Fins of Fate

Fins of Fate: Part I

Seventeen years later. It's Edens birthday. It's the first time he's truly celebrated it alone since his father became fatally ill,  and took to his bed for most of the last three years. His mother passed away peacefully in her sleep when he was six.

Most of his life since then has been a lot of errand running, and chores. Sometimes he was gifted with books from his father as reward, which, he always enjoyed.

In fact, Eden was fascinated with books since he was very young, he had always learned things rather quickly from them. His father loved that Eden thirsted after knowledge and had begun talking to him about attending school in the closest town. It was so long ago, and Eden would have jumped at the chance to go to a real school with other children. But since the death and sudden illness of his mother and father, he decided to put his schooling on hold, and take care of things around here at home.

The boy gazed down at the small cake he had just finished icing. A small candle stood, dimly lit in the center of the of the cake. The flame waved in the gentle breeze that welcomed itself inside through the window on Edens right. 

He closed his eyes and quickly clasped his hands together tightly, making a wish. Hoping with all his might that it may one day come true, and blew out his candle.

"Papa... I wished for you to get well quickly. So that we can learn more things together. So that we can laugh more. So that we can try to do new things together..."

Eden whispered to himself, with a smile and a tear. He gazed at the doorway of his father's bedroom. The sound of heavy snoring bellowed from behind it. Eden couldn't help but laugh a little, happy that his father slept so peacefully.

The boy slowly crept over to the window, leaning just far enough to see out past the flower box that had overflowed with purple whisteria. His mother loved how it took over the outside of the house, leaving it covered in the green leaves and hanging purple bunches of whisteria. The flowers smelled wonderful. Eden never felt the need to complain about it, he rather enjoyed it as well.

Nature and it's unruly ways, though sometimes a bit frustrating, it's always better to allow nature to run it's course. The surprises you'll find along the way may amaze and astound you.

Eden laughed softly. Seeing the bunches of flowers gave him warm memories of his mother. He remembered the days like this, when he would sit by the window after dinner. He would always watch the sky, and ocean tide that rolled in and out from the shore line.

She would offer to make Eden a cup of his favorite tea to have in those evening hours. It was a special blend, straight out of her herb garden, made with dried hibiscus petals, dried fruit and chamomile with just a drop of honey. Wrapped in the quilt his mother made him, he would sip his tea slowly, savoring each flavor that rolled over his tongue. The sweet of the chamomile and honey, the soft petals and the tartness of the fruit went so perfectly together.

Eden looked over at the quilt that lay folded on the arm of his mother's old rocking chair by the fireplace. Another tear slipped down his cheek, but was quickly replaced by a smile that creased his lips. He shouldn't cry in her loving memory. He should remember her and smile. She'd like that. So Eden did. He smiled, no matter how painful the memory.

A few minutes had passed. Eden began to hear the rumble of thunder nearing the house. He stepped outside for a moment, gazing in the direction of the storm as it was rolling in.

"..Ah.. just a normal rain storm. A good drink for the garden. "

He muttered to himself, walking over to the cliffs edge, he looked down at the sea. The waves were slightly choppy, it was as if the ocean could sense the storm and had been so scared, that it started to shake in terror of its impending arrival.

"A very good drink for you too!"
He called down to the ocean. Believing that the big, blue, body of water could somehow hear him.

He continued to stare down into wave after wave. Something inside him feeling drawn to it.

He thought for a moment. Looked back at the small flower covered house that he called home for the last seventeen years. Looked back at the ocean. Then looked at the clearly marked path down the cliff side that led directly to the beach.

Feeling compelled to go, but he just couldn't escape the responsibility he had here at home. His father needed him most. It out weighed any desire Eden had to explore the unknown. 

Eden knew one thing though. One day, he would finally travel down to the waters edge and finally know what had been calling him all these years.

The boy turned his back to the cliffs edge and the ocean, making his way back to the house.

Once inside, he could hear his father coughing terribly from inside his room. He rushed into the bedroom where his father had been sleeping, sitting next to the elder, he took his father's hand, held it in his.

" Papa.. are you ok? Do you need more medicine?"
Gently spoke, Eden.

Edens father covered his mouth in Edens presence, coughing up whatever irritated his throat. He looked up at his son, and smiled as he spoke.

"No, child.. I'll be ok. Just a cough. It's best not to suppress a cough like this. It's the body's way of getting rid of what's making it so ill."

Eden kept mental note of those words, but he still thought his father should take the medicine. He didn't want to upset his father either, so he refrained from insisting.

The boy crawled into bed next to his father. Just to be near his only parent made the boy feel safer as the rumbling in the sky grew nearer.

The pitter patter of rain saying it's "hello" as the skies darkened outside the window.
Soon it had begun to pour down, the noise of the rain paddling against the roof was enough to lull Eden and his father to sleep.

A smile gently creasing their lips as the scent of rain and whisteria carried them to their dreams.