LIFE

CHAPTER ONE

They say life is too precious to waste. Is that true? Or did some rich guy…or girl…say that because they have everything or nothing at all? Jason “Jack” Masters wondered. Define everything: money, big house, successful business. In other words, they have everything in life; no worries. What about a poor guy with nothing at all? Or he had it all and lost it? Then the message is: don’t take things for granted. Makes sense.

Jason stood and slung his dark blue back pack over his shoulder. He walked a few feet and got off the bus. It was still dark outside. Jason ignored the biting cold and he sank back to his oblivion.

Should we, the people, take life seriously, or just let it take us along for the ride? Think about it. We go to school for most of our lives. Then when we have enough money to stabilize ourselves we’re too old to even enjoy our lives. Well, maybe we can enjoy it. But we can’t really do the things we use to do. Like really active activities. Maybe not. I see a lot of older people doing some crazy shit.

But what about the premature deaths? What about the two day old babies who die so early in life? What about when the actually make it into the years and die at five years old or thirteen. I mean, just the other day a thirteen year old got shot by police because the asshole brought a gun to school and he got shot. Jason shook his head. What a waste of life.

All in all, it comes down to this: what is the point of life? It seems that we’re always working, and when we finally retire for good, we can’t do some of the things to do.

My theory, Jason thought, is to live life it’s fullest. Live life like there is no tomorrow. Trust God that He’ll take care of you. Fear nothing. Show no fear but show mercy.

The doorbell rang and Jason finally snapped back into reality. He checked his clock on the bedside table. 6:00. Almost sunset. The door bell rang again and he lazily rolled out of bed and up the stairs. He opened the basement door, also his room, and walked the few steps to the front door. He opened the door.

“Hey,” Tracy greeted Jason. Jason smiled. “I just came by and was wonderin’ if anything was wrong.” Jason shrugged.

“Nothin’ is wrong. I was just thinkin’ is all. “Tracy put her hands in her pockets.

“What were you thikin’ about? “She asked softly. “It musta been pretty bad ‘cause you didn’t do any of your work, much less picked up your pencil.” Which was odd because Jason is a straight A student. Jason shrugged.

“It was nothin’ really,” he said avoiding her eyes. Tracy tilted her head slightly.

“I don’t think so,” she said. Jason sighed.

“I…I was thinkin’ about life and the purpose of it. What is the purpose of life? Why are we born? Why go through what we go through but in the end we die?” A playful giggle escaped Tracy’s lips. Jason shot her a harmless look.

“What? Do you think this is funny?” Jason asked in a neutral voice.

“Sorry. No, I don’t, I mean…I dunno.” Tracy’s cheeks turned a light color of red. Jason smiled.

“Don’t you think about life or anythin’ like that?” He asked. Tracy titled her head again and shook it slightly.

“No, I haven’t.” Jason scratched his arm.

“Why?” He asked curiously. She shrugged and put a strand of her hair behind her ear. Jason smiled and stepped outside. He pulled the door shut behind him. He grabbed her wrist and pulled her with him.

“Come.” He simply said. She followed. Of course she had no choice.

“Where are we going?” She asked. Jason didn’t answer. “Jack?!” They began running through his yard toward the edge of the house. Suddenly, he stopped.

“Come, I’ll help you up,” he said getting down on his knees and interlocking his fingers. Tracy looked at the tree.

“Jack,” she said.

“Come, hurry.” Jason said. “To the roof.” She stepped into his hands. She looked down at him.

“Don’t look up my skirt,” she said laughing. Jason smiled. Tracy hosted herself up and started clilmbing up the tree and then on to the roof. Jason was right behind her. Jack led the way to his spot and sat down. His legs dangling over the edge of the two story house. Tracy sat next to him. She touched his arm.

“Oh Jack, it’s so beautiful.” Jason smiled. The sunset is particularly beautiful this day.

“This is why I wonder and think about life.” Jason paused. “Look how beautiful that is. Just the right amount of color, clouds, everything. Most people take life for granted.” There was a long pause.

“I agree,” Tracy said. Jason turned his head.

“Are you sure? Or are you just agreeing? Do you understand that everything is placed perfectly. Just perfect.” A pause. “ I know that we were talking about evolution in science today. Can scientist actually believe that everything happened by a big bang? That a freckle evolved into an eyeball? How did it evolve? And is it by chance that it was placed perfectly where it is today? Can they prove it? How could a bang make everything so perfect and beautiful?

“Life’s a mystery, Tracy Parker, I believe that you agree with me, but on the thin layer of the box; not the deep part of the box.” Jason laid back. “Enjoy life while you can, Tracy. Life is nothin’ to be taken as a joke.”