19

Cling-clong(clanging and banging) , the sound that glass and something metallic makes while you are walking, this particular sound which I just had described to you, was the very sound that was not only annoying Jack with every step but also arousing his curiosity, to find out what could be making this vile and agitating noise, which could even allure unwanted visitors or predator or in his language, anyone who does not have a sense of personal hygiene and what is worse than being confronted by someone with bad breath late in the evening.

'Aww, man, this thing is starting to give me a head ache as if my face is not hurting bad enough, I bet this was all part of his plan to make me suffer, just for his own expense, one has to wonder what is in this box which even he did not want to tell me but then it is rude to open what does not concern you, I know if I open this thing right now some way or another mother would find out and throw her slipper through a teleport and it will, so how, just out of shear coincidence hit me in the face but then again, what if this thing is a threat to my household and the illiterate village people or mongrels, yes, mongrels suits them better, mongrels of this small town slash village or dare I even think as far as national security, would it not be my responsibility as the eldest son of the Peterson clan and most intelligent of the small town, village people and as the law abiding citizen of Great Britain, for I serve my queen always, to look in this fancy box thingy, to see if the gift, gifted to me or presented to me, yes present it to me  by a potential terrorists and I do not believe he was knighted, if it is of any danger, yes, I think I have justified and convinced myself very well.'

After justifying his own actions to himself, Jack saw that all the paraffin lamps were burning bright in his house, so he  took a hard right by his gate and walked until the corner, where it was most dark, looked around, then sat down, took the box then open it up carefully as to not damage the packaging, after loosening the leather straps, he closed his eyes and slowly open the box, waiting for a few second to see if he did not explode or die, he opened his eyes to find a bottle full of a dark tea like substance and in front of the bottle a picture of a man walking.

'Great, just what he needs more alcohol, to support his addiction and for us to suffer more abuse, I bet he knew about that uncle's drinking problem and thought, it would be funny if he hurt us more, sometimes I really wonder if Sir C.J is a good person or just a bad one, or maybe is sixty percent bad and forty percent good, or more unlike eighty- twenty, because it would be unfair to say that he is all bad, I wonder what is the fuss about this drink, does it really taste so good that people keep on going back for it again and again, let's see.'

Jack opened the bottle and smelled the liquor.

'Mhmm, smells kind of nice, now time to taste.'

Jack put one hand at the bottom of the bottle  and the other  at the neck, tilted his head backwards and got ready to throw it down the pipe line, as he raised it above his mouth and just as he was  about to pour, he stopped and lowered the bottle down.

'NO, Jack, put it down, it does more bad then good and I do not want to turn out like him, best if I just close it up and chuck it away.'

He closed the bottle as tight as he could and threw it as far as it would go but Jack being Jack, it did not land very far about arm's length to be exact, then he wondered if he should also get rid of the nice case it came in.

'Argh, curse the night, well I will take care of it properly tomorrow, who will be wondering around here at this time of night, besides I have a very important decision to make, maybe, I should throw this away too, to get rid of any evidence that I might have received a third gift.'

He gave it a long look and then nodded firmly.

'It is obvious what, I should do with you, I should just keep you, no way I am getting rid of such a nice case, I will finally feel rich for the first time in my live.'

He got up, looked around if anyone was coming or a shoes flying from a portal that just open, stuffed the case under his shirt, I really do not know why, checked if over the wall if his mother or sister was not doing anything at the window, then ran inside the yard and entered the house casually.

'Good evening everyone.' 

Then he quickly rushed to the room.

'What is up with him?' asked his sister(Jill)

'He is hiding something or did something which he knew was wrong but decided to keep something of that very wrong act he did.'

'How do you know that mother?'

'You will learn it once you have you own children, well I should not say learn it, once you give birth to your own children, one could say a new super power is unlocked, it is the greatest day of your life and five minutes later it becomes a million days of misery.'

'Thanks for the heads up mother and destroying all those wonderful dreams of me having my own family.'

'Thank you, I try my best to prepare you two for the future.'

'Woman!, I am home.'

John Peterson enter through the front door, killing whatever positive vibes in the atmosphere.

'Mhmmm, smells nice in here, are you making food?'

Jack's mother nodded and Jill dropped everything she was doing and slowly backed up, to her room.

