Welcome to The Moth. I'm Michelle Jalowski and on this episode, Liquid Nostalgia.

We've got two stories about those fountains of childhood sugar highs and summer memories,

bug juice and slushies. First up is Stacey Bader Curry, who told this at a New York City Grand Slam where the theme was without Annette.

Also, a quick side note, if your childhood didn't include bug juice and you're wondering what it is,

think water down Kool-Aid.

Here's Stacey, live at the mom.

Thank you.

I am in the lake.

I am in water up to my chest and I have a dilemma.

In the middle of the lake, there is a floating dock.

And on that dock is Kyle Peters.

Now in fifth grade, Kyle Peters came up with us.

The perfect nickname for me, Master master baiter and but but now we're in

sixth grade and I don't know why but I love him and I want to go on this dock with him

but all I know how to do is tread water and float on my back.

Nothing that will actually propel me forward.

But I decide I'm going to float on my back and hope some kind of lake current will take me there.

And as soon as I flip onto my back, I forget all about Kyle Peters because that water, it's so

warm, it's so relaxing.

But then I start to hear this sound, and it sounds like, beep, beep, and I'm ignoring it.

But it gets louder and louder, and finally I open my eyes,

and I realize I'm in my bed, and I am ignoring my alarm clock, and I am not lying in this luscious lake,

...