Zack's book

“I don’t want to go to the party.”

“Come on, Zack, it’s your aunt’s birthday.”

“But there are going to be lots of people there. I don’t know, mom.”

“Honey, I’m sorry but we have to go.”

“They’ll talk about dad. I’m not sure this is a good idea.”

“Zack!”

“What if you went and I stayed home?”

“Look, sweetie, we need to go. I know this might be hard for you but your aunt is just as in much pain as you are. After all, she lost her brother and-“

“MOM!”

“Okay, sorry.”

Zack’s mom knew he wasn’t ready to talk about his father yet. He passed away four months ago and it was hard for both of them.

After a few silent moments, she said: “Why don’t you bring a book? You can say hi to the family and then hide for the rest of the night in the guest room.”

“I could?” Zack asked surprised.

“Sure. I mean I would prefer you to be with everyone but I’m not going to force you. But we must go to this party, for your aunt. She needs us right now, needs all the love and support we can give her, so we have to go. You don’t have to interact with our relatives, just come along for me. Do you think you can manage that?”

“Yes, mom. I’ll… I’ll come with you.”

“Thank you.” his mom said and truly meant it. She was grateful for her son.

Zack needed to leave for school now if he didn’t want to be late, which meant he had no time to prepare lunch.

He was looking at the clock on the kitchen wall and all over the room, trying to find the courage to tell his mom he needed to go.

Luckily for him, she noticed.

“Zack, why didn’t you tell me what time it is?”

“It’s fine, mom. Don’t worry.”

“Here, have a banana,” she said while offering her son one. “I could make you a sandwich and drive you to school.”

That sounded tempting for Zack.

“So what do you say?”

“You don’t have to, mom.”

“Honey, I want to.”

“Okay.”

“So?”

“You can take to school.”

“Yes!” his mom said happily.

Since his dad was gone, Zack’s mom became more important to him and he started to consider her a superhero. In only five minutes, she managed to make him a sandwich, which looked delicious to him, to get dressed and start the car engine. There wasn’t a single thing she couldn’t do.

The drive itself wasn’t long, it only took fifteen minutes, but it sure seemed way shorter because his mother kept him company. Instead of having to walk anxiously, Zack enjoyed his road to school. They talked about how they both hated having to talk to people (eww, humans) and what an inconvenience it is to meet the wrong people.

Zack always got along with his mother, she always understood him. He thought it was the right time to tell her about the book.

“I was thinking of writing a book, mom.”

“That’s interesting. What would it be about?”

“It is about dad and all the stories he told me.”

“Wow. Now, this is a wonderful idea, Zack.”

“I already wrote the first chapters and more ideas. I didn’t want to tell you at first because I don’t want to be influenced by anyone’s opinion. This is why I don’t want to go to aunt Cassie’s birthday, they will talk about dad, I’m sure.”

They arrived in the school’s parking lot.

“Well… I can see that, but our plan with you hiding in the guest room is still my best offer, dear.”

“I’m not complaining, I just wanted you to know why I don’t want to talk to anyone.”

“Besides eww, people, right?”

They both laughed.

Zack grabbed his backpack and hugged his mom. “Thank you.”

“Good luck at school, sweetie. Have a great day, I love you!”

“Love you, too. Bye, mom.”

He left the car and went to class.

All day Zack came up with ways to avoid his family tomorrow.

He could tell them that he is sick, but then they’ll feel sorry for him and try to comfort him.

If he said the truth, they would cheer him for it, but at the same time try to tell him how to write it.

What about homework? Homework sounded like a good excuse, except it will be a Saturday night so there would be no rush in finishing it.

People are impossible to deal with, especially if you are related.

Although he stopped trying to find excuses at lunch, when he met with his best friend Matt, Zack still told him about the party.

“I could come along.” Matt offered.

“You can’t.”

“Why not?”

“You have swim practice this Saturday.” Zack reminded him.

“I could skip.”

“Don’t.”

“Is it because of your book?”

“Yeah. I don’t know how they might react. And I’m not ready to talk to them, especially not about dad.”

“I get that, but imagine how cool it will be once you finish it.”

“I’m not sure I follow, Matt.”

“Of course you don’t,” he said while petting Zack on the head. “Imagine this: you have your stories and start telling them at parties. You’d be like Bilbo Baggins.”

“Mathew! I don’t deserve that honor.”

“Breathe in, breathe out. Now, how cool would that be?”

“That does sound pretty cool actually.”

“See.”

They finished their lunches mostly in silence, except for the time they agreed on how much they hate math and are afraid of the test next week.

After school, Zack walked home and after forty minutes he was home.

His mom was there, too, since she had asked to have the day off at work.

“Hi, honey, how was at school today?” she asked while hugging him.

“Good, I guess. Like usual. Matt said this cool thing about my book.”

His mom was a bit shocked that he told Matt, but not that surprised. After all, they’ve been best friends for five years.

“What did he say?”

“He said that it would be cool to tell the stories myself at parties, after finishing the book of course, just like Bilbo Baggins.”

