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 hospital superintendent , appalled the baby had been sent home with another patient, ordered a full investigation. Meanwhile, Esther, hearing the news, brought Katie to see her real mother.
    Lucas had decided to take the bus to work and leave the car for Esther. He felt more confident about work lately. Trying to pray, he overheard a passenger tell her neighbour she had bought some new toys for her pigs! Amazed, he listened a while,  wondering what games pigs could play - Hide and Squeak? Piggy In The Middle? Pass The Parcel - parcels of pork sausages wrapped up neatly at the butcher's, ham, bacon!! He jerked his thoughts back. He was so easily distracted. Did others find praying hard, he wondered?
    At work, he went to his computer terminal and began diligently to work, concentrating hard. The silence of the office brought him back. Ms. Evans was there. His supervisor beckoned him to her own office, leaving the door open.
    "I heard you nearly lost your eldest son and now have a new baby," she said quietly. "Would you like some time off?" Appalled, he stuttered, "I'm fine. I'm getting the hang of this work!" She actually smiled. "We have no intention of losing you, Lucas." He was amazed.

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