The Child

Gold cherry
Story of the week

By lisa h

Fri, 11 Sep 2015
  • 6725 reads
19 comments
 

I’m sat in the café and a child walks in. Not many children around here, so everyone stops and stares. The child is dressed in mismatched pyjamas. Stars in shades of blue on top and stripy red on the bottom. A mother and grandmother flank the child. It reaches for chocolate bars, squishing them between its fingers before putting the bar back and picking another. More squeezing, more returning to the shelf. More picking, but no one complains.

There are many of us sat down, the café is packed. But no one has a word to say about this small child feeling up all the merchandise. Mother and grandmother usher the child to the checkout. The café is unnaturally quiet, and mother and grandmother do their best to blend in, or at least ignore all the stares. The mother runs her hand over the bald head of her child, and I wonder if it’s a girl or boy, it’s too hard to tell. There’s an androgynous look about it only young children have.

An elderly woman on the table next to me leans over and says, “Makes you sad, doesn’t it.” She must have seen the tears in my eyes.

“I didn’t think they treated children here. I thought they took them to Alder Hey,” I replied.

“It’s for the radiotherapy.” She leans back.

“I’d take on extra tumours if it meant they were cured.” I almost whisper the words.

She looks back at me, then nods sagely.

“I would, I’d battle more of them and make that child well again.” I mean it, every word, but she’s turned back to a woman my age, presumably her daughter. The healthy one by the look of it.

I check out the family as they leave. Mother in front, child next, grandmother pulling up the rear as they wind their way out of the crowded café.

Later my doctor tells me I’ve got two new tumours. Small ones, nothing to worry about, and I wonder for a moment whether my offer has been accepted. I fantasise that somewhere out there some parents are being told their child is now tumour free. And I hope so. I really, really do.

 

Photograph by Sergio Maistrello

 
 
Certificate 12
Non-fiction
Autobiography

Comments

Submitted by Bee on

I know that feeling so well. When I got my diagnosis, my first thought was - thank goodness it's me! 

This is beautifully written, Lisa. I saw the scene so clearly and felt every word. 

Bee

Submitted by lisa h on

Thanks, Bee. It's really not fair that children get sick, is it? And I need to thank you. Your journal entry prompted me to write the scene out.

Submitted by Weefatfella on

It's a lovely thought; to be able to take the pain and suffering away from children or loved ones. A great idea and well expressed. Thank you for sharing.

Weefatfella.

I might not like what you say but I will defend to the death your right to say it.

Submitted by lisa h on

Thanks, Weefatfella. Would be great if we had that choice, wouldn't it?

Submitted by celticman on

the offering up of (put your own pain here) was whipped into us Catholics when we were young, but I like this and I like you. The flip side which seems to come out more is somebody getting a kicking for some perceived wrong. 

 

Submitted by lisa h on

Not a Catholic, so wouldn't know about any of that. Sounds horrible. Interesting what you say about the flip side - are you meaning in the Catholic faith or in my short?

Submitted by celticman on

I'd guess in all faiths and live in general. Outside of that group you become them rather than us. I guess one way of explaining is I meant to write I like your writing, but instead I wrote I like you, but if I didn't like your writing I don't like you.  (or something like that).  

 

Submitted by scratch on

This is our Facebook and Twitter pick of the day!

Get a fantastic reading recommendation every day.
 

 

Submitted by jolono on

heartheartheartsmiley

 

Submitted by hudsonmoon on

Made me teary. I know this feeling well. Big hugs to you, dear lady.

Rich x

 

Submitted by VeraClark on

This is lovely, Lisa. Heartfelt. Considered.

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Dear Lisa, your zest, and love of life shines through your writing...illuminating each to each, and the lives of all those who read your words.  

Tina xx

 

Submitted by london_calling79 on

Direct and clear. Fantastic writing.

 

Submitted by Philip Sidney on

So much captured in this small piece with a huge heart.  Wonderful.

Submitted by Bee on

So pleased to see this picked Lisa. It's wonderfully written. 

Xx

 

Bee

Submitted by blighters rock on

If giving is getting, you're going to get well, Lisa. 

 

Submitted by MJG on

And very well-written from the heart xx

 

Submitted by Jewel Serpent on

Beautiful, Lisa. God bless!

Submitted by prettyrose on

Hi Lisa,

I have not been online for a while,so have not seen this until now, and so glad I did.You are a talented, insightful person, with I presume a heart of gold, so to speak lol.Brilliant writing&easy 2 read and understand.

Yes,its not fair children suffer, its bad enough any one,but to see a child who as a positive, out look on life, and many years to live for,struck down by any illness just does not seem right&they are often the strongest when it happens,as parents,adults collapse  around them.

Well done on cherries, etc really deserved.;))))

 

 

smiley Keep Smiling

Keep Writing xxx