FLASH FICTION

 THE GIFT

As she ran her finger round the rim she caught a fleeting glimpse of her son Sam through the reflection of her glass. Childhood dreams, tears from grazed knees and the confusion of adololescence banished to a bygone age.  The mould was now complete for today he becomes a man.

She looked up at the inscripted ’21 Today’ celebratory bunting flapping in the gentle breeze. With David’s guidance she had applied her utmost in preparing him for the challenges of the adult world.

Jane had met David whilst covering the Teachers’ Strike for regional broadcasting.

He was Headmaster at the local Grammer School and it had befallen upon him to

face the rigors of Jane’s interviewing skills. He was fifteen years her senior, a committed bachelor yet this girl was unique and fascinated him. Regardless of her drive and ambition she exuded genuine sincerity and compassion. Her intellectual standing matched his and he needed her.  His calming and practical influence had become her rock and stability. He was her soul mate, her confidante and she adored him.

His marriage proposal had been well planned. He had phoned her mobile one afternoon. “Hi sweetie, I have a report to do for the school Governors this evening and need to use the office to assess the files. Tell u what. Why not call in about 7 o’clock, and you can give it the once over before I send it.. Then we’ll  eat out”.  Jane happily agreed; it would be good to try that new Bistro on the High Street. She arrived at the school promptly at seven and could see David’s office door ajar. As she entered he stood up and walked towards her, hand outstretched. “Miss Lawson, pleasure to meet you”. She laughed, “Likewise Mr. Hayden”. He went down on one knee. Jane felt a sudden rush of heat

overwhelm her. “Jane Lawson, would you do me the greatest honour of becoming my wife. I have chosen to ask you here on the same spot we were first introduced. It is my favourite place” He giggles quietly to amuse her. I hope you say yes or maybe perhaps think it over. Her eyes filled with tears. “David, I would love to marry you, in fact I cannot envisage life without you but I know a day will come when I must let you go. You need a woman who will give you children. They are not on my agenda and I cannot stand in your way, time will tick on. I am so sorry darling”. He remained on bended knee “I have already made my decision. I have always known the furtherment of your career is paramount and non negotiable. Darling I wouldn’t want to break your spirit.

I love and want only you. Jane I need you”. She wept and threw her arms around him.

“Yes, yes Mr. Hayden, the answer is yes please”. He produced a small box and placed

a ring on her finger. She looked into his eyes. “Let’s celebrate at that new Bistro”.

They settled into married life. Jane felt secure and fulfilled; life had never been better.

David felt blessed; he had found love and companionship.

It was late on a hot humid evening when she returned exhausted from covering the local by-elections. David was in the garden, “Come, relax darling” He poured her a glass of

Wine. She rolled her head back and stared into the starlit sky. He sensed her anxiety. “Something wrong Jane?” She took a sip of wine. “I’ve been asked by News Division in London to apply for the  job of Foreign Correspondent in Africa. Of  course I won’t accept it. The position  would take me away at a moment’s notice and leaving you here. I haven’t forgotten the sacrifice you made for me  and now I must be fair to you. I’ll stay here with Regional News .  It’s non negotiable albeit good to know I made the grade.” . He took a sip of wine and sat back in silence.  She knew he was assessing the situation .  

“Tell you what” he relaxed back with his hands behind his head, “You’ve worked hard for this promotion, it’s in your blood. Let this work for both of us. Apply for the position if you want to. Should you be successful I can take early retirement and buy a small flat in London  where you’ll be based and I’ll  fly out and join you some of the time. Bit of an adventure and we’ll see some of the world. Also we can keep in touch with Skype”.   She felt the weight lift from upon her shoulders. “Oh David, it’s an option. It could

enhance new horizons for us both. Let me think on it”

She applied and accepted the position. David’s plan had served them well. He took early retirement and they moved to London. He joined her frequently. Life was good, adventurous and the world was their oyster.

She was covering the poverty in the Sudan when she heard he news. David had been in a road crash and his life was ‘hanging in the balance’.  The flight back to London was blurred by fearful anticipation. She would now take the helm and fight with him for his survival. 

Her compassionate leave gave her time for quiet reflection. Ambition and career no longer took their part. Priority had now shifted to a new dimension. Yes, she would have David’s child. She knew this was his wish and he would guide her through motherhood.

The birth was an emotional experience. As she cradled her newborn son Sam in her arms

he was a miniature of his father. The same thick hair and a dimple on his chin.

David was thrilled, so proud of them both. She knew he would be. Motherhood embraced her. The new life suckling from her had fuelled an intense bond she could never  forget. David had been right, for this fulfilled her and evaluated her new life within a different  perspective. 

She would sit quietly in the evenings reflecting with David  the joys of the day albeit nearly drifting off through tiredness. His pride shone through and indeed he may have forced her hand but she had made the right decision.

The excitement of the first steps as her little son tried to move towards her. Would they eventually resemble David’s lanky gait?

The tug of emotion at the first full day at the school gate and the familiarities of parenting were helped with  David’s guidance and reassurance. She was thankful for that .

As the years progressed Sam strongly inherited his father’s profile and physique.

Earlier photos of David as a boy were almost identical. Characteristically he had Jane’s single mindedness and strong desire to succeed; a trait David so admired and luckily  harboured his father’s calmness and rational thinking abilities.

Jane eventually eased herself back into the career fold within the Media. Sam, possibly influenced by his mother’s career path studied  Politics at University. A good choice

and two proud parents.

She would always remember his 21^st birthday. Friends he had known from the cradle, School and University had all assembled to mark his historic occasion. She looked round and pondered for this generation would be the future; salesmen, doctors, Personal Trainers, Financiers, Lawyers, Engineers. The country would be in their hands.

The music stopped and an announcement  that Sam wanted to make a speech came over the microphone. He took hold of it and amongst a few quirky jokes thanked all who had shared his special occasion. Lastly he turned to Jane. As he began to thank her she noticed  David had appeared beside him. As he finished his speech his father’s image phased back into his son.

David had died from his injuries the day after the  road crash yet  had lived on through his son.

He had a paranoia regarding a premonition of early death; a trait Jane had deplored yet it had prompted him to leave her a gift in his Last Will and Testament. Unknown to her he had donated frozen sperm. If  the premonition should be his fate she had the option to keep  part of him in their child and he would guide her or perhaps she would wish to move on.

She made her choice and knew it had been the right one.. . .