Nearing the Forest & the End

"Wait up Lacour, I'm not as in shape as I was before!" I yelled trying to catch my breath.

We headed up a narrow cliff just outside of town. We weren't in a particularly rocky area, but it wasn't smooth either. All you saw once you left town was flatlands and a few high points. However the place I was taking him too was neither of those. Here and there you could see the trail splitting off into different directions. Most if it I had been on from earlier in my life. Ahead of us was a small stream, the water wasn't sparkling like it had been before. As the years had gone on, all around us the environment began to take a turn for the worse. I know the EPA hasn't responded in years because we don't have the money as a town to keep up with it being clean. This seemed to be Lacour's favorite area to run around in. After you hit a certain point in the trail you came to a wide open meadow where dandelions and chrysanthemums bloomed all year round.

"Hey Dias look at me! I'm running around the meadow!"

Even though he interrupts my thoughts it's nice to know he's still around long enough to witness nature at it's finest that it will be for him.

"Lacour keep heading straight, down that way is an object that is time for you to look at. It's been held a secret for both of us from mom and dad. They figured if we couldn't see them again…that they would give us something to remember them by."

"But Dias, why is it all the way out here?" he asked confused.

"Because Lacour, I didn't want to have the responsibility of keeping it in the house and having you stumble upon it one day not knowing what to do. I want this to mean a lot to you for the rest of your life."

He still looked like he didn't understand, but I just kept walking and hummed to myself. It didn't matter that he wouldn't understand the value of the object but more importantly that he know it wasn't from me.

"So is this like a Christmas gift Dias? Because it certainly doesn't seem like winter out! I've been a good boy at least, right?"

"Of course you have Lacour, but it's not really a present. It's more of a reminder of your existence."

"Like a birth certificate?"

"Even more then that buddy; don't worry, we're almost there."

Whenever someone mentions to him that they have a surprise for him he always gets nervous and anxious because of his condition. I know he can't help it, but it's better not to tell him at the last moment. I hopped over the last stream and sat down below a big brown tree. The leaves were nearly turning red from the seasons changing. The weather on the other hand never ceased to cool down. However Lacour did mention of that big rain storm we're supposed to be getting in a few days.

"Alright Dias where is it!" he asked jumping up and down.

"Wait just one moment and I'll get it out for you, but you have to promise that you'll remember this for the rest of your life because I don't know what else to do with it other then to throw it away."

He tilted his head off to one side and looked at the box in curiosity.

"Are you ready Lacour? Here it is!"

Opening the box contained a necklace with a picture of Lacour and me when he was just born. Then all of a sudden I had an idea and decided to give it to him so he could wear it everyday. It didn't weigh much at all.

"Alright Lacour are you ready for this? I want you to never take off this necklace, never! Mom and dad would be very proud of you right now if they could see us one last time."

"Dias…what would happen if I went to look for them? And you weren't there to help me out?"

"Well…Lacour…that is your choice, not mine. I can't keep you under my wing your whole life. If you feel like you're ready to take the long journey, then I'll help you out as much as I can."

"Gee thanks Dias…someday I'll get out of this town, and maybe get me my own your girl like you almost had!"

I laughed and patted him on the head, "I know somewhere out there is a girl with your name on her."

"You mean there's a girl named Lacour too? Wow I'd like to meet her!"

Again I couldn't help but laugh at him being silly. "Don't worry, you'll understand someday."

I would imagine years passing, each day bringing about a new journey for Lacour. It wasn't like my life with the same routine each day. For him, it was a field trip where he was in control of his actions. Even though they weren't the best for him at the time I know he'd mature quickly; whenever he makes a mistake he usually very good at not making that same mistake again. I can't guarantee that.

"Dias hurries up! We're going to miss the ice cream store!"

"Alright Lacour, you can have any flavor you want."

As we headed back into town I turned around for a second before joining up with him and thought about mom and dad for a bit. I had to remind myself that I was going to be a father sooner or later, and it's like they say…like father…like son. Though I wasn't going to abandon my own son…ha-ha…but one thing that continued to puzzle me…how would they respond to Lacour's arrival?

To be continued…