A brown eyes wide open, heavily breath and stretching the body after a long journey to sleep. Smile as he looks out the window, the view from the inside of the bus he sits on. A place he likes to go after a month of divorce.
Victor Gibson walks on his path alone without wife and his kids beside.
Alaska. A beautiful state in Western United States with a population of 736,081 or more that quadruples the combined populations of Northern Canada and Greenland.
Alaska was occupied by various indigenous peoples for thousands of years before the arrival of Europeans. Approximately half of Alaska's residents live within the Anchorage metropolitan area.
That day he stormed out from the attorney office, he packed all his bags and quit his job which the principal believed he got a better job than being a gardener in school.
Without doubt or questioning more, he left New York forever. Gibson purchased the bus ticket straight to Kansas, he stayed at the farmer house he had lived with Belle for a moment as he was looking for a new job.
Three weeks later he got a job in Alaska and here he is now. Two or three days on the road traveling by bus wasn't so bad. Back pain, sore legs happen every time.
The bus finally entered the town. As he travels far from home alone, his mind never ever forgets Belle and two of his kids.
Gently his hand slipped under his jacket which he kept the photo of them that Doctor Craig had given him while he's still in prison.
Smiling as he looked at it, he was sad about the divorce. He loves Belle so much, of course he does but something makes him do that.
Neither he wants his life ended by divorcing but loves, giving him a chance to be part of the family he had missed.
Doctor Craig was right, he shouldn't give up on Belle but he must. This is the family he has desired to have since he was young. Life must go on.
Alaska. What a beautiful place and what a beautiful life to build without them.
"Beautiful family you got there young man?"
Slowly Gibson turned on his right where there was an old man who smiled at him and spoke to him. He didn't realize when or where this old man showed up and purchased a seat next to him.
"Your wife?" The old man asks, Gibson nods and smiles. "And your kids?"
"Twins. My son, Arman and daughter, Mia. My ex-wife actually, we just got divorcing".
Tsk tsk tsk "What a shame". Said the old man. "They're very beautiful. What brought you to Alaska, son?"
"I got my new job here. This is my place since my childhood. Lucky I am to be here".
"Not lucky you are here without your wife and kids. Most young married couples will end up divorcing".
The old man shook his head. "I still don't understand why. Surely that is not a good start for a new day without them. You will never get this chance till this day until the day you die.
"Trust me, son I've been there before".
Gibson kept the photo back under his jacket. He asked. "What did you do, sir? And how's that happens". The old man smiled as he closed his eyes.
"I'm not a good man when I was young. I got power over them. My generation until generation is the founder of which nearly every shop in town carries the name of my family. God I hate myself. When you become rich and wealthy you will forget who you are.
"Losing a respect toward others as you think people around you are your slaves".
Gibson snorts in silence. He hadn't asked further questions about the old man's past life because his life sucks too. That is why he is here in Alaska, to forget those sucks memories.
The old man spoke back, "Don't waste your time here, son". The old man patted his laps. "Go back to her, marry her again. Build your life with them. The chance is always open to people like us".
"I went to prison".
"Everyone made a mistake!" The old man told him. "The old story that we shouldn't not remember. Keep the old one shut and live with the present and a better life while you can before it's too late".
The old man patted Gibson laps in a smile. "What a charming man you are". The old man studied Gibson's face. "Oh, I really realize how handsome you are".
The old man introduced himself. "Steve Morris, nice to meet you, son". The men shook hands.
"Victor Gibson".
Later that. The bus stop is at the center of the town. Gibson helped the old man climb out from the bus as someone had been waiting for the old man since.
A mid age couple, husband and wife, probably like his own age smiling up as they waved at the old man beside him. The old man Morris looked up at Gibson.
"There, Victor, this is my son, Arthur and his wife, Sheila". They shake hands. "Where's my grandkids?"
"They are at the house playing games. kids nowadays. How's your trip, pops?" ask the old man's son. "I hope my father doesn't bother you, sir".
Gibson smiles, "Not at all. He just talks that all". The old man spoke.
"This man has such a beautiful family, Arthur divorce as a matter of fact I am so sad to hear this". The old man nodded with regret to Gibson. "My son owns the shop just right there".
The old man pointed out. The old man's story was right about being a wealthy man. Gibson realized that nearly every shop in town carries the name of Morris's, how impressed.
"You didn't say this town belongs to you, sir". said Gibson.
"I did. Just I didn't say where, yes, my family is the founder of this town. My next generation will be my son and the rest of his family. Nice meeting you, son".
The old man patted his hand, "I'm hoping we will see again".
Gibson nodded his head and smiled as he watched the old man walk with his son and daughter-in-law with thank you.
He then takes a seat in the bus shelter waiting for someone to come over, the time shows him at two-fifteen past noon if this man he should meet up doesn't show up just in time, he will starve to death waiting.
"Victor Gibson?" He looked up. "Norman Barry finally we met". The man shook hands. "I can see you already met the old Morris". Gibson nodded his head again. "So you already know this town belongs to him".
Gibson sigh, "So wealthy". said Gibson. "I didn't know the rest of the story, just met his son and daughter-in-law".
"Arthur owns a fishing store such as we need. Come along I can see how starving to death you are with a long way journey here. You must be so starving, so let's walk there shall we?"
The man walked inside the diner. Norman pushes the door. "Hello love!"
"Hello, Norman". The waitress eyed Gibson who walked beside him. "Not gonna introduce us then?"
The man took a seat, he spoke. "He's Victor Gibson just coming from the states. New York. He's gonna work with me at the port".
"Ah! I can see that. What are you two men having today?"
"Just give me the usual, Dorothy and..." His eyes to Gibson whom he read the menu. "Let the man decide first and bring me a large glass of coke".
The waitress nodded. "Do you have rice?"
