A Spark Within

This was written for John and Paul's unofficial challenge :)

(Now I know what you may be thinking...I'm not the one that rises in the morning with a big smile plastered to my face and my work is generally darker in nature, BUT, I hate to be told what to do or what I can do, hehe, so I chose to do the uplifting part not the critique. That's all the warning you get.)

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"Da, did you hear what they said on the news?"

Jack almost couldn't believe it himself. It was the coolest thing he'd ever heard. He stuffed his pinky fingers in his ears wiggling them around to make sure they were working.

"Da?"

No response. Jack turned from his spot on the floor where he'd been glued to the grainy television screen. He found his father hunched over the kitchen table, head in hands. A thick heap of papers set before him and an old adding machine.

His parents never really spoke about it, but things had been going poorly since the factory closed. At first, his father left before sun up and didn't return until dark, hunting for any kind of work or odd job, sure he'd find something. But as the weeks turned into months, grim reality began to eat away at his resolve.

He looked older now somehow, and his laugh had turned brittle. Gone was the humming in the evening as he cleaned his work boots. Now they sat near the door, tired and slumped.

Jack tried to ease the burden in small ways, hoping it would help. He started eating a little less at mealtimes, claiming he was full and ignoring the growl in his belly at night. He didn't make a fuss when they had to cancel the cable or when they started shopping at thrift stores. Because Jack knew with all his heart that despite how bleak things looked, everything would be okay.

His Mum always told him he was special like that, full of goodness, full of light. That he'd been born with a tiny spark inside. A little ball of warmth that grew and grew each time he smiled. When he laughed. Especially when he was thankful. And it urged him to keep going on the tough days, finding hope even in sadness.

Jack thought everyone must be born with their own spark. He was sure of it. He was also positive that his father's was dangerously close to burning out. If only Jack could find some way to rekindle it.

With soft footsteps, he crossed the room and snuck his arms around his da's solid middle, hugging him fiercely. Perhaps Jack could share his light if he just squeezed hard enough.

"What–," his father wheezed as two small elbows poked at his ribs. His scratchy beard tickled Jack's neck as he unwound gangly arms from their fierce grip and placed him on his lap. Jack giggled.

For a moment, those drawn cheeks lifted and a half grin grew before his father's gaze caught on the waiting bills. He sighed and placed Jack back on the floor.

Jack racked his brain for a way to get through to his father, his mind snagging on the news story from earlier. That's when it finally clicked.

"Wait, Da! I need to tell you something."

"Sorry son, I need to figure a few things out right now," he said, giving a weak smile. "You can tell me about it later, yes?"

But Jack wasn't having it.

"No, I need to tell you now so you'll see!"

"See. See what? Are you in some kind of trouble?" his father turned to him, eyes filled with concern.

"It's no trouble at all, really Da. It's something glorious." Jack's face filled with wonder as he spoke.

Puzzled, his father just stared over the rim of his readers.

Jack took that as his cue to keep going.

"Well, I think that lady on the news told us the answer to everything," he said proudly.

His father rubbed a calloused hand down his beard, at a loss for words.

Undaunted Jack pressed on, "So, she umm, she said they have this new space telescope. And it can see millions and trillions of miles away to all kinds of galaxies," he rushed out, breathless with excitement. "And the universe keeps going, she said. On and on and on. Do you know what that means, Da? Do you?"

Bewildered at this unexpected conversation, his father remained speechless, mouth hanging slightly ajar.

"Well, it means that we're it! Us! The only sign of life so far that's been found anywhere," he threw his arms out and spun around, face flush with joy and triumph.

"That's uh, that's really wonderful, son," his father replied after a few moments, giving an awkward thumbs up as Jack slowed to a stop.

He began to swivel back to the table, shoulders drooping when Jack's wee voice broke the silence once more.

"It means we're miracles," he breathed. "You. Me. Everyone, Da. We're alive. And I have you and Mum and Gracie. Our world is special, so very special. How can things be that bad when we've been given this brilliant gift?"

His father sat frozen, shock etched onto his worn features.

"I mean, we could've just been space rocks," he joked.

His father snorted in surprise, the hint of a smile spreading.

"But instead we got our sparks," Jack finished softly, tapping the space over his heart. "I think we've everything we need right here, Da. Don't you?"

The light in his father's eyes warmed as he pulled Jack to him, kissing his temple. His voice was thick with emotion as he finally murmured into Jack's soft hair, "So we have, son. So we have."

His father gave Jack a tight hug before his gangly form was suddenly hoisted up and over a broad shoulder. Jack squealed in delight.

"What's say you and I go to the park?"

"Yes! Yes! Let's go!" Jack couldn't wait. He slithered off his da's back and ran to get his shoes.

Within minutes, the two pushed out into the crisp afternoon air, hearts lighter and sparks as bright as the sun.

~

The challenge: