WHIRLPOOL

WHIRLPOOL  Part 3 - An Open Door By Tessa Harvey     Lucas hummed as he travelled over the causeway. He had found a new job while he trained to be a computer cyber security 'geek' as his son laughingly called him.     An open door for him and also for young Helen and her child.     The waves sparkled and danced on the sea, silver shards of light intensely glittering and gleaming, lancing from wave to wave, falling into foam.     Even Pauline had tentatively tried to establish links with her niece and with Katie.     Thomas had hesitatingly talked to him that he almost wished he had gone through the door to Jesus and had been safe from this world.     Gently questioned, Thomas said it was no longer "cool" at school to be the sex a child was born to be. A ten year old girl, autistic, had been praised as brave in a special assembly to affirm her as a boy, her "true" gender. Esther was praying about home schooling their child...

WHIRLPOOL  Part 3 - An Open Door By Tessa Harvey     Esther and Lucas had gathered the children together. Sandra had popped over with her irrepressible blond, giggley toddler, Anna. Archie, darker, more intent, was trying to get her to play ball, throwing it carefully to her. She usually hurled it back with force or lurched through an unsteady circle and fell over it, laughing.     Finally, she lay down on a couch exhausted and promptly fell asleep, watched over by Sandra.. Katie was in her bassinet playing with her toes and gurgling happily.     Archie sat with his dad, leaning back, tired. He was puzzled. "Dad, Helen isn't a grown-up. Why has she got a baby?" Susan and Thomas had been longing to ask this, Susan especially worried. Esther carefully replied, "a nasty man made her have a baby, but he is in prison now. Helen is very young, but we are going to help if you all agree."      The three children looked at each other. What to say...

WHIRLPOOL  Part 3 - An Open Door By Tessa Harvey     Lucas did not feel the least bit courageous. He marched up to the door and paused. Pauline was muttering and cursing just outside. He sent a quick text to Esther. "Lock the back. I will go out and lock the front."     He then opened the door and nearly got a hefty face smack as the irate woman poised to pound the poor door again. Lucas snibbed the door, pulling the door closed behind him.     Suddenly tired, he beckoned Pauline to a porch chair and took one for himself a few steps away and placed his head in his hands, totally powerless and feeling bereft. After a few minutes, Lucas became aware of a vast silence. Pauline was staring at the sky. Castles of cloud soared high, tinged with rose and deep red. As a child, Lucas had lived in a small English village where a castle ruins crumbled on a sharp hill. It was as if in the sky a wonderful castle rose as the sun was setting. Pauline looked at him. "...

WHIRLPOOL Part 3  - An Open Door   By Tessa Harvey     Helen slid away from the cream kitchen wall, face white. "It's Aunt Pauline. Don't let her get me back, Dr. Katie."     She crept away to the bedroom.      Thomas had a sudden picture of the storm, of the lightning, and thunder. He felt again the river's power, the terrible whirlpool, the glorious colours - red, orange for danger and courage, green for the Good Shepherd, blue for the great ocean, indigo and lovely, the Lord of Armies walking over water. Then the whirlpool had been breached by the sea's roar, the water had stilled just briefly. He looked past the doorway in the rainbow, limned in light to his mother reaching for him. One day it would be his turn to see the great white glory of Jesus, but not yet. He reached now for his earthly father. But his father was moving to the door, tall and strong like a knight of old. The whole family watched this timid, bookish dad now a new man,...

WHIRLPOOL  Part 3 - An Open Door By Tessa Harvey     Helen   crept into the kitchen following Esther. Light beamed through a side window, shining on the pots and pans cramming the shelf over the side bench.     Filmy curtains were fluffing in a faint breeze, decorated with animals and wild flowers, bright and colourful. Helen loved colour. She could hear birds singing and squawking, but mostly noisy shouts and thumps of balls.....     Something soft touched her leg. Delighted, she slid down the wall and a funny looking puppy of indeterminate colour and origin was wagging a plumy tail and so very, very welcoming. The girl slid down the creamy tinted wall and hugged the dog. A door banged. She felt so happy.     Voices called "Hungry, mum. How are you? Can we help? What's to eat?"     A small sturdy boy stood somewhat belligerently near her. "Hey, that's my dog. It's my birthday present, see." Esther, turning from drinks and prep...

