This happened a few months ago back in the spring.

It was that strange in-between period of my life.

Just graduated, no real responsibilities yet, and way too much free time.

I'd finished school a semester early,

which seemed like a great idea when I was drowning in assignments, but once I actually had all

this free time, I had no clue what to do with it. My full-time job wasn't starting until June,

and most of my friends were still busy with classes or finals, so until then, I was just floating,

feeling like I was stuck in the gap between two phases of my life.

It was actually really discomforting and made me feel worthless.

I'm someone who always needs to be doing something productive, so just sitting around

for days on end, watching time passed was killing me.

That's probably why I said

yes when my mom asked me to check on my Uncle Rick's beach house. It was an easy favor, drive down

to Rojobith Beach, make sure nothing was leaking or damaged, and do some small maintenance to save Rick

the cost of hiring someone. Oh yeah, I should probably mention that I'm from Pennsylvania and Rick's house is in Delaware,

so the drive's not so bad, just a little over two hours.

The house is massive, the kind that comfortably holds my entire extended family every summer.

25 of us packed into one place, playing games and drinking too much.

Those two activities are honestly

the only distinctive things about our family. This house isn't exactly on the shoreline, but

it's not too far from the beach either. It's nestled in a quieter neighborhood, lined with

tall beach grass and winding roads. Fast forward to some random day of the week that I honestly

...