Heart’S Bondage Revealed

By Shirley Hassen

Jason, his mother and grandfather toiled the hard clay soil. The non-existence of rain for months is a hardship on their efforts to grow their few vegetables. Several weeks, the strong vegetables were ready to harvest. There would be enough for a few weeks for the family and enough to sell at the market. Jennys father confided happily to her, The Lad and Lassies, be getting a present on the morrow. That will be a lovely surprise for the wee Bains, Pappa. Midday of the same morning distant dust clouds disturbed the dirt track. The old man called to Jason, Hurry Laddie! Take your sisters into the cellar! Jenny racing behind Jason, continued inside to fetch her fathers rifle and bullets. The rebels destroy the vegetable patches and taking most of Jennys meagre food supply. Jasons drawing talent gets them some money for food. The stranger, Martha befriends Jason in Cuba. She writes asking him to work for her in Australia. Assuring Jason her offer is not charity, Jason accepts. AND SO Jason and Ruthys lives in Australia began. Life is normal for them until Jason return to Cuba to collect the key to his mothers Jewelry box.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris AU
• Release date: Apr 9, 2010
• ISBN: 9781477164785

Book preview

Chapter One

It was the year 1959 and Fidel Castro, with his band of rebels fought fiercely against the Dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista’s control of Cuba. Fidel Castro’s rebels being tough mercenaries, their fighting wrought with great aggression caused much maiming and blood shed to the Cuban people. The long months of Fidel Castro’s waring for his cause, was frightening to the innocent peasants who were unfortunate to be binding in this disaster area. The horror and cruelty of the rebellion was traumatic, with many innocent lives lost… and there were many innocent lives lost. Fleeing their homes, the peasants could carry little or no possessions with them. The frightened peasants, many wounded and bleeding profusely were helped by their stronger neighbour to whatever safety could be found for them. The wounded, already dying and being a great burden to the other fleeing peasants, had to be left behind.

Living far from this waring area and being fortunate to be unaffected by Fidel Castro’s rebellion, poorer peasants contended with a different kind of struggle. For these peasants, the drought left most of their farm soils almost void of growing edible vegetables for their tables. These farmers; their lands becoming arid from months of no rain, were trying desperately to keep their families from starvation and thirst.

When the rainy season had come, there should have been ample to fill the wells and soften the arid earth. The anxious peasants expected much muddied ground but the rainfall, although heavy it was short; with sparsely enough water to quarter fill the small wells. The drought continuing a long time had the farmer peasants sadly pondering theirs, and their families’ futile futures. For some farmers suicide was their only way for peace. Other farmers contemplated suicide but were not brave enough to end their life. So these and other peasants lived the best they could with what was meted out to them and prayed for a good rain.

On one of these farms, the sixty-nine year old, Mickel Brandt toiled many long hours every day until he had become too weary to toil further. The old man was helped with his toiling by his thirty-year-old widowed daughter Jenny, and her fifteen year-old son Jason. Side by side the three toiled hard. After hours of toiling and the hard ground painstakingly dug, the soil only permitted a few seeds to mature. Most of the planted vegetable seeds grew to stunted weeds. This being no surprise the old man, the healthier plants, there also very few, had for many weeks, put a pittance of food on the table. Being more aware of their plight than his young family, the old man hoped the other vegetables would soon mature enough to pick. This hope had the old man pushing himself to toil harder, to have extra vegetables for selling at the markets.

Although the old man felt privileged at having his younger grandchildren; twelve-year-old Carmell, ten-year-old Jainette and three-year-old Ruthy; living with him, he grudgingly admitted that his three granddaughters were extra burdens. Loving them dearly; his family being his life, the old man felt that in someway, he was failing them.

Often when the old man toiled it was with the disapproving looks from his daughter Jenny who secretly watched him toiling hard. Jenny often wondered what the reason was as to why her father toiled hard backbreaking and more hours than her and Jason. Her father’s working much harder than her and Jason; Jenny had guessed, was to try to ease the strain on them. Many times and with much determination she had tried working faster but tired quickly. Knowing her father would not heed her pleas of, Pappa you be letting Jaise and me do the toiling, but would exhaustedly and stubbornly continue to toil harder.

