Terrible Things

Kenny sat at the table as he checked over his nine year old sons homework. He didn't really get all of it either but that was because he never paid attention in school in the first place. As far as googling the answers were concerned the males son had a pretty good grasp on the situation. He excelled in school just like his late pa. Kenny would sigh as he put away the work, he was proud of his son for doing so well in school and was certain he'd get a good job and do well.

As for Kenny, he was disappointed in himself for not being able to give his son the life he never had- the life his late lover would have wanted for him. Sure he no longer spent his money on his long time drug addiction but doing so many odd end jobs were starting to take it's toll on him.

Soon enough the son that Kenny was so proud of walked into the room, he looked troubled and Kenny didn't like it. “What's the matter Ethan?” Kenny asked picking up the nine year old and putting him in his lap. “There's this girl at school I know and I really like her.” The child explained. Kenny felt a stab through his heart. His young boy was growing up and falling in love. “By the time I was your age I'd give anything- to fall in love truly was all I could think. That's when I met your father, the boy of my dreams.” Young Ethan listened to his father speak of his pa. He never did anymore and Ethan could tell it was because he missed him.

“He said, 'Boy can I tell you a wonderful thing? I can't help but notice you staring at me. I know I shouldn't say this but I really believe I can tell by your eyes your in love with me.’” Kenny would talk on no matter how much it troubled him to talk of the past, to talk about him. “Now son I'm only telling you this because life can do terrible things.” Ethan knew his father had passed away when he was younger but never knew quite why. He was hoping to find out.

“Most of the time we'd have too much to drink, we'd laugh at the stars and we'd share everything. Too young to notice and too dumb to care. Love was a story that couldn't compare.” Kenny felt the tears in his own eyes forming- he talked on anyway. “I said, 'Boy can I tell you a wonderful thing? I made you a present with paper and string. Open with care now I'm asking you please you know that I love you, will you marry me?’” Ethan sucked in a breath, he could tell the hurt in his father's eyes as he talked about it- he was starting to tear up also. “Now son I'm only telling you this because life can do terrible things, you'll learn one day and I'll hope and I'll pray that God shows you differently.” Ethan hoped so too, he admired his father Kenny's strength.

“He said, “Boy can I tell you a terrible thing? It seems that I'm sick and I've only got weeks, please don't be sad now I really believe, you were the greatest thing that ever happened to me.’” Kenny felt a tear slip down his face and Ethan wiped it away.

It was almost as if Kenny was reliving the whole thing, he hated it. “Slow, so slow, I fell to the ground… on my knees.” Kenny held his son close. “So don't fall in love there's just too much to lose- if you're given the choice then I'm begging you chose to walk away, walk away don't let her get you. I can't bare to see the same happen to you. Now son… I'm only telling you this because life… can do terrible things.”

Suddenly everything was quiet, the two still. Ethan was trying to digest the information he was given. He knew what he had to do.

“I'll walk away.”