Stumbling along the sidewalk

When Peter got home, his father met him at the door. “Where have you been all night? I’ve been worried sick about you! I didn’t want to go to work without making sure you were okay. I was just about to go out looking for you.”

Peter was stunned. This was the first time since Peter’s mother left that his father had taken any interest in him beyond giving him a list of chores to do while he was at work. Peter whispered, “I’m sorry. I didn’t think you’d care.”

“Peter, of course I care. I know I have been hard on you lately, and I’ll admit that sometimes I speak to you gruffly, but…well, son…this may be hard to believe, but I do it because I love you. I want you to be strong and healthy and independent. I don’t want you to have to go through what I’ve gone through with your mother. Just then, the edges of Peter’s father’s mouth turned downwards, and tears fell from his eyes.

For the first time since his mother left, Peter thought about someone besides himself. For the first time, he saw how much pain his father was dealing with, and Peter also now realized how much his father loved him.

“I’m sorry I hurt you. Will you forgive me?” Peter bowed his head in shame.

His father took a few steps toward him and reached out towards Peter. “Come here, son.”

Peter walked up to his Dad and hugged him, then he did something he needed to do for a very long time, he sobbed uncontrollably. All the shame he had from blaming himself for things he had nothing to do with, all the hurt he endured from losing his mother, and the loneliness and bitterness he had from his relationship with his father–all of it, seemingly all at once, came together and tugged at his heart.

Peter’s father held him in his arms for a long time. Finally, Peter leaned back and stood on his own two feet. His father had been holding him up, Peter realized, because he was so shaken up that he did not have the strength to stand. “I love you, Dad,” Peter said with a big grin.

“What do you say to a couple of beers between men?” his dad said with a smile.

“Really?” said Peter.

“Sure, I think you’re ready for the good stuff!”

Peter’s dad opened the fridge and reached all the way to the back, grabbed a couple cans and handed one to Peter.

Suddenly Peter realized he had never seen any beer in the fridge before. How could he have missed them?

Peter looked down at the can in his hand and let out a soft chuckle as he read the letters: “A&W”.

“Thanks, Dad.” Peter smiled.

Peter, somewhat relieved by these words, muttered under his breath, “Thank you.”

“For saving your life, or for not telling anyone about it?” Leah asked with a smirk.

“Both, I guess…” Peter mumbled.

“It’s just that everything has been so crazy, lately. My mom left, and I don’t know where she went, or if she’ll ever be back. Dad is working double shifts at the mill, so I barely see him either. I just feel like it’s all my fault.”

“I assure you, it is not your fault that your mother left, or that your father is forced to work so much.

“Tell me, young man, what is your name?” Leah asked.

“Oh, sorry. My name is Peter. Why do you call me young man? You’re probably younger than me.”

Leah smiled. She was glad he changed the subject. Hopefully he was forgetting his troubles for a moment.

“I am four hundred seventy three years old, in your years,” she replied. “How old are you?”

“I don’t believe you. How can you be that old? Nobody lives that long. I’m seventeen, and that’s the truth!” Peter growled.

Leah blushed. She was not supposed to discuss her age, or the secret behind her long lifespan, with strangers. Suddenly she regretted her words.

“My people have a long lifespan because they are healthier than most beings,” she lied. “We eat only the purest and simplest foods, and drink only fresh water from the river.” This much was true.

“There’s no river around here that I’ve seen. I think you’re making all this up!”

“If you would like, I can show you,” suggested Leah. “It is beyond the mountain, in a valley full of beautiful plants and flowers. That is also where we grow our food, since the mountain is so barren and dry. We are safer up here, but we must take risks to stay alive.”

“Is it far?” asked Peter. “I have never been to the other side of the mountain.”

“It is far to walk, but not to fly. If you like, I will carry you,” offered Leah.

“That’s okay, I’m too heavy for you to carry,” Peter said, looking down and kicking some pebbles on the ground.

“Ha! I see you have a short memory, or perhaps a selective one. Did you forget–”

“–No, I didn’t forget anything,” Peter interrupted. “Are you sure it’s not too far? My dad will be wondering where I am soon. He’s probably awake by now.”

“You weren’t so worried about your father’s feelings a short while ago, when you–”

“–I just meant that I’m going to be in trouble,” Peter declared. “I should get home. Maybe some other time.”

Peter started to walk down the slope of the cliff, gingerly picking where he stepped, so as not to slip and fall.

Leah watched him, smiling. She was glad that Peter thought of his father, for whatever reason. Perhaps there was still hope for the young man.