The Goodbyes

As Jason walked home, his recent decision caused him to think about himself and his past.

His family was poor, dirt poor, nothing in their home could really be counted as theirs, not even the clothes on his back, any moment, the debt collectors could come and take everything. But his parents loved him and his siblings were the best ones he could ever ask for.

Jason had begun working the moment he was old enough to get a job but he could only help his mother so much. His father was unable to work, and his mother earned bits of money by cleaning. His father had been injured in battle and though he tried his best, his body was in no state to work. This forced Jason to get a low-paying job while his mother struggled to help support the family and take care of himself and his siblings.

As he was reminiscing, he reached home. His mother greeted him at the door, a kind smile on her homely face.

"Welcome home son! Will you tell us about your interview?" She said as taking his hand in hers.

"About that..." Jason mumbled

"Wait for a second dearest, I want the whole family to hear good or bad. Okay?" she said as she pulled him into the dining room where the rest of his family was sitting.

A firm hand clasped his shoulder as he sat down.

"Son. How was it?" His father said in his deep husky voice. His father looked at him with his bright grey eyes, and chiseled face.

"Ya bro how was it?" His 13-year-old brother Michael echoed.

His 10-year-old sister Julia looked at him earnestly. Her expression communicated everything that she wanted to say.

Jason cringed at the thought of telling them he was going to leave for a few years but resolved to tell the good news first. He was about to begin when his father interrupted.

"Son, don't worry if you didn't do well in the interview. It's still amazing that you were able to able to get an interview at 15 years old! That alone is worth celebrating, so don't be afraid to talk about your failures and faults. There is always room for growth...."

"I got the job and 100 million bucks." Jason interrupted and showed them the balance on his phone for them all to see.

Their silence made the old clock's squeak seem more prominent as the minutes seemed to stretch. His siblings started to jump around shouting things like "YAY! We don't have to ration the milk and food anymore!" and they ran off to their rooms to celebrate.

His mother and father glanced at each other and his dad looked at him with a concerned and cautious expression. "What's the catch?"

His dad had been tricked plenty of times and had learned from experience.

"I have to work for them with no pay for 20 years and I'm being sent to a camp for a few years," Jason answered.

Jason's father clenched his fists, as a big sigh seemed to inevitably come over him. His mother held onto his hands, as tears formed on the corner of her eyes.

"Son, you didn't sign the contract yet right?" His fathers said slamming down on the table looking desperate.

"we may be struggling, but losing our oldest son for it isn't worth it" his mother added, "I'm sure we can figure out something"

Jason looked at his parents with serious eyes.

"We are literally drowning in our debts mother, debt collectors come every day, how much longer do you think we can avoid them?!"

Jason paused regretting his outburst

His father quietly asked

"Son do you know what you are going to do for the next twenty years?"

"No, not a clue. I was so excited and absorbed by the money and paying off everything that I didn't pay attention to it. I'm sorry Dad, Mom."

Jason hung his head and started to reflect on what he did. His parents sighed and looked at each other with some melancholy and despair in their eyes.

"There is nothing we can do. Son, you must go to your camp, your mother and I try and figure out how to get you out of that okay?"

His dad paused "But if by any chance, it really is just a normal thing and you are safe, then be sure to be in contact frequently. Now go say goodbye to your siblings, but just tell them that you will be gone for a bit I don't want them to be even sadder at the prospect of losing their older brother."

But before Jason left his father pulled him into a bear hug. His mom joining in shortly after. After resting in his parents' embrace for a few minutes, he went to his brother's room.

It was a dark blue room with posters full of cool macho men in cool poses. His brother sat in front of his messy desk full of clothes and tech. Typing away at his old computer, he glanced at Jason and said "I heard everything bro, I'll miss you. Take care. And don't die on us"

Even if it was just a short goodbye, Jason knew that his brother cared for him. It was just difficult to express the emotions they felt. He gave a nod to his brother.

"Alright I'll see you in a few years, and I expect you to be the best in everything you are doing and a literal prodigy." Michael looked him seriously in the eye and then grinned, "Leave it to me, you better be back in one piece"

Jason approached his sister's room, or at least he tried to. His sister was already heading toward him. Jason knelt down and whispered to her.

"Big bro is going on a trip for a few years. Okay? ill see you in a few years"

She nodded and jumped toward him and hugged him for a good 30 seconds. As she released him she whispered in a tender voice, "I'll see you later big brother" She then dusted herself off and scurried back to her room.

Jason looked back at the living room where Jason could hear his mother crying and his dad slamming the table in frustration. He started to understand the weight of what he had done. But to be honest, his family was going to be fine after this. The money was going to go to his parents, for his sibling's education.

Sure he may go into a sketchy camp where he might die, but in Jason's young and immature mind it was completely worth it.

Jason started to pack his bags when a sudden urge to sleep hit him like a truck. Jason couldn't fight it, and he only had enough time to toss his body onto the edge of his bed before everything went dark.