'Good, at least you making yourself useful anyway back to me, look what I found a bottle full of whisky, can you believe it, someone just left it right outside here, it is not yours Jane is it, who am I kidding you cannot afford something like this.', he said raising the bottle up in the air.

Jack immediately entered the roam and set his eyes on the bottle.

'Eww, who invited quasimodo, get it because of his face.'

'I get it.' Jack replied

'Come now, let's all sit down and have dinner.' Jane insisted with a calm and soothing voice.

'Good, because I am starving.'

He staggered over to the dinner table, almost falling over the table.

'What are you looking at, have you not seen a man sit down for dinner before, or is this food not to your liking, I see you and I know people like you, once they earn their own money they think that they are better than everyone else.' letting out a burp, filling the air with a strong smell of beer.

'Jack, please sit.' his mother grabbed his hand and guided to a chair, 'And John, please put that bottle on the floor, you might bump it of the table while you eating.'

'No, how and why, will I still need to kill my dinner before I eat it, no woman is going to tell me what to do, do you understand, I am speaking to you!'

'Well, if you do not want to listen to what she is saying than it is best you leave.'  Jack intervened.

He scoffed, 'Do you think I should leave.'  John said looking at Jane but she said nothing.

'Do you think I should leave?' He said looking at Jill but she kept on staring at the ceiling.

'I think, their silence speaks volumes.' Jack said, then he got up and went to open the door.

'Fine since you all feel this way, then I shall leave.' he got up and walked out but before he reached the door, Jack stopped him.

'Are you not forgetting something?' Jack pointed at the bottle on the table.

'Oh, yeah, how can I leave the only thing that ever really mattered to me.', He turned around and hurried to the bottle like it was the last bottle of water in earth, then walked back to the door but he had one more thing for Jack, he spat in his face and said 'You will never be a man, you a crazy faggot.', then stormed out of the house.

Jack closed the door and smile 'I guess he was right, a miracle did occur.'

The next morning Jack woke up with a feeling of walking on sun shine with a hint of guilt bearing on him, which he dismissed with just a shrug of the shoulders.

He put on his clothes and for the first time in his life after the whole situation with his father, Jack actually wanted to have breakfast with his family, he existed the room humming the birthday song and walking with a skip in his step.

'Good morning everyone!, what a lovely day we have been blessed with, God is good, how are you lovely souls today?'

'WE ARE EXECELENT!' Jill exclaimed.

'Good!, and you mother?'

'I am fine, thank you very much.'

'You do not seem fine, you know mother, it is okay to be happy, you adults think that we do not understand anything but we understand more than you think, even more then you know.'

'Just be quiet, what do you know?'

'More then you know.' Jill answered.

'Aren't you peppy today, Jack are you staying for breakfast?'

'Of course I am mother, the atmosphere is just lovely.'

'I know right, who knew that we would experience happiness after so long.'

Suddenly, a loud knocking on the door, giving everyone a fright, almost causing Jane to drop the pan full of scrabble eggs.

'I wonder who could be, this early in the morning.' she said putting the pan down on the stove.

'I do not know but it is quite obvious that the person has not been taught how to knock on doors, I will give them a piece of mind.'

'No, you will not, you sit down and leave it to me.'

She wiped her hands on her apron and went to open the door.

'Good morning ma'am.'

'Good morning officers.'

Jack heart went on to a slight stand still immediately after recognizing the two police officers.

'Are they here for  me, did he tell them, he must have told them, No, way these fonny police man could ever link me to the murder, he must have!, he dares betray me!, Yes, this must be the miracle he was talking about.'

'Are you okay, you are suddenly sweating so much.' his sister asked him.

'No..No.., I am fine, I wonder what they want?'

'Are you Mrs Peterson.'

'Yes, please come in.'

The two officers entered.

'Is there something wrong, did something happen?' she asked.

The two officers took of their hats, then look at each other to see who was going to give the news to the woman anxiously waiting, then finally the taller officer turned to face her.

'I think it would be better that you take a seat first.'

'No, I am fine, please tell me, you making me anxious.'

The police officer nodded.

'I regret inform that around the early hours of this your husband's body was found at the back of the pub.'

Jane, squeezed her hands together and swallowed hard, as for Jack and Jill they did not know what to feel, especially Jack.

'We are truly sorry for your loss.'

'Thank you.' Jane replied.

