G'day!

Jack is 9 in this one. (Rosie's not born yet) Enjoy!

There are certain things in life that are so constant, so long ago burned into memory, that people forget there is something strange about it. Yet, at the same time, the mind of a child is an interesting feat and is often less blind to the strange and out-of-place than your average adult.

Take Jack's feet for example.

They were always bare. No one ever questioned it out loud, not even Jack's parents. But something about that fact had Sofia's head scratching. She had been pondering this anomaly for much longer then she would care to admit. Everyone else in the village had some sort of protection on their built-in mode of transportation. Whether it be a sturdy pair of leather boots for the winter, sandal straps for the summer, or dress shoes for Sunday morning, their feet stayed protected and enclosed.

So why weren't Jack's?

Sofia decided to solve this puzzle once and for all. She trekked through the town, passing through the streets until she met the forest on the other side. Jack was always hanging out in the forest. Sofia wasn't exactly sure what he found so endearing about a bunch of trees, but she had seen the lake he liked to hang around and had to admit that the view was quite lovely when the sun hit the water just right.

Sofia followed the familiar path, worn down by the adventurous youth of Burgess, until she found the little clearing. The pond was almost perfectly rounded with a glasslike shimmer on its liquid surface. It was surrounded by towering pines and maples, creating refreshing shade while still leaving big enough pockets for sunshine to glitter through.

Sofia walked along the edges of the clearing, staying out of the sun line. She didn't want Jack knowing she thought about him, after all. She needed to stay hidden. Her eyes spotted the weathered, crooked shepherd's staff Jack carried with him lying on the soft forest floor.

Staff: check. Jack: nadda.

Sofia suddenly heard rustling above her. She looked up into the trees and saw the branches of a sturdy pine shaking, its needles falling softly. She squinted as a quick figure seemingly hopped from branch to branch, climbing higher and higher. She focused on the brown pants and white shirt and realized this flying squirrel was actually Jack!

Sofia's mouth hung open in absolute shock as the nine year old bounced from skinny branch to skinny branch with the ease of walking on land. He climbed higher and higher until Sofia saw his little brown head pop out from the top of the tree line. What on earth was he doing? That branch looked like it could barley hold a bird. And Jack perched on the bark like he did it daily. Which, Sofia thought, he probably did.

Jack sat there, looking almost fondly off into the distant, for longer than Sofia expected him to. That was the longest she'd ever seen Jack sit still, and she wondered what exactly he was looking at, or what he was pondering so deeply…

Eventually, he held his arms down, gripping the branch he sat on, and swung himself down a limb. He repeated the process, slowly making his way down the tree's trunk back onto solid ground. But just as he approached the final set of branches, his form changed from that of a descending spider, to what resembled a monkey. Jack looped an arm around the shorter branch and flipped himself upside-down, so his legs gripped the tree and his hands fell loosely. He dangled there, letting his fingers just brush against the grass.

What on earth was that boy doing?

His face held look of joyful content. He laughed softly to himself and started swinging back and forth, gaining momentum. In mid swing, he brought his hands up quickly to the branch, unhooked his knees and summersaulted, almost disjointing his shoulders, to the ground. He landed with arms straight out and knees slightly bent. He twisted his head, as if making sure his form was correct, before nodding his head in approval.

Looking rather smug, but altogether happy, he sauntered over pick up his staff, and started making his way to the trail. Sofia, caught up in his actions, almost forgot that he didn't know she was there. She quickly scrambled as quietly as she could further away from the path and hid behind some thick bushes. He walked past her unseeing, humming softly to himself.

Sofia huffed and crossed her arms. What was so special about trees anyways? All you could do was climb them. Her charged emotions and her angry stares at the pines caused her to stand and walk over to them. She held her hands at her hips, judging the tree.

That was it? That was the big secret? Jackson Overland didn't like to wear shoes because climbing trees barefoot was easier? What a letdown.

Sofia grabbed the lowest branch.

Jack thought he was so special. Oh, look at me. I'm Jack Overland. I can climb trees. How foolish! What on earth was so fabulous about putting yourself in unnecessary danger, deliberately going so much higher than humans should be placed at?

Sofia hoisted herself up, letting her butt rest on the bark.

I mean, really? She thought, what on earth is up here that made him look like that? He looked so content… so peaceful.

Her ranting thoughts continued as her hands almost mechanically reached up and out, raising her body higher and higher in the mesh of tree. Had she been in a sounder state, she probably would have noticed just how far away the ground was at the moment and reversed her course immediately. However, she soon found herself standing at the very same spot Jack had been moments before.

Then she looked out and gasped. Jack had not been looking at the town, he had been looking the other way. Sofia could hardly take everything in. All around her were the most amazing sights. Panoramic mountains with snow glistening on their tips, vast valleys with tall grasses swaying softly in the wind, and flowing rivers twinkling in the afternoon sun colored the land and opened Sofia's eyes to just how beautiful the world could be. It held so much potential, so much promise. With a world like this, man could accomplish anything. The view filled Sofia with bubbling excitement. She could do anything!

Sofia sighed in astonishment. How beautiful this new land was! It was no wonder Jack loved this place. Everything was so peaceful, so serene and natural. It drew in thoughts and inspiration and opened new possibilities.

The tree probably had nothing to do with Jack's desire to be bare-footed, but Sofia didn't particularly care. She began to understand that perhaps Jack was deeper than the feeble pranks he pulled. Maybe there was something more to him that he didn't wear on the front of his shirt. One thing she knew for sure, she wouldn't trade this view for anything.

Now, she thought, looking to the ground for the first time, there's just the matter of getting down…

Thoughts?

This really was a pain to write. I had this great idea. I really wanted to explain why Jack runs around flashing his little toes, and this is the best I came up with :P Sorry for the lack of dialogue! I really hope this isn't horribly boring. Oh well, please tell me your thoughts (and prompts)!

Also, just a heads up, my current English class is kicking my butt in the homework department -I'm not kidding, I basically have an essay a night- so if the updates start to slow... that's my lame excuse. I'm sorry! I'll still try to write as much as I can. Thank you for being patient with me.

And thank you for clicking and reading! :)