Dark Clouds & Silver Linings

By Russell Brandon

Joe and Mandy were destined to be married eventually. So, when they discovered that a errors of judgement really do have consequences, they thought the solution would be easy. They would get married immediately and live happily ever after. After all this was just a speed bump along the road to the life they had always dreamed of. Unfortunately, it was more like a roadblock that would cost them everything that was familiar and exile them to an unknown and uncertain future far from home, friends and family.
At first Joe and Mandy thought that love was enough, particularly when Michelle joined their little family. They discovered, too late, that dark forces were at work. These were forces that would split families, damage lives and cause untold damage for many years until the little family found forgiveness and the will to forgive each other and others as well.
Michelle was the first to discover that real love, the love that Jesus showed, was the only way to joy, peace and, best of all, forgiveness. Then she found that it was even better if that love and forgiveness was shared with others. As the dark clouds began to fade and the silver linings spread light into the darkness that was her life, Michelle discovered a new world full of happy surprises.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Russell Brandon
• Release date: Apr 29, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311434036

Russell Brandon

Russell Brandon is a grandfather who lives near Brisbane in Australia. He has written plenty of business proposals, training materials, industry submissions and reports. One day he looked at the world and said, “This is not the world I want for my grandchildren”. Night after night, the News is full of violence and hatred. It was violence against women and children in particular that gave Russell a heavy heart.He believes the Bible holds the secret to a better world. So he wanted to use the writing skills he picked up over the years to compose a little piece of fiction. It was to be a tale that would help his grandchildren understand the joy of living a life that follows the example that Jesus set.So “A Rainbow in my Heart” became a reality and Russell has since completed more books.

Book preview

Dark Clouds & Silver Linings

by Russell Brandon

Published by Russell Brandon at Smashwords

Copyright 2014 Russell Brandon

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favourite eBook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Dedication

To my beautiful wife Jan who prays for our children and grandchildren daily.

Jan introduced me to two books by Frank Peretti.

This Present Darkness and Piercing the Darkness gave me inspiration to introduce angels and demons into this story.

About this book

If you haven’t guessed already, this is a work of fiction about people living a Christian life. If that really offends you, you could stop reading now. On the other hand, why not give it a try. I think you will enjoy the story anyway. It relates to one family’s struggle to recover from a less than perfect start. They come across some serious speed bumps along the way.

We first met some of the characters in my first book, A Rainbow in my Heart. You don’t need to read A Rainbow in my Heart first to enjoy this book but you will understand a couple of supporting characters much better if you do. You will be able to find A Rainbow in my Heart wherever you downloaded Dark Clouds & Silver Linings.

Book 1: Dark Clouds Gathering

Chapter 1

Joe and Mandy had known each other their whole life. They were born in a tiny country town and were both the only children in their families. Both sets of parents appeared to be too busy making money and building businesses to take the time for more kids or even for the kids they already had for that matter.

Joe and Mandy earned a name in town as spoiled rich kids. They came from similar backgrounds and families who moved in the same circles. Their parents were the backbone of the church and seemed able to impose their will on how it operated by pure force of the dollar. Joe and Mandy just seemed to gravitate towards each other naturally, early in life.

They were best friends all through primary school. School was always rather easy for both of them. They seemed to understand maths concepts and had a good grasp of reading and writing from a very young age. This tended to further alienate them from other kids in the school who seemed to have much more trouble with school work. They spent a lot of time in the playground together to avoid the disapproving looks of their classmates.

When they were twelve, they had decided that one day they would get married. They each opened a bank account named ‘wedding’ and religiously banked half their pocket money every week. Joe had dreams of being able to build a house as soon as they were married. Mandy had dreams of a fairy-tale wedding with beautiful gowns, horse-drawn carriages and orchestras playing waltzes. Their pocket money was much more than what the other kids would receive so the half they kept to use still made them appear rich and spoilt.

At thirteen, they shared a first kiss. Joe thought it tingled his lips but wanted to try it again sometime. Mandy thought it rocked her world and she actually saw stars. At fifteen, they agreed to get married when they were twenty. They started to plan in earnest and talked to their parents about their wedding plans. They would be finished university by then. Joe would have a double degree in accounting and business and Mandy would have qualifications in agriculture and business. It was planned that way so they could join the family businesses. Their fathers had already talked about merging the two businesses once the kids were married.

