Just Write

New Beginnings

"Wow, Mommy! Look at how big the waves are!" The little boy exclaims excitedly. Jumping and shouting, his small arm extended out to point towards the crashing water below.
"Yes, very nice." His mother responded.
They were hiking along the cliff side, following a small make-shift trail that led beyond their tiny house and overlooked the vast ocean. The mother was depressed, so put it simply, but she didn't quite understand why. Her son stood at the rocky edge before her, grinning from ear to ear.
The mother then began to feel overwhelmed with a sense of terror as she saw what was ahead of them: A single mom, no job to keep and no home to love. No goals, nothing to keep fighting for. So alone. Her chest ached as she envisioned her future, and her son. He was so small, so helpless, and so innocent. He turned away from the roaring waves and glanced up, meeting his mother's gaze and a sad look in her eyes.
"I'm sorry, but I love you." She shoves him off the cliff.

***

Fifteen years pass by. The mother is now happily married with a loving family, situated in a gorgeous home, and finally content with her life. She is seated outside on her balcony, staring beyond the rolling colors of the hills that surround her. The breeze is soft, and the faint chirping of birds meet her ears in a delightful song. Her new son, quiet and small, calls out from behind her.
"Hi, Mama. What are you doing?" The child asks, his voice full of curiosity. Chubby hands wrapped around the smooth, pristine silk of his mother's dress and tugged lightly.
"Oh, nothing my dear." She replies. Her eyes drift from her son's small smile back out to the hills. It was so beautiful. It was everything she had ever wanted. Then, interrupting her thoughts, a memory resurfaces. It was of another son, long ago, but she pushes it away. That was in the past, and she had no need to ever think of his face again. That was then, this was now. There was always a chance for new beginnings.
"Would you like to sit with me?" She asks, forcing away her thoughts. Her hand glided to her side and she lightly patted the railing beside her.
"No thank you, Mama."
"Oh, come on now. You can see so much beauty from up here, I just know you'll enjoy it." She smiled again, but was met with a frown.
"I don't want to, Mama."
"Why not? It's nice."
Her son's arms drooped to his sides and he met her gaze.
"Because... I don't want you to push me again."