A Summer Nights Drive, 2006, by Amber Dittrich

From MemoryArchive

Who: Amber Dittrich
What: A Summer Nights Drive
When: November 2006
Where: Washington, Iowa

As Nolan pulls out onto a secluded dirt road and breaks the darkness’s force by turning on the bright headlights I know we are in for the ride of our lives. The three of us, Edith, Gloria, and me are setting on the roof of the ’98 Dodge Dynasty feeling on top of the world. Slowly Nolan accelerates flinging dirt upward, with it bringing the foul smell of manure in the air, but leaving behind a cloud of brown powder floating in the air. Cranking up the stereo, “Ridden Dirty” by Chamelonare we gangster dance on top of the car in the wee hours of the morning. Nothing could break the excitement we felt. Not the bugs smacking our teeth, the wind blowing up our undershirts, and not even the goose bumps that were forming on our frozen arms. This was a night of firsts; first time I had ever camped out without my parents, first time I roof rode and also the first time I didn’t have a feeling of regret. When you are that happy on a natural high nothing can hinder the exhilaration you feel. In one fatal second every aspect of that night became horrific and gloomy. Nolan hit a shift in the dirt and started swerving towards the cornrows. In that moment Gloria stood up in a “surfing motion.” “Wooh look out for this narleay wave!” Gloria said as she did a jump on her “surfboard” “Pretty sweet moves,” was my reply. “Heehee,” was all Edith said as she silently jumped of the side of the car. Edith proceeded to run around the front of the car causing Nolan to throw out a high-pitched young child scream, giving us all a loud and heartfelt laugh. What could be better then a summer nights drive with three of your best friends?