Making of a Man: Chapter 1

[Jahar Mohade]

GOOD MORNING JOHN, ITS ANOTHER FINE MORNING…Time is 0500 local. Air quality is fair! The automatic alarm squealed.

A man in his mid fifties medium build, his hair already white with age or maybe stress who really knows laid in his bed covers tossed about apparently due to another restless night.

“Oh shut up, I’m up already.” John’s voice rasped.

“I really need to change that chip to something a little easier on the ears one day”, he mumbles as his body went limp, falling back down onto the bed. His head twisted in a position that looks like it would hurt but for now it feels oh so good. With a groan he forces himself up, but so not wanting to face this day. Grumbling something about needing a vacation John slowly makes his way to the washroom.

In the kitchen unit he prepares himself his normal lunch along with a second for his son Matt. Something he is still not good at, but is getting better since his wife’s accident.

“BEEP, Black tea is ready” the replicator announced.

Reaching over he takes his mug with his left hand as he throws the knife across the room as he yells up to his teenage son…”MATT, WAKE UP, YOU’RE GOING TO BE LATE!”

Taking a healthy swig of his drink John’s face contorts due lousy taste, however the bottle next to the sink will make it all better. Twisting the cap John’s hand tilts the bottle of space fuel over adding just enough to add some, flavor to the tea. With a quick twitch of his arm he swirls the liquid together before taking another sip. This time it goes does nice and smooth.

Matt is a cloan of his old man, just a younger version. He too raised slowly, grumbling with every step as he gets ready. His hair looking more like a rat’s nest than that of a son of a station manager. A slight dark smudge over his upper lip, giving him an ‘aged’ look at least he thinks so. Stumbling down the stairs he almost trips due to the pants he wears is three sizes too big, his father attempt at buying him a present.

“Morning.” Matt says in a low voice still half asleep as he wipes his eyes.

“Morning, sucks being an adult doesn’t it.” John states after seeing the look on Matt’s face as he stumbled into the kitchen unit. Reaching over his hand quickly messing up or straightening depending on who’s point of view you consider, Matt’s hair.

“You’re almost done just a few more days and you will be out of school.” A slight grin passes over John’s lips as he makes that statement for the pride in Matt’s achievements for graduating three full years early.

“Yeah yeah yeah, I know. Just a few more days and I can finally sleep in for a change.” Matt answers back with an annoyed undertone in his voice.

Glancing over his son, John notices how baggy the pants look. “Matt change those pants, they are way too long for you.” John states as he takes a drink of his tea.

Looking down at his pants then back to his father with a perplexed look on his face “You bought them for me, plus I’ve been wearing them since mom died.” Shaking his hand, he grabs his things and storms out.

[SOTS]

Brilliant start!

Nice description of early morning, too. I won't tell you quite how similar this is to my household

Biggest mistake I caught was 'cloan' - should be clone. No others, really.

Looking forward to the next chapter!