Telegenic of Memoirs

Chapter 2

Jake's family was the kind of family that wouldn't easily stay at one place.

It was a cold January morning when Jake was born. His parents, Luke Miguel and Michelle Miguel were still young, around their mid 20s. Let's have a short look at the past, shall we? Luke was an architechture graduate, but he took a board exam twice.

And miserably, he failed twice as well.

So now he works as a landscaper for a while, maybe take a third and final exam. Michelle, on the other hand, is a well-known gardener at their mountainous hometown. She met Luke one afternoon, while she was looking for a client. The two became close friends when Michelle learned that Luke wasn't looking for any flowers, but instead was looking for a gardener open for a co-landscaper. The two became partners for about 2 years. They soon learned much from each other. Michelle soon realized she was having feelings for his partner in business. And when she met Luke's parents, they instantly liked her. And ever since Luke's mom and dad would tease him to look his best and threat Michelle like a princess.

Though he wouldn't admit it openely, Luke felt as if he was being raised by an angel, after years of failing the board exam and living with his parents, he finally found light within his life. They have a solid relationship for another year. They felt as if they won't look for anything else. Luke did his best to care for Michelle, and in return, Michelle threated Luke with great kindness, letting him move into her home. And one afternoon, while Michelle was tending some roses and sunflowers, Luke came to her, and got on his knees, pulled out a silver ring with flowers encrusted on it. With four words, Michelle felt as if she is going to cry.

"Will you marry me?"

Michelle was on the edge of crying. "Yes, Luke, Yes!" And with those words, Luke lifted Michelle off of her heals and danced across the garden with bliss and hope that their love would never end.

The wedding was simple yet a beauty. They were wedded within the landscaped garden. Then they have their first child. Jake.

And then it all happened to quickly. A storm came raging and destroyed all of Michelle and Luke's garden and business, and even their home. Their dreams suddenly shattered. But when there is destruction, as Luke's father said, there is always hope.

Michelle, Luke and Jack temporarily moved into the Miguel household, with Luke's parents. The calamity had left Michelle flabbergasted and distressed. Luke felt as if he needs to strike again, he needs to do something for his wife and his child. That is when he remembered the board exam. Prayers were given, months were dedicated for reviewing and preparation. Endless bundle of coffee were bought and hour after hour of books and books and more books. And when the day came for the results, what seems to be a miracle happened.

Luke's name was on the results.

Michelle, Luke's parents, and Luke himself were happy as if they are about to cry. And after a month, Luke found a stable job. It was going good for the couple. They're collecting enough fund for a new house. Luke's parents were proud when they knew he was going to have a new home when Jake is going to be 1 or 2. But the happiness ended there. One evening, while driving to a dinner party, Luke's parent met with an accident, killing them both in a horrible car crash.

The memorial was short. Tears were shed. Luke felt as if he was crumbling yet again, but when he saw his lover and child, he knew he has to be strong. But he couldn't help but shed a few tears of sorrow for the ones he dearly loved.

Jake was around 1 when they left their hometown to move to Marinella City, a busy and modern city with a 4 hours worth of travel from their place. Luke and Michelle realized that they need to keep moving forward, so they packed their bags, sold the house and the vintage car to buy a personal secondhanded van and enough budget to at least start a rent and a job in the city. It was by the end of November when they arrived to their destination.

When they've finally settled in Marinella City, that is when Michelle confessed to Luke. She hasn't finished her college course as a nurse. She only need one more year to graduate when her parents died in a horrible accident, thus forcing her to drop out and take over the family garden business. After a while of contemplating, Luke finally offered to help Michelle finish college.

And when Jake was 3 and ready to go to school, Michelle was a full pledge nurse, working in a private hospital. They sended Jake to a private school, and at least give him everything he needs.

That is until they realized that Jake has a case of asthma (it runs in the mother side of the family) and that the cause is from the overwhelming pollution of the city. One day, while at work, Luke overheard a deal of a house at a nearby city, with a distance worth 15 to 30 minutes to and from Marinella City. And the house is only being sold at a low price, and it's in great shape.

Think it's for the good of Jake's health, and to get out of the cheap, one bedroom apartment they're living in, Luke and Michelle went to said house, which is located in a sleepy city named Jupiter City. The couple met an old lady when they got to the house, and it appears as if the old woman has gone through some sort of crisis, with all of her fidgeting and the look-behind-her-back-all-of-the-sudden 'thing'. She then told them that the house was once the home of her daughter and son-in-law, before they suddenly 'dissappeared'.

Though Luke and Michelle were sorry for the lady's lost, they still choose to buy the house. They old woman seems fine with it.

And when Jake is now in middle school, he is now living in Jupiter City. The house was pretty wide. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a wide living room and a nice kitchen and dining.

Jake was 7 when Michelle gave birth to Phoenix. The family lived happily in Jupiter City, where they believe it would be a peaceful place to finally stop moving from house to house.

Or is that what they think...