Deception Tastes Like Peach Tarts

A few months had passed since then and my birthday was just a day away, according to my parents. I didn't really remember what we did for the few birthdays I had. However, I do recall there being sweets and a delicious dinner from my last one.

That's when my father told me that for my big day, we were going for an outing in the woods. This made me substantially more excited then some dessert, even if Mom was really good at making them.

By the time noon had arrived, the preparations were done. The horse was out front, with the cart he used for work attached to it, except instead of the usual lumber and pelts, it was carrying some long sticks, sheets, tarps, and other supplies. Dad said it was for something called "camping," which is like living outside in the woods for a few days.

Before he had a chance to explain further, my mother had come out with a basket in hand. My father rushed over to help, making sure she made it safely to the cart. She was few months pregnant now, with a bit of a belly to show for it. I found it strange that's where babies came from, but that's what Mom and Dad told me. Though they didn't tell me exactly how it happened...

With both of them seated at the front, I made my way to the back of the cart, finding a decent spot to sit amongst the supplies. I wish I could have sat with them, but the horse was still scared of me. Maybe it could tell what I was on the inside. Knowing that hurt a little, but spending the next two days camping with my family was going to make up for it!

I sure hope so, since that day a few months back, I had been on my best behavior. But despite that, I could tell the tension that melted away before had made its way back. And it was all my fault, even if I didn't mean to hurt anyone. That's why it came as a pleasant surprise for us to be doing something like this as a family.

While the day was still young, we took off, heading to wherever my father intended to take us for camping. Dad said it'll be quite awhile, hoping I wouldn't get too bored before we got there. But I couldn't be more excited! Even the ride itself felt like an adventure, getting to see the outskirts of the village as we rode along the main road. We also passed by the fields where their crops were grown, as well as some animals I had never seen before!

Even when the village was long gone, the ever changing scenery was still nice to see, as we passed by grasslands and hills and even a lake! Then, after several hours of riding, we finally reached the entrance to a large forest. And at its entrance was a dirt path, which we rode along for several more hours.

I didn't realize it would take so long to get there, my stomach rumbling with hunger. My parents gave me a worried look when they heard it, telling me to hold on 'til we got to the clearing. So, trying to be a good boy, I did, hoping we would get there soon. At least I could distract myself by enjoying the unfamiliar forest and what it had to offer in the ways of wildlife.

A little while more and the sun had set. It was difficult to see where we were going, with the only light coming from my father's lantern. Before I could ask how much longer it was, the cart finally came to a halt, the sudden stop making me almost lose my balance.

"We're finally here! Help me unload, would ya, Abel?" he asked, but only gave me small things to carry, since, again, I was still just a kid. One that was about to turn four, in fact!

"Sure, I can do that!" Thankfully it didn't take too long to set up camp, my father taking the brunt of the work. With the tent set up, which was just the tarp held up by wooden poles, the only thing left to do was make a campfire. Dad had brought along his own firewood, so making it was pretty quick. With the bright flames ablaze, I decided to explore a bit before the food was ready.

Since it was so dark, I made sure the light from the campfire was always within sight, as not to get lost. With that as my reference point, I traveled out until I saw another clearing. When I got there, before me was a river, the moonlight reflecting beautifully off its surface. I had only heard of these in stories and Mom's teachings, but never seen one before up close. The closest thing to it was the lake we passed by on our way here, but this felt so much different.

Excited about my discovery, I went back to my parents, the faint glow of the campfire leading me back to them.

"Hey, we were wondering where you went. You find anything special?" My dad asked as he set down some logs around the fire for us to sit on, with a small pot hanging over the fire, a delicious scent coming from it.

"Yeah, I found a river not too far from here!" I exclaimed like I had made the discovery of a lifetime.

"Ah, so you saw it already, huh? That was going to be a surprise for tomorrow, but we can discuss that later." He grabbed a bowl and poured in some soup they were brewing. "I know you must be hungry from the long trip, so go ahead and dig in!" He was right, I was practically starving, my stomach's growls a constant reminder.

He handed me my bowl, but not before putting in a wooden spoon and a piece of bread. I thanked him and Mom for the food as I sat on one of the logs and ate. It had been awhile since I was this hungry, which made the warm meal that much more delicious.

Once I had finished cleaning out my bowl, she handed me one more thing. It was a peach tart, a dessert she made for us during special occasions, like our birthdays. I would have been more surprised about it if I hadn't smelled it being baked early this morning. Even then I was still thrilled to have it, as it was my favorite sweet.

Seeing us like this, enjoying a nice outing, together as a family, made me believe I was just overthinking when it felt like there was tension between us. With the worry lifted off my shoulders, I quickly gobbled up the pastry, so focused on the tasty dessert that I didn't even notice the cracks in my parents' smiles as they watched me eat.

It wasn't long after our meal when I started feeling incredibly tired. Even as my eyes began to droop, I tried my hardest to stay awake, hoping to enjoy tonight for just a bit longer.

"Looks like you had a long day, buddy. C'mon, let's put you to sleep. Tomorrow's your big day, after all," my dad assured me, leading me to the tent he set up earlier. I tried to resist at first, not wanting the day to end, but my body ended up giving into the exhaustion, softly collapsing onto the blanket he put down earlier.

But before I fell asleep, I managed to get in one last word to them.

"Good night, Dad... Good night, Mom... Love... you," I muttered as I drifted off to dreamland, excited for a day that would never come.