Life's Obstacles: Prologue

Life's Obstacles

Prologue

“Where are we going, mom?”

Piper looked down to his son, and smiled slightly. “Somewhere, honey. Dad will be waiting.”

After buying three tickets to Alaska, they started to race down the halls of the airport. “Hurry, the plane’s going to leave soon!”

Jake tried to catch up with his mother, but she was fast. He rearranged the bag that was slung on his back and ran past the confused crowd.

Finally, they halted near a gate. Piper looked around. “Your father has to be here somewhere,” she muttered. Jake squinted. There were so many people in the place; Jake was starting to get dizzy. Eventually he caught sight of a man with a duffel bag running towards their direction. He was tall and had blonde hair and blue eyes.

“There!” Jake pointed. Piper turned and then smiled. “Jason, over here!”

They greeted the man with kisses and hugs and then the family hopped on aboard to the plane. They took their seats and placed their bags down.

“Alaska is going to be a cold place, you know,” Jason said to his son while rubbing his arms, pretending to be in Alaska. Jake laughed and Piper continued to smile. During the trip, they did a few games on their seats and talked about a lot of stuff. When it was nighttime, the place was quiet. Jake had fallen asleep. Jason and Piper sat down in silence, staring at each other. It wasn’t awkward or romantic or anything.

“Hey,” Jason started, looking at Jake. “How is he?”

Piper shrugged. “Good, I guess.”

Silence for a while until Jason said, “Can I ask you a question?”

“Sure, go ahead.”

Jason didn’t take his eyes away from Jake. “It’s been bugging me for a while.”

“About what?”

<p style="text-align: justify;">“He…” Jason faltered, and then shook his head. “Ah, maybe it’s just me.”

<p style="text-align: justify;">“It’s alright, Jason. You can tell me anything.”

<p style="text-align: justify;">Jason smiled and held her hand. “It’s about Jake.”

<p style="text-align: justify;">There was a pause before he continued. “He…he has nice eyes.”

<p style="text-align: justify;">“Is that it, Jason?” But Piper’s smile faded. Then it hit her. She glanced at her son and back to Jason. Her throat became dry. Her heart was beating fast. ''No, not right now. Tonight’s not the time.''

<p style="text-align: justify;">“His eyes are different,” Jason said quietly. Then he looked at Piper. “And he kinda reminds me of—Piper, are you crying?”

<p style="text-align: justify;">“No,” she hastily wiped her tears away. “Just…I’m tired, Jason. Let’s talk about it next time.”

<p style="text-align: justify;">Jason bit his lip and sighed. “Alright. Get some rest, and maybe when we arrive, we’ll talk about it, okay?”