'Excuse officer me, may I ask, how he died.', Jack asked.

'You may.' the shorter officer replied.

'How did he die?'

'Uhm, we do not know for sure what the actual cause is but we suspect that it could be liver failure or poisoning.'

'Like the Phil family?' Jane asked.

'We suspect so.' The tall officer answered.

'We might have a serial killer on our hands.'

'Huh, seems so officers.' Jack said.

Both officers looked at him, then back at his mother.

'We shall leave now and our deepest condolences.'

The two officers walked out and Jane closed the door behind them, she just stood there, quiet, the whole house was silent, until the silence was broken by the whimper, then she caved in, falling to her knees, her arms seem lifeless by her side, as she let out loud sobs looking up at the ceiling, Jack and Jill immediately rushed to her sides, wrapping their arms around her for support, soon Jill also started crying but not Jack, everything seemed strange to him, he thought he was dreaming, no, way this could be true, no way that man could be dead, could his family finally live in peace, does this mean that their lives are taking a turn for the better?, these were the thoughts that were passing through his head as his mother and sister were busy wailing away like two kittens, who have been abounded by their mother but in this case it was their father.

After what seemed like a decade of crying his mother realised that the children need to go to school, she wiped the tears of her face and said.

'Right, children, I think we have done  enough crying, he is dead and no amount of tears is going to bring him back, we must accept it and move on and it is time for you two to move on to school.' 

'But we cannot leave you here by yourself during a difficult time like this.'

'Jill, is right mother, you are strong but even the moon needs the sun's support in order to shine in the darkest nights.'

'But Jill you have already missed school yesterday and now you want to miss it again, I cannot have this.'

'Do not worry about me mother, I am a smart girl, I will catch up in no time, plus, I have already been over the work we were suppose to be learning, twice!, in one day, might I add, even during my difficult time at home, school work is my only escape.'

'Okay, Okay, Jill I think you have added enough suspense and dramatic flare to your dialog, now stop hogging the spot light, I want to say something now, Yes mother, Jill is right, like I said before, she is a very good student and I know Julia is in your too class to right?' 

'Yes, she is.' 

'I will ask her if you could borrow her books so you could catch up or revise on the work that you might have missed, I am sure she will not have a problem with that.'

'She will not, she is such a lovely person.' 

'Why does everyone say that!, given time I will reveal her true face.'

'Jack, what are you on about?' 

'Nothing, I am leaving now, Jill, please make sure that mother does not over work herself and if anyone comes here to offer their false sympathies, just do not open the door.'

'Why?'

'Because they are properly scout our house for things to steal, bloody vultures, so if you feel a little weird when approaching the door, do not open it, I am leaving now, please be safe.' 

'Okay, bye.'

'Bye, Jack.' his mother said in a low voice.

'Bye everyone.'  He said as he close the door behind him, then quickly popped in again.

'Remember, you only open for those who you feel have good intentions, right?'

'Yes, brother, I will do so, don't you worry.'

Then he closed the door again, trying to seem upset as every normal person should feel after someone close to them past away but not Jack Peterson, he was actually quite happy, he could barely wait to get out of the gate, he closed the gate and looked at the windows, to see if his mother or sister was watching him through the window but there was no one, then he ran as quickly down the road, as soon as his house was out of sight, he jumped up in the air and shouted, Woowhoo!', also clicking his heals together.

'Aaah!, who says that miracles do not happen, properly people, who do not drink enough water, I always say that water can heal anything, just drink it as much as you can, man, I feel so happy today, am I, a bad person for wishing this, nope, I am a perfectly normal child, there is not a person in this world who at some point of their lives wished that their father could just die or even mother for some of those sickos but I feel so great, nothing is going to ruin this good mood I am in today.', Jack skipped and hummed his worn out happy birthday song all the way to school, as if there was not a shadow of darkness in his life.

When he arrived at school, he saw Susan and Julia waiting outside for him looking all depro and stuff as if their dad died, which would put an end to this story in a flesh.

'Goood morning!, my two beautiful friends how are you doin today, fine weather we are having, right?'

Susan and Julia looked at each other then back at Jack.

'What is the matter Jill is something wrong?'

'Uhmm, we just want to say.' Julia suddenly came to an awkward pause.

'Yeeeessss..'

'What she is trying to say is that we….we….', then Susan also suddenly lost her words.

'Sorry for you loss.'

'That's..that's it?'

'Yes'

'Argh man, I thought it was something serious.'

'It is, your father.'

'Is Dead!, do you get that.'

'Julia!, could you please just be civil with him today, just try and be nicer.'

'No..No..Susan, it is fine and yes, my old man is dead but does that mean, I should not enjoy the life, I am already living, should, I be sad?' 

'No, that is not what we mean it is just that one should…'

'A little bit of sadness and grieve, is what Susan is trying to say, but you seem to be in cloud nine, no, not even cloud nine, cloud nine million.'

'I do feel a little sad..'

'Sure does not seem like it.'

'Julia, let him finish, please continue.' Susan said.

'As I was saying, I do feel a little sad but one must accept that death is a part of life and besides, he is in heaven now, the place of bliss and unending desires, a place where rivers of milk, honey and wine flow freely, where he gets to gaze upon the face of his Lord in the morning and the evening, what better reward could any servant ask for, he is properly drinking and swimming in the river of wine, I can only imagine how happy he is right now, so as his dear son(Jack vomited a little in his mouth.)…excuse me, as his son, should I not be happy for my father, who is happy too, hmm?'

Julia looked at Susan, who seem to be in grossed by the words coming from Jacks mouth.

'Susan, are you actually believing this?'

Susan completely ignored her and replied to Jack's question.

'No!, of course not, why would anyone feel sad if they only wish happiness for their parents, you are truly great sometimes Jack, I bet your father is looking down at you with a big smile on his face.'

'I am sure he is.'

'You two deserve each other.'

'Oh, Julia, I wanted to ask if my sister could borrow your school books so she could catch up with all the works she missed out on.'

'Who is your sister?'

'Jill Peterson.'

'Jill Peterson is your sister!'

'Yes, what is so surprising about that?'

'But, she is so pretty, nice and kind and just simply one of the best human beings you will ever meet but you on the other hand, just the complete opposite.'

'Julia!, he has some of those things.'

'Thanks for the support Susan, are you going to borrow me the books or not?' 

'Of course I will, I would gladly give it to her.' 

'Thank you.'

'I will give it to you after all my classes is done.'

'Okay.'

'I am glad, something like books could get you two, to stop fighting for a little while, right we cannot stand here forever, we still have school remember.'

When he entered the class room, the room suddenly went quiet and everyone was looking at him but Jack never cared, what people said or thought of him, so he simply ignored them and went to sit down, the view from outside seemed so much better, it seemed as if the window was cleaned that very morning, which was the case.

Not long after the bell rang, Mrs Taylor entered the room, her high-hills, echoing through the class room, she put her stuff down and looked straight at Jack.

'Mr Jack Peterson!'

The whole class turned their attention to him.

'Yes, ma'am.'

'Stand, when you are addressing your teacher.'

Jack step outside his desk and kept his hands at his side.

'Yes. Ma'am.'

'Why are you here?'

'For an education.'

'I know, but why are you here?'

'Because I want to learn.'

'I understand, that you father was recently found dead is that correct?'

'Yes, that is correct.'

'So, should you not be at home with your family in this difficult time?'

'Yes, ma'am.'

'So, then, I repeat my question for the third and last time, why are you here?'

'Like I said, ma'am, I am here to learn and as my father always believed and told us, may the Lord bless his soul, he said 'my son, this world is a nasty place, so I will send you and your sister to school, because the more you learn the more you earn and the higher your chances of survival  out there in the dog eat dog eat, world.', and since I am the man of the house now, it is of utmost  importance, that I learn as much as I possibly can, in order to look after my family.'

'Okay, I have played my obligated role as a teacher by pretending to care about my student which I have to admit, I did a very good job with it, right enough of the whole acting gig, we are here for  as Jack put very clearly or nicely, whatever makes you feel special, 'we are here for an education' and not a vacation, now since Mr Jack Peterson is back to his old self, Mr Charles will be answering our first question  of the day, are you ready sir?'

Charles stood beside his desk and gave a hesitant nod.

'Good!, loving the lack of enthusiasm, right question number one states….'

As the assault of questions began on poor Charles, Jack looked out the window and drifted off in to his own world, where he was trying on all kinds of suits in order to find the perfect on for his father's funeral, his finally found the one he was looking for a red suit to give his father an early welcoming into hell.

