Emanuel's Gift

Chapter - 1

Story told by: Emanuel Woods

Born on March 5th 1904

The story starts in year 1909 Emanuel is 5yrs old

I was born into the arms of my wonderful parents Jack and Elizabeth Woods. I remembered it so clearly, maybe it was one of the few moments in my life I was unaware of what emotions I felt. My mother had dark brown hair and blue eyes, whilst my father had black with green eyes.

After being wrapped up in blankets eventually my parents took me home, one that seemed not so cheery but dark, mysterious and disturbing. I may not know what my parents did at the time nor did I know that my chances of survival had been dashed. All I remembered was being placed in a crib in a room decorated in a way to please me.

A modestly décor room for a young infant, I had a toy small bear that grew attached to me as a friend. From there I grew up from crawling to walking. My parents kept me upstairs away from whatever was below.

Now I am five years old, black hair on my head and soft green eyes, both I inherited from my father, looking aware of my surroundings.

"Mother!" I ran up to her and tugged at her dress to get her attention.

"What is it, dear?"

I looked at her with inquisitively in my eyes, my curiosity to know everything around me fascinated my young mind more so, the nagging question that was always sitting in my subconscious I needed to ask. Mother looked at me waiting for me to reply.

"What does father do?"

I asked, then I took note of her facial expressions.

"Well, Emanuel...you will eventually know."

I could tell she was avoiding my gaze, she was spooning breakfast into a bowl before placing it down onto the table.

"Why won't you tell me?"

I sulked about what was preventing them telling me about it, they told me about other things, why not this. Mother just sighed and as I climbed onto the chair and sat down.

"Emanuel, you're too young to know, my dear. Someday, you will see why I'm doing this. It's for your own good to not know because it's not a pleasant thing,"

I looked down at the bowl of porridge and felt my stomach grumble. Honestly it wasn't my favourite food, but I had little choice.

From there I took in the spoonful's of the food with contempt, though the moment of being with mother alone was soon intruded by visitors. Father had come up stairs

"Darling, can you please come down here?"

He said with a slight puff in his voice. It was then she looked at me and wiped my mouth.

"Something wrong?"

She asked, rising from the chair as my father walked towards her,

"I just talked to the Christianson's, they have a young daughter about Emanuel's age they could play together. Emanuel needs a friend, there down stairs right now if you wish to see them, "
He spoke in hushed tones mother's ear. I didn't get why he was secretive. I wanted to move closer to hear what they were saying, mother then looked at me before turning and leaving the room with my father. I then climbed out of the chair and crept over to the door way quietly, they were still talking in low tones. I hid behind the door frame and strained to hear. I did hear other noises from down stairs that were making it difficult for my eavesdropping.

"You're sure that nothing terrible is down there for our child to see?"

"Terrible?"

I thought I needed to know more though my parents were still hovering on the landing that overlooked the lower level of the house. I inched a little closer then sudden floorboard creek had disrupted my parent's talking to see me standing there. I stared at them then started to back away before my mother grabbed my hand.

"Emanuel, come here I want you to meet someone"

Mother said as I thought I was in trouble, though I reluctantly went downstairs with her, my father had already gone back down to talk to the visitors that were awaiting in the parlour.

The Christianson's were an upper class family who I had never seen before. This was the first time I met them. Rather well dressed, my eyes trailed to the young girl that was being held by her mother. I realised her eyes were red and teary.

"Mr. and Mrs. Christianson, can we talk privately? Anna-Maria, please feel free to stay here with my wife and son," 

My father said. The adults looked at each other as Mrs Christianson went over to my mother. She was an elegant blond-haired woman with blue eyes and a lovely face.

"Mrs. Woods, please take care of Anna. She is already upset about what happened." 

She looked as if she was going to sob. I watched her dry her eyes with her free hand and mother put me down on the chair as Anna-Maria was placed down next to me. I watched her mother leave with my father and grandfather.

"Anna, it's ok. Your grandfather is going to a better place,"

My mother said, kneeling down in front of her.

"No. I loved him. Why did he have to go?"

She cried loudly. My ears may be suffering from the horrid noise she was making but my mother tried her best to calm her down.

"Mother, why is she crying?"

"Emanuel, Anna lost her grandfather,"

My mother said and I frowned as my mother hugged Anna-Maria tightly.

"Lost?"

I scratched my head and thought if he was lost couldn't they just find him?, maybe because my mother had used a word that had another meaning and made it sound less terrible than it should.

"I want to see him!"

She cried as she tried to escape my mothers embrace.

"Anna, I know you're very upset. I'm here to comfort you, and so are your parents,"

My mother placed Anna-Maria in her lap as she sat down. 

"How about you talk to Emanuel?" 

Talk to me? What was I going to say to a weeping girl? It was then it dawned upon my young mind about my grandmother.

I do recall my mother at least being truthful to me that she had passed away. I never saw her body at all; it was like she vanished. My grandmother had left, I cried a little, then again I didn't feel so close to her at all. She left me a note which baffled me to understand what it meant. Mother talked about heaven, the place where all people went and it sounded lovely.

"Emanuel dear, talk to Anna, please."

My mother said with a little stern voice snapping me out of my daydream.

"Anna, I know what it feels like to lose someone. My mother is right, they go to a wonderful place called Heaven,"

I said. I noticed her looking at me. Her lovely brown hair was in curls and her blue eyes looked at me oddly.

"Did you cry?"

She asked as she seemed to be becoming more comfortable now. I thought I better answer yes so I did.

"Emanuel was sad too, but he soon realized what had happened and accepted it,"

My mother said as she held Anna close. Anna-Maria looked at me and smiled a comforting smile. Her sadness seemed to fade away as I shifted closer, feeling a little drawn to her beauty.

"Emanuel will surely be your friend if you need someone,"

My mother said with a smile.

"Yes, I'd like to be friends with you, Anna-Maria," 

I said as I snuggled close to my mother and Anna-Maria. This moment I felt a connection to Anna-Maria, I never had a friend before. I hope they will have this wonderful feeling of closeness, knowing there is someone else I could connect with and play with. Excitement inside me swelled, I couldn't wait to spend time with her. For now I at least made her feel no longer sad which made me feel happy.

End of timeline - Next part 1917