The Incredible Flying Machine

Slam! Run! Pounce! "Hurry, Nee'! We've got to go!" Mark would say. These words were the beginning of another adventurous summer day. Chasing each other out the door, we raced towards our "experiment." There weren't any blueprints to follow, just our imaginations. Put a peice here, put a piece there. WOW! It's a biycle; (we thought).

Our house sat at the top of a miniature mountaion, or so it seemed to us at the time. The mountanous incline gave Mark the G-forces necessary to fulfill his Evil-Kinival fantasy. On this chosen day, Mark would attempt to fly over the neighbor's station wagon! Little did we know how well this hare-brained scheme would actually turn out.

Mark mounted our multicolored, two-wheeler, rid-at-your-own-risk experiment. "Nee, if I live through this, I double dare you to do it, " were his last words before he started his mission. Glancing around and taking in his surroundings, he chose the direction of his destiny. Mark bowed his head for one last prayer and the countdown began. "10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 BLAST OFF!" As the word came out of my mouth, Mark kicked the pedeal with extreme force, like an engine reaching its maximum velocity.

Speeding down the hill, Mark reminded me of a giant spider rushing to the kill. His wind-blown face resembled that of a Ren and Stimpy cartoon with his open mouth strething from ear to ear. Squealing with excitement, he hit the ramp at maximum acceleration. To our astonishiment within a split second he was sailing through the air and over our neighbor's old sation wagon. Haphazardly landing with a thump on both wheels, he wobbled to a stop. After sighing and taking a few deep breaths, he laid a trembling hand on my shoulder and said, "Together we made it Nee."

As we trudged wearily towards the pinnacle of our mountain, which seemed further away somehow, we leaned on each other and basked in the glory of our success. Near the top Mark confided, " I want to do it one more time." Upon reaching the top we dropped to the gournd under Mrs. Grady's shade tree and discussed the details of our latest experiment. Finally, feeling sure of himself, Mark stood up and said, "I'm ready to attempt the flight one last time."

Saying, "Watch this Nee," he mounted the flying machine and started pedaling for dear life. Riding beside him, I noticed him starting to sway. Suddenly, the handlebars on which he had had a strong, solid grip jerked loose from the bike. Mark's face filled with terror as the front tire and forks disengaged themselves from the bike and went rolling merrily on their own way. I skidded to a stop as bike parts rolled accross my path. Instantly, Mark was thrown from our experimental bike. With a horrifying scream, he began sliding down the hill on his arms and knees.

Jumping off my bike, I ran towards the bloody heap lying in the road. Reaching out my hand, I helped him to his feet. As we stumbled towards the house, pikcing up the stray bicycle pieces on the way, he looked at me and moaned, "Next time le'ts make sure the bolts are screwed on extra tight."

This is just one of the crazy days my cousin, Mark and I had growing up together. Living life day to day, I do not always realize how important each moment is and how I should cherish each memory.

I LOVE YOU MARK!