When summer comes around and tourists are few, does the Yeti go on vacation?

Here’s a better question: What happens when his vacation is interrupted?

I wrote a story about that.

Well, it’s not just about that. It also about loss, friendship, and fond childhood memories.

It’s called “Leaving Lake June.”

The Maine event…

“Leaving Lake June” had to be both whimsical and summery (for reasons I’ll get to at the end).

Even though I’m a Californian, I set the story all the way across the country.

Why? Because all of my favorite summer vacations were all in Maine.

My uncle had a cabin on this lake. I don’t remember what that lake was called, or where in Maine it was, but I loved it. It’s burned into my memory: the chairs on the porch, the big tree with the swing, the hammock, the little island in the center of the lake that I was sure was just like Tom Sawyer’s Island at Disneyland.

My family would often stay at the cabin next door from my uncle. We’d all go fishing together. I’d lounge outside on the hammock–or even better, my cousins and I would all get on the hammock and try to fling each other off of it (so many bruises–it was the kind of stand-alone hammock with the metal pole beneath it.)

I’m sure we weren’t the only group of cousins who did that. Tell me–do your fond childhood memories brim with bruised shins and busted knees?

The most memorable trip to that lake was the first year I had my own phone. It was my mom’s old iPhone 4, and I couldn’t do anything with it other than take pictures and text my friends via my email address (no phone number for little tween Lucy).

I actually managed to find a few photos from that trip:

That was August of 2016. I was twelve.

It’s crazy how simple things–like multicolored rocking chairs and rope-swings on trees–can shape us as people. Can stick with us so vividly. It makes you think–how much of what you consider comforting and cozy is based off of a photo you took when you were twelve? Do you like the color orange now just because you like that rocking chair all those years ago?

Our lives are molded by number of small moments.

“Leaving Lake June” is bundled in nostalgia… Even though you weren’t there with me in August of 2016 (except for you family members–I see you), I’m sure the story will be a cozy little treat. Perhaps it will even awaken some old childhood memories of your own!

What’s this got to do with the Yeti!?

Don’t worry, I didn’t forget about him.

In a nutshell, “Leaving Lake June” is about this 13 year old kid, Lilah, who accidentally stumbles across the vacationing Yeti when she loses her grandad’s watch.

Here’s a sneak peak from when she first meets the Yeti:

It leaned down and brushed some twigs and leaves aside, revealing a hole in the ground out of which it pulled a big red cooler. It popped off the lid and pulled out a human-sized bottle of beer, which looked funny in its massive hand. 

That’s when it caught me staring. Its already huge eyes widened, and it scrunched up its shoulders and bent its knees like it was trying to shrink down and disappear.

I raised my hand. “Um—”

The thing narrowed its eyes. “Wherever did you come from,” it shouted, voice low like the rumble of an airplane during turbulence, “and whatever do you want?” Its accent was aggressively posh and surprisingly British—like James Bond or something—with breathy “R”s and booming “O”s.

I kept my hand up, blinking slowly as I tried to think of a suitable question. It just stared at me, holding its beer close to its chest as if it were afraid I would come over and steal it. 

So, I said: “I don’t want your beer.”

It raised one side of its brow. “That, Small One, is what they all say.”

If you want to know more…you’ll just have to read the story when it comes out!

And guys, that leads to the fun part…

I’m being published!

If you need a story fix right now…

Don’t worry, boo, I’ve got you covered.