School ended, yes just like that BUT TODAY!, Jack had was in no rush, usually he could not wait to get out of class, BUT TODAY! no such thing happened, he took his time packing in his books rather then chucking them in, cleaned out his desk, and even offered to sweep out the class room, yes, Jack was back to his old self (like the one in the beginning of chapter one.), people were stopping him alongside the  road offering their heart felt fake condolences but all he heard was all the praise they use to give him, Yes dear reader you guessed it ,Jack was in the first stages of grieve which is..

'No, I am not Mr narrator slash writer, I am actually happy after a long time.'

Okay, you heard it right from the horse's mouth folks, he is not in denial, he is perfectly happy, when he arrived at work, it was not as busy as usual, he went in from the back and walk through the kitchen everyone was pretending to be very busy, he greeted them but they did not reply, deciding that negative people was not going to spoil his happy day, he started to skip and humming his favourite happy birthday song.

When he was done changing, he saw everyone was waiting outside, side by side they stood as if they were going to give him an honorary send off.

'Uhm, Waldo, what is going on, am I being fired but I have done nothing wrong, I am on time too.'

Waldo put his hand on Jack's shoulder and shook his hand in a profound manner, 'No, Jack, I am not firing you, we all just came together for a few minutes to offer our condolences, we have heard what had happened to your father and to say that if you need anything or help with something do not hesitate to ask us, we are here for you.'

Everyone nodded.

'Oh, well thank you very much, I am glad that I have another family that I could come to when things get hard.'

'You right!, we always here for you, call us anytime you want except for any day that ends with 'y'.'

'What are you saying Arnold, everyday ends with 'y '.'

'I know James, I was just trying to cheer the kid up a little.'

'Youngest employee of Olive's bakery, do you not wish to go home and be with your family?'

'No, Only woman employee of Olives Bakery, I need to work, I cannot afford to leave you guys here, I know it is not busy as usual but I am sure it is going to pick up soon.'

'We will manage, Jack, and if things do get too hectic, we always have that guy, in the yard to lend us an extra hand.'

'Waldo, how long has that man been working here and you still do not know his name?'

'I do not know, and I do not have to, my priority here is the customer and that is all that matters.'

'So, we do not matter at all Wallie?'

'Please do not be dramatic now Arnold and what did I say about calling me that.'

'Youngest employee, I was wondering if we could move our date to some other time since it is your father's funeral and all?'

'No problem, only woman employee of Olive's bakery.'

'Sir C.J is not going to be happy about this but it is going to give him more time to plan things out.'

'Uhhm, Waldo.'

'Yes, Jack.'

'Am I still going to get paid for today?'

'Yes, you will get paid for the day.'

'The man needs money, Charlotte looks like the expensive type.' Arnold said elbowing Mario.

'You have no respect for women.'  Mario said.

'What, it was just a joke?'

'No, one laughed.'

'I better get going, I do not want to get dragged into this.'

'Alright, everyone Jack is leaving, that means we have to get back to work to, the sign said five minutes, I think we have been longer than that, let's get to work!'

'Yes, sir!'

'Loving the enthusiasm we are going to have to work a little harder to cover for the missing pair of hands, do I make myself clear!'

'Aai-yaay!, Sir!'

'Good!, Let's go!'

Everyone quickly returned to their station and Jack knew, that was his que to leave, he quickly descended down the stairs and went out the back door, when he got outside, Jack did not go straight home after his shift at the bakery, but went to the famous chill zone where he had decided to stay until his normal work hours were over, if he went home now his mother would completely jump to the wrong conclusion, worrying herself needlessly over something that never had happened, adding unnecessary stress to her already dire state, not long after he had arrived at the place of meeting only visible to the chosen few, Sevki and Sir arrived on the scene.

'Oh, hi, Jack, you already here, working half shift today?', Sevki said, sitting herself next to him.

Jack just shook his head.

'Would, you like some tea, I brought your favourite?'

'Sevki, how long will you baby him, I thought you two had become friends.'

'Yes, we are!' Sevki protested.

'Then, why are you still treating him as your Master?'

'And you!, you still never treat her like a friend but an employee, which means that you have not accepted her as your friend either.'

'But, she is my friend, Jackie where were you thinking of going with that comeback?'

