasing me. I recognized this smile as the,” I just did a
really bad dad joke,” type of smile.

I shot a smug,” I finally get to overrule you in a decision,” look back at him. “
Parents are allowed!” I replied.

We then dashed up the beloved, finished tree house together.