Knowing that his mother was hurt, he didn't care. Wes lived almost 10 years without his mother. Starting today, Wes wanted to start a journal. He titled it,

"To Father, My Only Hope."

It was going to be a biography about his father who died from a rare sickness that flushed away Wes's heart. 

On the first page, he wrote:

Written on July 12th, 1978, Wednesday.

Publishing date UNKNOWN

Dedicated to my father

Wes Dome, author and owner of the following novel, "To Father, My Only Hope."

The start of the novel was different. It stated a super relatable story that could change Doug's whole life. 

* * * 

Days have passed, and the novel is now finished. Mom is slowly cooking in the kitchen. Wes makes his way off his bed, and smells the fresh scent of eggs and bacon.

"You remembered?"

Wes asked, staring at his mother, uncausiously. 

"Of course I did, honey. I cannot believe that you live in a house like this. What makes you think you can survive? The pantry's almost empty, so I thought I'd ask.

"Well, I wanted to stay close to Dad's body. And after you abandoned me alone, I had to move somewhere I didn't have to pay bills. Although I haven't seen any of my friends in a while, I still decided to stay here. Family comes first."

Wes ate up fast.

He finished writing the last sentence of the novel. Mom sat on the couch next to him, and picked up the old notebook; the novel that Wes was writing.

Flipping the pages, mom smiled with a little tear popping out of her eyes. Wes didn't know what she was going to say. Whatever it was, hopefully it was a good compliment. 

Wes frowned. His mother looked angry, turning to her son. 

"What does this say? You're not going to publish it? I am so mad at you young man. You know you could do better than that!"

"But I live in the desert! There's no way I could publish it here!"

"You know what?"

Mom said, her eyes filled up in shock. Suddenly, she smiled. She pointed to a picture of Wes and his father, near a dark abandoned lake that they used to go and see each Saturday morning. Wes didn't know what mom was trying to tell him.

"Remember that lake that you're father owned?"

Mom asked.

"Yeah, what about it?"

Mom opened up a card with an address lable on it. 

"If you want to see it, follow this address. The lake is still there. And you're father always wanted it to be re-opened."

"--Mom, are you telling me that-"

"You should go follow this lake. And once you find it, open it. Make it a beautiful pond that everyone will enjoy. If not for me, for your father who is looking down on you right now."

Wes, with a bit of confidence and a lot of joy, jumped up and hugged his mother. Wes grabbed the card out of Mom's hand, and started packing his things.

He grabbed everything he needed -- A toothbrush, three bottles of water, five cans of food, one big chunk of pig meat, an extra set of clothes, one blanket, a blue sleeping bag, and, last but not least, a picture of Wes and his father.

Once again, he turned to Mom. Running out the door, Mom smirked, but Wes didn't notice it. 

* * * 

Hey everyone! Sorry for the late (and short) chapter. Don't worry! After getting unstuck, I finally had some motivation to write. How was it? 

Wait, before we go, maybe we should vote before everyone dies?? See everyone next time!