Jaden and his father Tony stand in their backyard taking turns looking through the telescope. Tony has salt and pepper hair on his head and face. His father stands at 5’8” 175 lbs with blue eyes and a full beard. Tony is full-blooded Italian, is in his mid-40’s, and has glasses on. They both drank a beer and talked to each other.
“I’m proud son, that you had a good first semester in college. You graduating early from high school was a good idea,” Tony said.
“Well thanks to you pops, you being the principal and all. The good grades and the few strings you pulled really helped out a lot,” Jaden said.
“No Jaden, you did that all on your own son. You studied hard and graduated with the required credits.”
“Well, thanks for putting the paper work through for me and getting me into this community college so fast. I kind of miss you having my back in school. I enjoyed being the principal’s son throughout high school,” Jaden said while he looked through the telescope.
“I enjoyed being there for you while you were in high school. So what are you going to do now with your life son? Where do you see yourself in ten years?”
“Well I hope to transfer to a four year Ivy League college. I would still like to get a physical science degree, then a master’s in it. I want to try to pass the MASA’s physical examination. If I can’t get into MASA, then I’ll settle for being a commercial pilot. I love flying things.”
“Sounds like a plan son. I’m proud of you, in whatever you do. I’m glad I was able to be here for you while you were growing up. It is very tough being married and raising a family these days. My personal advice would be to get married in your late thirties and have children in your mid-forties. Be very sure before you get married or have any children. Be with the person for at least ten years before you think about having children with them. Women and men change over time, people grow into different people. They evolve into different people over time; find out what the female could grow into as early as possible. Spouses growing away from each other is the biggest problem in marriages these days. Divorce is much higher than it used to be and marriage just isn’t the same anymore.”
“I understand, pops. You’ve been telling me this for the past ten years….”
“I have to drill this into your head, because most teenagers make their life decisions around your age. Between seventeen and twenty-five are the years most men and women make their decisions for the rest of their life. Many young men and women around these ages think they know everything and ruin or change their lives forever. Men going to jail and getting criminal records for life, women getting pregnant at an early age, women being with the wrong man at an early age, getting on drugs, ruining their credit and joining the military are the biggest mistakes young people make during these years….”
His father opened another beer and guzzled it down. He started to talk with a slight slur in his speech.
“…the military stole my son from me. They used him as an infantry marine test dummy. He wasn’t fully ready mentally to be on the front lines during the Gulf War. He was so eager to serve his country, to do things on his own and not listen to me. He could have joined the National Guard, non-infantry, Air Force or the navy to serve his country safely. He didn’t think we would go to war the following year. I told him the United States is in some kind of war every ten years. We are always in the world’s business; you never know when troops are going to be deployed…”
Jaden looked at his father with watery eyes. The moon shined brightly over them.
“You did your best pops. Douglas made his own decision for his life. It isn’t your fault.”
“I don’t know what I’m going to do if I lose another son.”
“You aren’t going to lose me pop. I’ll be here for you.”
“Just remember, the people who run this country are very arrogant, money and power hungry. They want to eventually control us like animals. Our history proves this, cover-ups and conspiracies is the American government’s way. They betrayed Douglas and covered up his death. Eventually they will betray you, son, watch your back. If all else fails, save yourself and the people you care about.”
“Pop, what are you talking about? You aren’t making any sense. Pop, I think you are having too much to drink,” Jaden said while he took the beer from his father’s hand and placed it near the telescope.
“I’m not drinking too much, I’m fine. Give me that beer back.”
“Let’s talk about something else, then. You were beginning to sound like those freedom of speech protestors.”
“Mark my words, we are going to be in another senseless war in the next ten years. We need another country to bully. Wasting trillions on invading another country when we can’t even get our own country in good shape. Those trillions we spend on wars, that money could have been used on universal health care, giving every citizen a proper education and making our country stronger. You don’t see China, Canada and Australia invading other countries…”
“Dad, dad dad! Let’s talk about something else…”
“…No, I’m going to finish this last point about this country. Republicans are like religious backward thinkers fueled by money for the rich. They do the opposite of what democrats do. Democrats are like scientists and forward thinkers of change for poor and middle class. Independents are like traitors always choosing different sides. Republicans think in a collective, like the Borg in Star Trek. Special interest groups feed their pockets telling them how to think. The political system is a joke with both sides, mostly opposing each other…”
Tony’s blood alcohol level passed .12. Jaden attempts to get his father out of his long politician discussions.
“Dad, what did you think of Amy last month when you met her at the BBQ?” Jaden asked.
“Your girlfriend? She’s okay, for now. I don’t think she is the one for you though,” Tony said.
“Why not, what do you mean? You don’t like her?”
“She is a good; good for now girlfriend. I don’t see you being married to her. I can sense she is going to change in the future.”
“How can you sense this?”
“She isn’t sure of herself. She tried very hard to impress us, as if she was trying to hide something. She was putting up a front, that wasn’t her true self. She is one of those people that would change ten years from now and you two would end up hating each other. Whatever you do, don’t get this girl pregnant. I’m sure you will find your soul mate down the road. You would know deep down if she is the one for you.”
“I know deep down now, that Amy is the one for me.”
“Son, search your feelings…”
Jaden walked over to his father and placed his hand on his shoulder.
“You sound like Yoda from Star Wars now. Pop, I love Amy and I can picture myself being married to her down the road. I’m going to stay with her, no matter what happens, just like you and mom.”
“You young people, with your falling in love with each other so fast. You are eighteen-years-old Jaden; you have the rest of your life ahead of you, why are you worrying about being in love so soon and thinking about marriage at such a young age?”
The question echoes in Jaden’s memory. The images go black and fade away.