Adding to the old man’s concern for his family was the lack of rain for many months. Their well being almost dry and hoping a heavy downpour would come soon and relieve their burden, the old man hid his concerns from Jenny. Rationing the irrigating water to every third day was not helping the few plots of worked ground. The heat of the sun dried the ground almost before the water could soak fully in.

It was after the evening meal was over and their chores of clearing the table and washing the dishes that Carmell, Jainette and Ruthy were allowed a short time to play quietly and then were sent to bed. It was their soft snores heard by Jenny that told her, her young children were sleeping.

The wearied Jenny and Jason retiring soon after the girls, were instantly asleep.

Resting on his cot, his thoughts deep the old man had also fallen into a deep sleep. His sleep soon became disturbing and troubled. It was in the late hours of the night, the loud booming followed by bright flashes of lightning cutting across the sky, startled the old man awake. The loud rumbling thunder causing heavy trembles, shaking the house, the early morning found the old man still not able to settle. Pushing the thin faded blanket from him, he shoved his wrinkled feet into his worn slippers then shuffled across to his small window. The dark clouds hovering low and eerie had the old man sighing heavily and he shuffled to the kitchen.

Seeing Jenny already in the kitchen, he greeted, Good morning Jenny, me girl.

Giving a yawn, Jenny gave a light reply, Good morning to you Pappa.

His arms folded and slumped over the thick well-worn wooden table the old man stared at the low flickering lamp as lightning lit up the room. The brightened room had him tell Jenny, There be no need for the lamp. It was when the lightning flashes faded and the room returned to semi-darkness that the old man gave a wane grin. In reality, the thunder and lightning were wonderful sounds to the old man and as the flickering lamplight threw dark shadows across his age-worn face and along the walls he anxiously told Jenny, I know there be rain coming soon. Becoming more thoughtful he gazed across at the small kitchen window covered with the clean, almost thread-bare curtain and then to his daughter, her back to him, cooking at the stove.

Jenny having been up earlier than her father, now had his breakfast ready for him. Placing his plate of one fried egg and a slice of damper in front of him, she rested a hand on his stooped bony shoulder then jovially spoke, It does look like a good down-pour be coming, Pappa.

Looking up from his breakfast, he patted her hand and grinning, answered, I be hoping so, Jenny. God knows we be wanting rain bad enough. Picking up his knife and fork, he began to slowly eat.

Moving from her father, Jenny leant wearily against the heavy wooden cupboard. Looking wanly around the sparsely furnished kitchen and then giving a glance across at her father, Jenny’s heart felt heavy for the aging man. As he ate slowly, she studied his thinning snowy-white hair that clung to his dark skinned wrinkled neck, showing him older than his years. A tear brimming, she wiped it away with the back of her hand then wiped her hand down her chequered patterned apron.

Jason’ greeted, Good morning Mumma! Good morning Grandpa! dismissing his grandpa’s accusing frown Jason settled heavily beside him.

Carmell and Jainette, holding Ruthy’s hands came noisily into the kitchen. Seating Ruthy on her stool, the fidgeting Ruthy, squealed to her mother, I is hungry!

Putting a meagre meal before each child, Jenny laughingly scolded, You being always hungry, my Lassie! Seating herself next to Ruthy and watching Ruthy eat hungrily, a grin formed on Jenny’s mouth as she remembered of earlier that morning, a teary-eyed Ruthy stumbling and screaming into her bedroom. Her daughter had been genuinely frightened of the thunder. Looking at Ruthy, now eating contented… the early morning was hard to imagine.

Jenny smiled doting at the blonde curly head, then studied her other children. Carmell’s dark curls hung soft and loose across her shoulders, a thin frayed black ribbon held them off her face. Jenny had to admit to herself that her eldest daughter was a pretty girl and without vanity, she saw herself as a young lassie, in Carmell.

