Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: PLEAD (11/30/23)
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TITLE: Conversations | Previous Challenge Entry
By Graham Keet
12/05/23 -
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She mustn’t gain too much weight as Dad gets angry and says he likes her just the way she is. He actually told her he might leave her if she puts on weight. I hope he was joking but nobody argues with Dad, he can get angry very quickly. Mommy may need to go into hospital soon—I’m not sure why, but I gather she has a problem with her stomach that can only be sorted out in hospital.
I have two sisters. The eldest, Annette, is fifteen and often spends time with me. She tells me what school is like and how the boys try to get her attention. One boy, Jimmy Kemp, seems very nice and I think Annette likes him a lot. Dad says he doesn’t want to see boys anywhere near our farm so Jimmy and Annette meet at a friend’s place. Dad says three girls in the house are enough trouble and he doesn’t want any more girls to look after. I think he would have preferred sons to help him around the farm, even though Annette and Debbie, my other sister, do much of the kitchen work and the gardening. I often hear Mommy telling them she couldn’t do without them, especially on days when she is feeling poorly.
Mommy cries a lot. Sometimes when Dad goes to town she phones Granny. I have often heard Granny pleading with her to leave Dad and come and stay with them in New York. Grandpa works in a bank, and they live in a big house. I have never been there, but Mommy often considers doing this. She says that if she leaves Dad permanently she won’t have to worry about her stomach problems, they will disappear by themselves. This doesn’t really make sense to me.
What I can’t understand is if Mommy needs this operation why not just go in and have it done? This is the way I see it, but Debbie and Annette see it another way. The other day I heard Annette tell Debbie the operation might solve a temporary problem, but it will cause many more even bigger problems up ahead. Mommy could even be classified a murderer. She didn’t explain this in more detail.
The phone is ringing. Mommy answers—the phone is on ‘speaker’.
“Jenny Millar here.”
“Mrs. Millar, this is Claudette from the Family Planning Clinic, I would like to confirm your appointment for Thursday at eight-thirty. Is everything still on track?”
Mommy is silent for a long time before responding.
“Um … yes … but there are some problems … can I let you know tomorrow?”
“Mrs. Millar, we discussed many possible problems at your last appointment. Bear in mind we are very busy here and if you are not going to keep your appointment I need to give it to someone else. What’s worrying you now?”
I hear a scuffle then Annette’s voice. “Claudette, the problem is Mommy wants another daughter, me and my sister want another sister, it’s only Dad that doesn’t want her. So why should we lose our baby just for him?”
“Please put your mother on the phone, this is between her and your father, not you.”
A pause.
“Jenny Millar here again, sorry about that. Today’s Tuesday and my appointment is for Thursday morning. Please give me until tomorrow morning to decide.”
“Well, if I don’t hear from you by eight-thirty tomorrow I’m cancelling your appointment. Goodbye Mrs. Millar.”
Mommy begins to cry.
The phone rings again—it’s Granny begging Mommy not to have the operation and lose the baby. So that’s what this is all about. If only I could talk to Mommy and tell her not to worry. I know she would give anything to see me, and to hold me. This is what I really want too—and to meet my sisters. But no matter what happens, I have been assured I will meet her again in a truly wonderful place. Then nothing will separate us. If I concentrate maybe I can let her know there’s something far better waiting.
Just maybe.
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