'Cather, why are you doing this?' 

'Funny, I was just about to ask you the same thing Sevki!, because it is so boring here and I just want a little bit of drama, is it so wrong for me to want to create my own content, I am a creative, people!, speaking of candles.'

'Yes, sir.'

'Candles, candles for what!, guys what is going on?' 

Sevki, took a Turkish prayer matt, threw it open on the ground, then took out three big candles and placing them in the center in the shape of a triangle.

'What is going on here!, I demand to know, I refuse to be associated with witchcraft, I am a man of God!'

'Relax, Jack', Sevki said, putting her hands on his shoulder.

'Sevki, are you not forgetting something.'

'What, I brought everything, like you said.

  'No, you have not, where is my cloak?' 

'What…I…was..I was right!', Jack shouted pointing one finger into the air, 'You were planning to do witchcraft, you vile humans.'

'No, Jack, do not listen to this man, we were not going to do anything like that at all, so just please relax.'

'If, I recall correctly, I am the one that asked you the question first, so why, is Jack answered first, as your employer I am deeply insulted by your lack of concerned for me, it is like choosing an adopted son over your own, why mother!, why!'

'This is exactly why, I did not what to bring it, you were going to act silly again and what if someone sees you in the cloak, they will thing we are doing something, that goes against the law of the church and get us burnt like your friend Joan of Arc, is that what you want!'

Sir C.J fell to his knees, raised his arms up to the sky and shouted 'Oh, Joano!!!!, Joan!, my captain and dear friend, Joan!..., my virgin Joan!, why Charles, Why!'. he brought his hands down and laid them gently on his chest, 'And scene, thank you, that is how it is done, now since my dear employee, who could care less for my wellbeing, has decided to be a spoil sport, we will have to do with what is here.'

'I do not care what you or anyone else thinks of me, this is my life we are talking about here and I refuse to let someone else decide how it ends.'

'So…We are doing witchcraft?'

'Woow!, Bravo!, Sevki.', Sir C.J Started applauding her, ' I see my profound acting skills have rubbed off on you, you might not be a lost cause after all, I couldn't be more proud.'

'Thank you Cather.'

'Uhhmm, excuse me, since I am being completely ignored even though this novel is entirely based on ME!, I am leaving, thank you very much for trying to involve me in whatever cause you are doing here but I have decided not to get burnt.'

Just as he was about to get up and go, Sir C.J grabbed him by the wrist and sat him down again.

'Relax Jackie boy, nothing as such  happening here, even though the dark arts seem somewhat very interesting to explore and the possibilities behind it is endless, but we are church people, after all and we would never go against the church as we are God fearing and good people and sure we shall never indulge in such unholy acts against God not publicly at least, I will definitely do a further investigation into this subject, nevertheless, the real reason why we are with all these candles, the truth is I was hoping that we all could have a romantic dinner just the three of us, I believe the Americans have a name for it, it is called a threesome, I am not sure if I am pronouncing it correctly.'

'I hate to disappoint you but I am not a double adaptor, if you understand what I am saying.' Jack winked at Sir C.J.

'I really will not understand you two, nor will I ever, you always have to mess around you….'

Sir C.J yawed obnoxiously loud, 'Here she goes, miss always take things seriously and vibe killer, you could have done your own little skid right now, he was literally throwing you stuff to use.'

'Mr Cather J.Kipper…'

'Ohooo!, I am in trouble now.'

'Some of us have actual jobs and things to do, so do you mind wrapping things up here, otherwise someone will not have something to eat tonight.'

'What!, you still have prepared dinner yet?'

'How, I am  suppose to do anything if, I am busy galavanting around with you all the time.'

'That is no excuse for me to starve.'

'Well, you made your bed now have to sleep in it.'

'Ha!, I never make my bed, so jokes on you.'

'Gosh, Sir C.J, you are such a child.', Jack said.

'Tell me about it.'

'Okay, if we are done discussing me, I do not blame you for it, I am quite a hot topic but I unfortunately have things to do, so if you don't mind I would like to wrap this up quickly, I would have liked it to go on longer but someone did not bring a cloak.

'Jack do you see, what I have to live with.'

'I am surprised that you even alive.'

'It is a miracle I tell you, that I have not killed myself yet.'

