Community Cook-Out

How often had I asked for time just to myself, how often had I used my free time as a means to satisfy my need for alcohol? It was all a wasted life though, to this point I had wasted away my life, working day in and day out, and at the end of the day dragging my tired body to some local bar and drinking until I collapsed on the counter. There had to be more to life than this, there just had to be...otherwise I may as well just surrender now. It was for that reason that I dragged myelf through the district searching for anything to do, anything at all that might keep my mind off of work or drink. My wandering led me to a small park area, all the toys crafted by the strong workers of the district. For all I knew my own hands could have crafted one of these.

As I wandered through I saw a small child running along with some of the other kids. Her short, chubby legs pounding lightly into the rough ground as she laughed that innocent laugh that only children could. I found a small smile playing on my face as I watched the child, blissfully unaware of the lifestyle they would have to grow up in. I spotted the person who could only be her mother, the resemblance uncanny to a point, the same innocent eyes and playful smile. I walked over to her and leaned against the frame of one of the playsets that dotted the park area. "Is that your child ma'am, she has your eyes and smile so it would make sense. She's a cute little thing...where's her father, I would figure he would be here, after all most of the men here are given leave from their duties long enough to make sure their family will be okay without him."

Well she had answered my question at least, it was a plus, something most people these days didn't do. Though there was an undercurrent of hostility in her voice, now there was something I was familiar with, hostility seemed to follow me everywhere these days. The life of a drunk and a bar brawler was a low one, and while I was a changed man these days, the hostility was still there. She didn't look like the type that would keep track of those sort of things though, so maybe it had been my question that had bothered her. While I pondered the hostility in her tone I watched the young girl, her child, chasing after a squirrel that ran up a tree and out of the reach of her small hands. The hostile voice of her mother broke through the haze in my mind, an even deeper seeded anger asking me why it mattered to me.

Of course, that was it, I was intruding in on her life, I was asking questions that obviously put her on edge. I could understand how a stranger, not to mention one that looked as brutish as myself, could put her on edge. Especially considering that they were questions about her daughter who was obviously the love of her life. "I meant no harm ma'am the question was perfectly innocent, the child was very cute is all. Do you think it's very safe for her to be running around like that though, there are place she could fall and hurt herself. I mean...don't take this the wrong way, there's nothing wrong with your parenting style...I'm just...observing." It was the truth, I wasn't all bad, despite outward appearances I was actually a very caring person, especially to small children. The irritation in her voice did bother me to a certain degree, first impressions were one thing, but this was just a little ridiculous.