Conundrum

Chapter 1 Innocence 1970 “Right lift your arms up,” said the little girl’s mother. The young girl lifted them high and shimmied into her favorite flannelette jammies. She was tired she’d had a big day with her Mum and Dad and her two sisters. They were in Sydney staying in a caravan. “Give us a kiss,” said Mum. “I don’t want to go to sleep. I’m not tired.” What special things they had done that day. They’d gone over the big coat hanger that Daddy called the Sydney Harbour Bridge and sailed on the ferry. They also went to Tarronga Park Zoo and saw the lions and the funny chimpanzee that liked to smoke cigarette butts. “Just hop into bed. You’ve got a big day ahead of you tomorrow. You don’t want to miss out on any of that.” “No way,” said the girl. “Perhaps I could have a little sleep,” With that she jumped into bed, the flannelette sheets beneath her warm and cuddly to the touch , she snuggled up close to the hot water bottle.. “Warm enough?” “Mm,” smiled the girl “Don’t forget your prayers.” “Thank you God for the bestest day ever. God bless Nanny and Poppy I hope they don’t miss us too much. I pray they know I love them even if I was naughty last time I saw them. God I promise I’ll make up for it though. I’ll even get them presents. God please look after them. Amen.” Immediately after this rendition she curled up and was asleep before her mother and father left the room. The little girl dreamt that Poppy was standing in the doorway of the porch. The door was the old wire screen door at his house. Poppy always growled if one of the girls banged it too loudly or didn’t snib it. This time he appeared much younger than she could remember him ever being. He wore a new knit cardigan one that the girl’s mother had given him for his birthday- It was his favorite. She said to him, “You look really handsome Poppy.” He responded with a nod and smile. But as quickly as he made these gestures he frowned and took on a look of deep sadness and said, “Remember me honey by the way I rouse at you not to slam the doors and how I tell you to do your nails so that you can see the moons through them. I only do that because I love you, you know, not because I’m mean. It’s so’s you won’t get hurt.” “Of course I know that. I love you too and those walks I just get excited I forget.” “I know,” Poppy said, “ Don’t be sad but I’ve got to go away now. I won’t see you for a really long time.” The girl began crying “Why not? Don’t leave. Did I do something wrong?” “I’m going somewhere special and you can’t come along. I’m sorry; he said as he splayed out his hands and looked at them intently. “Why can’t I? I’ll be good. I promise. I’ll be more careful.” He looked up slowly and said to her, “It’s not that. God is calling me.” “When will you be back?” “Not until you are an old, old lady- but I’ll always remember you though. Pointing to his heart he said, “I’ll carry you with me inside, my sweet one. I love you, you did nothing wrong.” “Poppy don’t go.” With that her grandfather waved good-bye and walked through the open wire door, the door giving a little slap as he left. She woke shortly after that with a start and saw in the yellow gleam of the cat’s eye clock it was 4 am. She resettled and hugged her teddy. Early that morning there was an urgent wrap on the caravan door, the sound of voices then the sound of the little girl’s mother crying. Through her mum’s sobs the girl made out her grandpa had died at 4am precisely. “Of course we’ll go home immediately…”