Letter to Mom

Chapter 1- Six

"If life insists on issuing a daunting challenge, love will be your greatest weapon. Sometimes, it may become your only weapon.”

Farah James sat at the steps of her rustic, mahogany floored porch, admiring her newly created drawing. She perked up, eyes glistening brightly as she gazed wondrously at the sky. The cool air touched her skin gently as she squealed in excitement. She loved Saturdays, especially the ones where she could sit at the front porch, crafting creations and admiring the outside world. Farah loved this specific spot in her home; though it was tiny, it felt most welcoming. 

She searched for her chair, hopping onto it as she pressed her drawing to her heart. There was an unspoken rule that Farah casually developed- three chairs for three people; one for her father, one for her, and maybe, one for Shawn. (It depended on how nice Shawn was to her.) 

There was one person in this world that simultaneously annoyed and amused her- Shawn Walters. His blonde hair and blue eyes were something that she had never seen before, he watched the weirdest television shows and he was not a fan of drawing with crayons, he preferred pencils. He was a peculiar little fellow, and Farah was deeply intrigued by his nature.  

Soon, the smell of scrambled eggs and bacon scurried through the kitchen to the hallway, onto her territory (she knew that smell quite well). Her dad was cooking her favourite meal; how she eagerly awaited to sink her teeth in such a fine food! She grinned in delight, until she realized that she was faced with a difficult dilemma. She pouted, thinking deeply of her situation- she longed to see the sun shine for as long as she could, but she also wanted to feast upon the greatness of her father’s dish. After pondering for a few minutes, Farah concluded that her father would call her when food was finished. 

Happy with her reasoning, she turned to her wonderfully crafted drawing, a beautiful picture of her dad, Shawn and she enjoying the ocean and building a large sand castle. She clenched the picture tighter, a wisp of hope circulating through her body. This was Farah’s dream, she craved to see the ocean, or even a lake. After all, Colorado had such beautiful lakes. The television and pictures were not enough, she desired to touch the sand with her feet; to hear the waves roar, to feel the touch of saltwater. Maybe if she drew this, her dad might finally carry her.

She laughed deviously, already devising a plan in how to give this to her dad. She got up, stretched her arms and feet and dashed off in a scurry to her father (after all, she spent enough time with the sun). As she entered the blue coloured, large kitchen, she searched for him, grinning ear to ear, hoping to ask him her question. 

There was a large difference between Farah and her father, and it was not about their physical bodies. Farah loved the outdoors, her father loved the kitchen. He spent most of his day here, cooking all sorts of dishes and desserts, much to the fondness of her. She would never complain about having too much food.

Farah spotted him, taking out the eggs from the pot and laying it on a plate. She smiled adorably at his view. “Hi daddy,” she squeaked, skipping to his side and hugging him tightly. 

His father turned to her, raising his eyebrows, smiling softly. Here is the truth about parents, they always know when their child wants something. Maybe it is a sixth sense that is activated when they become one, or maybe it is their experience in life that generates an understanding. Whatever the case may be, it creates a great obstacle when issuing even the simplest of questions.

“Farah,” he touched her head, patting it lightly, “I know that smile.” He chuckled lightly, pinching her cheek. To her father, Farah meant everything- she was his world. 

She curled her lips, annoyed at his chuckle. This is not how she imagined his reaction; was the plan already failing? He was supposed to smile at her and listen to what she had to say. No, it was too soon to tell if it was a disaster, she would have to continue. After all, she believed that she could win this. “What do you mean daddy?”