Regardless of her many freckles across her nose, Jainette was pretty. Her thin slightly curly fair hair gave her an angelic look. Her petite build made her look as though she was undernourished, but she would, Jenny thought, be a tall lassie in adulthood. Jenny’s smile widened as she looked over at Jason. She again thought, such a handsome laddie. His black wavy hair falling to just below his ears, gave him the look of one of her native Highlander Heroes. Her being but a wee bairn when her parents left Ireland, she had seen pictures of such handsome laddies such as Rob Roy, in a book on her shelf. Frowning lightly at Jason, she thought, My Jaise, he being a good toiler and a good laddie… and he being the image of his father…

The tugging on her arm interrupted Jenny’s thoughts. Ruthy want to get down! Her tight blond curls bobbing in unison with each movement of her head as she wriggled and almost falling from the stool. Settling Ruthy back onto the stool, Jenny spoke firmly, You be finishing your damper! Jenny watched amused as Ruthy pushed the last of her damper into her partly full mouth. The damper swallowed Jenny began

Wiping Ruthy’s face. It was the playful yelling of her other children becoming noisier; that Jenny knew she would have to end the melee.

Jainette was shrieking at her sister, You are not, Carmell!

Jason intervening, yelled, Stop this bickering, now!

Both girls yelled in unison, You stop bossing us, Jaise!

Hands on his hips, Jason firmly stated, I am older than you! So I can boss you!

That be enough squabbling! Jenny’s; soft-spoken Irish brogue, silenced them. Absently pushing a stray strand of her ebony coloured hair from her forehead, Jenny pressed it firmly behind her smallish ear. Her father’s noisy standing from the stool startling her, she turned towards her father. She gave him a forlorn frown.

Heavily grabbing up his wide-brimmed hat from off the long narrow stool, the old man’s native brogue more pronounced than his daughter’s, he spoke impatiently to Jason, Jaise my boy! If you be all done with eating, we have hurried work to be done. Although his words sounded authorative, his words had not been an order but a request.

Chewing on his last piece of damper, Jason mumbled, Yes Grandpa. Gulping down the damper, he asked, Where do you want me to be starting, Grandpa?

You be doing the new potato patch. Looking at the seated Jenny, he added, Your Mither, she be doing the weeding. Shuffling to the kitchen door he looked back at Jason, and as though it were an after thought, spoke matter-of-factly, I be digging the irrigation channels for… .

Interrupting his grandpa, Jason exclaimed, But Grandpa! That be my work! His grandpa’s deep frown had Jason hurrying his words, It be too heavy for you t…

Pointing a thin bony finger at Jason as he indignantly interrupted him, the old man spoke firm, I be wanting no argument from you, Laddie! You just be toiling your lot! The old man’s heavy shuffling from the room had Jason hurriedly pushing himself from the table and calling, Yes! Grandpa! Jason quickly followed his grandpa outside.

Watching Jason leave the room, Jenny stood quickly. Looking stern at her two older daughters, her voice when she spoke was like her father’s, gentle but authorative, When you be finishing your kitchen chores… you play outside with Ruthy. At Carmell’s questioning look towards her, Jenny said, It will not be raining for some time yet. Giving each daughter an understanding smile, she added, The vegetables have done better this month and so you will each be having a surprise when Grampa and Jaise return from the town on the ‘morrow.

Glancing at the cracked glass square clock Jenny, stifling a yawn, again spoke to her daughters, It already be seven of the morning and there be much toiling to be done before the rain comes. Turning from her children, Jenny hurried out

Outside, on the worn wood floor veranda, Jenny paused as she thought, Should I have told the Lassies of their coming surprise? Hearing the noisy laughter from inside, a smiling Jenny shook her head in happy defeat. Taking up the hoe then her chaff-bag apron from the wall nail, she walked briskly towards the partly ploughed yard.

Chapter Two

Reaching her allotted chore, Jenny tied her apron on. Grabbing up the hoe she began the arduous chore of weeding.

Trying to beat the expected downpour, the three toiled two more hours.

The old man called hoarsely to Jason, Boy! Ye be finishing now! The storm be not too far off! It be best that ye be loading the wagon.

Breathing heavily and brushing his long fringe untidily from his face, Jason looked across at his grandpa and called, Alright Grandpa!

Several minutes later, Jenny, stopping her hoeing, called to them, I be fetching you both a drink from the well!