'Right, Jackie boy, we are all gathered here today to commemorate a great man, John Peterson, so I would like us to take a moment of silence before we start, Sevki if you would please.'

He point at the candles in the center, Sevki took out a box of matches from the picnic basket and tried to light the candles but for some reason they would not take flame, match after match but still not luck, she finished one box and went on two the next.

'Good thing, I always pack an in case of emergency box for everything, do not worry Jack, I think those were just a little damp, these ones will surely work.', She gave him a thumbs up and a reassuring smile, and began again but still nothing this time she was striking the matches so hard on the box, sweat drops began to form on her forehead.

'Okay, Sevki, you have done enough.' Jack placed his hands on top of hers, then took the box out her hands.

'But….'

'Please stop Sevki, if you try any harder you might catch a light besides he was never a beacon of light in anyone's life,  guess the fire we are trying to use for this candle is probably taken from us and used for him in Hell.

Sir C.J immediately broke out into a loud and hysterical laughter, and shouted 'Good one!', 

He turned to Sevki for a high-five but all she gave him was a glare that shut him right down.

'I meant to say, do not say that Jackie boy, everyone deserves forgiveness, even in death, it will bring you peace and prosperity for the new year, now let us all hold hands and do a little prayer for John Peterson, in silence of course.'

They all held each others hands and bowed their heads but just as Sevki and Jack were about to close their eyes, Sir C.J jumped to his feet.

'Right, I take it we are done here.'

'But Sir….'

'No buts…you still have dinner to cook you lazy girl, so lets pack up and roll out!'

Sir C.J, just started chucking things into the bag, not caring for any of the things or anyone, ripping the little matt that they were sitting on right out under them, after he was done he was very out of breath.

'Right Jackie boy. Unfortunately our meeting has been called short due to ill-preparation for dinner so, we will discuss whatever you want to tomorrow, it that good with you?'

'Yes.'

'Good!, come along Sevki, you have food to prepare.'

'Bye Jack.'

'Bye Sevki.'

Jack watched Sir C.J march down speedily down the trail and Sevki  running after him trying to keep up with her employers ridiculous wide strides, until they vanished out of sight.

'Guess it is time from me to go home too.'

When he had arrived home, the house was silent, the atmosphere heavy and gloomy, as if someone just died, he looked at his sister who was sitting on the kitchen table, painting  her toe nails with actual paint she stole from the new church as the man were busy painting outside, but it was not a lot, it just a little tin of white paint , she just shrugged and continued with her job at hand, Jack turned to his mother, who was now rocking back and forth, looking out the window.

'I wonder if, I should ask her, if I should prepared dinner for us, no…she does not look in a state to answer any questions right now, maybe I should just go on a head and prepare dinner and just leave her alone.'

'Mother!, shall I prepare dinner for us?', Jack asked in an optimistic tone.

Surprise, surprise, just as he anticipated his mother did not answer him nor did she even try to look in his direction but Jack being Jack, the annoying evil little prick that he is, pressed on.

'Mother!, mother!, mother!, mother!, moooootheeeeerrrrrrr!'

'Geez!, Jack!', his sister shouted finally having enough of his insensitive and childish antics,' Can you not see that she is in no state to cook anything, if you want to make dinner than make it, no one is going to stop you.'

'I know.'

'Then, why did you ask in the first place?'

'I just wanted to be naughty, is that a crime huh!'

'You are really weird, you know on a serious note, I never thought that his death would actually affect her so much, I mean, he did treat her badly and all, he even hit her unconscious, even threatened to….'

'Yes, he did all those things, but he was still her husband and he was always like that, it was after he lost  his job, he became what he became, so in reality, who she is really morning is not  the guy he became but the man she married, understand?'

Jill, sat up straight and eyed her brother from head to toe.

'What is wrong, what are you thinking, an excuse not to help me?'

'No. I was not going to help you anyway, I was just thinking, where my self-centered, dramatic and childish brother went?'

'I am unable to understand you.'

'What I am trying to say…..'

'I don't have money.'

'I was not going to ask for money, gosh, as I was saying my dear brother, it seems that you have matured a little….'

'I think you mean, how much I have grown.'

'No, matured, because you are pretty much the same height for two years now, honestly, it is becoming a little worrying.'

'I don't want to mention it but it seems like you noticed it too Jill.'

'Mother!'