When they were sixteen they started sneaking to each other’s house when their parents were out.

At seventeen, Mandy had asked Joe to drive her to their favourite picnic spot one day after school. It was a beautiful place. There was plenty of soft green grass with picnic tables and shady trees overlooking a clean flowing stream. Every week-end during summer the place filled with locals. They swam, kicked footballs, played in the kids’ adventure playground and enjoyed picnics. It was a place that built community. It was the only place in town where there was no division of young and old or rich and poor, they were all just townspeople sharing the beauty of nature and having fun.

Joe and Mandy loved the place. They always had. When they were young, it was somewhere they could relax and be themselves. As they grew up, it was the place where they could be kids, which was something they were never allowed to be in their own homes. The other kids would include them in play without judging. There they were just like any of the town’s children and not the spoiled rich brats.

Joe often thought that he may be spoiled but that just brought unhappiness. All it really meant was that no one except Mandy loved him, and that he never had any fun. This was a place where he always had fun.

Mandy got out of the car and sat on a grassy mound overlooking the stream. It was so peaceful. The only noise was the sound of water flowing around the rocks, the rocks they would dive from in summer, the sound of the wind through the trees, and the birds singing in the branches.

Being out there when there was no one else around was just so relaxing, and Mandy badly needed to relax that afternoon. She also needed Joe to be there for her and, as if in answer to her prayer, he came and sat close beside her.

Joe, she took his hand but couldn't quite look him in the eyes, I think I might be pregnant.

There was silence for moments that seemed like hours to Mandy.

You think? Might be? he asked, a little confused. How can that be? What does ‘might be’ mean?

I think you know the ‘how’, she answered with a nervous giggle, looking at him finally. Might means I'm late, but we won't know for sure until I take a test.

Well let's go get the test. Joe squeezed her hand and tried to reassure her with a smile.

I can't just rock up to the chemist and ask for a pregnancy test kit, Joe. Mandy was trying, unsuccessfully, to feel reassured. In this town, everyone will know five minutes after I leave the shop.

Of course! I should have thought of that. We'll head into the Regional Centre. And Mandy, he said, whatever the result, you know I love you. I will always look after you.

Mandy relaxed finally. Joe had said the very words she needed to hear.

*

Thirty kilometres from their home was a large town that had grown around the main railway line. A feature of the town was the Regional Centre, which was a very large shopping complex, with a big supermarket and variety store at each end, a cinema in the middle and lots of little stores joining them all together. People would come from all the surrounding towns to do their weekly shopping, to get new clothes or just to hang out in the air-conditioning.

Joe parked in the huge car park under the building. They went together hand in hand up the escalator and into the large chemist shop. In the chemist in their home town, you could just walk up to the counter and ask for what you want. By the time you went home, the whole town knew what medicines you were taking or about any of the other, sometimes embarrassing, things you purchased. The shop Joe and Mandy were in had rows and rows of shelves. You had to find what you wanted, help yourself then take it to the checkout.

How can there be so many brands? Joe said scratching his head as he looked at the shelf full of ‘Discovery’, ‘Clear Blue’, ‘First Response’ and many more. How many different ways can there be to find out if you are pregnant?

Mandy giggled but picked up a test kit and they hurried to the checkout. The assistant raised an eyebrow. Joe frowned. He could see exactly what she was thinking but at least this young lady had no idea who they were or where they were from. He knew there was little chance of their parents finding out before they even got home.

Mandy disappeared into the public toilets and Joe waited on a bench outside watching people walking past. Some were hurrying, some were dawdling. Joe was amazed that so many people could be in one place at one time. A couple of young mothers pushing prams strolled by. A small child in one of the prams waved at him as she and her mother passed by. Joe waved back and smiled broadly. His heart soared when the child smiled back.

Mandy will make a great mother, he thought as he watched. I guess now is not a great time but it doesn't really matter and, anyway, it may be a false alarm. I think it might be cool to be a dad.

His thoughts were interrupted as he noticed that Mandy was heading his way, looking like the weight of the world was on her shoulders. He knew the answer before she came anywhere near him.

I guess you were right, he said as soon as she sat down next to him. She nodded. He turned to face her and took her hands in his.

Amanda Jane Jordan, he said. Will you marry me?

