The way home

There was once a boy named Lance Sky. He was my son and one of the most cheerful children I

knew.We used to share a treat? -sea salt ice pops- every evening at the beach on warm days.

I would tell him that his mother was the smiling sun- that's why it was so warm- and the breeze

was her gentle hands touching him. He was thrilled to hear about summer because his mother

was everywhere. When an apple drop out of a tree or a vegetable rolled to him/his feet he will

think it’s his mother feeding him - good way for a child to eat healthy, correct? He would never

rob or bring harm, because his mother was always watching, and when a stray animal comes he

will take care of it and then say in his strong British accent “I can't keep you, but my mother

will.” Then he let the animal go.

Every morning, he will say with a very innocent voice "good morning” to all the mothers he saw.

All the mothers -young and old- would greet him. Some would scream rude things, their replies

would vary from time to time.

With his strong British accent. He would help the young and old widows with chores, then buy

ice lollies for all of them and he would tell them to leave it out in the sun

“Why?” People would ask.

"It is because something special will happen" he said.

He would wait every day in front of the beach every morning with a 2 ice lollies, singing a song

in a soft voice "ice is a memory, sweet is a dream, sleep is where all things comes to be, an ice

lolly is all of these"

He would sing this over and over, until it got late. Then, he would go home with the warmest

smile on his face . He held 2 sticks, one with a half eaten ice lolly and one clean. He would open

a box and put the sticks inside next to a journal he would draw in. He drew his mother with a sun

halo and bird wings. He was in love with this idea so much. I even got involved in his idea!

I would sing and help the widows with their work. I'll follow my son and buy his favorite ice

cream from the local markets. One day as we were walking home, my son hesitated and

glimpsed back occasionally.I wondered why he kept pausing and asked him “What are you doing

son?"

He replied "Father, I am waiting on mother! "

“But son, your mother passed away when you were born”

My son gave me an angry look, then said “How can you say that when she is the breeze? See?

She is wiping your tears with the breeze.” He smiled and continued “And look. See? Look at that

apple that just fell from the tree, she’s making sure we eat healthy. And the sun is her warm

blanket”

With the most innocent smile, he said “She is everywhere, so that’s why I would leave the extra

ice cream on the beach. Then we can both enjoy our ice lolly. When I see the ice melting and

evaporating, I know she’s enjoying it”

I was more confused than ever. So I asked him “ Lance, what do you mean?”

Then he explained “Well, the school teacher would talk about the rain cycles, and the nuns at

church would talk about heaven and how my mom was watching me.” “I was sad, papa” he

would say with a slightly disappointed look on his face “But when I learned about this, I wasn't

sad anymore. See, I learned that when ice melts it goes in the sky and everyone who misses their

loved ones will get a icy treat. See dad, you have no faith sometimes” he would say with a pouty

look .He added with mild irritation, “Dad, you still have much to learn”

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“So, what did you do sire?” Jessie Rodgers asked with a heavy Texas accent as the strong young

soldier continued to carry his fellow soldier to safety.

The soldier being carried whispered “Young man, can you do me this one favor?”

“What is it sir?” Jessie replied.

With his faint voice, he requested, “Take this letter to him, please. Here are some pounds. Would

you purchase what's on this list? You can use the rest to go to the pub for your troubles. They

have very nice springs in Yorktown, you will enjoy it. Also my son should be there with his

grandparents. They are very sweet people: one is a tea brewer and the other is a clockmaker. and

Both where a were medical professionals in the previous war. They'll understand, they are kind

people, they were my wife's parents”. With his fleeting breath, the old NCO said “Tell them my

name is Arthur Sky and I'll be enjoying my ice cream with his mother from now on.”

As he took his last breath, all the life left from him, and his hands turned cold. Now it was up to

the sharp shooter Jessie Rodgers .He had rallied with the British army and during the war he met

Arthur Sky. With Arthur he developed his skills and created a friendship with him. Jessie - a

loyal and Godly man- tracks down the address. He knocks on the door and politely asks for the

residents who own the property. As the door was opened, he was greeted by an elderly couple

and removed his hat in respect. The gentle old man confirmed with a lion-like British accent,

“We are them.” The couple seemed like very sweet people. As he conversed with them, he

learned that one is a tea brewer and the other is a clockmaker. Both were medical professionals

in the previous war. As the gentle old man says “we are they” with a lion like British accent,

After the formalities, Jessie gives the letter and the supplies as instructed. After Jessie left, Lance

read the letter.

"My dear son,

I was sent off to fight some bad people, so we can continue to enjoy our days of eating ice cream

with your mother.

I was being a bit childish, but now you are the adult.

Thank you son. I have bought you and your mother’s favorite treat.

Also would you mind leaving mine with your mother’s?

I'll be enjoying it with her from now on"

Once he finished the letter, little Lance went to the bag and told his grandpa what he was doing.

Lance explained how everything worked and what to do.

His grandpa looked on with sadness in his eyes and hugged him without saying anything.

Suddenly, Lance and his grandfather felt a breeze through an open window. Little Lance told

him “don’t cry. Don’t you see them here? See, they wiped your tears with the breeze since they

are both in heaven. Now they are watching over us and they don’t want you to cry. They want

ice lolly, grandpa. Can we enjoy this as a family?”

“Yes” his grandpa replied, “ I'll let your grandma know and she will make us some tea”

So as his grandma and grandpa both sat down, they enjoyed the tea and sea salt ice cream

together.

They all lived happily on the oceanfront of Yorktown.