'I am sorry my son but it is the truth.'

'What is this pick on Jack day?'

'I am sorry, I have not been myself but now I am back and ready to take my original position as care taker and food maker.'

'No, mother please sit, I will handle it.'

'Sit and do what?'

'Sit and enjoy a lovely cup of tea, which Jill has so kindly offered to make.'

'What!' Jill shouted

'No, my son, I cannot sit around sulking the entire day, I am an adult here, I should be making you food.'

'Mother…oh my dear mother, out of all the days we have fought over the kitchen, today you are deciding to pull rank but unfortunately that triumph card is invalid for today, so if you could please go, sit down and enjoy your tea, like a good girl you are, I promise you, I will buy you not one but two books on the day when I get paid, how does that sound?'

'Great, I just hope you can remember your promise.'

'I will.'

'And what about me will I get for making mother tea?'

'Blessings from God'

'You are so cheap.'

'Thank you very much.' He said taking a bow before his sister.

'Jack, I do not want to sit here alone, would you mind if I sat at the kitchen table and watch Jill, who has kindly volunteered to slice and dice the vegetables.'

'Wha….' Jill looked around struggling to get the words out.

'That is my sweet sister for you, always putting people before herself.'

'I think we could all cook together, that would be really fun.'

'Nice try mother but you are only going to watch.'

'Come on Jack.'

'I am just teasing, of course you can, mother this is your kitchen you can do whatever you want.'

I think you can imagine what happened next, everyone was smiling and laughing, like in those Christmas movies, with the camera, shooting from outside the window, then slowly distancing it's self from the house until the credits start but this time the credits will not start, because we are now going  into the house to continue the story. 

After the food was cooked and eaten, the family gathered around the fire place and just sat in silence, each one of them recollecting whatever happy memory they could conjure up from the deep, almost lost memory banks of their mind, of the man that had just died, not long after the silence was broken by the crackling sound of Jane's chair as she got up, kissed both her children on the fore head and wished them good night.

'Guess, I will be heading to sleep too.' Jack said as he stretched his hands over his head.'

'Are you going to sleep with her?', his sister asked poking the fire.

'No, way, are you?'

'Nope, you know mother becomes a kung fu Master during the night.'

'And now you want me to make the ultimate sacrifice and honestly, I do not know if I can take any more hits, my face just started healing up nicely.'

'But you will be taking one for the team and just imagine how good this deed is going to look in the eyes of God, it could be the one that saves you from going to hell.'

'Seriously, Jill, you are using my emotional and religious blackmailing technique.'

'What can I say, I learn from the best.'

'You are a long way from being as good as me but say what, how about we go do this thing together, you know how the saying goes strength in unity and we will both be doing a good deed, which might save us both from burning in hell.'

'How dare you convince me to go jump in the fire with you but since, I guess it would not hurt too…do it just this once.'

'Good', she leaped out of her seat, 'We should first put out the fire.'

'No, it should be okay.'

'Are you sure.'

'Jill', Jack put his hand on his sister's head, 'As your older, emphasis on 'older', I have learnt many things from living this many years on earth, so, I know, what I am saying, I know, that it will be okay to leave the fire unsupervised while in the fire place, while we sleep, because a fire place is where you make the fire, hence and only logical answer is, that this is where it will die, you know that thing they always say at church "Ashes to dust, dust to ashes."'

'Honestly, Jack I do not think that is it, you really need to try and stay awake while in church.'

'I try my best, now go on a head.' Jack pointed at his mother's room.

'You will not ditch me, will you?'

'Of course not, lets go.'

His sister walked on a head and he followed, as soon as his sister went into the room, Jack immediately done a U-turn, ran to the kitchen, filled the jug with water and poured it over the fire, placed the jug next to the couch and then ran to the his mother's room, where he found his sister waiting for him in the door way, with her arms crossed.

'It should be fine, I know what I am saying.'

'Oh!, just please be quiet, go and sleep, because tomorrow, we will be having the most annoying guest in the world.'

'Who, who is it?'

'I am not going to tell you, I want it to be a horrendous surprise for you as much as it is going to be for me.'

'You know I will not be able to sleep, unless you tell me.'

'That is your problem not mine.'

Those where the final words of Jack Peterson to his sister, then covered his head with the blanket, herd something like a whistle, then his sister softly giggled.