Part One
“The darkest time in life is when you
cannot remember the time when the light existed”
Opening his eyes to an isolated sandy beach in the middle of nowhere with nobody in sight could be considered a blessing to some people. At 16 Gordon’s dark blond hair absorbed the heat of the sun and tanned his white skin. The crystal blue waves calmly brushed on the shore in front of him, there were songs of various tropical birds in the cool air and the wind filled his hair with the distinct sea shore smell. So as most people would do he lied on the smooth sand, swam in the ocean and watched the birds fly past with grace and arrogance. In the midst of this heaven on earth there was no pain, no harm and no worries, a life most people would want.
As the sun set in an array of orange and red, Gordon re-enter the water, its cold surface tensed his sun warmed muscles but they soon adjusted to the new temperature. The waves barley existing, brushing lightly past his chest. The colorful fish swim by him as if he was a rock that posed no threat to them. Colours of yellow, blue, purple and green flashed below the surface of the ocean and above the birds match the symphony of colors as they glided to the near trees to roost for the night. Suddenly the water retreated quickly, the fish gone and the water now at Gordon’s ankles. He watched at the birds fluttered off their branches in a mass frenzy as if to flee from a stalking cat. Gordon turned to the ocean and before he registered the shock from the oncoming image, he was engulfed by the crystal blue ocean.
Mother Nature swallowed Gordon whole, it rolled and twisted him under the massive wave that crashed upon his head. Under the water Gordon was cut by rocks and coral, his eyes stung by the salt water and his balance was lost. Gordon no longer knew where was up and instead, just kick his legs frantically. To his misfortune he swim down. Farther and farther, Gordon never reach the bottom nor did he realize where the surface was. As he swam he held his breath with painful desperation to survive. Yet when reflex took over from voluntary hold, Gordon swallow a rush of the warm tropical sea that so many crave.
Mother Nature swallowed Gordon whole, it rolled and twisted him under the massive wave that crashed upon his head. Under the water Gordon was cut by rocks and coral, his eyes stung by the salt water and his balance was lost. Gordon no longer knew where was up and instead, just kick his legs frantically. To his misfortune he swim down. Farther and farther, Gordon never reach the bottom nor did he realize where the surface was. As he swam he held his breath with painful desperation to survive. Yet when reflex took over from voluntary hold, Gordon swallow a rush of the warm tropical sea that so many crave.
Gordon opened his eyes. He saw his pillow and his watch on the nightstand. Gordon felt the sweat on his body; it felt as if he had been swimming. Gordon’s eyes focused and his head realized the dream he had just awoken from. Not another one he thought to himself. Gordon read the time on his watch, 6:14 am. Right before the alarm as usual. The watch then started to tune as it struck 6:15am. Gordon outstretched his drenched arm and turned off the alarm. Easing his legs from the middle of the bed sideways, just to flop them over the edge to add momentum to the rising of the rest of his body. Now standing he continued in half steps to the opposite room, taking a towel from the cupboard and continuing to the bathroom in between the rooms. After a quick glance at his new formation of morning hair Gordon turned on the shower and proceed with hygienic cleansing.
Shaking the water off his body like a dog he put a towel around his waist and left the vicinity of the bathroom. Walking out he heard the television is turned on, yup, they are awake. Gordon continued to clothe himself, the usual melancholies of grey pants and a white shirt joined by black socks and shoes. Attaching his slim black leather strap watch and placing his tinted sunglasses into his shirt pocket. Gordon heaved his black skateboarding backpack of books onto his left shoulder and continued out of this room and down the stairs.
