One Apple A Day #111
“I’m going, don’t try to stop me.”
“I’m not even trying. You can make your own choices.”
Charles slowly moves his gaze from the trees on the horizon to his son. Mike is standing on the porch. Tall and strong, he has his same build, but there is a grace in his eyes that doesn’t come from genes. Every time he looks his son in the eyes, he can almost hear his late wife whispering in his ears.
“But you won’t give me your blessing.”
Mike keeps clenching his fists, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. Like a kid that doesn’t want to admit that he needs to go to the loo. He’s wearing the clothes they use when they go hunting. But this time it’s not about hunting hares in the wood.
“Why do you need my blessing? Do you have doubts?”
“No, I’m sure! I can’t stand here while the guys in the woods are fighting for our independence. I can’t understand why you aren’t coming. What happened to all your talks about freedom?”
“I am already free, Mike. I’m ready to die for my freedom, but I won’t kill for it.”
“So, because you are scared to fight, you don’t want me to go?”
Charles smiles. The passion, the fire inside his boy, reminds him of a stubborn young Charles, going against everything and everyone only to prove he was free.
“You aren’t a kid anymore, son. You have to make your choices. You have to pick your fights. Don’t let anyone, not even me, choose for you. With freedom comes responsibility. You don’t need my blessing. You already have my love.”
Charles turns again to face the sun setting down on the hills. He knows this may be a farewell. He doesn’t want for his son to see his tears.
“Goodbye, dad.”