Astronomically Imposterble

White

Teagan C.D, age five, was promised a picnic. Not being abandoned by their parents.

As the sun begins to set across the horizon, Teagan runs absentmindedly around the field of grass they and their family picked for their picnic. Their mom and dad sit on the picnic blanket a few feet away. Their heads are bowed closely together as they exchange heated whispers, occasionally glancing up at Teagan. A half empty picnic basket sits at their feet--carrying only leftovers and garbage yet to be thrown away. Jenna C.D, their mother, has her hair pulled back in a messy bun but most of it has since fallen out, loosely framing her face. Her eyes are bloodshot from the lack of sleep she's gotten ever since Teagan was born. Michael C.D's, their father, eyes are also bloodshot. Only half his face is shaved. His button up shirt is buttoned but he skipped a button somewhere down the line so it's off center. He doesn't seem to care. Both Jenna and Michael look up at Teagan, who's still blissfully unaware of the stares they're getting from their parents, before continuing their heated whisper debate.

Teagan glances back at their parents for a moment before heading further away from the picnic blanket. A flutter of butterflies fly by them, catching their attention. Teagan giggles as they set off to chase the butterflies. Unaware of Teagan, the butterflies continue flying for a long time, leading Teagan further and further away from their parents. Eventually, Teagan catches up to the butterflies and attempts to catch them in their bare hands. They jump around as they wrap their hands around the butterflies only to open them again to find nothing inside. The butterflies don't seem bothered by the young child; in fact, they seem to be loving the attention. They continue to flutter around them, allowing them to catch them a few times only to stealthily escape when they open their hands again. Teagan continues to laugh, their cheeks turning a bright red with the amount of jumping they've been doing.

Jenna and Michael glance up to check on Teagan only to find that they're no longer their. Their eyes widen even more; Jenna gasps, her hands flying to her mouth. They glance to each other. Seemingly, the same thought passes through them. Now's their chance.

They quickly jump to their feet. Jenna scoops the basket in her arms as Michael weakly folds the blanket over his arms. They glance to each other again, their expressions softening--almost like they're contemplating what they're about to do. Turns out, no amount of contemplation will change their decision. Michael grabs Jenna's hand in his, squeezing it tightly. She glances over her shoulder, her pale blue eyes scanning the fields in front of her. There's no sight of Teagan from where they stand. Meaning Teagan can't see them from wherever they are. She turns back to Michael and nods firmly, squeezing his hand back.

"Now's our chance, Jen," Michael whispers.

She nods and screws her eyes shut, forcing the tears at bay. She's not sure why she's crying; she has no right to be. Not when she's willingly walking away from her only child. Not when she's doing it selfishly. But a part of her still aches knowing what she's about to do. Jenna might not have wanted to be a mother--not when she found out she was pregnant and certainly not now that Teagan is here--but her maternal instincts are still kicking her ass. She sucks in a deep breath before nodding again. Michael nods back before glancing over his shoulder one last time.

They run down the hill as fast as they can without falling, leaving Teagan and the butterflies behind.

Michael quickly unlocks the car before tossing the blanket into the backseat. Jenna slides into the passengers seat, keeping the basket at her feet. She scans the field above her as Michael fumbles trying to start the car. Her chest begins to twist and tighten as she forgets to breathe, too concerned with making it out of here without Teagan noticing they left. She chews at her bottom lip, only stopping when she hears the engine roar to life. Michael lets out a small cheer as he quickly starts the car and pulls out of the parking spot. Jenna's gaze never leaves the hill until the car is too far away for her to even register what's on top. She slowly refocuses her gaze ahead of her, watching as cars zip by and blurred store signs go past. Michael reaches over and grabs her hand. He brings it up to his lips and presses a soft kiss to her knuckles, earning a small smile.