The Long Lost Son

 

The Long Lost Son

By Paul McCann

.For most people it was a day like any other around Westmead by the banks of Parramatta River however for Chris Hickey today was not a good day because he had to make an appearance at the family court in answer his wife's divorce application. Rhonda, who had been his wife for three years had already met someone else and she had told Chris that she didn't love him anymore. Chris had always been a trusting soul and never did harm to anyone, how shocked he was when his wife dropped the bombshell on his life. Chris never saw the writing on the wall and his whole world fell apart.

All he ever wanted as a man was to become a father and see his children grow into responsible adults but Rhonda had no desire to give him any such thing as she was much too busy with her career to become a Mother never mind a loving wife. 

Chris now had mixed feelings about people and life.

He was disappointed and love was torn from his heart like a tow truck pulling a car away from a horrific collision at the crossroads.

As bad as it was Chris had managed to walk away from the wreckage and without looking back he started a new life without the person he had loved and trusted.

On this grey overcast morning he had parked the car near Westmead railway station and took a walk through Parramatta Park in the hope that the peaceful surroundings would settle the dust on this very sombre occasion in his life.

As he made his way through the park he thought he heard someone call his name. As he looked around no one was there.

In this bleak autumn morning leaves on the trees had fallen where ducks waddled through them to gracefully glide and swim across the murky surface of Parramatta River.

A family of white geese had gathered to greet Chris with a chaotic gaggle as he approached them near the bridge before the main gate of Parramatta Park. 

Before he walked out the main gate he stopped and whispered a silent prayer that the court procedure would be quick and painless. After his prayer he felt had the hurt ease and the anger

Inside leave. 

Again he thought he heard somebody call his name but no one was there.

As he reached the front gate a wee dressed man approached.

"Chris Hickey?”

"Do I know you?

Chris replied.

The man smiled.

"That's not important but the message I have for you is.”

Chris looked puzzled and said.

"What is the message?”

"You have a son. His name is the same as yours Chris. He is two years old now.”

Chris stood there for a moment and it was like time stood still.

Then he spoke.

“I don't understand.  What do you mean?”

"About a year ago your wife went on an overseas business trip am I right?”

Chris shook his head and said.

“Look did my wife put you up to this?”

The stranger continued.

"Chris she was gone for almost 12 months.”

"If this is Rhonda's idea of a sick joke.”

The man continued.

"Without you knowing, she gave birth to a baby boy and gave him to a childless couple that she had made arrangements with.  

"Ok look I've had just about enough of this ...”

Chris walked through the gate and away into the streets of Parramatta.”

When he arrived at the family court the well-dressed man was

Already there.

"Ask Rhonda when you see her toddy Chris and you will know by her response. Your son Chris is now 2 years old and he lives in New York with Mr and Mrs Christiansen. I will speak with you again soon   "

With that the man walked off leaving Chris to think things over .

Chris made his way into the allocated courtroom and took a seat and waited for his name to be called. Every case before him was quickly addressed. It was all just a routine formality for the Judge and the solicitors who represented their clients. Finally Chris and Rhonda’s case was called to be heard. It was an open and close affair and in less than 5 minutes the divorce was granted and no more was said or done.

Chris wanted to get away quickly but for some reason the lift was out of order and as well as that there was an incident on top of the staircase.

Someone was lying unconscious on the ground. First aid was being given. Chris went to have a closer look and when he arrived there to his amazement the man who had previously spoken to him was there giving CPR to the causality. He turned and smiled at Chris and said.

“Go and ask Rhonda about your son. She’s over there at the lifts. Trust me “Chris decided he would and so over he went. She saw him coming and turned away as if he wasn’t there.
“Rhonda could I have a word. “

She replied.

“There’s nothing needs to be said. It’s over. “:

“What about my 2 year old son who is in New York with Mr and Mrs Christiansen. Her face went white. Chris could tell it was true. Rhonda had just had the shock of her life.

She responded,

“Ah, well, I’ll am, hmmm.  How did you find out about this?”

Chris stared at her as if she was a piece of trash.

“I have a friend who knows everything and I am going to get my son and you will go to hell for what you’ve done.”

Suddenly the lift door opened and Rhonda ran off like a scalded cat towards the staircase. There was no one and nothing happening there at the top of the stairs. The previous incident must have cleared up. As Rhonda came to the stairs she seemed to lose her balance and fell banging her head on the floor. Chris watched it all in slow motion. The man who had spoken to Chris appeared again from nowhere and he began to administer CPR. It was an exact replica of the scene that Chris had seen before. Almost a repeat performance   .         

Chris walked over and the man who was giving first aid looked up and smiled and said.

“I think it’s too late for this woman. Her time is up. “

In a matter of seconds an ambulance arrived at the front door of the family court. Two ambos came up the stairs and placed Rhonda body on a stretcher and took her away.

The man smiled and said

: Well Chris I think you have a plane to catch. “

Chris looked intently into the man’s face and replied.  

“What do you mean?”

“Mr and Mrs Christiansen only have a short time left and you need to get there and bring your son back to Australia. He need’s his real Father now. “

“Who are you?”

Chris said.

“I’m just the messenger. Believe and you can’t go wrong. “

“What must I do?”

The man reached Chris an envelope.

“All your travel documents and tickets are in here. Now go before it’s too late Take nothing for your journey except this envelope and your trust in what I am telling you. Your flight leaves at 11 O’clock.

He man walked away as suddenly as he had arrived.

Chris rang a taxi and told the driver to rush to the airport. As the taxi made its way towards the international airport Chris opened up the envelope and went through the contents. There were air tickets from New York to Sydney for him and his two year old son as well as a Passport and a birth certificate for his son. There was an address of Mr and Mrs Christiansen in New York and a photo of his son.

Chris was soon on the flight bound for New York and when he got there he got a taxi to the address that was given to him. When he arrived there, the house was on fire. A crew of fire fighters were busy putting out the flames. Chris screamed out,

“Please somebody help son is in there. “

A fire fighter walked from the home that was engulfed in flames. He was carrying a small boy. He walked over to Chris and smiled. Chris could hardly believe his eyes. It was the man who Chris had met in Parramatta. He reached the boy over to Chris.

“Your son is safe. Alive and well. Everyone else has perished in the fire and I believe you have another flight to catch. Go now. Find a life for you and your son. “

The man walked away towards the burning house.

Chris shouted after him.

“Are you an angel?”

The man turned and smiled and suddenly he disappeared.

“Thank you God ‘

The little boy looked into his Fathers eyes and smiled.

Chris kissed him and said .

"My long lost son :" 

The baby boy murmured,

“Daddy”

 

The End