THE SHOUT OF A KING

By Tessa Harvey


December

Moira was back living with her parents and frequently visited her sister, Ashley, baby Jack and his father, also Jack.

Jack was a medium-sized man, but had a bearing and authority which made him seem tall. He had a very strong faith and had advised his sister-in-law not to marry Simon. He had agreed with her parents, Derek and Wendy, that the man was unbalanced. With Ashley, the four had prayed, read the Scriptures and in a non-threatening or dictatorial manner, tried lovingly to advise Moira.

Moira would not listen. She loved her parents and her sister, and was impressed by Ashley's choice of a partner, but she loved Simon and nothing else mattered to her. From the age of about fourteen, Moira had changed from a likeable, loveable, happy child to a sullen, rebellious teenager.

Resentful and angry, she felt her parents were hemming her in, trying to force their values on to her and she would not admit, even to herself that this was not true. Even when there was little or no reason, there were sulks and tantrums.

The young teen began to scorn her parents, staying out later and later, and finally all night sometimes. In desperation, fearing for her safety, they went to the police. Apparently she went to a house, which was frequented by kids, mostly older. There were drugs and there was drink - and there was nothing the parents could do.

Even if it had been some by-gone era, Derek and Wendy would never have locked her in some tiny bedroom with a bucket for a toilet, nor imprison her in some mental facility, merely to forget her existence.



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

THE SHOUT OF A KING By Tessa Harvey Meanwhile Simon had rallied to help, forgetting for once to be absorbed totally in himself. He had rang for help on his cell phone and had hurried around to help his wife. He had also called Wendy. Help soon arrived. Derek and Simon were taken to the hospital, while Jasmine was driven home in Wendy's car with her mother. The women enjoyed a welcome hot drink, and baby Jasmine had her diaper changed and was given a drink of milk. She was happy and peaceful. Then the women were glad to be contacted by the hospital. It was Derek. Happily, he was pronounced totally fit. He had been at the end of his strength. Simon had been so much better he had signed himself out of the psychiatric ward, as no charges had been laid against him and he was a voluntary patient. He had not been obliged to remain, but was strongly advised to see his own doctor and receive counselling. Both men arrived not long after to join the women. Simon had a very big question for De...
Read more
THE SHOUT OF A KING By Tessa Harvey Alice was leaning back in her favourite chair, eyes closed. A cup of fragrant steaming tea sat at her right hand, balanced somewhat precariously on a small carved Indian table inlaid with decorative ivory. May A sound alerted her. A car door slammed, then another. Visitor? Standing, Alice moved to the window. A woman and her baby were walking towards her door. At first Alice did not recognise the young woman, then with joy opened the door and hurried to give Moira a hug. The young mother was so different from the year before, well-dressed, her hair buoyant and shining with health. The child beamed at the old lady and jerked in her mother's arms. Alice stood back and gazed lovingly at them both. Moira felt like a daughter to her, or rather, granddaughter, she thought wryly, remembering her age. So baby...Jasmine...would be a great grandie. The younger woman hugged her also. Tears threatened to overwhelm both adults, but the baby's wriggles to ...
Read more
THE SHOUT OF A KING By Tessa Harvey When he was first admitted to the psychiatric ward, Simon had been distant and seemed confused. Gradually he became aware of his surroundings, realising he was in a small room next to the nurses' station. Some previous occupant had left behind bright flowers in a plastic tumbler. The significance of the tumbler being plastic, not glass escaped him. He went to the nurses' station. It was almost completely enclosed in clear glass. Simon banged for attention. A male nurse pointed to a sign "No excuse for abuse!" and turned his back. This angered Simon. "Who do you think you are?" he demanded. "I don't need to be here and I have my own home and a very good job. Who brought me here? I need to have a shower and shave and prepare for tomorrow's work. Let me out!" An orderly came to escort Simon back to his room. A few minutes later a doctor came to talk to him, to explain why he was there. A nurse came in with m...
Read more