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Notes: 1 / 7 months ago
The Playground
By: GKL
“Why don’t they like Me, Daddy? I don’t understand! I never did anything wrong to them”
My heart broke the moment I heard those words. I’ve always been protective of my son and it took a lot out of me to let him play outside. He’s only eight years old. He still has time to grow.
To think this was his first time with other kids and this happens.
I’ve never seen him tear up this bad! He never did at home or anywhere else. He’s always been a good kid. Not once did He give me a single problem. He neither whines nor throws tantrums, He doesn’t even cry for wants like all those other kids and he always obeys me, ALWAYS. That’s why I feel that I’m the luckiest Dad in all of creation with a Son like him.
He was just plain perfect and I was so proud of him.
Seeing those tears in his eyes made me feel frustrated, angry and sad all at the same time. I honestly did not know how to react.
Should I go up to those other kids and give them a piece of my mind? Should I tell their parents that their children were being nuisances to the other beings in the park? This is my fault, why did I even allow Him to go out in the first place?! Why did I think that other kids would be nice to my Son?
When I finally figured out what to say and before I could even open my mouth to say anything, he stopped crying. He wiped the tears off his eyes and just said:
“It’s ok Daddy, I forgive them now” he smiled, and it was the most content smile he ever gave me.
“Maybe if I try to be nicer this time around they’ll like me! I’ll be right back ok Daddy? Let me stay for a few more hours, please?”
Before I could give my answer, he ran off to play with those kids again. I didn’t mind it, I guess and I didn’t have much of a choice. As much as I hated for him to be outside, he looked like he really wanted to make some friends, now why would a father deny his son the joy of that?
It was a sunny that day on the playground. It wasn’t scorching; it was the nice and refreshing. It made the surroundings glow a nice golden color making me feel like I was in paradise.
I was busy making my checklist for work. I was engrossed with my paper not minding anything or anyone.
As I was finishing my tenth and final item, I heard a little voice.
“Daaadddyy!!”
It was no doubt my son; I find it really adorable when he calls me in that sing-song kind of way.
“I want you to meet my friends!”
Then I saw these four other kids. They seem nice…I guess.
My son dragged all of them closer, He was excited.
Really excited.
“Ok Daddy! This here is my new friend Pete!” He pointed at the tallest kid and to be honest, I really don’t know how to describe him. He was just tall.
He then hurried to the side of the next one. “This one’s Johnny! He’s really nice!”
The kid looked friendly enough so I smiled back, I think I was just pretending to be nice but then again, I don’t really know how to react to meeting some year olds. I doubt they want to shake hands.
Now, the third kid was a bit weird, he had those quiet eyes. That was perfect because that also matched his personality. Quiet.
“His name’s Jude daddy!” gesturing towards the kid I just eyed. “aaaannnnd, this one is Jamie!” pointing at the last kid who seemed really hyper and really happy, weirdly happy.
But whatever right? If these people were my Son’s new friends then I will accept them as he accepts them.
“We’re going to play some more, Daddy!” Just like that, my son ran off again.
It was my day off anyway well, my only day off in fact. A Sunday, where I can sit back, relax, and spend time with my son.
A few minutes passed and it was already time for snacks. I called my son over and gave him a cupcake and a box of his favorite grape juice.
To my surprise, my son called his friends over. Yes, you guessed it, before I could say a word he already ran off to meet his friends and asked them join him for some snacks. Heck, if I knew then I would have brought more.
I guess it was kind of cute, the five of them sharing one box of juice and a cupcake. It was also nice watching them, sitting on the grass so happy and carefree about everything.
Life is good really, the day is tuning out better than expected especially after that rough start.
I was eating an apple, wondering if it would be a good idea to plant one in my garden or maybe oranges instead. After my little moment of contemplation, I decided that a nice apple tree in the middle of my garden would look nice; they have a nice year-long feel rather than those boring oranges, I mean they only look like summer fruits.
While having this personal hate speech about oranges; to my surprise, I saw my Son wiping the sandals of his friends with one of those moist wipes things. I WAS going to tell him not to do it but, I just thought to myself that he’s a kid wanting to be accepted by his peers, it was a weird way to show it I think, but then again I’m not really a parenting expert. No one is and well, there was no harm with what he was doing. I guess it was his way of showing how much he loved his new friends.