WHIRLPOOL  Part 3 - An Open Door By Tessa Harvey     Pauline   Evans was furious. She had gone to the local hospital expecting to be able to place her niece in a home for the handicapped and to arrange foster care and/or adoption for the unfortunate child. Her rage knew no bounds. The patients had been discharged to Lucas and Esther. Quickly, she dialed her employee's phone. He answered.      Chillingly, she demanded an explanation. Instead of a cringing, fearful man, she found herself talking to a highly intelligent and articulate human being.     Eventually she asked: "Why are you so different and why are you seeking permission to help my niece and her child?"     "I am a Christian now," Lucas answered strongly. "You cannot have these minors in your family care. I am Pauline Evans Ridgeway, the girl's aunt." That's settled that, she thought.     "You may wish to reconsider your position," Lucas answered calmly. "Your nie...

WHIRLPOOL   Maelstrom Mud By Tessa Harvey     Helen was excited, but felt her throat closing up. She clutched her throat, rubbing it, but succeeded in only making whispered, barely audible sounds.     A young woman came into her cubicle, accompanied by a competent looking senior nurse. The woman was perceptibly anxious, holding a baby close but obviously trying not to cry at the sight of the young girl before her, little more than a child herself. They looked at each other and Helen felt the older woman's compassion.     Finally she spoke, but with an effort, "Are you well enough to hold your baby. She emphasized "your."     Helen lit up, her face beaming with joy, and reached out her arms. The tiny baby turned towards her and amazingly for one so young, held out a small arm for her mother. Even the nurse felt tears form in her eyes. Helen laughed, but inside cold fear clutched her, robbing her of hope and love - could her future have any hop...

WHIRLPOOL  Maelstrom Mud By Tessa Harvey     Esther was ushered into one of the medical offices. A frowning doctor regarded her sternfully. She felt she was on trial, then recalled a Bible verse: Do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak. (Jesus' words)     So she waited. The surgeon spoke sternly. "You ought not to have accepted this child." "So it could be left to die like all the other unwanted infants," replied Esther.     The man's face suffused with anger. That was exactly what happened when an aborted child was born alive. He decided that a more tactful approach was needed. Clearly this woman was capable, informed and therefore dangerous.     "Thank you for looking after her. We understand your own child died which was not the hospital's fault." "Yes, I accept that." Esther felt calm, peaceful and strong.     God's Presence was very close. :Powerful.  ...

 WHIRLPOOL Maelstrom Mud By Tessa Harvey     A doctor had examined Helen . She had been very reluctant and at last annoyed, so he handed the girl over to a female colleague. The report was both hopeful and a shock. This young woman had never had appropriate check-ups or even seen a doctor, dentist, optometrist, etc. ever.     Physically there were external scars on her back mainly, and on her legs where Helen had been beaten, probably by a cane. Internally, she was a little scarred by the birth, but there was evidence of other trauma, probably from a rape within the last nine months. There was a small throat defect that should have been treated years ago, making it hard for her to speak. It was operable.     The crumpled note had been moving. It said "I am Helen. My baby is Katie. Please let me see my baby." The writing was ill-formed, childish, but then the patient was only thirteen as her aunt stated. She had Asperges Syndrome .     The hos...

WHIRLPOOL  Maelstrom Mud By Tessa Harvey     The police traced Helen's aunt. She was not happy to see them. The house looked small but tidy. "I suppose it's about Helen. Well, she is handicapped, retarded. I don't know how she got out of the house. Anyway, my son is dead and my daughter-in-law, so could you go away and leave me in peace to grieve."     She tried to close the door, but the older policeman put his foot in the way. Mrs. Ridgeway, Pauline, we need to talk to you. Do you want us to do this on the doorstep?"           Pauline glanced around, catching sight of Meryl opposite, watching. Reluctantly the door was opened wider. The police followed her into the lounge room. Pauline tried to cry. "I can't cope. I don't want the girl or her baby. She was registered to Ralph and Brianna Matthews, their child Katie. It was to protect Helen...." The young constable thought rather it was all about them, their reputation, but said not...

WHIRLPOOL   Maelstrom Mud By Tessa Harvey     Helen knew where the buses were, but it was a long walk. She had dressed warmly, but the dawning morning was chill. A taxi drove up near her.     "Want a ride, lady?" The man was very dark, but looked kind, and she was also dark. Helen tried to whisper, but the driver couldn't hear. Finally he caught the word 'hospital.' As the girl edged gingerly into the back seat, he wondered how much she was hurt.     An ambulance was parked in a nearby bay. Simon the driver walked over. "Little kid needs help." The driver was eating a grain bread salad sandwich and drinking coffee. He glanced round, crammed the last of the sandwich in his mouth, carefully capped his drink then walked to the taxi. One look and he phoned for help.     Simon Webster thought 'maybe I could sell this story, get my name in print: Taxi driver finds....' No, tragedy happened all the time. He helped the paramedic ease the girl towards...

