Runway
''Mom, is it Thursday today?'' an impatient question comes from the furthest corner of Alph's room, chasing away all the morning peace and serenity. ''Yes, Alph! Today is Thursday, meaning that you have to rush home after school to make it to the cycling training. Remember that Thursday is the most hurried day of the week for us. As usual, you will rush home, take what you need, have a meal and will be off to the training with no hesitation. Dad with brother will pick you up,'' says mom while stirring porridge with one hand, taking plates with the other and placing it nicely on the table in one line, and thinking over plans for the day. If somebody looked into the kitchen through the window, could think that mom is talking to a cooker hood that has stretched its majestic wide shoulders over the stove, and looks straight at the porridge because there is noone else in the kitchen.
''Yeah yeah,'' the boy replies reluctantly, and slowly aproaches his breakfast plate with his head down. Brothers have already come and taken their places at the big family table, listening to mom's and Alph's talk, and peacefully emptying their plates mouthful by mouthful. Again and again the brothers calm down, look at each other, one shakes head, the other lifts shoulders but without saying anything, carry on until the porridge is finished. They know what Alph wants to tell mom, so are patiently waiting for when he will find the courage to do it. At the same time Alph talks other things, and it feels like he has forgotten the main one. But he has not forgotten what he wants to tell his parents. The issue is that he does not know how to do it best. How to find the right moment? How to even know what is the right moment? Alph keeps on thinking of how to tell mom that he is really tired of cycling already and it is not interesting for him. How to explain to dad that cycling round small forest trails and jumping over biggest roots, that he could not even imagine doing a few years back, has become an ordinary routine. Unfortunately, not as exciting and full of victory joy as before...
No, this morning is not the right moment yet. Alph will talk to parents tonight after school and practice, when brothers will already be asleep. Tonight. But if you think well, maybe could carry on with the cycling trainings? But how about gymnastics then? Then there would be no time for Alph's big dream – practicing gymnastics. And he has thought this through multiple times – if I have to give something up, it would be anything but the dream about gymnastics. He would be ready to clean the house alone for a whole month, play ''catch'' with younger brother even for three hours in a row, but never give up gymnastics.
The boy is finally bravely inviting his parents for a talk. It is hard to find the most fitting words, his mouth gets dry even though Alph has not even said a word yet. And at times a thought of postponing this talk to the next day crosses his mind. He remembers the talk five years ago when he was trying to convince his parents as much as he can that cycling is his right and one and only sports for a lifetime. Yes, that's what he said back then. Because that's how he felt and what he thought. But now he has to say something else. That is true and his dad is always reminding to the kids that it is important to do what you love. If cycling is not bringing Alph as much joy as even last year, if the heart does not start to beat faster and eyes are not as excited as before – would Alph have to do sports that is not exciting him that much anymore for the rest of his life? No, no and once again – no! Alph says this to himself silently and starts the talk. Parents are carefully listening and nod heads in an understanding manner.
''Ok, fine, Alph,'' says dad after boy's a little hecting and stuttered talk, looking at mom and trying to guess what she is thinking.
''Ok, fine? Yeaahhh! I will not attend cycling trainings anymore and will be able to practice gymnastics!'' the boy feels a relief like never before.
''But,'' mom continues, ''you have to go to both of your cycling coaches and let them know about your decision. When that is done, we will go and apply for gymnastics practice.''
''Ohh, this is not good,'' Alph thinks, looking at his parents with a confusion.
''How to explain my decision to the coaches? They will feel upset and maybe even disappointed. Mom, could you please do this for me?'' Filled with hope, Alph looks into mom's sincere eyes, that could give such tight hug to her twelve year old son which would take the breath away with look alone.
''No, Alph, I can not explain your decision to the coaches. Only you can do that,'' mom replies in a warm but definite manner. She notices disapointment in his face. Is it fear?
''Come here, Alph, let me show you something,'' she takes him by the shoulder and brings out in the yard although the twilight has wrapped it in darkness.
''Come and lay down in the other hammock,'' mom lays down in a bright one between two birch trees and tells Alph to do the same.
''Look at the sky – do you see that plane?'' mom asks. ''Well, yes, I see it,'' Alph slowly replies not understanding what the plane has to do with his cycling trainings.
''What do you think – does the pilot know where he is flying? Is pilot's main goal the airport where he plans to land? Is there something stopping him from reaching his goal?'' mom persistently asks.
Alph can barely manage to nod his head in reply to his mom's fast paced questions.
''For a plane to successfully reach its destination, it needs to know and follow the route. To be able to fly on the route, it needs a good start. To have a successful departure, a good runway is a must. It has to be long and smooth enough. A plane really needs runway. Planes would not fly without it. But tell me, Alph, does a plane need a runway while up in the air? Runway is not flying with a plane to reach the destination right? At some point a plane does not need runway anymore,'' mom says swinging her hammock slowly with one leg to the ground and putting the words together in meaningful sentences like precious pearls in a necklace.
''Alph, close your eyes and open your arms,'' mom urges and shows an example by opening her arms over both sides of the hammock. ''Alph, you are a plane now. Me and dad – your runway. Always remember this. Your runway is long, smooth and allows you to rise over the highest mountain tops to fly to the furthest corner of the world, and can welcome you back home. Your runway is your base and support, no mater where you would decide to fly. You will fly only when you leave the runway and take off, and you have to do it yourself,'' the wind gently brings every mom's word to Alph. ''... you have to do it yourself... yourself... yourself,'' words like little bells reflect in Alph's mind. ''You will fly only when you leave the runway,''Alph bravely tells himself and is completely certain that he is going to confidently explain his decision to both coaches, to now already former training partner, and most importantly – to himself. The route has been confirmed, and soon the runway will not be needed anymore.