LOSS AND GAIN

GAIN (continued) By Tessa Harvey     "No, absolutely NOT, No!" Jason Moore was furious and hadn't realised he was virtually shouting. This was the fifth time these people had contacted him in the last decade. He had had enough. His children were special. No, he did not need another son.     "Just a moment," Will seized onto this hint of weakening and motioned to Jean and to Jack to pray......but Jason had sensed that he was no longer alone and glanced over his shoulder. No-one in the lounge. Placing the phone nearer his ear on the point of saying "NEVER," he just knew he was not alone. It was very quiet, too quiet.     The stairs led upwards and he looked up and felt his heart breaking. His youngest son was nearest, but crouched, flinching as soon as their eyes met. Then after Timothy, Paul looked almost as scared. Robert met his gaze accusingly and between the stair rails, Angela's head upside down, as usual.     "You will get stuck," h...

GAIN  By Tessa Harvey        When he arrived at his grandparents' house, he was surprised by how full of steam the kitchen area was. Grandma was almost invisible in mist. The jug was boiling away merrily and Jack darted forward, hastily closing the lid to stop all the water evaporating.     Jean looked at him vaguely. "Hello, young man. I suppose you want to see Will." She looked around as though her husband was a misplaced pair of glassed.     "I'm Jack," the boy said. "Oh!" Grandma looked startled. "Our grandson is also Jack, but much smaller than you." She looked at him sternly. "You are far too big to play with our Jack!"     "Sit down, grandma," he said, gently. "I'll make us a nice pot of tea." He refilled the almost empty electric jug and was soon handing her a cup of warm tea. "Want a biscuit, granny? I can start preparing the evening meal." "Thanks Jack," the elderly lady rep...

GAIN  By Tessa Harvey     The day had begun sunny and warm, but a southerly buster had come up bringing heavy rain. As Jack prepared to walk home, Silas, his boss asked if he would like a lift home. "I need to collect some wood I ordered from a nearby warehouse, so it is not an extra journey for me."     Jack quickly accepted and was soon back at his grandparents' house in very little time. As the car wipers tried to keep up with the heavy rain, his boss had quietly encouraged him. "You do have a gift with woodwork,  Jack, and you work hard and seem honest."     Jack was so encouraged and darted down the drive to the front door. It was unexpectedly locked but the young lad knew where the spare key was kept and was soon making himself a chocolate flavoured warm drink.     It was then he saw the note left for him on a nearby table. "Jean unwell, Jack. Just checking in at the hospital. Love, Will (Gramps).     It seemed just a ran...

Part 2: GAIN By Tessa Harvey     After three weeks, Will felt it was time to have a heart to heart talk with his grandson.     "Found a job yet, Jack?" he asked, trying not to sound judgmental.     "Actually, dad, I was wondering if you mind if I did carpentry?" He went on quickly, "I have always loved working with wood and have been asking around. One joinery is prepared to take me on as a paid apprentice if you vouch for me." Jack had asked to call his elderly relatives 'dad' and 'mum' for now. "You see, that way I can pay for board and also help to repair my ute."     Will asked for more details. The owner was Silas Shepherd and his small business was only ten minutes away. Silas was a man in his forties, lean, tall, dark hair tinged with grey.  His handshake was firm and it was obvious he was pleased to meet Will. "Your grandson has an aptitude for woodwork. If you speak for him, I will draw up a fair contract for you bo...

LOSS...  By Tessa Harvey     "Jack, what do you mean about your dreams?" asked his grandmother as they sat resting on the lounge chairs/     "Well," stumbled Jack, "there was like this place so dark, reaching down on one side. It seemed miserable, tangled in wreaths of a kind of black fog. When you looked up, a big cross spanned the gap between that area and a much higher one of light and love and glory."     Jack paused. Glancing round, Will saw his wife looking skeptical, and shook his head slightly, finger on lips as if in warning.     Will knew his wife had found trouble with some fanciful tales of people wandering heaven while near death.     The boy's face, looking so young and hopeful suddenly closed and a look of bitterness came. "I cannot forgive mum's friend, grandad. Not even to live in the lovely place. I cannot forget. I cannot forgive." END of PART ONE

LOSS...  By Tessa Harvey     "Call us Jean and Will if you like, son," smiled his grandfather. "You were  unconscious a long time, Jack. We were worried. Were you dreaming?" Jean looked concerned.      The sun was sparkling through the hospital window and Jack felt a familiar panic rising. "Could I come home with you, please? I get claustrophobic in small enclosed spaces not being able to see a door properly. Please, I will behave."     Will popped out to talk to the doctor. Soon he returned, smiling. "They agree. There is no more concussion. But wait for a wheelchair and we have to collect meds for pain from the hospital pharmacy."     Jean gathered his few clothes. The French nurse came with a wheelchair and drove it jauntily to the bedside. "All in for a trip to Paris," he joked, "op in! Last one up the Eiffel Tower is a pussycat." They all laughed.     "I have a dream to share," whispered Jack to Will and Jean as...