A CROSS THE CHASM 

By Tessa Harvey

        Shayla knew where the old lady was staying and taking little baby Alfie, she arranged a visit. The child was visibly delighted to be going on an outing. He was growing strong and sturdy with inquisitive dark eyes. At six months he was able to sit up if wedged in by cushions. People loved his gorgeous thick, curly hair turning in sunlight to the colour of shiny new chestnuts. When he saw the elderly lady, he surveyed her carefully. She smiled. Delighted, he gurgled and laughed. It was an infectious little chuckle. Even Daniel, home that afternoon had been captivated.

    He even forgot his unreasonable resentment of having no son of his own. Now he had to cross his chasm of selfishness, and reach out to someone he knew disliked him - the lawyer, Gavin Dufaye.

    

The little boy raced out of the kinder class, dropping his backpack by his big sister, Eva. He raced the quickest way to the gate. A big boy knocked him over by mistake, but Mischa picked himself up and hurtled past the huge bus picking up children.

    He was dangerously close to the giant wheels, dodging and weaving, then onto the straight stretch to his parents' large SUV. In seconds, he was through the side door and strapped in his car seat where he sat silent and still. The other children gathered round him. "You didn't wait for us, Mischa," the twins, Luka and Livia chorused, their faces puzzled and sad. The now bright little Mischa had gone back inside and the autistic infant didn't answer.

    Margaret leaned over the driver's seat and lifted his chin gently until he saw his mother properly. "If you must run, son, go the other way - not near the bus." He nodded.