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 random dizzy episode, but a brain scan caused some concern. "There seems to be an indication of early Alzeimer's disease," a specialist, a tall, gruff-voiced man declared. Will and Jean just stared at him in a way that made the specialist wonder if he had two possible new patients, not just one.

    However, being busy, he politely opened the door and asked them to contact their own GP if there were any ongoing concerns.

    A week later, Jack walked home whistling. Part of his route went by a park. On impulse he decided to linger under the trees. Magpies caroled in liquid harmony, cloud shadows scudded across the small expanse of grass. Sunlight glittered through the trees in brilliant diamonds and cascades of jewelled light.

    Jack stood still and looked up at the clear blue sky, white cloud dotted.

He felt suddenly close to God, remembering a song that Pastor Len Magee sang: "He's Only A Prayer Away."