Misty Cognizance

He could remember how hard he'd be pumping his little legs. It wasn't that the race between he and his friends mattered at all, but it was that he loved the feeling of the mist hitting and spreading across his skin, wrapping itself around his swingings arms - enveloping his body as he charged forward. All his friends would run too but for the soul purpose of winning the race. It wasn't about when he crossed the finish, but the time in the water.

When he was growing up he didn't have much. His family was poor as was the rest of his friends. They ate whatever they could, wore whatever their parents could make, and went to school as often as possible in the hope to right what had already gone so wrong. He didn't want to live like this for the rest of his life - but he also appreciated at that age that he was a child and he only had once chance to enjoy it.

Once a week the town would spare some of it's water reserve and unleash the sprinklers aligning the streets. At one time they were used to water the rows and rows of gardens that lined the pavement - but the ground had since dried up, the rain clouds became scarce, and the town feel into a time of hardship. The town knew how hot it was during the summer and could see how it drained the children of their youthful energy. To combat this - the sprinklers would flow for a couple minutes - drenching those who wished to visit them.

Of course he was one of them. He'd show up, shirt already off, sandals tied as tight as possible and he'd be ready to run. His friends would all be there waiting, beckoning him to hurry up, before the water shut off. Yet, he was never worried. He knew they had plenty of time.

They'd all line up and wait for someone to say go - all anxious, waiting for who was going to say it, until someone finally released the signal.

They'd all run forward - the youth of the town, giggling and laughing, squinting their eyes as they paraded through the flowing water - cooling them down in the scorching summer heat - washing others who hadn't had the opportunity to clean themselves at home.

Every single child was happy - but looking back at the photo's, you'd know he was the happiest.

He was always leading the pack - with the biggest smile of them all.