Jason called, "I am feeling thirsty, Mumma!"

In almost one movement as he passed the heavy chaff bag to Jason, the old man waved his hand in thanks.

Her shoulders slightly drooped, Jenny strode hurriedly toward the house and her noisy playing children.

Seeing her mother coming towards her, Carmell raced to her and with pleading, asked, Mamma! Can we be eating soon?

Rubbing affectionately at Carmell’s hair, Jenny answered, We be eating soon, Carmell. But first Mumma must be fetching water for Grandpa and Jaise."

Close to tears, Ruthy yelled, Mumma! Mumma! Roofy hungry!

Lifting Ruthy into her aching arms, Jenny kissed the top of the blond curly head then placing her down beside Carmell, chided softly, Shhhh my baby. You be eating soon.

Jenny then hurrying to the old well loosened the rust-worn tin bucket on its rope, and then lowered it until she heard the sound of water. Waiting several seconds for the bucket to fill, she began winding back the rope. Pulling the bucket to the side of the chipped well ledge Jenny was annoyed to see the bucket only a quarter full. Trying not to disturb the mud at the bottom of the bucket, she carefully scooped up one cup at a time. A cup in each hand and walking hurriedly to the wagon and having spilt a minute of the water, she handed Jason a cup. Leaning from the wagon and taking a firm grip of his cup, Jason gulped thirstily.

Giving her father his cup, his hands shaking, the old man took the cup with both hands. Glancing into the cup and seeing the shaded water, he drank slowly. As thirsty as he was, being aware of how empty the well must be, he knew the consequences of having to conserve what little water they had. Slurping the dregs of water, he handed the waiting Jenny the cup, His keen hearing heard the thundering hooves and his sudden agitation as he looked across the small field was noticed by Jenny. Frowning, as she looked to where her father was looking, she asked, What be the matter Pappa?

Needing only a moment to know the cause of his fear, turning to Jason he yelled, "Jason! Boy!

Hearing the urgency in his grandpa’s voice and believing he must have hurt himself, Jason jumped from the wagon.

You be taking your sisters to the wood cellar! Seeing Jason about to speak, his grandpa voice hoarse, again ordered, Ye no be straggling, Laddie. Go… goooo!

In his haste to obey his grandpa, Jason stumbled from the wagon. Hurriedly righting himself he ran wildly toward his sisters, sitting on the veranda. Jason had learnt not to question his grandpa’s orders. Reaching his sisters and grabbing Carmell and Jainette by their arms, he pulled them from the steps and began pushing them towards the direction of the cellar.

Jason’s tight grip pinching her arm Jainette gave a squeal.

Not knowing the reason for her brother’s pulling at them, Carmell shouted, You stop bossing us, Jason!

Glaring at his sisters, Jason yelled, Grandpa said we be getting to the cellar… and quickly! Now you both be moving. Not liking Jason’s bullying of them, both girls refused to move. At their still rebellious attitude, Jason yelled, I said, now! Jainette was the first to obey. Although Carmell followed her sister, she was slightly slower but at Jason’s louder, Now! she hurried faster. Jason’s yelling caused Ruthy to cry.

Standing worriedly beside her father but not knowing why he was so agitated, Jenny did not hesitate when he ordered…Jenny! Ye be bringing my rifle and you be hurrying, Lass!

Her father’s shaky words registering to her, Jenny raced for the house. Her panicked running had her several times almost tripping on her long skirts. Running past Jason, her mind only on getting her father’s rifle and bullets, she leaped up the steps. The rifle under her arm and the grubby box of bullets clutched in her hand she raced back to her father.

Grabbing the rifle and bullets from Jenny’s dirt-stained hands and in his panic to load the old rifle, the old man spilt several bullets.

A tensed Jason trying to hold onto Ruthy was still fighting his sisters to hurry with him to the cellar.

Hearing the struggling children, this being a further upset to her already taught nerves, it was high-pitched screamsof Ruthy that had Jenny racing back to the melee. Jason! Take your sisters to the cellar! Now!

Almost in tears, he yelled, But Mamma! They will not come with me!

Hitting the girls hard across their cheeks, Jenny fiercely ordered, Go with Jaise! Go now!