She seemed vulnerable as she looked at him nervously. For a minute she said nothing and he thought she might cry. Then suddenly, she smiled.

Well, I've already agreed to that. But, if you mean let's do it now and not wait until we’re twenty, the answer is yes to that as well. She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him.

*

On the way home, they went back to the picnic spot to make some plans.

Later they drove to Mandy’s house. They were quite excited now that they had decided what they would do. Joe would quit school and get a job. He was always going to work in his father’s business anyway and had already spent many school holidays working and learning the ropes. One day he would take over the business. That’s the reason we had a child, he had heard his father say one day. Joe remembered thinking at the time that it always seemed to him that it was the only reason.

His father would just have to make a space in the company for him earlier than planned.

Mandy would finish school, then have the baby early in the next year. They would be married by then and after the wedding they would move into the guest rooms on the ground floor of Joe’s parents’ house. The suite of rooms was hardly ever used because few guests visited the home. They could stay until they could manage to buy their own place. The guest rooms were private enough and they could come and go without disturbing Joe’s parents much.

They drove to Mandy’s house first and asked her parents if they could talk.

We’d like to get married, Joe said when they sat down with Mandy’s mother and father.

Well, we know that, Mrs Jordan said looking suitably confused. We’ve got about three years to plan the wedding.

No! We would like to get married now! Joe didn’t quite know how to explain.

Mandy’s father sat quietly. He had an uneasy feeling that this wasn’t going to be pleasant. Her mother just looked confused.

I’m pregnant, mum. Mandy could see that Joe was struggling.

No, you can’t be, Mrs Jordan screamed. She was flustered now. I won’t allow it. I mean, um, ah. No it can’t be!

Her face had turned red and not even she knew what she was trying to say. It didn’t matter because at that moment her husband decided to stand. He knew, from so many years in business, that by standing he would dominate the room and intimidate those in it.

Be quiet, woman! he said more loudly than was necessary. There will be no wedding. You, Amanda, are going to finish school without the distraction of a husband and a child.

But dad, Mandy started.

Quiet! he shouted before turning on Joe. You will leave my house, now! You are no longer welcome here.

Joe wanted to say something but the look in Mr Jordan’s eyes warned that he risked a violent end if he so much as opened his mouth. He stood to leave.

Wait! said the older man, on second thoughts, I haven’t finished with you yet.

Joe stopped. His head was down and his shoulders were slumped. This was not going as he had planned.

Tomorrow you will take Amanda to the medical centre. My wife and I are busy people and we will not be wasting our time on this. At the doctor’s, she will get a referral to the abortion clinic in town. You will then make an appointment with the clinic for next Monday. You will take her there Monday, have the procedure done and bring her home. Once that is done you will never see Amanda again. You will have to change schools for the rest of the year.

You want me to kill my baby? Mandy said quietly with tears in her voice.

Go to bed, young lady, Her father ignored her plea for her baby and didn’t care that she hadn’t had dinner. He turned on Joe and pointed to the door. Go now!

*

Joe had driven back to the picnic spot. He wanted time to think before he went home to face his own parents. He hoped they would understand better than Mandy’s parents did. By the time he went home a new plan had started to form in his mind.

As he walked through the door, his father grabbed him and dragged him by the arm into the study where his mother waited with a shocked look on her face and tears in her eyes.

I’ve just got off the phone with Jordan. He hardly disguised the disgust in his voice. For forty minutes he shouted and abused me and all because of your stupidity. We were heading towards a merger that would make us all rich after you and that girl got married. Now that’s all lost because you couldn’t control yourself. I never trusted that girl. I’ll bet she led you on.

Is that all we are to you and Mandy’s parents? Joe spat out. We are just business collateral. I’m not going to listen to you talk about Mandy as if she’s just some chattel to be traded. I’m going to bed.

How can I show my face at church? Joe heard his mother wail. The ladies from the gossip club will shun me.

He headed towards the stairs.

You haven’t heard the end of this, young man, his father shouted after him as Joe ran upstairs and slammed his bedroom door shut.

Okay, forget about help from any of our parents, he thought as he lay on his bed. I know one thing. Mandy and I will love our baby and not treat it like some sort of possession. I’ve got to think of a new plan.

