Chapter 4 Spit flies into my face as Cody continues to stick his head out the window, wagging his

tongue in the air. I love seeing him this happy. Unlike us, he lives a simple yet content life. No worries, no troubles and best of all, well at least right now, no difficult conversations or thoughts to be had. I look at my father as he concentrates on the road, taking us wherever he pleases. I still have no idea what is in store for me today. The only certainty is that Ill have to speak to my father about these new sensations and dreams within me. So new in fact, Im not sure I actually want it. But I know I want it right now. Tennis has been my whole life since I was young, consuming me on a daily basis. The first match that I ever saw was Andre Agassi vs Marcos Baghdatis under the lights of the US Open. My father had brought me for the first time and I instantly fell in love with the sport. Its cliche, but the lights, the sounds; the intensity I felt within Arthur Ashe engulfed me entirely. I couldnt lift my gaze from the racquets of these two warriors battling to their limits between the white lines. Agassi was on his last breath, fighting for his survival at the last tournament of his career and Baghdatis was battling a cramp that came at the most inopportune time. The will and drive they exhibited that night propelled me to taking up tennis, creating a relationship with me and this sport. Love isnt an emotion Ive ever felt before, but Im sure I love tennis, Im sure of it. Since I picked up my first racquet, swung my first ball and hired Derrick as our coach, my life has never been the same. My familys life has never been the same. First, it was training day in and day out, focusing on the basics: split step, open stance, closed stance, grips and all the fundamental shots necessary to be the best. Then, it was making the decision whether this was a hobby or a path for me, whether it be a path of greatness is still to young to tell. After much deliberation between Derrick and my parents, they decided for me that this was a path I must walk on and discover the ending on my own. I was 7 years old when my parents put me into extreme tennis conditioning that was meant for me to become a pro. Soon, my parents dream and hope for me became my own dream and hope. I wanted to become a pro. I lusted to hit with Federer and return an Andy Roddick serve. I needed to compete with the best, to show the world what I could do with my weapon. I trained hard for years under my harsh but loving coach. I faced scrutiny, injuries, large obstacles but I overcame them all. I was named one of the top US prospects when I turned 14. Tennis analysts and scouts all over the country were saying I had the talent to carry the American torch after Roddick goes, I would be the next great American star. But, it all came crashing down when I came out of the US scene and onto the International scene playing juniors all around the way. I was 16 when I played my first junior wimbledon and I was 16 when all hype, hopes, aspirations fizzled away like water on concrete during a hot summers day. I never fully recovered from that tragedy, something I rarely speak about. Since then, the

closest Ive ever gotten to making a name for myself on the pro circuit was losing to Jack Sock during the US open qualifying tournament. My injury right now comes probably at the best time. I was feeling regretful of all the effort Ive put into my craft recently. I was thinking about quitting and leaving tennis behind forever. The pressure, the constant training, the lack of a childhood all caught up to me and I crumbled. But this injury is a blessing, its going to allow me to reconsider everything and take a break from tennis. Its time to do my something dramatic. Are we almost there yet? I ask with great anticipation. Soon enough. I think youll like this place. I took your mother here years before you were born. I can tell you need to clear your head and think about whatever it is to think about. This place will help you do that. And remember, Im always here to listen. he says with comfort only a father can provide. I smile back and catch a glimpse a child waving at my from the car opposite us. She holds up a doll and waves back with it. The innocence of a child is probably the most pure existence we have in this world. They carry on their lives with no regrets, little concern for what others think about them and when they grow up, they remember almost nothing about their childhood. Its a shame I dont remember a time where I had no concerns for anything. I want to experience a real childhood. I want to experience something real. Were here. my father announces. I open the car door and Cody immediately jets out off my lap, completely forgetting to tie his leash onto his collar. Cody! Get back here! I scream chasing after him around the parking lot. I sprint across the field trying to catch up to him as I see him run into the woods. Cody! Cody! Stop! I yell with everything I have. I continue to look for him, slowing down to a brisk jog, hoping hed stop to catch his breath and allowing me to catching my own breath. I hear his bark in front of me and I run towards the sound. Hes growling at laying on the ground, assuming theyre an enemy of some sort. I chuckle. Come here Cody. I whisper, hoping hed listen to my command for once. Leaves rustle and move through the air, the figure begins to sit up and I stop in my tracks. Cody continues to bark away and the figure jolts upright and runs to the nearest tree with Cody chasing after. Amber strands become tangled around tree

