The Art Of Staying Sane

• Jacqueline Huynh, Grade 9, Birrong Girls High School
• Short Story
• 2014

Excellence Award in the 'The Text Generation 2014' competition

I slowly steady myself as I climb up the rope to the tree house. I peak over the rotten wooden ledge and there is my son, playing in his fantasy against the cascading moonlight.
“Mate, it’s time to go to sleep,” I say.
“No, no I want to play with my monsters. Look, see?”
He extends his arm and confronts me with his ripped teddy bear. I never really understood his version of fantasy. I wish I could share his mind. It would certainly be better than having a conscience – incinerating with fear. I stay sane… because of him
He plays and jumps in time with his tiny dinosaurs, making me rock in sync with the wise oak tree. I wish I had the adrenaline to play – not to be scared. The peak of his head swings around with the plane mobile, making a silhouette against my aging face.
“Come on, it’s getting late.” I warn him, but he keeps on immersing himself in his innocence.
I cock my head over and stay there, mindless of time. I can’t help myself but visualise my little boy being engulfed by the world’s monstrous, bulging hands – taking him out of mine. The sheer possibility of my mistakes being the reason I suffer in screaming silence sends my sorrow echoing infinitely times louder.
My son’s laughter makes me realise my reality and so I bring it back into focus and look at my son, my sun. Us intertwining our spirits, this is the spice of life.