"No sweetheart, we don't have rice here". The waitress smiled. "Seems you are so hungry that's why you've been asking for rice".
Gibson nods, "Just give me a pizza with extra cheese. My kids love pizza". The waitress nodded, smiled, then walked.
"I didn't know you would have kids". Said Norman Barry. "Me and my wife are trying until her death".
"I'm sorry. Divorcing".
Norman Barry nods understanding. "You wanna know why I hired you without knowing what you can do with the port?"
"I will say I'm lucky". Said Gibson.
"That's number one. Number two is because I know your past life wasn't the best thing you ever did. Your face shows me that you are just living behind the bars".
Gibson nods yes, "I'm an ex-prisoner".
"Doesn't matter. Everyone made a mistake like I did, everyone else made a mistake before. Pleasure to meet you in person".
Norman Barry smiles. The food is laid on the table and they begin to eat. He spoke.
"Traveling by bus. Impressive. You know there is no bus or motorcoach service that connects the continental states and Alaska".
"I have my ways".
Norman Barry nodded, "Just like the old man, Morris said. Call me, Norman".
"How long have you been in this business, Norman?"
"Becoming a fishing man? It's been a long time. Since my great great great grandparents. Owning the boat, new boat. Same".
There, a silent eating, Norman spoke again. "We should go after this but now we eat. You might see what kind of Alaska was to you".
Later, Norman Barry drove his truck and left the area. "That's Anchorage downtown. It took an hour to arrive in Seward".
"Seward?"
Norman Barry glanced at him. "Thought you know. It's a gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park".
"I thought this was.."
"Nah! This is just the center town of Alaska. Got an eye there I'll wake you up when we arrive".
Gibson nods and smiles a bit. He leans on the door side taking a quiet nap before arriving.
Hours later, he felt the weather start to reach an unlimited cold level. He wrapped himself as his eyes gently opened up, he turned to Norman Barry who kept his eyes on the road.
"I was about to wake you, mate, welcome to Seward!"
Gibson saw a huge signboard on top of the view with the word..
SEWARD
HOME OF THE ALASKA
WELCOMES YOU
His mouth hangs open. He spoke. "Alaska is a wonderful place I love to be in here forever and of course the weather coulda kill you fast". Norman Barry laugh.
"Yes. Our family never moves, generation to generation". He stopped at the red light. "Mrs. Brown?"
"Oh hi, Norman you heard the news? Janet is pregnant". Said the old woman. "It's terrible!"
"The Steward's daughter? Wonder I saw her this morning drag out her luggage to nowhere. I asked her but she didn't answer".
The old woman sadly spoke, "They kick her out from the house. Poor that girl. Sixteen". Gibson choked when the old woman said 'sixteen'. "Are you alright my boy?" The old woman ask Gibson.
"I'm fine, just the weather". He smiled. "Poor that girl". He said. "What kind of person would do such a thing toward a teenage girl like her".
Norman Barry shook head, the old woman said. "World cruel sometime". Then she walked. Norman Barry watches the old woman walk.
"I thought that girl went to sleepover at Parrish's house. Slumber party whatsoever girl like her does in early age".
As the light turns green, the truck moves back on the road. "Her husband died three months ago. She drove her husband's car and went towards her husband's favorite diner. Everyday".
"Didn't she have a child?"
"Yes she is. Only on Christmas, not the usual day they'll come to visit".
Gibson smiled a bit, knowing how he felt about the lonely widow like Mrs. Brown. He through this now alone without a wife and kids on his side.
Losing someone you love was the most painful thing to let go. "You will start your work tomorrow or another day when you are ready. I want you to rest".
"I should start tomorrow".
"Are you sure? Being a fisherman wasn't a simple task to do. If you say so, we will meet the rest of my team tomorrow. I hope you are not a kind of seasick person".
Gibson shook no, "Not at all".
"Good". Norman Barry pulled up and parked the truck in front of the house. Turning off the engine. "This is where I lived. There is a small cabin right over there if you wish to stay there or inside my house".
"Urmm, thanks, cabin, that would be great. I love to be alone".
Norman Barry nodded and said, "Well you were welcome to use my kitchen if you were hungry. The cabin also had a kitchen like I said if you.."
"I'm fine". He smiled. "Thank you. But I like to use your truck. I'm going back to town, perhaps with some books or groceries or other things".
Norman Barry nods, the man walks toward the barn. "There is a 1970s Chevrolet Chevelle SS you can use for your ride. My brother didn't come back for this precious".
"Where is he now?" Ask Gibson.
"After his marriage he moved out to Romanian with wife and kids". There was a sigh again. "I look after his Chevy, the engine still hot. I think you can manage that".
Gibson circled around the Chevy and smiled. He said, "It's beautiful".
"She's yours now".
"You know I will not stay here forever right?"
Norman Barry nodded his head again, "You were looking for a new house to stay in? I could help you with that".
"Cheapest, that would be great. I'm alone, maybe if I find someone or get married again".
The man chuckles, Norman Barry scratches the back of his head. Said. "I understand. You take the car and we talk about this later. I'm gonna prepare for our dinner".
"Sure".
"Oh before you go. There is a cheesecake one and only best baked shop in town. Buy that. We could have a dessert tonight".
Norman Barry gives him the key. "If you get lost just scream. Clearly everyone can hear you out there". He laughs then walks toward his house.
Gibson, smirking, carried out the bag from the truck. He then walks toward the cabin before driving back to town with the Chevy 1970s car he will drive.
Norman Barry is a good man he met, happy to see him but his story life wasn't happy at all.
Norman Barry loses his wife he'd love, leaving no child to him. At least for Gibson he still got Belle and his kids except they are divorce. Worst decision ever he made. Giving up so easily and sadly to see her go with the man she had love beside him.