Ice & Cream

Departure

“Now listen,” his grandmother called, beckoning his look. “You know your parents are in Slurpee City. You should go and talk to them before you leave down the mountain path.”

That sounded like a scary idea. Jack nodded, but his eyes went wide with doubt. “Will they not stop me?”

Anna smiled. “They will try, without a doubt. But if you cannot convince them, perhaps you are better off not going. You will find much harder opposition in your travels than your parents could ever pose, I can promise you that.”

Jack waved his head, thoughtfully. “Well, yes, that might be true. But my parents, I cannot whack with this word.”

Sprinkle and his grandmother both laughed out loud, which somehow relaxed Jack. He almost laughed along with them.

“Every problem has a tool that best solves it, Jack. Believe me when I say that that sword will seldom fit the bill, even though it can always be used anyway. However, you should keep in mind that a problem ill solved only begets more problems. Talk with your parents. Convince them. Sprinkle will help if you need him to.”

“I mean, did you tell ‘em about me?” Sprinkle asked.

“When they were children. They will remember you, my friend, I am certain.”

“Then sure, no doubt. I’ll do whatever I can to help,” Sprinkle said, nodding to Jack.

His grandmother smiled, content. “I know this is a lot to take in, Jack. If you want to take a day to think this through…”

Jack shook his head. It was crazy, sure. It was the kind of decision people would hardly understand or find justifiable.

However, it felt right. It was a matter of the heart, more than anything, and his heart was at ease with the decision. Thinking about it, Jack just really preferred seeing Jane again and knowing that she’s safe, over staying so that his life could move on without her.

That was it, really. Jack knew that if he did not follow through with that opportunity, life would move on without her, and that was a terrible reality to contemplate. Jack could not picture it, and his chest hurt just attempting it.

“No, I will leave now before I change my mind,” Jack said, gripping the hilt of his sword.

His grandmother nodded proudly.

“Then lastly, Jack, keep in mind that I have friends in most of these cities. I will warn those that I can ahead of time, but feel free to throw my name around.”

“I’ll be there anyway, they’ll remember me,” Sprinkle said proudly.”

“Haha, true enough. Do try and find them. They will provide you with assistance. Food, at the very least, but they will have other things you might need, such as information, maps, and counsel on how to best walk the path to Cookie City. I am afraid I have become far too disconnected from the rest of the world to be of any significant help in that regard.”

Jack stood, determined. If he was setting off without even a mapped path to walk through, or any semblance of a clear plan, then that was one more reason to depart as soon as possible.

“Alright. This is a bit crazy but--”

“There’s never any greatness without a bit o’ crazy, kid!” Sprinkle yelled.

Jack grinned, energized by Sprinkle’s confidence. “Yes, I am going to do it.”

“We’re going to do it, kid! I’ll be right there with you the whole way,” Sprinkle promised.

Although they had just met, somehow, that promise reassured Jack immensely. Sprinkle had the voice of a baby but his demeanor was almost heroic. In that one instance, at least. Even though the little guy could hardly reach Jack’s knees, Sprinkle could emit such a dependable aura.

Nodding, Jack was so excited that he giggled a bit. He could see it already. “I cannot wait to see the look on Jane’s face when I show up.”

His grandmother chuckled and stroke his head to mess up his hair. “I am sure she will love it. Make her proud.”

“And you too, gran!” Jack said, gazing at her so very grateful. “I will not disappoint you, I swear!”

She smiled at her grandson that she so loved. Jack hoped she could see in his eyes that he was genuinely motivated. Incredibly motivated. He hoped he looked as determined as she looked proud.

“Give me a kiss,” she said, holding out her arms.

Jack hopped and hugged her tightly. They both moaned endearingly.

“Travel well, my dear,” she said as they pulled away, “and whatever happens, never stop following your heart. Here you go, the address for my friend who is living in Slurpee City.”

Jack was so emotional and teary-eyed that he had to grab the piece of paper half-blind.

“C’mon kid, let’s get going,” Sprinkle called, walking away. “I’ve told you, it’s been way too long since I’ve stretched my legs!”

Sprinkle stopped after a few steps, facing the door to leave the cooking lab. He looked around uncertainly. “Wait, I dunno where to go. You lead the way, kid.”

Jack laughed and moved towards the door, waving goodbye to his grandmother. “See you later, grangran. Come on, Sprinkle, let us go.”

Jack left with a strong sense of destiny about himself. He had never felt quite so high before, but seeing how low he had been feeling just a short while ago, he was willing to go even higher if that’s what it took.

That desperation. That dread. Having to sit still and wait for bad news, utterly helpless and awash in regret. Knowing that Jane would be in an even worse situation. Waiting for her mother to get better or worse without any ability to impact it. Wondering all the while why Jack had forgotten about her, and the promise he had made her.

Too terrible. Jack had only really dealt with the tip of it – the very start – and he had already lost the will to move by the time his grandmother found him.

He would do anything and go anywhere to keep that feeling from returning, and if that could also help Jane in any way, then triply more so!

If that meant going on an absolutely mental trip across the continent with a magical creature that he had just met, and a weapon that should exist, then that was exactly what he was going to do.

As he walked across his city, Jack tried not to think about whether he was ever going to see it again. Jack might be giving those first few steps but he knew chances were high he would just turn around in Slurpee City. It was hard enough to trust his own will, and a sense of comfort that had never left the mountains, without having to consider how his parents were going to test it.

I cannot turn around, Jack thought to himself, gripping his sword. He touched over his chest with his free hand and breathed deeply. He could see it in the air ahead of him, and in a way, he could see his footprints, too. Those he was about to make.

I am committed. I have to be committed. Steps like these must count, and never go to waste.

Jack repeated those words in the privacy of his mind, but it didn’t matter. The truth was that while those steps taken to leave Ice Cream City were factually his first, they actually didn’t count for much. He knew that they weren’t really his first steps, and that wouldn’t change regardless of what he told himself. How many times he said it, or for how long. Reality couldn’t be changed, and that included the reality of the heart.

Adventure only truly starts outside our beaten path…