I remember it was my sophomore year in high school.
Being in Symphonic Band for the first time was quite exciting. I had never been able to go to competitions or do any of the "fun stuff" as they called it the previous year. Freshman year was a bit of a discovery for me. All that Middle School drama was flowing out, replaced with a more subdued type of drama.
Now, by my sophomore year, I had a chance to get used to it and I was able to watch the new freshmen take in this new world. Being in band was probably one of the best decisions I had ever made. That's where all my friends were and that's what all my memories recall.
This year, we had gone to a competition held at a college. This college had a very nice campus, with its own little river flowing trough it. Unfortunately, I can't remember the name of the college, but I believe we never returned there after this one time.
We had already played our set, containing "Overture in B Flat" and "Rikudim" to name two of the four pieces we played. "Rikudim" had to have been one of my favorites that year. Mainly because the fourth movement contained a lot of fast fingering techniques.
Stephanie and I had taken up the liberty of exploring campus before we had to board the bus to leave. Chris' little brother, Robbie, joined us. And I really didn't mind. If I had to get Robbie to think I was cool in order to get props from Chris, then that was all I cared about.
I found the three of us walking down a trail, trees on either side of us. The river came out from an awning under our feet, like a bridge. We turned and started walking alongside the river. Stopping a ways down, we began to pick up rocks and throw them in the water. Not big rocks, just like, little pebbles and such.
Three ducks came swimming by us at that point. Their feet making invisible pulls in the water as they slowly migrated past. We continued throwing rocks in the river, watching them pass. Robbie pulled his arm back and threw one in the direction of the closest duck. It flew over the bird and landed on the opposite side.
Seeing this new threat, the ducks turned their swimming direction and tried paddling away elsewhere. I didn't say anything. Just watched as the ducks slowly began to swim away. One duck stopped and tucked its beak under its right wing, pulling out and dunking its head in the water. When it came up, droplets of water curved over its neck, its grace-like movement reflecting in the rippled water.
A pebble landed just outside of the ducks body.
I looked over at Steph, who glanced at me. Then my head swiveled to the left, looking at Robbie. I know there must've been words exchanged between us, but I can't for the life of me remember what they were. Talking with him, I noticed a man making his way up the path.
Sort of heavy set, he was carrying a stick with a string and hook. Apparently, he was out for some fishing. That was the kind of fishing equipment used back in the old days, when real fishing gear wasn't invented. He wasn't looking at the pole in his hands though, or the pebble strewn ground.
He was looking at us.
I looked away, hoping he wouldn't say anything to the three kids dressed in black pants, shiny black shoes, white dress shirts and silver cummerbunds and bow ties. But apparently, he thought different.
"You kids throwin' rocks at those ducks?"
We all jerked, like we had just noticed him walking up the path for the first time.
"No..." I heard Stephanie mutter.
"Sure looked like it to me." The man said, glaring at us.
"We really weren't doing anything." Robbie said.
"You know, I could report you guys for that." He said.
I felt panic well up in my chest. He'd actually report us? The ducks just happened to be there. It wasn't my fault that they came swimming by as we were throwing rocks in the water. I looked back over at them. They had hardly moved, as if showing us up.
"There are Forest Ranger's that sit across the bank and watch for that kind of stuff." The man explained, "They hide up in the trees watchin' with their binoculars. Trust me, I've had them discover me before..."
I was hardly paying attention. Or was I trying too? I suddenly wanted out of here. Quickly.
"They were just swimming by." Stephanie tried to say.
"Doesn't matter." The man said.
I looked at him and noticed a two-way radio on his belt. He wouldn't really do anything would he? I suppose if worst came to worst we could always run. He didn't look like a very fast runner. Of course...looks could be deceiving.
"Do you think that's funny?" the man asked, "Throwin' rocks at animals like that? How would you like it if you were just minding your own business and someone started throwin' rocks at you?"
I didn't say anything. I was just afraid. That and I knew if I opened my mouth I'd only sound stupid.
"Well..." the man said, "I'm not gonna report you or anything, because I used to do that myself. I'll let this one slide, but if I find you guys doing that again, I won't let you off so easy."
He turned and started walking away.
"Just don't be doin' it anymore, ya hear?"
Robbie, Stephanie and I turned and walked away without a word. It felt like a ten ton weight had been lifted from my shoulders. I would never be at that riverside again. As we walked up a flight of steps to get back to the parking lot, I heard Robbie mutter.
"Hangin' out with you guys is gonna get me killed..."