A Flicker of Hope

a flicker or hope

"Miss, I believe a parcel has arrived for you" Gemma, one of the girls at the orphanage says. "I don't recall any, but I shall check." "There is an elderly gentleman at the door"

At the front door stood an elderly gentleman in tattered clothes not fit for the biting chill. "Good Evening, Miss Helena?" he enquires. "Good Evening. No Sire. I am Helene." "Eh perhaps the sender wrote it wrong" he speaks in a Scottish brogue. "Possible. Do you fancy a cuppa? We have a nice fire raging too." I offer. "I guess so." He shrugs. I lead him to the waiting room.

"Jane please arrange some tea and some biscuits for this lovely gentleman here" I call out to the passing girl. She nods and goes away. "May I take your jacket?" I ask. "Nah. It's the only one I have. I'd rather not." "As you wish" He glances around and turns to me, "You manage this place?" "No Sir. Although I am accustomed to this place. I grew up here with my brother." "How come you are spending Christmas here?" "Spent it here, since my brother passed." "I'm sorry to hear that. Loss is a terrible and terrifying thing; it robs you of your reason to live. My daughter passed away eighteen years ago. We fought with her and then she died in an accident. We never made up. My wife still cries at night." "It's is a dreadful occurrence, but life goes on. You both are still here. You are her reason and she yours." "I suppose so" he concedes.

A little head pokes through the door, "Good evening Aunt. Jane told me to inform you your tea is ready." "Come in Jay, we don't bite" I invite her in. She steps inside shyly. "What is your name little one? I am Michael Jacobs." he says. "Johannah or Jay if you wish," she speaks. "Love, could you lead Mr. Jacobs to the parlor?" I ask. "Yes, Aunt " she nods and leaves with him in tow.

I head to the attic to find some nice clothes for him. Every year, we make clothes and give them to people who need them. I wrap them in a brown paper bag and head to the parlor. Johannah and he are sitting there chatting nineteen to the dozen. I smile at Johannah. "May I go to the kitchen for some hot chocolate?" she asks. "Of course darling. Run along." I smile at her. "Why does she call you aunt? " Mr. Jacobs asks. "My brother adopted her. I have taken care of her since he passed." "He seems to be a nice lad." "He was" I nod. I slide the brown package over to him with a smile. He looks through the bags and smiles at me. He lays a hand on mine, "You are a kind lady. Kindness is becoming rarer now. You remind me of my daughter. She was gentle and kind too. You have eyes like hers, which she got from her mother." He has a wistful and nostalgic look. "My mother's maiden name was Jacobs" I blurt out.

He shakes his head and hands me the parcel. It's an envelope. I slit it open and pull out a painted card. I open the card. There is a picture of a tree, with a boy and girl beside it. There is a verse written as well

"And Mizpah; for he said,

The LORD watch between me and thee,

when we are absent one from another

Genesis 31:49"

Curious, this is a verse from the Bible. At the bottom in squiggly letters,  'Edmund' is signed. I do not know anyone by the name of Edmund. I look inside the envelope and find a yellowish paper inside. A letter. I open it, and there's something strange about it. It's written on yellow paper, which we haven't used since before the World Wars. I read aloud.

'Dear Helly, 

       How are you doing? We are well. This Christmas will not be cheery and merry, without you here. However, we understand you must serve the country. What kind of celebrations do they have at the camp? Are they better than ours, or worse? I heard Mrs. Tomlinson when she told Mother that there are no Christmas celebrations during the war. Is that true? Her grandson has also gone to war with you. Have you met him? His name is William. I didn't eavesdrop, I promise. They spoke in front of me.

      Mother is teaching me Math and English every day. Bonnie taught me to bake a cake last week. I wish you could have tasted it. You would have loved it. It was a chocolate cake. Do you have chocolate in the war? Sometimes Mr. Tomlinson comes over and teaches me science. I like science. I want to go to space and fly. Will you wave at me from the war? Can you imagine Mrs. Tomlinson is teaching me, French. She lived in France when she was younger and told me it is nice to know two languages. Are you proud of me?

      Next month it is my birthday. I will turn nine. I am becoming a man now. I hate to ask, but I can not help wonder, will you come home for my birthday? If you do I will be overjoyed, but if you don't I will understand. It is your duty and responsibility to serve our country. Bonnie says Great Britain is great because of fearless people like you. I am so proud of you.

      Did you like my card? I spent all day working on it. I was awake past my bedtime too. Recently we have been hearing loud noises and sirens. They give me a fright. I wish you were here. Mother says you are the Christmas cheer and merriness. I miss you. Every night before I sleep, I pray for your well-being. Do you have a chapel there? I want the war to end, and for you to come back home to us. At the local chapel, Reverend Fitzelgard has been holding peace prayers every day at noon. You will be very happy to know, that I attend every day. I even made a poster.

      Sometimes I wonder if you miss me as much as I miss you. Mother says you miss us a hundred times more. That's a lot. Lately, mother has started to sleep in your bed, because she misses you. Bonnie also misses you a lot. Do you know in the whole of Great Britain, only seven women are fighting the war? Reverend  wrote down a verse from the bible for me. I read it thrice a day. I know that as long as the Lord watches over us, you will be safe. At the church, we pray for the soldiers too.

      Oh , I miss you so much. I miss our walks in the park and when you would take me to the roof to stargaze. Please come back soon. Reverend says it's selfish to want you to come back soon, but I cannot help it. I miss you so. I hope the Lord will forgive me. Since Father went to the Lord, you have been my strength. I feel weak without you. But I know that because of people like you we can sleep in the night. Do you sleep peacefully at night?

      Mother has started to teach children Math and English. She loves Shakespeare and Jane Austen, as you do. Every night, she reads me a part from Twelfth Night. I know it is your favourite. She feels closer to you when she reads it. I must go now, it is time to go to pray. I will pray for you. Mother asked me to thank you for the money you send. It helps us to get groceries. Mother has been saving up, for a special collection of Shakespeare, she knew you wanted. I love you . I hope the Lord takes care of you in my absence. Bonnie makes your favourite pasta every Friday, in hopes you will return, but when you don't she feeds the children of the orphanage. We are all so proud of you. I hope you are well, and return to us, as you left, safe and sound.  

                                                                                                                                                               Your loving brother

                                                                                                                                                                                        Eddie'

I look up at Mr. Jacobs, with tears brimming. I miss my brother so much. Mr. Jacobs looks at me, "You remind me so much of my daughter. She had hair just like yours, except they were red." "I have my hair from my father. He had black hair and brown eyes." "I remember my daughter gave birth to a boy; Harry." "My older brother's name was Harry," I whisper. "What were your parents' names?" he asks. "Katherine and Arthur Daniels," I say. "Impossible," he says. "What is impossible?" I ask. He fishes a picture from his wallet. It's my mother! "Grandfather?" I ask. He hugs me. Family at last.