The crying Ruthy, unsure why her mumma was yelling and why she was angry, began crying louder.

Pulling Ruthy to her, Jenny soothed, Mamma not be angry with Ruthy.

Cradling the shaking child, Jenny was relieved when she saw her other children disappear around the house. Looking upwards, Jenny whimpered, Please forgive me my anger at the lassies. Eyes smarting she stumbled hurriedly back to her father.

The old man seeing Ruthy, spoke angrily, Why is the lass not with the others?

Her nerves taut and at her father’s accusation, Jenny; for the first time in her life, spoke in anger to her father, There be no time for a sermon, Pappa!

Seeing his daughter’s agitation, he spoke low, I be sorry, Jeanette.

Giving a wane smile as she snuggled close to her father’s bony body, she sobbed, Forgive me, Pappa.

Loud rhythmic pounding of hooves was sounding closer and the old man, pushing Jenny from him, whispered, It be alright, daughter. Placing his hand comforting on Jenny’s arm and then patting the squirming Ruthy on her head, he faced the direction of the dust clouds and the reckless approaching riders.

The wild yelling riders whipping their snorting mounts into an uncontrollable frenzy, charged through the wide gate opening. Loosening choking dust, the leader stopped several yards from Jenny and her father

Coughing as the choking dust covered her, Jenny pressed Ruthy’s face against her.

Releasing one arm from around Ruthy, Jenny rubbed at her wet eyes smearing them with the choking dust.

Ruth pulled hard at several strands of her mother’s hair but Jenny seemed oblivious of the hurting. She was watching in hypnotic terror as the leader of the renegade rebels dismounted and stood tall and menacing in front of her. Bending evilly towards her, Jenny gave an involuntary shudder as he moved his thick tongue slowly across his cracked, dirt-stained lips.

Moving protectively closer to Jenny and Ruthy, the old man’s question to the rebel was abrupt, What would you want from us?

Grinning slyly at Jenny, then at her father, the rebel turned to his unruly clad riders. With sudden movement he turned tormenting back to face the pathetic figures.

The roaring laughter from the leader the others joining him, startled Jenny, causing her to almost drop Ruthy.

The unexpected laughtr of the rebels startled the old man but he showed no sign of his unease, as he stood stubbornly proud.

Restless neighing of the horses and mooing from their only cow locked inside the old tin shed was sounded above the maniacal laughing and bantering of the rebels.

The crying Ruthy gripping Jenny’s flimsy blouse, pulled the blouse partly up from the waist. Angered at the rebels for Ruthy’s upset had Jenny stamp her foot angrily. Needing to be heard above the irritating noises, it was in a high-pitched voice, Jenny yelled, What you be wanting? The rebels’ deliberate continuous laughter irritating her, had her screaming almost inaudible, We have no money!

Jenny’s revelation seemed to amuse the rebel leader as he laughed louder.

Her father gripped his hand warningly on his daughter’s arm but Jenny being too upset to take heed, again screamed, You be gone! You filthy uncouth smelling…

A jeering gravel voice interrupted her, We sure got us a wild one this time!

Her father’s grip hurting her tightened more and Jenny looked surprised at her father. He had never hurt her before. Looking at him, Jenny realised her his reason for the hurting. His eyes pleaded for her to be quiet. But! Jenny’s realisation had come too late. The rebel leader suddenly had his arm around her slim waist. The smell of him almost making her faint. Trying to ignore his tight grip, Jenny tried shifting Ruthy to a more comfortable position on her hip. Ruthy’s louder cries had Jenny soothing her, Ye no be crying me Lassie. You will be alright.

At a signal from their leader, the renegades leapt from their mounts to form a half circle around the three. Their leader held Jenny tighter, causing her to whimper. Not loosening his hold on her, he threatened her father, Where do you keep your money and valuables, old man?

Defiantly, Jenny’s father quipped, We have none!

The rebels answer was a heavy smack to the old man’s mouth, knocking him to the ground. A horrified Jenny could only stare at the renegade as she tried to free herself from his grip. She needed desperately to go to her father, to wipe his bleeding mouth, to comfort him. She was also getting wearied arms from holding Ruthy.

