Summer of My 13th Year

It was June 2nd and I didn't have to think about school for three whole months. Yeah! Being thirteen years old, I wasn't responsible for planning family vacations, working a job, planning a family reunion or attending any special events during summer time. My extent of responsibility was mowing the lawn, taking out the garbage, dusting, vacuuming and keeping my room clean.

Theresa, my best friend, and I were just going to hang out all summer long. We filled our days with bike rides to destinations unknown. During those rides we would imagine where the paths would lead us. We would make up lives of people who lived in houses we passed, picture what cars they drove, what thier family life was like, and being girls, we always talked about the clothes they may have in their closets.

Some days were too hot for a long bike ride. Instead, we would direct our bikes to the beach to swim, tan, and hang out for the day. It was on one of these sunny, hot days that my life changed.

"Let's do some diving to see if we find anything interesting." Theresa said.

"Yeah. Goggles are in place. Let's go find treasure." I said. Diving to the bottom of the lake to find treasures was our favorite thing to do while swimming.

We were both at the bottom of the lake when we saw something gleaming. As we swam towards it we saw that it was a pocket watch. I grabbed it and brought it to shore.

"Hey Liz, what did we find?" she said.

"It looks like it's a pocket watch. You know, pocket watches aren't used much these days, they seem to be heirlooms. I'm sure someone would like to have this back." I said.

"We have better check some facts . . . that is, if we are serious about this."

"You're right Theresa. We need to find out the age of this watch so we can start looking for the owner."

"Say, do you think Mike could give us an age for the watch. He works in science, and reads all the time - he's the smartest person I know."

"Good idea. If we leave now, we can explain things to him before we have to go home for supper."

Mike was the neighborhood geek who was busy doing some experiments all of the time. The kids on the block loved to spend time with him because he was patient explaining scientific things to them.

"Hi Mike." Said Theresa.

"Hi Mike." I said.

"Hi girls. What are you two doing with your summer?" he said.

"We were diving to the bottom of the lake looking for treasures where we found this pocket watch. We would like to find the owner." I said.

"What a thoughtful thing to do." He said.

"So glad you think so. We need your help." Theresa said.

"I'm listening." He said.

"We were hoping that you could determine the age of the watch."

"I'd be happy to help you. Why don't you leave the watch with me and call me for updates. It shouldn't take too long."

"Thanks Mike."

"Thanks Mike."

To be continued . . .