THE CHASM 

By Tessa Harvey


    Margaret realized she was day-dreaming. This young man was not her little boy, though Jono was almost her height now - and still growing!
    "Are you a friend of Ariella?" she asked the young man. "Sorry," he apologized. Yes, friends a long time. I am Dylan." Margaret felt a little faint and felt for the solid door frame. "Gavin's son," she whispered. "You are my nephew." 
    He looked stunned, joy and sadness at never knowing were reflected in his young face. An older lady pushed by. "Excuse me," she spoke impatiently. "My sick mother is in the ward waiting." Both apologized and allowed her to pass.
    Ariella looked eager to see Dylan and he looked at her with tears in his eyes. "I nearly lost you," his voice broke. To hide his emotion, the young man said gruffly, "You can't keep doing this every few years, you know!"
    Ariella smothered a giggle. She was propped up on a small pillow mountain, a little pale. Anchored to a drip and nasal prongs, still a huge smile welcomed her visitors. Margaret stepped forward and introduced herself, overjoyed to see how much better this young lady was now. She had thought she was dying.
    "Can you stay a while?" Ari asked, but Dylan needed to return to work. He explained he had left college.
    He did not say his uncle had refused to help with finance. As a young lad, Dylan had worked hard and saved all he earned from paper deliveries, being an errand boy.
    "I have bought a small carpentry business with a partner and have time to still do photography and create in wood, he enthused.
    But Margaret had to leave. Quickly she gave both young people her contact details and went to Ashfield Primary and Logos College, the secondary side, her mind full of joy.

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