Fated at Birth? Concept equals Null.

Chapter One: A Horizontal Fate

Friday, January 1st, 2055. Steadily running around the backyard being chased by his father and young dog was Jason. Today was his 5 birthday, a milestone in any person's life. Although for Jason today was his special day he was just enjoying his time with his father while his mother was inside preparing for his party. Several of his classmates were coming over to celebrate his birthday but that wouldn't be for a while longer. Running around from his dad through the yard Jason stumbled over his feet falling face first into the grass.

Even though his father wasn't too worried about Jason hurting himself he still hurried over carefully lifting him back up and setting him back onto his feet softly brushing off his back. "Come on buddy, now isn't the time to be staining your face with tears. Come I know it hurts right now but it won't hurt forever. Whip them away, I promise this isn't going to hurt any longer than a few minutes.” Once Adrian was finished brushing off Jason, he carefully began wiping the tears off of his little boys’ face. 

"See it is all better now isn't it? Look little buddy it is okay to cry when things are painful, but you must learn about what things you should and shouldn't cry about. Sometimes it is better to grunt in pain a little then stand up and go get yourself taken care of.. Other times, well buddy sometimes emotional pain hurts a lot more than falling over. And that is when you should do your crying, don't hide how you feel. Just don't let yourself be overly sensitive either. You will have to find a balance, but I'm sure you will be able to. After all, you are your mamma's son. So I believe in you most of all."

Jason didn't really know what his father was talking about but knew that his father was trying to tell him something very important, so he smiled and nodded his head. "Yes papa. I try my best to be good." Even though Adrian knew his son didn't completely understand him, he still pat the top of his head before standing back up. "Alright buddy, let's keep playing while we wait for mommy to finish up what she is doing. How does that sound to you little man?" Jason smiled largely, the two dimples on his cheeks showing predominantly on his chubby face.

Standing at the edge of their home's patio, Melissa stood watching both her husband and son frockling about in the yard. Although she would have loved to be able to continue watching, she still had things she had to do in order to get Jason's birthday party ready for guests to attend. Taking one last glance at the two, Melissa slowly turned her back to them and headed inside, unable to contain her excitement to see the look on Jason's face when everyone showed up; a slight skip added to her step as the door closed behind her.

Although it seemed like the two were playing outside for a long time, it wasn't too long before little Jason had gotten tired out. Taking this moment to take a break himself, Adrian called his tired son over while he rested against a large oak tree. "Come on over here and sit with me for a bit. You tired your old dad out. We can continue after I take a little break. Is that okay with you buddy?” Slowly the two of them nestled against the oak tree taking a well deserved break. Closing their eyes the father and son pair began snoring softly comfortable in their little spot.

It was too long until Melissa came back outside just to see her two precious family members sleep cozied together under the shade of their tree. Quickly she snapped a photo on her Digiglass. This was a moment that she never wanted to forget. Though a dated tradition their family still did memory photo albums. So much so that there are three binders full of pictures inside of Adrian’s study where he does most of his work. Slightly jealous of her husband, Melissa quickly strolled over to the two where she gently woke Jason up. Adrian on the other hand didn’t get the same kind of wake up. His was more along the lines of a wake up push.

Time continued to tick and soon it was two in the afternoon. With most of Jason’s energy spent soon the two doting parents and child went back inside. Inside their small but cozy home a colorful banner hung in the dining room that read out “Happy Birthday Jason.” Although he couldn’t read very well yet little Jason still could read his name, combine with him already knowing what today was, he was starting to get excited. This only magnified with the passing seconds as the automated home system notified the three that people were approaching their door. As you would expect Jason’s classmates didn’t want to miss their friend’s party. It gave them a chance to have fun and of course eat cake.

Though the house wasn’t small, it still wasn’t the size that would be needed to host the amount of people that were coming. Once more people started showing up, everyone was moved outside where the kids could play and the parents could talk among themselves, all while keeping an eye out of the little troublemakers. It wasn’t long before the kids were running around the yard playing tag laughing loudly as they chased each other around. Watching over the scene several of the mothers were all watching warmly at the children playing without a care in the world enjoying each moment to the fullest.

Jessica, a middle aged Indian woman in her early thirties let out a soft sigh getting the attention of the other mothers around her. “It won’t be much longer until their fate begins to show itself to them. Although I know we can’t do anything to change it, the thought of something terrible being written into their life…” She took a moment to gather her thoughts, the other mothers already knowing what she was going to say. “It hurts to think about it. It hurts not knowing what will happen to them and if we as their mother’s will be able to help them. I don’t want to think of my daughter getting hurt because I can’t help her.”

All of the mothers nodded their heads agreeing with what she had spoken. It was a common acceptance like an unspoken rule of reality. No one person can interfere with the fate of another person, unless their two different fates are entwined with each other. Things like love, life, death; those couldn’t be interred with. If you tried, an even greater catastrophe would befall onto both people. “Fate is inescapable, destiny can not be changed. These are what we have all been taught, and have seen proven over and over again. It is painful, but as their parents all we can do is prepare them for their own fate, and teach them how to be smart or safe.”

