A TRUE STORY - LOST IN TIME 

By Tessa Harvey 



    Amy sat with her father-in-law, Will. She was a strong looking lady. Her short dark hair was attrctively styled. She worked part-time at a hairdressers and loved the work and the time to chat with other adults of various ages and sometimes older children.
    A neighbour looked after Ben when she was working. Eva had said, with six kids of her own, one more made not much difference! Ben loved going there. Three of the children were as yet, too young for school. There was another toddler like Ben and the two slightly older girls who mothered both boys - when they were allowed.
    A nurse hovered near the doorway of the two-bed room in the hospital. Will was obviously in pain, but trying to hide this from Amy.
    Something about the man's stance set an alarm bell chiming in the woman's mind. She prayed silently.
    "Stop that!" the man suddenly spoke, 'stop talking to your God!" the man mumbled, recovering himself. "I am in charge of this man's medication and of the other patient here, and others..." His voice trailed off. He sounded defensive. There was no medicine trolley. Amy suddenly realised, no other nurse checking the correct dosage  was being administered to each ill person.
    The nurse was clutching a syringe. It was very late, after ten pm. By now, Will was alert. "My medication has already been given to me. Who are you? You aren;'t one of the regular staff." His deep voice broke the silence. "This is my fourth day here. I am due to be discharged tomorrow. What are you doing?" Will's voice grew firmer. He was in pain , but it had slowly lessened in intensity.
    The 'nurse" backed away. "There is another man with you, shining, protecting you!!! I only wanted to clear some beds. My son needs help. You and him," he gestured to the sleeping man in the next bed, " you're old and useless. I only wanted to help you on your way." And he was gone.

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