Gordon placed the bag on the floor next to the front door and took his closed lid coffee mug from its side pocket and continued to the nearby kitchen. Walking past the many antiques that his family had collected over the years from living here. The Persian camel bone paintings showing villagers hunting and celebrating, the Indian ox cart turned into a shelf holding several pots and bowls, the Chinese cabinets filled with Asian hand blown glass figurines and Yemeni swords still sharp with experience and use. He walked into the kitchen and greeted his Sri Lankan maid (or domestic helper if one cared for political correctness). Gordon opened the beige top cabinet and his eyes glared at the vast flavours of tea that flashed before him in the florescent kitchen light. Green tea with jasmine, Japanese rice tea, caramel tea, earl grey tea and mint tea as well. Twenty flavours in all in this cupboard alone. Gordon shifted through the various teas and picked his usual morning desire; Chocolate Mint tea, a perfect blend of strength to wake the body up yet not strong enough to cause regurgitation. Closing the lid on his newly brewed tea, its glorious chocolate like smell was cut off as he placed it next to his bag.
Fixing a breakfast of cereal Gordon walked passed the stairs to his backyard and met his hyperactive dog, a black base of fur with white socks of feet and small brown stripes going around over these white socks. On his chest is a neatly formed white patch of fur, so well formed it matched the chest of a knight waiting for his emblem to be made on his breastplate armor. Anubis named after the Egyptian god of death, not a fitting name for such a lovable pooch but still a unique name nonetheless. In between mouthfuls of cereal Gordon took a spoonful and dropped its contents onto the floor, effectively sharing his breakfast with Anubis, who happily ate the sugary goodness. As they ate Gordon watched the trees swing in the light breeze, then in the corner of his eye he saw a small brown mouse climb from branch to branch.
Once finished with eating Gordon let Anubis drink the remaining milk. Anubis being a canine of half breeds between a saluki and a random assortment of street dogs, he was an effective recycling bin of food for the house, as well as an effective dish washer when applied to food stained plates and bowls. Leaving Anubis and returning inside Gordon collapsed on the couch near the front door and wait for his parents. With the load stomp of his father’s footsteps coming down the stairs, Gordon sat up. Picture a confident, half awoken man with shorts and a muscular frame turned to fat. Place dark sunglasses on him and a dollop of short dark blond hair and you have Gordon’s father in the morning. His 20 years of judo still pay off in figure and intimidation. His frizzy hair identifies that he just woke up and yet although physically half awake, his mind was always deep in thought.
Once finished with eating Gordon let Anubis drink the remaining milk. Anubis being a canine of half breeds between a saluki and a random assortment of street dogs, he was an effective recycling bin of food for the house, as well as an effective dish washer when applied to food stained plates and bowls. Leaving Anubis and returning inside Gordon collapsed on the couch near the front door and wait for his parents. With the load stomp of his father’s footsteps coming down the stairs, Gordon sat up. Picture a confident, half awoken man with shorts and a muscular frame turned to fat. Place dark sunglasses on him and a dollop of short dark blond hair and you have Gordon’s father in the morning. His 20 years of judo still pay off in figure and intimidation. His frizzy hair identifies that he just woke up and yet although physically half awake, his mind was always deep in thought.
“Hey pumba”, he says.
“Morning” Gordon replied as he walked towards his bag. Opening the front door, Gordon walked outside and was hit by the intense humidity and heat of the Middle East in May. A coastal city along the Indian Ocean. The city was small and surrounded by sun baked dark mountains that enclosed the quaint little city which also restricted its growth. Although quickly developing, it is years behind other Middle Eastern cities like Dubai which is well known globally. This coastal city however was not, it is the coastal retreat from the large cities and provides and home away from home for the weekend tourists who frequently visit for its pristine beaches on the Indian Ocean.
Opening the large black gate plated with opaque plastic on it connected to the parameter of wall Gordon released the bolts at its base and placed them into the holes in the ground, hooking the gate,more or less in place. Gordon’s father now in the white Honda turned it on as Gordon’s mother walked out the front door saying “I wondered where you were, I didn’t see you this morning.” Gordon’s mom usually wore her suits to the college, being a dean she must dress the part. Her straight black hair made curly touching her shoulders flowed in the humid air. Gordon’s mom, a calm, optimistic, lively and loving woman brushed her hand over Gordon’s hair as she walked by him. Once in the car Gordon’s father executes his fatherly duties and drove both Gordon and his mother to work and school.
By: Oscar Krol
By: Oscar Krol