REUNION

"Come in!", pleasantly came pastor Michael's voice from within the church office. Luckson now aged sixteen, who had been on the knocking on the door entered the office. He could see pastor Michael with his trade mark smile seated behind his desk. Another figure whom Luckson did not immediately recognise sat with his back towards Luckson as he walked in.

"Come in Luckson my boy", pastor Michael urged upon seeing Luckson hesitate on seeing pastor Michael had a visitor. The visitor turned in his seat to face Michael. As Luckson's eyes and the visitor's locked it was as though time had stopped.

Luckson could not believe his eyes. He was caught up in a powerful grip of emotions. He knew those eyes, that face with the warm smile. That seemed to reach out to him from a bygone era of innocence.

He could not find the words to express himself, he was utterly dumb founded and was momentarilly rendered utterly speechless. It was as though even his brain cells had frozen in that very instant. So powerful were the emotions which welled up within him, immobilising him in place.

"Are you not going to greet your dear uncle?", the visitor challenged smiling warmly at Luckson. The question was like a stab against against Luckson's emotional state, having the inverse effect kick-starting him from his momentary stupor. Though his mind could not willingly believe the evidence of his own eyes, it slowly began to thaw to the credibility of what he was seeing

Sitting before him was his uncle Thomas, whom as a child he had been many fond memories. Uncle Thomas who had used to spoil him with various treats whenever he came visiting. That was in the good old days, when Luckson's parents were still alive, back in the days of childhood innocence, when all was well.

The same uncle Thomas who was Luckson had hoped would take him after his parents deaths. Uncle Thomas whom he had dreamt would come to his rescue when he was living on the streets but never came.

However just seeing him again, looking into those gentle smiling eyes, he knew so well, the despair he had felt at the realisation that his uncle Thomas had abandoned him just vanished.

Luckson was overwhelmed with emotion and in the heat of the moment pastor Michael seemed to have been temporarily forgotten about.

Excusing himself, pastor Michael rose from behind the desk left the office to allow Luckson and his uncle to talk.

"Uncle Thomas", Luckson finally managed to mutter and the visitor rose to his feet with outstretched arms to embrace Luckson, but Luckson remained immobile.

Uncle Thomas noticed and as though to put the boy at ease began, "I know you must have a lot of questions you want to ask", uncle Thomas proceeded bringing down his arms to his sides.

"Where were you uncle, I was thrown out of school. I was thrown out of the mine house onto the streets".

"I am sorry you went through all that", pursued uncle Thomas, empathising with a remorseful look playing on his face.

"I suffered uncle", proceeded Luckson.

"I am so sorry , I was abroad and when I returned you were nowhere to be found. I looked for you, I have been looking till now when I bumped into Father Michael in town and he described you to me. He told me everything that has happened since he met you and I have to say I am proud of the young man you have become".

There was a pause momentary pause but the visitor could see that the expression on Luckson's face had somewhat softened.

"There is the matter of your late father's will".

"Is this why you are here?", Luckson's tone changed again taking on a bit of aggression.

"Oh no no do misunderstand me my dear boy", pursued uncle Thomas defensively,I would have still come even without the issue of the will".

"Why now?", charged Luckson,staring the visitor directly in the eyes.

"As I said earlier, I was abroad, but as soon as I learnt about what happened I came to look for you. You have to believe me I have no other intentions", uncle Thomas pursued with a very sincere expression on his face.

"Your father left you quite a substantial amount in his will", proceeded the visitor.

"You mean my father's will has already been read", asked Luckson in a much gentler tonec.

"Yes my boy. Your father named you as his sole beneficiary. That is what I came to inform you, my boy. I have no claim on whatsoever".

Again Luckson's facial expression softened. He felt embarrassed that he had been quick to suspect that uncle Thomas had come to find him because he wanted to somehow benefit from his late father's will.

Watching the inner turmoil playing out on the boy's facial expressions, the visitor quietly noted the emotional struggle that Luckson was experiencing with a sense of satisfaction. Pressing on the advantage uncle Thomas proceeded after a brief pause. "I understand you are suspicious but the main thing is that I am here to see to it that you get your inheritance".

The statement touched a note deep within Luckson and as he looked up into the older man's kind face. He suddenly felt a wave of gratitude towards his uncle suddenly sweep of him.

Pastor Michael walked in to disrupt the emotional scene holding some forms in one hand with his gentle smile at ever ready.

"Sorry I took so long, I had to get these forms from my room. I could remember where I had kept them", pastor Michael explained as he walked into the office. Settling himself into his seat behind the desk he invited Luckson and his uncle to make themselves comfortable on the two visitors chairs facing the desk.

"These are your release forms Lucky", pastor Michael explained laying the forms on his desk while the visitor smiled warmly at Luckson.

Your uncle wishes to take you home to live with him and his family if you accept", pastor Michael pursued with his usual pleasant smile.

Luckson looked up in surprise at uncle Thomas' smiling face, who confirmed what father Michael said with a slight nod.