WHIRLPOOL   Maelstrom Mud By Tessa Harvey     A young  girl sat in the dark watching the window. She saw beautiful stars, a partial bright moon, but still her parents had not returned. Her baby would not settle, so small and twisting as though in pain. "No you can't come with us to the hospital. You would shame us," her mother had snapped while dad had pretended to be busy finding coats, car keys, though they were always exactly in their right place.     Helen began to rock in grief, still watching the sky, the road, aching physically, aching for baby Mary, crying for her lost child.     Her aunt snapped, "Stop it!" She had come into the room. "They died in a car crash." Her voice was flat, toneless.      "Baby," whispered Helen. Yes, yes, thought her aunt, but then, "No, your baby was still at the hospital." Slamming the door, she called, "I don't want you. I can't manage, not with a baby."     Carefully, Helen ga...

 WHIRLPOOL Maelstrom Mud By Tessa Harvey     Archie came racing up from their shallow creek. The twins were not far behind with Esther and the baby.      "Dad," he yelled, "come, dad, come. My puppy found jools, pearl, 'meralds, rubies." He paused, breathing hard. "They aren't Ruby's. She lives in Day Care. Look dad." He held out a grubby hand and Lucas peered down. He saw bright flashing quartz, but also a flicker of fire."     Esther came close and he lifted tired little Katie from her arms. She held out her own hand and slowly opened her palm. Flames of purple, gold, red poured from a large stone, dazzling and glorious. Amazed, Lucas thought it is only potch. The flood washed it down.     "Is it treasure?" asked Thomas quietly. "Is it ours?"      "It was in our pool and near Whirlpool Rock. It was the rainbow we saw." Lucas had been praying, reading his Bible, coming back to God. "Pray," he said i...

WHIRLPOOL   Maelstrom Mud By Tessa Harvey     There was a small scuffle at the lounge door and the twins came in. "We want to talk to you," began Susan.     "And when is Katie going home?" added Thomas.     Their parents looked at them. How alike they still were, even though Susan had begun adolescence, only her hair was a little longer than her brother's.  Their lovely faces looked anxious.     "Why did our baby die?" asked Susan, tears shining on her lashes in the lamplight, the tall shaded light near the couch, the rest of the room shadowed. Thomas said, "was it because of me?" And he suddenly began to cry as though he would never stop.     "I stayed too long in the water. I could have got out quicker before the big waves." His words trailed off, his shoulders shook.       Lucas brought the children near to them. "We should have explained," he began, wondering why he had paused to talk to a pretty office worke...

WHIRLPOOL  Part 2 Maelstrom Mud     Lucas struggled to concentrate on his family. He sighed - at work he thought of his family, at home he thought of work and Mr. Dictator Boss who was never ever happy, even remotely with his work.     Why couldn't he do better? He tried to focus on Esther, then suddenly realized she was being happy! Quickly he reached out to clasp her hand resting on their large, three-seater couch, and edged closer.     "The baby smiled at me," she was saying. With a pang he noticed she still was calling the little girl "the baby." Still her tone was helpful.     Clearly, Esther saw again the baby smile tentatively at her, a small frown creasing her little forehead. Without thinking, Esther had smiled back. Encouraged, Katie had beamed and gurgled, dark eyes lighting up.     Her own baby had died within hours of birth. Stricken, lost in blame, she hadn't noticed a nurse and doctor asking her if should help a namel...

WHIRLPOOL   Part 2 MAELSTROM MUD     Esther slithered down the stream slope. It was a beautiful day, though cold as winter approached. She glanced back. The baby was waving her arms, making faint, funny noises. Bitsa looked up, on guard. Snakes would not be around, and hopefully, not miserable ants. The little dog stood as though to reassure her, fluffy tail wagging, then settled resignedly back down again.     Already half-way down the slope, Esther felt inexplicably tired, weary to the bone. Sun glinted on the bright water, flashing silver in the sunlight.     She looked down. The stream burbled along quietly, the monstrous whirlpool of a few days ago a violent memory. Esther shuddered. The banks were strewn with junk, broken bushes caught in flattened grass. She peered over the side of the big rock and gasped. There was a wide whorl of mud on the clear water bed. Colours glinted in the mud, flickers of gold rainbow opaline, flashes of bright white q...