G'BYE!

The boy just turned 4 years old. It was the day after the party, and he felt like things went as well as they could have possibly gone. He ate all of the tasty food he asked his Mom to make, he got all of the newest toys he asked his Dad for, and all of his friends seemed to enjoy all the fun party games. It truly was a splendid day. Although, looking around at the world outside of the protected bubble of his family the boy couldn't help but notice something was wrong. Society was off, and he knew it. He had seen the homeless man mumbling things at his mother and him when they walked to the grocery store. He did not know the words, but he could understand the desperation. He had gone to bed without dinner a couple times and he felt like he was right there with the guy. Starving and incoherent. The bright eyed 4 year old had also heard the screaming coming from a couple houses down the block. Laying in his bed he wondered how people could scream so loud so late at night. There were things in this world that were so close to touching his own. He felt like any moment he could be pulled into the madness that endlessly swirled through alleys and crowds around every turn. Here he was - 4 years old and 1 day. He was already done with all of it. There was just too much confusion, and sorrow, and frustration, and definitely not enough laughter and understanding. The boy didn't know many words, and wasn't sure what he would do once he got out on his own. He just had a feeling he might not need to grow up like everyone else. He strapped on his red backpack that carried a couple of his favorite books, his stuffed bear, and some snacks. He walked out through his front door to the driveway. He crouched down as hard as he could and leapt into the brisk morning air. Once he felt his sneakers leave the concrete the weight was lifted from his mind, and he also felt weightless. He was no child of gravity like the rest of us. There was no coming back down for this one. "G'bye Ma! G'bye Dad! G'bye Earth! Who needs ya?" - said the 4 year old.