Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
and began walking around the beautiful public park. He did not respond the way he used to
when walking along the paths in the Tokai Forest on the slopes of Table Mountain. In fact,
he pointed to where Judi was sitting in her car. “Mommy, mommy!” he cried, pointing his
finger in her direction.
I stopped my walking and sat down at a picnic table. Placing him on the table opposite me,
I sat facing him on the bench. “Dylan, my sweet son, Daddy has to tell you something. I
know you will understand what I say. Daddy is going to go away for a long time. Mommy
is going to take you to visit Nana and Grampa, and she will be there with you always, but
daddy has something to do and will be gone for a long time my darling, do you under-
stand?”
He looked at me seriously for the first time, his wide, blue saucer eyes showing concern,
his mouth turning down in a sweet pout, “Daddy go way? Why Daddy go way?” He looked
down at the table, perplexed, and fidgeted with his jersey button, his face creased with con-
fusion and emotion. He was such a smart and sensitive little boy. I looked at him devast-
ated and started to cry. I drew him to me and crushed him in a desperately sad hug. Now,
I had him crying too and I felt ashamed, “Daddy has to say goodbye now to Dylan boy!
You must go with Mommy now, and Daddy will see you again one day my darling, Daddy
promises!”
I picked him up and carried him back to where his mother waited. His hot, sweaty, little
hand clutched my neck as I handed him down to her. “Daddy don't go,” he pleaded again
and sobbed. The tears rolled down his puffy white cheeks, “Daddy, I love you daddy!”
Judi removed her sunglasses for the first time, and it was obvious she had cried herself dry.
With a handkerchief, she tried to dry Dylan's eyes and announced, “We're going back to
California where I know he will get an excellent education. My folks have decided to move
there as well, and I'll be staying with them in the beginning. Good luck Jonathan, I hope
you find what it is you are searching for.”
She reached out and squeezed my hand. I turned my head; my eyes were burning as my
whole world collapsed, “Bye Judi, good luck to you too. I will stay in touch, and hopefully
I will get to see my son from time to time as he grows up,” I whispered hoarsely. I stooped
down and kissed Dylan's smooth baby mouth and with a sob turned and left to go.
“Go safely Jonathan!” she threw after me, as I quietly clicked my door closed. I drove off
slowly and painfully. When I looked back, they were already disappearing up the hill and
were soon out of sight. I wouldn't see them again for at a long time.
That night I could not escape the terrible depression and bleakness that invaded my heart
and mind. I sighed long, black sighs, hoping to awake from this nightmare, but it wouldn't
