Read Dream Valley for Free Online Page B

news yet,' he told a tearful Madge, 'she's having an operation.'
    'Oh, please God, she'll pull through.'
    Madge knew that however bad herself and Joe felt, Andy was
    ten times worse. He hadn't eaten his supper, was uneasy, disoriented, and worried sick. He felt a kind of fatherly responsibility for Jenny. He had, in some strange way, seen her as the daughter him and Madge always wished for, but
    never had. She was very like him in many ways, would fit perfectly, his mental picture of his own daughter - cheerful mannerisms, warm heart, a lover of the outdoor life, and especially the horses. Now he felt as bad as if she really was his daughter. " Oh God, he mentally prayed, save her -
    restore her to full health"
    The phone rang. Andy jumped up. Would that be news now? Madge took the call, shook her head, indicating to him that it wasn't. It was Mrs Dilworth wanting a word with Joe.
    Hurrying down the stairs in a bath robe, with water dripping from him after showering, Joe picked up the phone excitedly. Andy and Madge were already feeling the relief that Joe's little bit of good fortune would
    bring to this gloomy evening. They listened as Joe's closing words confirmed their hopes.
    'Next Wednesday will be fine ... I'll have her ready ... and thanks very much.'
    'There you go now,' exclaimed Joe, turning to his parents,
    rubbing his hands and smiling broadly.
    'Oh that's wonderful, Joe,' enthused his mother, 'I hope she's really lucky for that lady.'
    'She will be, I know she will. She's a great mare ... I hate
    selling her.'
    'Well,' said Andy, 'according to that young man to-day, she's going to a good home. She'll have a great life down there in Kilkenny. And sure we can call down some time to see her ... it's not that far away.'
    * * *
    June helped Ken through the waiting with cups of coffee and chat about anything she could think of. She had got to the Clinic in record time, was ushered to his office. It was the first time they had experienced
    real closeness. Ken was amazed at June's strength and resilience in this crisis situation. Here is this woman, he silently marvelled, whose only daughter was under the surgeon's knife, and although deeply concerned, was calm, logical, and dignified. The turbulence inside him was being lovingly eased by this
    remarkable woman - a real mother of comfort and re-assurance.
    The time passed slowly. Suddenly Mr Bailey appeared. He looked tired, but optimism shone in his eyes. Ken jumped up, his face begging
    to be delivered from his anguish. June stayed sitting, holding her breath.
    'Jenny has come through her surgery satisfactory ... it went very well ... there is every indication of a full recovery.'
    Ken's eyes sparkled, floating in tears of joy and relief. Clasping the surgeon's soft hand, he thanked him sincerely. June released some tears too. Ken understood. She was entitled to, after her valiant hours of restraint. They exchanged tender looks of mutual relief and gratefulness,
    befitting their new closer relationship, enhanced even further now with this wonderful news. Embracing, they both felt a bond, almost as natural as any mother and son. They knew that the source of that bond was Jenny, the loving
    centre-piece of both their beings, that bright torch that illuminated their lives, and that neither could contemplate living without.
    She was almost snatched away from them. They now knew they still had her. No further words were needed, just joy and thanksgiving in their
    hearts. They followed Mr Bailey to the Intensive Care Unit, to be there when Jenny woke up.
    ******

 
    Lifting the Gloom
    The hawthorn trees behind his thatched house were in constant danger from Garry's 'bushman saw'. He loved them, especially now with
    their perfusion of creamy spring blossoms. The trouble was, the songbirds loved them too, and every morning at dawn would take up their positions right opposite his bedroom window. Their shrill chant would then begin, reaching a
    crescendo as more and more