branches, I slowly make eye contact with the figure of a woman. Immediately, her jade eyes catch my attention like a monet painting while youre browsing through a musem. I see her struggling to free her hair from the grasp of the branches and walk towards to aid. Cody is still barking in the background, trying to warn me about the intruder. I continue to ignore him. Slowly, her hair becomes free and rewards me with her smile. Beautiful, glistening teeth become apparent and I impulsively smile back at her. Who is she? Why was she sleeping in the woods? More importantly, whats her name? These are the questions I had to find the answers to. Cody begins to sniff around her to determine whether she is friend or foe. His nose rides up her jeans, catching any scent that may put him off. In the end, he determines her to be friend. She flicks her hair behind her ear and kneels down to pet Cody with gentle strokes. Cute dog. she begins. Thanks, his name is Cody. I reply. Cute name too. she says. The smile returns and again, I instinctively smile back. What is going on? Sun breaks the tree lining and gives perfect lighting to her complexion. Her skin is creamy vanilla with absolutely no faults. What were you doing sleeping in the woods? Isnt it uncomfortable? I ask. Hmm. Well. I was sleeping in the woods simply because I want to. She beams back at me. Comfort is another thing. But whats discomfort for one night in exchange for a story? Youll have plenty of time for comfort when youre older, when youre young, thats the perfect time for discomfort. All I could do was have my mouth gaped open and stare bewildered at her statement. She brushes leaves off her jeans and begins to fix her silky hair. She flings her head forwards allowing the strands to go where they please and ties her hair into a ponytail. You know, you should really have a leash on him so he doesnt run away like that. she says. Yeah, I usually do, but he just bolted right out of the car. I completely forgot he was sitting on my lap. I reply sheepishly. Wow, you forgot an animal was on your lap? You must have been in one deep trance or thought. What were you thinking about? she asked. Now that you mention it Im not sure. I reply. Her sheer presence in front of me has caused me to lose my short term memory. I barely remember how I even got this place. Speaking of which, where the heck am I?

Do you by chance know where I am right now? I never got the answer from my father since he drove me here. I ask. Are you kidding? You dont know where you are? Youre only in one of the most beautiful and serene places in New York! This little park is called Bear Mountain. Its a beautiful area upstate, somewhere you can go where you can escape it all. she replies. She twirls gracefully around the leaves leaving behind a cloud of dirt. Whoops, sorry. Didnt mean for that to happen. I just get so excited for waking up. Excited to just wake up what a statement. Do you remember when you were excited just to wake up? Who gets excited for that? Her theory about discomfort gives me the chills as well. I would never willingly put myself in the woods and on the ground just for the sake of what? A story? Thats silly. She continues to twirl around in the leaves, bouncing from tree to tree, hanging and propelling herself forward using their trunks. Leaves fly up in the air and shes on the ground. I react and run towards her, bending down to help her up. Are you OK? I ask with concern. She beams back at me. Never better! I have to know. I have to know. You know when there is curiosity eating at you like a craving for chocolate chip cookies that has to be satisfied? I feel like that now. I dont have to know her name, I need to know her name. I need to know more about this girl who thinks waking up everyday is a gift. I see red flowing from her face. Youve got blood on your lips! Are you sure youre okay? I exclaim, embarrassed that Im this concerned about a little scratch. She laughs and wipes the blood off with her sleeve. Well, it wouldnt be a good story if there wasnt an injury in it, now would it?! Amazing. So carefree, so graceful, so unique, who is she? She picks herself up again and fixes up her jeans. Shes wearing a t-shirt with giant yellow smiley face, like the one from Forrest Gump. Her hair is tied back in a ponytail and her shoes seem to be worn from years of walking, plain ol black chucks. By every defintion, she seems like an ordinary girl, one youd find on any block in New York City. The names Kaley Swanson. Pleasure to meet your acquantaince. she says in a slightly facetious tone, while curtseying. She laughs it off and skips around on the trail nearby as if she expects me to follow her. Well, arent you going to tell me your name? And dont forget about your dog this time. Cody is laying in the leaves, clearly tired from chasing after nothing. I grab the leash and guide him towards Kaley. Im Victor Tang. I reply back and bowing. What am I doing?

Well, Victor. What say we walk up this trail and see what lies at the end of it? She says. Um, I have to tell my father first though. Hell need to know where I am. I ask with my face flush. Im not sure why I was so embarrassed. Probably because the vibe I got from her was shes completely free to make her own decisions, while Im still tamed and kept on a leash by my parents. With a puzzled face, she asks Do you have a phone? Equally puzzled, I look back, Of course I do. Why? She smiles as if she just came up with the greatest plan ever, Then you can text or call him! No need to find him. Just let him know youre safe. Im sure Cody will be able to make it up this path and if not, youll carry him, right? Im not sure where she gets this confidence and bravado from, but I enjoy it. Its a fresh change of pace from my life of tennis where everyone has the same goal on their mind, the same routine engraved into their bodies and the same conversations had, day in and day out. I look at her amber hair trailing behind as she walks up the path and I follow. I feel magnetic towards her, a bond that I just cant break away from. Ive known this girl for 15 minutes but I want to know more. I need to satisfy this craving and to understand the mystery and excitement that surrounds her. I text my father and tell him Im taking Cody for a walk up a trail, letting him know Im OK and Ill give him a call when Im done. Kaley runs up farther and the trail and inhales deeply. You can almost see the air flowing into her like steam rising out of a boiling pot of water. She looks intently at the sky and announces, Another beautiful day, another beautiful adventure to be had. Lets go Victor. I can do nothing but look as she skips up the trail, leaving me with no choice but to follow in her steed.