No one knew who said it as all of them were watching each of their respective children, a quiet understanding between each one of them. Conversely on the other side of the patio all of the fathers were having a similar talk with each other. Though instead of warm smiles and glossy eyes, they instead had stiff faces, a determination lighting their eyes. It was actually Adrian who spoke first as they all looked between their children and their respective wives. “It really is a hard job. Balancing concern for their well-being, and the sternness needed to raise them with proper morals. Keeping the fear of raising the improperly from showing. Not knowing if we are doing the right or wrong thing.”

None of the other fathers had anything to say. It felt like common knowledge but most fathers worked like a hivemind. They each had the same feelings when it came to raising their kids. But there was a bigger commonality between fathers. Almost in unison they all made a quick phrase. “For a better tomorrow, we give them a better today. Making the right choice today, so they can make the right choice tomorrow.” Though simple in nature this creed like phrase managed to put every fear felt by fathers into tangible thoughts. Each one of the men taking a sip of their drink as the game of tag came to an end.

Rounding up the children all were gathered under the tree as a medium sized pinata hung swaying in the wind. Melissa held several straws in her hands each one smaller than the previous. After all of the children were lined up by the parents, each kid took  a turn swinging a bat at the pinata. Whether it be machinations of fate, or Jason’s mother keeping his ego in check, he ended up being the last to get a turn. Before he could even get a chance to pout of cry, Adiran came up behind him and rested his hand on Jason’s head kneeling down to look him in the eye. “Jason my boy, I know that today is special to you, but that doesn’t mean you get to act out when you don’t get your way. The order was picked in a fair manner. You will get your turn, I promise. Now just go and have some fun, that is the whole point of today”

After all of the other children got their turn, the bat was finally passed over to Adrian. Like the other kids Jason was given three chances to break open the pinata or it would go to the next kid. Excited to finally get his turn, Jason swung the bat as hard as he could, flying right next to the pinata instead of hitting it. Less excitedly he used his second swing to aim directly and managed to swat the pinata, though it wasn’t enough to break it. Completely disheartened, Jason kicked his dogs tennis ball watching it bounce along before he got an Idea. 

A large grin plastered on Jason’s face as he ran up to Adrian laughing as he handed the bat to his dad. “Daddy, can you smack it for me please. I want you to use my last turn.” Whether Jason understood how clever he was being or not, the other parents clearly understood, just how much all of the kids wanted the candy that was inside. “Now Jason would that be fair to your friends if you let me have your last swing? They all used their turns don’t you think it is only fair that you as well use your turns?” A large smile appeared on Jason’s face as he repeated his own father's words. “Everybody should have a turn, isn’t that what you said daddy? So that means even mommies and daddies should get a turn too.”

Over several moments of difficult thinking, Adrian reluctantly accepted the bat favoring it with his left hand. “You are a very clever boy Jason...Sometimes a bit too clever.” Releasing an exasperated sigh as he pat his son’s head, Adrian approached the pinata fluidly breaking it open with a swing of his arm. The kids began to swarm the bits of candy that fell to the ground as Adrian walked back to the other adults with a bitter smile on his face. Doing everything he could not to burst out laughing, Andrew, a man in her early thirties, smirked as he held his drink up in a mocking “cheers” to Adrian. 

“That boy of yours, well it is just as you said, he is extremely clever. Whether he knew it or not he forced you into a place where no matter what you would be the bad guy. Either let down the kids as their only hope of getting that candy, or break open that thing and look like a child yourself. It doesn’t matter too much, it was nice just seeing you forced between a rock and a hard place.”

Hearing his friend vocalize the past 5 minutes for him didn’t make the whole experience sit any better for him. What it did give him, was a bit of pride knowing that someone else noticed how clever his son was. So letting that lone thought settle to a smile on his face, Adrian playfully punched his friends arm as he slowly watched the kids all scavenging for the candy that now lay on the grass.

It wasn’t long before it was time for the cake to be brought out. With quick and determined steps, Melissa hurriedly moved inside and prepared everything, while the others gathered the children and got them settled down. Once it was quiet, Melissa slowly walked outside with a large cake, decorated with Jason's favorite colors. It was a chocolate cake with deep red icing, and on top was a small toy that was based off of his favorite power ranger show.

When she was completely out of the house, Melissa began singing the “celebration of youth” while the other parents started to join in. Soon enough the cake was in front of little Jason, and everyone was finishing up the song. With a swift breath, the candles were blown out and a huge smile was plastered to his chubby cheeks.

Almost as soon as the candles were out all of his friends started asking what he had wished for. Before he could even say anything it was Jessica who spoke up bringing her index finger to her lips.. “Now, now, you all know that if he tells you his wish won’t come true.” It was a small gesture but one that didn’t go completely unnoticed as Jason quickly closed his mouth and looked at the cake that was currently getting cut. Quickly becoming something Jason would remember for the rest of his life. To everyone else it meant almost nothing, but to him it meant “something are meant to be kept to yourself, little one.”