Wherever We Go

I remember laying out next to one another underneath the stars and in the morning I remember waking up to Jervey laughing over Jesse having fallen asleep on the ground with nothing, not even a sleeping bag.  I remember the smell of coffee and the brightness of the sun setting behind the Thanksgiving Coffee Company.  I remember being passed by Wavy.  Several times.  I remember the smell of pine trees and the sound of a screeching owl and I remember sitting on the concrete with my jersey zipped open and the cool perspiration on the plastic cup holding my Racer 5.  The sun on my chest.  I remember Lily climbing to the top of the pyramid and I remember trying to keep up with Jules coming up and out of the bend.  I remember Nick coasting by and calling us morons.  I remember the group decision to make me wash my shorts in the river.  I remember dinners by arcs of lamp light across two picnic tables and toasting to being together.  I remember having to say goodbye to Saul.  I remember washing my hair underneath a metal pipe and the cold water breaking down my back.  I remember pacing through the mountains with the Hooker brothers, chasing D, rollers gliding in and out of daylight, and a vacation wonderland.  I remember a hot dog falling on the ground and waiting for the next.  I remember finding out that the shot blocks have caffeine in them.  I remember Jenny exasperated, laughing, having just cross-chained five miles up a mountain.  I remember James pulling in, the sound of cheering.  I remember the Spilgers arriving with a home-cooked dinner.  I remember writing under the soft glow of the dome light in the van, surrounded by the darkness.  I remember racing AT.  I remember him winning.  I remember children cheering.  I remember Nick and Mary coming back to meet us over oysters.  I remember hugs.  I remember high fives.  I remember that last night, when everyone said thank you.  I remember spending the day with Hanna, and I remember Rick, and as we rode away I remember hearing him say, peace be with you.  I hope so.  I hope so.  I remember Lily whistling out of the window, calling out our names.  I remember Toby pointing upward into the universe and outward towards the ocean.  I remember getting an email from Adam over a year ago.  I remember getting an email from Lily.  I remember hand, upon hand, upon hand, upon hand, and we’re huddled now, we’re all shoulders, we’re all blue, all orange, all one, all together now, on three…