Releasing his hold on Jenny and with closed fist the leader leaning over the shaking man again threatened, Where is your safe?

Trying to get to his feet, two rebels kicked his legs from under him while another hit him with the butt of his gun.

Flaying backwards the old man fell unconscious beside the rebel’s feet…

In sheer terror, Jenny screamed causing Ruthy to scream. Released from the leader’s grip on her Jenny blubbered, You heathen brethren… you filthy scum..mm.m… The punch to Jenny’s head was shattering. Loosening her hold of Ruthy, Jenny dazedly grabbed for her daughter but was too late, the rebel leader now held tightly to the screaming and wildly kicking Ruthy. You be letting the wee bain go, or I be killing you with my bare hands!

Jenny’s angry, high-pitched Irish brogue sent one of the rebels into more laughter as he mimicked, You hear yonder Lassie, me Laddies!

The leader watched cunningly as the old man regained consciousness. A signal from him had two rebels hold the old man up. Another signal from their leader, they let go of him.

Collapsing to the ground, the old man, trying to pull himself to his feet, slowly and agonizing, got himself to a kneeling position.

To the irritation of the rebel leader, the old man began praying…

Two rebels standing menacing beside him cocked their guns to his temple.

Aware of his fate, unashamed tears streaming down his cheeks, the old man prayed,

Watching her father’s brutal humiliation, Jenny cried wretchedly. Ruthy’s calling to her, Mumma! Mumma! Jenny looked at her daughter in time to witness the leader hit Ruthy across the face. Ruthy’s piercing screaming had him throwing her to the closest rebel as he yelled, Shut her up!

The old man’s stubbornness grating on the leader, the leader gave a signal towards the old shed.

Giving a quick look to her father then at the shed, Jenny’s heart began palpitating wildly. Seeing the cans in the renegades hands and knowing the cans contained the last of their fire starter fluid, she knew what they intended doing and she gave a piercing scream, Noooo! Ignoring her hate for the intruders, she pleaded, Oh, Lord No! The horses and cow be all we have!

The old man watched petrified as two riders, swinging their ropes above their head, raced toward him. Unable to hold his terror back, his loud scream sounded eerie as the rebels horses raced past him toward the shed. His shoulders loosely hunched, he hung his head in helpless defeat. Hearing the crackling of fire and the animals frightened noises… but he was not strong enough to look up. He continued to sob. He heard but did not see the singed, orientated animals break from the shed and stumble over the collapsed fence.

Chapter Three

Throwing the screaming Ruthy to each other across the hot smouldering embers of the shed it was for a long time that the renegades tormented Jenny to the brink of hysteria. The defeated Jenny sobbing pitifully, falling to her knees begged, Please! Give back my wee Bain!

Tiring of the sport and leaving Ruthy almost on the embers, the rebel leader stormed past the distort Jenny and towards the house. The jeering rebels followed him.

Scrambling to her feet and shaking uncontrollably, Jenny raced to the screaming Ruthy. Clinging possessively to her daughter, she stumbled over to her father. Kneeling beside him, her arm clinging tightly around his neck, her face close to his, she sobbed with relief when she saw her father was alive, Oh Pappa! I thought you be dead!

His hand on Jenny’s hand, the old man spoke weakly, I be a poor Pappa to you, Lassie.

You be a very brave Pappa. Touching the deep cut on his forehead she asked, Do you hurt bad, Pappa?

I be hurting a little Jenny but I be getting alright.

Putting Ruthy down, Jenny started feverishly feeling over her father’s limbs. You no broken at all. She grinned at her childish description of his hurting.

Jenny and her father had not moved when they witnessed the renegades racing noisily from the house. Looking over at the taunting rebels and noticing the paper bags and the wrapped blankets they held, Jenny whimpered in a hoarse whisper, "they be taking all our food, Pappa.’

Let them be taking it, Jenny. We be safe now… and the wee bairns.

Wiping her eyes, Jenny gave a shaky laugh, Pappa, Jason be no bairn… interrupted by the sound of the gun being cocked menacing in the rebel leader’s hand and his leaning threatening over them interrupted Jenny’s bravado to her father. Her chest palpitating madly, she became frightened for Ruthy and her father. Her arm tightening around Ruthy and moving closer to her father, Jenny sobbed, Oh Pappa?"

