Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Right and Left (07/31/14)
-
TITLE: Bridging the Gap! | Previous Challenge Entry
By Danielle King
08/07/14 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
The grimy windows allowed but a silhouette of his princess, but if he waited, soon, she would turn and wave and he would blow a kiss and visualise her silky cheeks turning pink.
Unfortunately, Henry lived on the wrong side of town.
His family was poor as church mice. His father a gambler and mother left crippled by childbirth, rearing a family of six was tough.
“Where would I be without you Henry?” Ma asked, as he gently worked a soapy sponge inside the rigid, arthritic fingers.
And then the tears; rivers of heartache spilling from a drooping eyelid, pooling salty splashes into a lop-sided reservoir that once formed the warmest, most loving smile.
“The stroke takes my left side and Aunt Ida takes my baby.” Ma wailed unashamedly.
“Ma, Aunt Ida adores little Amy. It’s for the best.” Henry hesitated. “Ma, now the war is ended people are living hand to mouth. And Aunt Ida, well… she has the means to provide for Amy.”
“No more babies.” Ma sighed wistfully. “And your father, disappearing at night?”
Henry made no comment.
“Ma, I’ve met the sweetest girl.” The lamenting halted briefly.
“Do I know her?”
“Not yet, but you will.”
“What’s her name? Where is she from, son?”
“Sarah Anne, from over the river.” Ma’s cheeks blanched; her panicked thoughts in disarray.
“What? The left bank? Henry, you can’t bring a posh girl here. Whatever will she think of us?”
“Don’t worry Ma. She’s forbidden to come here. Her father is a tyrant. He intimidates people.” Ma’s tension eased momentarily. “So, we are going to him!”
“No Henry! You can’t mix right and left. We are distasteful… scum.”
Scum! The word reverberated as Henry’s anger peaked. He looked at Ma; helpless, dependant, vulnerable. And Father, with his clandestine night time visits. And his gambling. Frittering money intended to help with Amy’s keep.
Scum! So this is how they see us.
The following day was the Sabbath. The minister of Chantry Chapel on the Bridge welcomed parishioners to morning service. All festooned in Sunday best and the ladies topped with hats.
Henry strode out with purpose, his nose pointing toward the snobby side of the water where those lofty, left toffs resided. Hypocrites, judging him and his family by their own double standards.
He stopped short as he set foot on the great divide, the ancient bridge between the haves and have-nots. The pipe organ was tuning up; a dormant memory surfaced. Curious, he waited.
A few stragglers followed on; no finery, tresses covered by a dowdy headscarf. They tiptoed into the back pew, only too conscious of their attire.
Unseen, Henry sidled into the vestry, listening intently. Reverend Good looked flushed. He fidgeted with his clerical collar as he prepared to deliver his sermon.
Before Ma’s infirmity, on Sabbath and Hoy Days, come hell or high water, she would gather her brood and march them to church. So when Reverend Good asked the dapper chap in collar and tie to read the lesson, it gelled instantly.
The man stood behind the Lectern, cleared his throat and announced, “Todays reading is taken from, 1 Corinthians 3:18-23.”
Henry whispered, ‘Let no-one boast of men, for all things are yours.’
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Meekness refrains from revenge and defensiveness.
Reverend Good took to the pulpit and delivered his opening message.
“Would I feel the need to brag that my house is bigger than yours if I knew that my Pa owned the city, and I was the beneficiary of his will?”
Henry was gripped. He quietly slid into the back pew, focussed on every word, allowing his eyes to drift absent-mindedly over the congregation.
And then he saw her. His captivating little girlfriend, golden locks hidden beneath a red bonnet and sitting alongside the man in the suit.
Service over, Henry slipped outside first. He waited. Eventually Sarah Anne appeared followed by the man.
“Henry,” she gasped. He smiled and boldly approached the man.
“Good morning sir.” He offered his hand. “I’m Henry and I’m very pleased to meet you.”
The short silence was broken when Sarah Anne’s father stepped forward and grasped Henry’s hand tightly.
“Good to meet you too, son. Interesting sermon, don’t you think?”
“Yes sir. Enlightening!” Father grinned,
“Henry, would you join us for dinner?”
1 Corinthians 3:18-23 (KJV 1900)
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
God bless~
" And then the tears; rivers of heartache spilling from a drooping eyelid, pooling salty splashes into a lop-sided reservoir that once formed the warmest, most loving smile."
Wonderful!
Great piece of work.
Hugs! Congratulations!
God bless~