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 replied in a more normal voice. "That sounds lovely. I've been tired today."

    Later Jack was sat out on the deck with his grandad. Grandma wanted to do the dishes and they could hear clinking and soft swirling water noises. It was dusk and small moths were beginning to flit around. "We need to pray for grandma," Jack ventured, uncertain.

    If Will was surprised that his grandson was suggesting prayer, he did not show it. Jack had already told him the latest incident of Jean's forgetfulness.

    "Actually," Will paused, "it might be better if we prayed with Jean so she is aware what is happening." "But," he added, "thanks for caring."

    Jack remembered something then. "A long time ago someone said my grandma would get dementia. They were trying to upset me. Could it be like a curse or something?"

    Will made to stand up from the old creaky porch stairs, swiping at the air. "Mossies are stirring, Jack. Yes, that's a great idea. Words are curses or blessings quite often." And Jack rushed the words before they had properly gone inside. "Could you help me find my dad?"