Giving a wane grin, the old man whispered, It be alright Lassie.

His face distorted in anger the rebel leader glared menacing at the huddled three. Snarling, he threatened, I will be back for you lady. Again, he rubbed his tongue across his dirty lips. Leaving the three still huddled together and as he pushed his gun into thee waist of his trousers, he shouted to the other rebels, Mount up you cringing dogs! Mounting his horse and shouting a louder order, the rebels raced their mounts across the broken fence. The noise of the racing hooves sent Ruthy into crying again.

Enclosing Ruthy close to her, Jenny started singing softly. Feeling Ruthy’s body relaxing, Jenny turned to her father and asked, Oh Pappa! Do you think Jaise and the Lassie’s being alright?

Oi Jeannette. Jaise he be a smart lad. Pushing his hand weakly toward her, he spoke tiredly, Come my Jenny, help your Pappa into the house.

Ruthy having stopped her crying, Jenny put her gently down then helped her father to his feet. His legs wobbly, she had to hold tight to keep him steady.

Carmel’s loud, Mumma! Mumma! Jaise was mean to us! He tied dirty rag around our mouths! Glaring at Jason, Carmell added, He was horrible to us! Her accusing yells sounding loud in the quietness.

Glaring angrily back at Carmell, Jason turned to his mother, Mumma! I had to. They would not stop yelling and crying and trying to get out! They even…

Pulling Jason to her, Jenny said, It be alright Jaise. You did what your Mumma asked. Staring sternly at Carmell and Jainette, she roused, You two be forgiving Jaise for his roughness. He be saving your lives.

The contrite Carmell and Jainette spoke at the same time, Thank you Jason.

Holding out one hand to her two daughters, Jenny coaxed, So come now, let me be holding my precious Lassies.

Mumma! Mumma! Racing into their mother’s arms their squeals excitedly loud, Carmell and Jainette almost pushed their grandpa from their mother’s hold. Teetering slightly, Jenny cautioned, You be watching your Grandpa!

Carmell apologised for the both of them, We being sorry Grandpa.

Jason could see his grandpa was not too badly hurt the blood having congealed on the cut on his forehead, he turned to his mother, Mumma, you be alright?

Smiling at Jason, Jenny assured him, Your Mumma, she being alright, Jaise, but Pappa he be needing some fixing. Shrugging her father further to her side, she added, You be helping me inside with your Grandpa and…

Interrupting Jenny, her father roused, Heaven forbid, Lassie! I am not dead yet so stop your fussing.

That is good to know, Grandpa. Jason’s light banter broke the seriousness of the past couple of hours.

Hurting more than he admitted and as he struggled up the steps, he held back a few seconds to see the carnage done by the intruders. Frowning deeply, he stared angrily around at the destruction wreaked by the rebels.

As he also looked around at the carnage, Jason felt a coward. He should not have hid in the cellar like a scared rabbit. He should have been protecting his family.

As though reading her son’s mind, Jenny said, You did what was asked of you, Jaise.

Staring surprised at his mother, he asked, How could you know what I be thinking, Mumma?

Smiling at the confused Jason, Jenny stated, Mummas know much about their bairns. She then spoke proudly, Your Pappa would have been proud of you.

Holding his chest child-like outward, Jason asked, What was my pappa like, Mumma?

Your Pappa he be a good man. He be handsome, just like yourself, Jaise. He was a hard working man… as you will someday be, my Jaise.

Inside the door, Jenny gave a gasp at the destruction of her home. After seating her father in his old cane chair, Jenny gave him a searching look. It was her father’s nod of encouragement that stopped the threatening tears and had Jenny hurrying over to the cupboard for the ointment for her father’s head wound.

Ignorant of his mother’s sudden sentiment of the past and wanting to be by himself, Jason stated, If you will not be wanting me inside, Mumma, I would like to go outside.

The old man answered, You go Laddie. I be with your Mumma to help her.

Grinning at her father’s words her back to her him, she thought of the carnage outside, she