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," he said, tiredly. "No, I never do," she answered, just as angry as he had been moments before.
    Robert spoke quietly. "It's not just your house, dad. It's not just your life. Now mum has gone..."he paused, almost crying. "We want our brother - NOW!" Robert looked almost pugnacious, but Jason knew how much they were all hurting.
    Maybe this was the right thing to do. "Fine," he held the phone firmly, "will tomorrow around 10am do? Yes, bring some scones or cake or something........what, he can drive over himself. What do you mean? He is still only fifteen. Oh, sorry. Lose track of  time..........Yes, yes, see you then."
    "Well," he looked at his children, "let's go to bed. It's getting late. Angela, will you help with Timothy? Go to the toilet again, Timmy." No-one moved.
    "Please can we have a snack?" ventured Paul, "my tummy has holes." Jason sighed, but they all trooped to the kitchen for a small drink and some crackers and fruit.
   Poor kids, he thought. They feel lost also. Half an hour later, he was fast asleep and one by one, his kids came to the big bed to sleep.

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