Female Snipers. Greg Pius

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ "All Herman's suffering and pain would not have occurred if his Mum had only had him immunized."

       Mossy nodded her head to show she accepted her mother's statement as fact. She now used her most determined tone of voice to say,

       "Am I immunized?'

       Hera answered truthfully in a caring tone of voice,

       "Yes Mossy darling. I will never knowingly risk your life!"

       Now Mossy was shaking her head as she said in a firm tone of voice,

       "You may have to Mummy. Because I want you to Immunize me again so all my friends can see that this dose of medicine is safe. If they see I am okay then the mothers will rush to immunize their little children"

       Shocked Hera said in a worried tone of voice,

       "I could not ask you to do that Mossy. We will find another way I'm sure."

       Mossy's head was now shaking violently. This was a sure sign that she had made up her mind. She said to her mother in a forceful tone of voice,

       "You are not asking me to do this I am telling you that I will do this. If you wont give me the medicine then I will get one of the doctors to do it. I have to do this to save the little children. Herman is my oldest camp friend! If he dies and I did nothing to stop this madness then every death after that would kill me a little bit. Mum its the only way and you know it."

       Hera tried desperately to think of another way that did not put her child in danger. But she could not think of even a remote chance alternative. Very reluctantly she agreed to give Mossy the immunization publicly at the next camp medical clinic. Many mother's would be there to witness Mossy's self sacrifice. Hera was almost sure that the dose of vaccines would not harm Mossy in any serious way. But there was always a slight chance of an adverse reaction. With Mossy's chronic asthma any respiratory side effect could even prove fatal. Concentrating hard Hera asked whatever God was out there listening to protect her daughter. Then Hera went home with Mossy to spend an awful sleepness night of worry. She noticed that Mossy somehow slept the sleep of angels with her loyal dog beside her bed on its sleeping mat.

      Fraternity

       Nahid welcomed her new comrade from the hall meeting. In a casual tone of voice she said

       "Welcome to our home Florence. I am so glad you could come to share our modest lunch."

       Still slightly embarrassed about how she had given this woman such a hard time at the hall meeting, Florence Schulz said in an apologetic tone of voice,

       "After my questioning yesterday it is I who should be glad that you were able to forgive me my rudeness. I cannot apologize enough for getting your intentions so wrong. Then to invite me to lunch at your home...I am humbled. Thank you."

       Shaking her head Nahid said in a firm but friendly tone of voice

       "Between comrades there is no need for apologies. When I was over in Australia in my refugee camp I would have done exactly what you did. You were right when you said that most speakers just lecture without any empathy."

       Still unsure of herself in this woman's presence Florence said in a hesitant tone of voice,

       "I brought my pumpkin scones as a sort of apology present. I hope that was okay. I know you said not to bring anything but I felt so naked with nothing to give in return."

       A warm smile now lit up Nahid's face as she said in a pleased tone of voice,

       "I love pumpkin scones. You cannot find them in the shops over here. Thank you so much. We will share them after lunch over a large cup of tea just the two of us. Now come in to the living room to meet my family."

       Without another word the two women walked into a crowded living room. There was a large man, one teenage girl, one young boy, three dogs and a kitten sitting in various parts of that room spaces Nahid opened up the introductions by saying in a proud tone of voice,

       "Family this is my friend Florence Schutz. Please make her welcome in our house. Florence the big lug of a man is Thomas Fitzgerald known to all as Fiery Fitz. That beautiful young woman is my second oldest with the pretty name of Analasise but we call her Ana. The handsome boy is my youngest whose name is Francis but we call him Frankie. The dogs are Pippa, Ruby and Bella. The kitten is called Roo. Family this is the leader of the rebel women's refugee alliance in this district."

       Florence was swamped with hellos and smiles. The dogs barked and the kitten rubbed against her leg. Then they all start asking her questions at the same time. Nahid moved in to rescue Florence from this barrage.

       "Enough with the questions everyone. Florence is having lunch with us so you can ask your questions one at a time. But it is up to Florence to decide if she wants to satisfy your curiosity. Is that clear? Yes Fitz I am looking at you."

       The sheepish looks from everyone of Nahid's family members made it abundantly clear who the boss was in this family. Even the dogs stop barking when she gave them that look. Having re-established calm in the lounge room she announced in a happy tonre of voice,

       "Lunch is served everyone. Make your way to the table but ladies first and guests get to sit wherever they like, so no complaints about seating arrangements. Fitz can you serve the drinks? Ana I need your help serving. Florence just tell Fitz what you want to drink. Everyone to the table to enjoy good food and good company."

       Automatically Nahid's family did as she said, as Florence found herself seated and pampered. The food flowed out of the kitchen. Being winter the entrée was soup. A traditional French onion soup done with baked bread was served to all at the table which was covered in a beautifully woven cloth. The cutlery was sterling silver! The plates were fine bone china. There were pottery mustard pots, silver salt and pepper shakers, honey filled small bowls, sugar bowls ,everything imaginable at lunch time in New Zealand. Florence was swamped with sights and sounds of a normal family party luncheon.

       The main course was lamb done in a lemon sauce with rosemary gravy. Florence was given the choice of jacket potatoes, baby peas, halved carrots, mint sauce and sweet potatoes. The plates were large enough to accommodate generous servings of food. Fitz poured red wine into Florence's glass before giving the children fruit juice. Voices rose in volume and laughter rang out as the family forget about interrogating Florence, accepting her like a family friend.

       Dessert found almost full stomachs but was too delicious to refuse. Nahid had baked a large apple pie glazed over with plum jam. There was a choice of rich creamy ice cream or custard or both. The afters for the children was chocolate cup cakes. The adults had their choice of cheeses with savory biscuits. Coffee was served with even little Frankie having his mugacino.

       Finally no СКАЧАТЬ