The gift
“You know, that window is the best thing in this house.” Jonah’s remark echoed over the stillness. All eyes focused on the picture perfect garden view. Jonah sighed, rippling the mood.
Anthea forced herself to move, “do you want a coke or some coffee?” Her question hung unanswered for a few moments before her mom picked up on her attempt to inject some cheer into their sombre mood.
“Coffee would be wonderful, I’ll put the kettle on, Jonah, would you rather have a coke?” Jonah shrugged without commitment, his investment in the conversation as limited as his interest in anything else. It was Anthea’s turn to sigh.
Anthea’s heart squeezed as she watched her mother peer into the grocery cupboard, she knew the effect its meager contents would have on her mom.
Turning to Jonah with venom on her tongue she snapped “get up and help you little turd, you know mom went out of her way to get those cokes for you because you love coke so much.” She covered her mouth in horror as her mom’s eyes brimmed.
“What the hell is wrong with the two of you? Your dad is coming to collect you both today, maybe that will fix your attitude.”
“Oh, you know he won’t come.” Jonah mused, the possibility of his truth rang perilously on the tense moment, but Anthea layered in a measure of calm, “He will come. He had to stay away, that was the rule during lockdown 5, it’s different now, he’ll be here, you wait and see!”
The gate bell chimed on cue. Jonah shot out of his seat and flew to the door.
“That won’t be dad, he’s only coming at 10, careful not to let strangers in Jonah, you hear?” Anthea’s caution fell on deaf ears, Jonah was gone.
Anthea peeked out of the window, her warning fresh on her lips. Jonah stood at the gate, he’s disappointment obvious in the cast of his shoulders. She felt her mom sidle up next to her.
“Don’t be so hard on him, Thea, he’s so confused, try to encourage him.”
“It’s hard for all of us mom, he’s only 2 years younger than me, why is he so selfish? He takes after dad.” Anthea spat her feelings out, laying them bare for her mother to pick over.
“Don’t do that Thea, your father isn’t a bad person, he’s just trying to find his way in life. Adults have issues kids can only understand later in life.”
“I really don’t know why you always defend him after everything he’s done.” Anthea’s pain ruptured. It was her turn to cry.
“Things will sort out Thea.” Her mom empathized, folding her tightly in a frowned-upon-hug.
Anthea settled, turning her attention back to the window, and the image of Jonah racing back into the house, all energy and purpose.
Electricity sparked, Jonah’s eyes were wild. “Mom, there’s a woman at our gate who needs some food for her kids, what can I give her?” Anthea watched as her mother’s jaw hit the floor, but then, she recovered herself quickly.
“We don’t have much to give Jonah, and you know that the salon will be closed until level 2. We are poor ourselves, right now.”
Jonah, however, was having none of it. He searched the four corners of the room. Next, he threw open the grocery cupboard, but even he could see that he wasn’t going to find much to give. Next he flew to the fridge, he stood motionless for a second then grabbed the six pack of cokes, so lovingly stored there. He was gone again in a flash.
When he returned, red faced and flushed, all he would say was that her name was Jana, and she said it was a gift to give.