He picked up his phone. He and Mandy had long ago developed a special code they used to ensure that they could have private conversations. He typed a text.

"hey J"

This meant ‘Joe here. Are you alone? Can we talk safely?’

He pressed ‘send’ and waited. Almost immediately a reply came back.

"hey A"

This meant ‘Amanda here. I’m out of earshot of everyone. Give me ten seconds to turn off the ring tone.’ He dialled her number.

I’m so sorry I left you alone, he said as soon as she picked up. Was it too terrible after I left?

No, I ran to my room and locked the door, Mandy replied. What are we going to do, Joe? I don’t want to kill our baby.

They were speaking hardly above a whisper but he could hear the tears in her voice.

It’s okay, sweetie, he said. "I’m not going to let that happen. We can still get married as soon as possible and get away from our parents. It seems we won’t get support from here either. My dad sees us as a failed merger.

I have to pick you up to go to the doctor’s surgery tomorrow so we can talk then. We could go to the church and ask the minister to marry us. He preached forgiveness last week so he should accept us as forgiven sinners trying to do the right thing.

Good idea, Mandy replied. I better go. The shouting coming from downstairs has stopped so I guess they could be coming up. See you tomorrow.

I’ll pick you up at nine. Bye.

*

I’m glad to be out of there, Mandy said after they left the medical centre. Why did we let him make the referral? We won’t be going to that stupid clinic, I hope.

Definitely not! Joe replied. But we don’t want to let your parents know that yet. I would bet that the doctor reports to your father before the end of the day.

They play golf together so that’s a pretty sure bet. Mandy was starting to better understand Joe’s plan. It was pretty embarrassing just to have to go through all that poking and prodding with the smug look on the doctor’s face.

I want to call in to the church on the way home to check out the possibility of getting married quietly in the church. Joe wanted to set up the next part of his plan.

Unfortunately, the minister had already heard from Mandy’s father and was not about to jeopardise the biggest cheque in his weekly offering bag.

So, I guess you want me to plead for forgiveness for your sin, he said before they even had a chance to speak. "Well you should have thought of that before you started sneaking around doing things that God surely won’t forgive you for.

You have brought nothing but shame on this whole congregation. I will have to pray that God will not bring judgement on the rest of us because of you. I understand that you entertained ideas of getting married. I have to tell you that your parents would have to agree to that because you are under eighteen. But even if they did, this church would not be available to cover the evil deeds of sinners. You need to follow the advice of your parents and get rid of the evidence.

Let’s get out of here, Mandy, Joe said through clenched teeth. Love and forgiveness were last week’s sermon. There’s none left for this week.

Mandy was crying by the time they got to the car. Joe hugged her tight and kissed her hair while he thought up a new plan.

I guess it’s just us against the rest, he said. But I love you, and together we love our baby. We are going to get through this together, Mandy. I won’t let anybody harm our baby, ever.

She smiled up at him and he wiped her tears with his thumbs. Joe drove to the picnic spot so they could sit and think to the relaxing sounds of nature. They talked for an hour about options and agreed that they had to get out of this town and never come back. Eventually they agreed on what they wanted to do.

Here’s our new plan, Joe said. "Tomorrow is Saturday and we need to play it cool for the day. I’m just going to stay in my room and read all day or I will do some internet research into where we can go and things we can do. We should both keep out of our parents’ way for the day. To be safe if you need to talk we should do it by text. Just for one day.

"Sunday we will go to church in the morning. Our parents never miss going to both morning and night services. At night we will tell them we are too tired after all that has happened this week and need to stay home from the evening service so we can get an early night. Tell them you need to be ready for Monday morning if they hesitate.

As soon as your parents leave for church pack all the stuff you need for the rest of your life, and can safely take from home without your parents noticing. As soon as it’s packed, call me and I will be over so we can load it into my car. I will do the same and we will be in bed fast asleep by the time they get home.

I don’t think I will be able to sleep, Mandy interrupted.

Then just pretend. That’s probably what I will do. We need to do whatever it takes to make sure they don’t come in and check out our cupboards. Joe was enjoying the clandestine nature of the plan. Monday, I will pick you up at nine as planned and we will head towards the clinic. We won’t stop. We will drive straight past and keep going. And we will never come back to this place.

That’s a bit scary, she said. To think we won’t ever be back.

"I know but