“We’re going to play in the garden now Dad! I love you, thanks for letting me out and play!”
Those three words, coming from my only Son definitely makes me feel like I’m in Heaven. He was more than a little angel to me. He’s my world and I treasure I’m so much. I just can’t say it enough.
Every Father probably feels this way; any dad who doesn’t must be dull on the edges and definitely does not deserve a child.
I have to say its hard being a single Father. Yes, this wonderful boy regrettably has no Mom yet. But that’s another story.
I’ll share a secret, I have multiple personalities but I don’t call it a disorder.
I feel like there are three different people in my head but they give really good advice and listening to them has never gotten me into trouble, ever.
Hold your horses though, I’m not crazy! I mean it doesn’t randomly manifests or something. I like to think of it as just one personality with three different opinions and like I said, it’s never caused problems. Well whatever, I’ll spare you the details.
I have a lot of work to do you know, I’m a very busy man. Sometimes I feel like the weight of the whole world is on my shoulders but that’s ok, the responsibility comes with the being the big boss upstairs. I get so many complaints and requests everyday and it’s hard trying to entertain them all and let alone make decisions. If only I can say yes to every request for a salary increase or to grant everyone who asks for medical assistance! Well I can, but I don’t want to spoil them. This company is also about earning your keep you know, you’ll never get promoted to the higher floor if you do bad. Most of the time I don’t even feel appreciated by my people in the office but what can I do? I don’t want to impose; all I can do is persuade them. I can’t change what they decide, I know you can’t please everybody but I try to.
Enough thinking! I’m here to relax and enjoy my son’s first day out! I should have brought a camera.
I looked over to the garden where my son was playing.
My heart sank after seeing the most horrible thing a father could.
My only son was being beaten up at a distance where I could still see the details of his face, in tears and in pain.
I was stunned, frozen in the once comfortable bench which was now a throne of sorrow for me. I watched, just watched as two bigger kids threw punches at my poor son. The worst part you ask? I could hear his thoughts. He was asking for help, he was afraid. The few blissful moments he had with his friends was now turning in to a nightmare. The feeling was more than that for me, it was hell.
We locked eyes and it was at that moment that my feelings began to stir.
Anger welled up in me and I stood up. I was about to sprint to my son’s aid and smite those two kids with my bare hands.
He knew I was going to do it, but his eyes, they told me not to. He wanted me to have pity.
So I sat down watching as each blow felt like a thorn sinking deeper into my heart.
After they looked like they were ’finished’ beating him up. I walked slowly towards the garden.
It’s a feeling I cannot describe. Seeing your son, bruised wounded, bleeding and in obvious pain.
I carried him in my arms. The first thing that crossed my mind was to get back at those two kids.
One of my Son’s friends spoke up, it was Pete.
“It was Jude Sir, he told those bullies to beat him up”
What? Why would anyone do that! Especially after how I’ve seen how nice my son treated him it couldn’t have been true.
“They don’t like the new kids in this Playground” Jamie’s voice was trailing off, he sounded scared. His once happy face was now wrought with fear.
I lay my son on our bench and instinctively I was about to unleash a fury so terrible that I know those kids will regret touching my Son for the rest of their pitiful lives. I was already on my path for vengeance, before I could walk more than three steps forward however,
“It’s ok Daddy” I heard him say.
Instantly I was calm and sorrow replaced the anger that I felt inside.
“I forgive them” was his next words. All I could do was nod.
His friends were watching us and I gave them a thankful look. I could not blame them; I bet they would have done something if they could.
Though my son was still dazed and a bit shaken up from the incident he was ok.
He gave me another of his heart melting smiles.
“May we go back next Sunday Daddy? I want to play and I still want them to like me”
He gave me the tightest and warmest hug I have ever felt.
This time, I was able to tell him what I thought.
“Yes, Jesus. We’ll be back next week”.
Walking home, he smiled and fell asleep in my arms.
Notes
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Theres nothing more random than the ticking of the clock.
Each second counts.
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