“Wow, that sounds awesome, Zack.”

“I know. … I should go and pack.”

“Okay, you do that. I’ll start cooking dinner.”

“Nice. What are we having?”

“Spaghetti with meatballs.”

“My favorites! You didn’t have to, mom.”

“Of course I did. I love you, dear.”

“Okay, I’ll go pack now.”

“Good luck.”

“Thanks.”

It took Zack some time to pack since he didn’t know what exactly to bring. It had to be things that fit in his backpack.

He packed his journal, where he wrote chapters at first, a few pictures of his dad for inspiration, lots of pens and a book, in case family came in the room, to pretend he is reading, his phone charger, headphones, and a jacket in case it gets cold.

When he came downstairs in the kitchen, his mom was grating cheese on the spaghetti.

“You arrived just on time. Did you wash your hands?”

“No.”

“Well, go wash up and come eat.”

He listened to his mother.

They prayed and ate.

“This dinner was delicious. Thank you, mom.”

“You’re welcome, sweetie.”

After doing the dishes together him mother asked: “Do you want to watch a movie?”

“I’m sorry but I’ll have to pass.”

“Suit yourself. Just get some sleep. Tomorrow we’ll be on the road for a few hours.”

“I’ll try.”

“Thanks.”

Zack went upstairs, while his mom set on the couch in the living room to watch a movie.

He tried to write his book, but no luck. All he could think about was how tomorrow is going to be.

What if his family found out and would hate him for it?

What if aunt Cassie wouldn’t let him write the book?

The boy imagined all the what-ifs he could and fell asleep at last at 4 a.m.

Zack woke up with a knock on his door.

“Honey, are you awake?”

“Now yes.”

“We’ll leave in an hour. Can I come in?”

“Yes.”

“‘Morning, sweetie!”

“Good morning, mom.”

“I spoke to your aunt and let her know we are coming.”

“What did she say?”

“She seemed surprised.”

“Good surprised or bad surprised?”

“Good surprised.”

“Nice.”

“I’ll let you get ready.”

“Thanks.”

Zack looked at the time. It was 1 p.m.

It took him an hour to get ready because he was still sleepy.

The first twenty minutes of the car ride were silent, but his mother turned on the radio.

“Try to find a song you like.”

“Okay.”

He tried all the radio posts twice but couldn’t.

“What if you put on some music? Or if we listen to an audiobook?”

“Any book?”

“Of course. What book are you thinking of?”

“I- I would like to read the book myself, if I may.”

“I’d love that.”

Zack pulled out his phone and started reading his book.

It was about how his father saved lives, but instead of living here and being a regular firefighter, he had magical powers. He also combined the book with some stories his father invented for him.

After reading the first chapter, Zack’s mom was sobbing.

“That was perfect. I love it, Zack. Thank you for sharing it with me, your father would love it.”

“Thank you, mom. Do you mind if we talk about dad?”

“Not at all.”

As surprised as she was, she was happy that Zack was ready to talk about his father, even if just to her.

They talked about him. Laughed. Cried. Laughed some more.

They only stopped for a few minutes at a gas station to buy food and use the restroom.

For the rest of the road, the radio was playing. Zack was asleep and his mom was silent, not to wake him, mom.

She did have to wake him up though, an hour later, when they arrived at aunt Cassie’s.

The family was only starting to arrive so he didn’t have to say hi to many people. His mom told them he’s tired and Zack went to the guest room “to rest” as planned.

He had an idea for a new chapter, one from his father’s childhood, when he was living in this house.

He lost sense of time and after what felt like no longer than fifteen minutes, his mother came into the room.

“I brought you food.”

She handed him a plate with two pizza slices on them. “How are you doing?”

“Good, How’s … everyone?”

“Fine. You know, if you want, you can come out anytime.”

“Thanks, but I’d rather stay here.”

“You will have to come for the cake though. Sounds okay?”

“Yes.”

After an hour or so, his mom came to get him.

He entered the living room and was greeted by a lot of people: aunts, uncles, cousins who he hasn’t seen in years, and even three nephews and two nieces.

After singing happy birthday to his aunt and eating cake, Zack wanted to go back but was stopped by his family.

They started by asking the usual: how is school, do you have a girlfriend, any new hobbies.

They made the mistake of asking him about his father.

Zack couldn’t lie so told the truth.

He said he misses him every day and that is hard for him to talk about it. He also told them he’s writing a book about his dad to honor him.

The family gave him a positive reaction and wanted to know more about the book.

He looked at his mom, who encouraged him to speak.

Matt’s “prophecy” came true: Zack ended up being Bilbo Baggins.

He read the first two chapters to his entire family and they loved it.

After that, he somehow ended up entertaining his nephews and nieces, and, without realizing it, he was making up stories about dragons and heroes and became the star of the show.

When the party was over, everyone came to say goodbye to Zack and his mom. They all wanted to meet more often and know about how Zack is doing.

They were the last ones to leave.

On his way home, even though he was tired, he was extremely happy. Maybe going to a party and being near family wasn’t that bad.