Burning Hearts

Chapter 1.2 : My Last Day Of School

I got to the kitchen and there my mother stood baking her blueberry pancakes.

"Yours are already done", my mother says while handing me a plate with 4 pancakes stacked perfectly.

I smiled and she smiled back.

"Thank you", I said

"Of course", mother replied.

I turned around and sat at the table. Grabbed the syrup pouring it all over my plate. Next, two scoops of whipped cream and of course strawberries. My favorite breakfast by far. Mom's blueberry pancakes were the best ever made.

Mother finished her cooking and sat down at the table.

"How do they taste", she asked.

I smiled and replied, "Just the way I like em"

She chuckled and pulled something from her pocket. She held toward me a letter wrapped with a red bow.

"It's not every day my boy turns into a man. Besides it's from your father."

She had the biggest smile on her face but I could tell she was a bit sad.
My father died in a car accident when I was only 8 years old. Mother didn't talk about him much but when she did all she talked about was how sweet he was. Honestly he seemed like a great guy and from what I could remember he was always happy and playful. He always cheered up mom when he walked in the door.

It's been almost 10 years since then and I never realized that he had written me a letter. The seal was still intact and I realized mom never read what was inside. I opened it up and began to read.

"To my son Ryder:
Happy 18th birthday. I always knew you would grow up to be a strong young man. You're probably wondering why I wrote you this letter for this moment so long ago. I was afraid my time with you would be cut short and there were a few things I wanted you to know.

Becoming a man is no easy task. Life will ask of you what you may not want to give. And when that time comes I ask that you follow your heart. You've got allot of difficult choices ahead of you and I wish you the best of luck. Always remember, your my blood. Don't be frightened when the sun goes down, just keep pushing forward even when it all turns around. I love you son.

Your Father: Alex Hays"

I looked up at Mom with a smile on my face.

"Thanks", I said.

I held the letter out to her and she pushed it back to me.

"What your father said is between you and him. Now hurry up with those pancakes before your late for school"

I stuffed the pancakes into my mouth as fast as I could chew. As soon as I was finished I grabbed my backpack, gave my Mom a hug and told her goodbye.

I opened the front door and walked to my car. I felt more confident than I had for a long time thanks to my dad's letter. I was ready to make him proud.