Losing Jack

Chapter 5

Beth was busily preparing lunch for Jack when she heard a knock at the front door.
“Blast,” she said wiping her hands on her apron while making her way towards the door.
Jack, who was in the lounge room sitting in his favourite chair waiting patiently for lunch, said "that’s Michael at the door there Beth."

Beth gently squeezed his shoulder as she walked past. Jack had an uncanny knack for knowing when people were about to arrive, especially Michael.

Sometimes Jack would be quietly muttering away to himself, rocking back and forth on the front step, when out of the blue he would announce, “That’s Michael here now.” 
There wouldn’t be a car in sight, then sure enough within a few minutes Michael would pull up at the house. Beth didn't know how he did it, but she had to admit it was pretty impressive.

And as she opened up the front door, Michael Anderson, tall dark haired and extremely handsome stood waiting with a boyishly charming grin on his face.
“Come in, we were just about to have some lunch, want some?" asked Beth patting him on the back as he walked in.

"None for me thanks, keep going though -don’t mind me"
“Mind you; hell you’re a part of the furniture aren’t you?” She said as she made her way back to the kitchen.

Michael followed Beth to the kitchen, sat down and waited. She busied herself with putting on the kettle and finishing Jack’s sandwiches.

Beth had called Michael that morning and asked him to come over. She had hadn’t told him exactly what it was about, but had mentioned about making plans for Jack to stay at Whispering Vines.

Beth returned from the lounge room after settling Jack down with his lunch.
“Have You talked to Sandy about all of this?" asked Michael.
Beth poured the water into his cup and handed him his coffee. Frowning as she plonked down on a chair across from him she said, “I did try to talk to her the other night, but it didn't go so well.”
“Well exactly how did it go?
“To cut a long story short she stormed off to the managers quarters after telling me he was going to Perth whether I liked it or not. Oh and  it was none of my business because she didn't have to answer to me…” said Beth matter-of-factly.
“When did this happen?
Beth looked away guiltily and said almost inaudibly “The night before last.”
Michael opened his mouth to say something, and by the disapproving look on his face Beth knew what he was about to say and cut in before he had the chance.
Throwing her hands up in the air she cried, “I Know, I know, I was an idiot for even bringing it up after the funeral, she already had her boxing gloves on after Mrs Gribbles stunt, she was just itching to go a few rounds.”

“Have you seen her since?” asked Michael shaking his head and trying not to roll his eyes.
“Not since we had the blow up, she won’t talk to me but she did drop in to see Jack in the afternoon, before he come in for tea. She sat out on the step with him for a while, then left when I come out to call him in for tea - she wouldn't even answer me when I asked her if she wanted something to eat.”
“I know she isn’t happy with the whole situation Michael, but I just don't understand that girl sometimes. I could understand if she wanted to care for him, or if she felt as though I was invading her space, or moving in on her territory, but it isn't like that. She has just dug her heels in about Jack being sent to a home in Perth, and that’s it, the girl won’t listen to reason. She says it is what Jude wanted, and that’s what has to happen.”

Michael nodded, “they say mother like daughter, though she wasn’t her biological mother, Sandy certainly does have Jude’s stubbornness.”

Beth nodded in agreement, “Sandy can be hard headed at times, but mark my words Michael I'm going to be hard headed about this too. This whole thing is breaking my heart!” 
“Won't you please try to talk some sense into her Michael, she might listen to you.

“I can try, but I doubt anyone will get her to come around, Sandy has a bad habit of shooting first and asking questions later, you know.”

“Oh I'm well aware of that, but I won’t see Jack thrown into a home, in a strange place, all alone with nobody he loves there to take care of him. Michael I can’t bear the thought of him being locked up in some small room that probably resembles a prison. He needs his home his routines and he needs to be loved, and I'm here happy to offer it, what’s so wrong with that?”

“Nothing, it’s very kind of you Beth,” said Michael calmly not wanting to get her fired up too.
Calming down a little bit Beth sniffed “Well I have been in contact with disabilities in Perth and they are arranging a case officer to come down in two days’ time. They will assess the case, to see if letting Jack stay here would be best for him. That’s why I called you, to make sure that you will be there to help and give us support. I'm counting on you Michael, since out of all of us you know Jack the best and have been around the family the longest”.

Michael didn’t give a straight answer. Clearing his throat he politely excused himself thanking Beth for the cup of coffee and headed towards the door, ruffling Jack’s mop of red hair as he left, “see ya later big guy.”

“Yeah”, Jack replied not looking up from his now empty plate.
Following Michael out to his car, Beth once again reinforced her wishes, “Michael, you will see what you can do for us won’t you? We all love Jack and don’t you think we at least owe it to him to make sure he has quality of life. Can you bear the thought of him being locked up in some home, abandoned by everyone he thought loved him, just because he had an accident?"

Turning away pretending to fuss with his seatbelt he quietly replied, “ok.”

Beth walked away pleased with herself. She knew two things for certain, Michael would help her and she also knew that he was on his way right now to see Sandy. Things were going exactly to plan, except for Sandy not going along with it all, but if she was really lucky she may even turn that around.

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