It was another beautiful day. Jack woke up so early to help his mother in the kitchen because she hasn't fully recovered from the shocking news she received from Jack and his father.
Although she was getting stronger because of the drugs she was taking, she still needed some time to fully recover back to her usual self.
Jack was always busy helping his mother in the kitchen. Occasionally, she would wake him up as early as possible to assist her in the kitchen. This wasn't because she was unable to do it, but because she wanted him to learn how to cook because he doesn't know where he will find himself tomorrow.
Mr. John was in the bathroom preparing for work and also to deliver Mr. Roland's money to him. After bathing and dressing up, he came out of the room and went directly to the dining table, where Jack and his mother were arranging breakfast.
"Good morning, dad," Jack greeted.
"Good morning. How are you, Jack?" Mr. John responded.
"Fine, dad," Jack replied as he was trying to arrange the table. Jack has been happy since he entered the kitchen to help his mother.
"I can see that you are helping your mother," his father said with a smile.
"Yeah. I am. Since you don't want me to bring a daughter-in-law to her, I will always do it myself." Jack jokingly responded.
"Don't get me wrong, I only said, 'you are too young and your girlfriend or whatever she is to you. She is from a wealthy family and looking at our family status, it would be a journey of many mountains and gallops that you will need to climb before you get to her' that's all. I'm only doing my responsibility as a good father." His father explained.
"Actually, dad, I do understand you very well. I was only joking." Jack whined at his father.
"Hahaha!" His father gave a hearty laugh, and Jack also joined in.
Mrs. Elizabeth came out from the kitchen with a jug that contained hot water in it and then dropped it on the table.
"What are these Tom and Jerry laughing at?" She asked jokingly as she stood with her hands akimbo.
"Actually, they are laughing at a shattered Disney house on Mount Everest." Mr. John ceased his laughter and replied sarcastically, and his response created another great commotion that made them increase the volume of their laughter. The house was full of noise like a booming speaker.
After a minute of laughing out their sorrow, they finally settled down to enjoy their breakfast. They always seem to be having fun every time because they believe that when you are always happy, you will have access to the blessings of good health.
"Jack has been smiling since he came to the kitchen to render some help, and I have been wondering what caused the smile, but I couldn't figure out anything." Mrs. Elizabeth said to her husband, but a smile was still visible on her face.
"He has the best answer for that," Mr. John replied as he cleans the bread crumbs from his mouth.
"Mum," Jack called.
"Yes, am I lying?" His mum shakes her head as she asks him.
"I don't know. All I know is that I'm happy, and that's all. What you think about that, is
none of my problems." Jack replied.
"Alright, I guess, I'm good to go." Mr. John said as he stood up from his seat.
"Okay, darling. I hope you carried the money for Mr. Roland," Mrs. Elizabeth said.
"Oh! I have forgotten it." Mr. John replied.
"Like seriously?" Mrs. Elizabeth asked him.
"I was just joking." Mr. John replied.
"Hmm. I almost faint." Jack said.
Mr. John smiled at them and kissed his wife on the forehead.
"Buddy, give me a hi-five," Mr. John raised his right hand to shake Jack but when Jack stretched forth his hand, Mr. John took off his hand, making Jack shake the air.
Mr. John and his wife started laughing at him.
"Dad, that wasn't funny. You make me use my full strength all for shaking you, but you disappointed me." Jack smirked, feeling sad.
"I'm sorry for that." Mr. John apologized.
"You need to shake me before I forgive you." Jack said as he extended his hand to his father. When his father tried to shake him, he also took off his hand, which made his mother give a hearted laugh.
"But, the Bible said, it's not good to get revenge." Mr. John said to Jack.
"I'm sorry if it hurts you. We can now forgive each other." Jack said to his father.
"Hmm. Alright," Mr. John sighed.
Jack stood up and hugged his father and waved him goodbye as he left for work. He stared at the man he called his father until he was out of view.
Jack and his mother remained in the dining room as they discussed how funny his father was. They forever remain grateful for a caring husband and a good father. Mr. John always tries his best to put smiles on his family's faces, even with people around him. Occasionally, some people would wonder if he does get angry.
Mr. John took a taxi that carried him to Mr. Roland's house.
When he got to the house, he knocked at the house door and Mr. Roland, who was reading a Newspaper, dropped it on the parlor table and went to the door and opened it. He was surprised to see Mr. John.
"Hi, Mr. John,"
"Hi, Mr. Roland. Good morning." Mr. John greeted.
"Good morning, Mr. John. Please come in." Mr. Roland responded as he led Mr. John into the house.
"Please, have a seat." Mr. Roland offered him a seat.
"Thank you." Mr. John appreciated it and sat on one of the cushions.
"Why are you here so early?" Mr. Roland asked. Although he was expecting his money, he never thought of Mr. John bringing it so early before going to work.
"I'm here with the money. I apologize for the loss. It was just an accident, so please try to forgive him. I know how painful it may be when you lose what you have suffered for. We are deeply sorry for this." Mr. John apologizes for his son's mistake.
"You don't have to worry yourself over this. It has happened and there is nothing we can do about it. We should thank God that no one sustains any injury." Mr. Roland replied.
"Sure." Mr. John supported. He took out the envelope from his office bag and gave it to Mr. Roland, and he collected it and appreciated Mr. John for understanding the situation he was in.
"You can count the money if you'd like to," Mr. John suggested.
"I do not doubt you, brother. I know this money is complete, and I don't need to count it." Mr. Roland said.
" Thank you for trusting me." Mr. John responded and they shook hands.
Mr. John went to work after leaving Mr. Roland's house.
They have been friends since the time Jack decided to join his workshop, but they weren't close friends. Their friendship does not doubt that they will always support each other at any time, though. Mr. Roland asked Mr. John to compensate him for the loss because of his family condition.
Mr. Roland has a 7 years old girl and a 13-year-old boy, and then his amiable wife. Making them four in the family.
Which will be a great challenge to feed the family without any financial income.
He passed through a lot before he was able to raise the shop to where it was before it got burned. His wife was distressed and restless when she got the news of the burnt shop. Her pain was unexplainable because no one could feel the pain in her heart. Suffering for a long time for this and losing within seconds was something she couldn't imagine.
Life has shown them how rough and smooth it could be. Sometimes, life treats you like an enemy, while occasionally, it treats you like a good friend. One cannot expect this life to be smooth all the time. You must learn to know that challenges and trials are attached to our everyday life. Sporadically, life prefer making your day miserable, even when you didn't plan for it.
In life, one needs to thank God for everything that he/she has, for better things ahead. This has been Mr. John's daily motivation to push on in life which made him where he is even if he wasn't a wealthy man, but he doesn't lack food to eat and his family either.
Jack was just the true reflection of his father. His energy to work hard in life was something that not every one of his age could try. Hoping that 'tomorrow is pregnant for today's work' if only you work hard.