Refined By His Fire

by Cathy Conradie

  Chapter Seven

  Five weeks after the incident Adrian, together with Barry and his family arrive on the farm. It was a long flight and they arrived home late. Barry puts Adrian’s and his baggage in the cottage and Chrissie also enters the cottage. She looks very worriedly at Adrian, who, because of the tremendous amount of emotional stress and the pain he still has, looks very fragile and vulnerable. She walks closer to Adrian and embraces him for a long time.

  “Welcome back home, my love. It is so nice to have you back with us.”

  “I just want to forget everything . . .”

  Adrian swallows hard at the tears threatening to flow.

  “I’m so scared . . .”

  “You don’t have to be, my son. Everything is over.”

  She holds him for a long time, lets Adrian go and looks him in the eyes.

  “It’s very late and we are all very tired. I think you must go and sleep now.”

  “I still need to unpack.”

  “Don’t worry about that, old man. I’ve got it covered. Go take a nice long shower, I’ll pour us a Scotch and then I’m also going to sleep.”

  “I’ll see you in the morning then. Barry, thanks so much for everything these couple of weeks. I don’t know what we would have done without you.”

  Barry smiles reassuringly at Chrissie.

  “The least I can do. You guys have always been there for me. I’ll do anything for ye.”

  For the umpteenth time in the very early morning hours, Adrian wakes up, screaming, soaking wet of the sweat of fear. He gasps for air, tries desperately to calm down and recollect.

  Barry sits down next to Adrian, puts his hand on Adrian’s shoulder.

  “I’m so sorry . . .” Adrian says softly.

  “I just . . . I just can’t get him out of my head. He just doesn’t leave me alone!”

  “Adrian, listen to me. You are back home. You have managed to have justice done when ye killed that bastard. He is gone. Forever. He will never, ever touch you again.”

  “My common sense knows that, Barry, but . . .”

  Adrian can’t fight the tears back any longer.

  “In my mind . . . in my mind I still see him. He is everywhere in my dreams! He like . . . he wears this judge cloak, sits and laughs at me . . . like he has won . . .”

  Barry puts his arm around Adrian’s shoulders, hugs him close.

  “But he didn’t. He is gone. He is gone forever. You’re okay. You’re all right now. Everything is all right. I’m here. Your Da is here. We’ll protect ye. It’s all right.”

  Adrian gets back under the covers. He looks anxious and bewildered.

  “Come now. Close your eyes and rest. Ye have nothing to be afraid of. I’m here.”

  Barry sits next to Adrian on the bed like that until Adrian finally falls asleep again. Barry wasn’t sure how long his sleep will last, so he dims the bedroom light and leaves the light on for the remainder of the night. Just for in case.

  But the post traumatic stress Adrian developed didn’t get any better. In fact, it got worse and Chrissie was passed the point of worry about Adrian’s mental welfare. The always happy, smiling, laid back person he was disappeared in front of their eyes. He became very withdrawn, didn’t have any interest in anything that made him happy in the past, barely eaten anything and he became short tempered and very emotional. Although he never mentioned anything of ending his life, Chrissie wasn’t willing to take that chance and after a huge fight between Adrian and Henry, Henry took Adrian’s safe keys and Barry was ordered to keep his firearms at the police station.

  Chrissie sighs heavily and notices Dr. Clarence’s car coming from the road toward the main house. A light frown plays between her eyes. She didn’t phone him at all. Maybe he wanted to do a check up on Adrian . . .

  She gets up and meets him outside as he parks the car.

  “Hi there, Chrissie. How are you?”

  Chrissie sighs again.

  “Hello, Doc. Please don’t ask. All that keeps me going is my faith and prayer. Adrian is not doing very well. I don’t think the medication is doing him any good.”

  Dr Clarence frowns.

  “What’s going on?”

  Chrissie motions him inside and she prepares coffee for them.

  “Well, he is not acting himself lately. He has lost interest in everything, like in everything. He will get up in the mornings and check up on the horses, but he never rides anymore. He sleeps the whole day, barely eats anything and he is very emotional. Adrian has always been a very soft person, but he cries easily and is very ill-tempered. He never said anything, but we took his firearms. Barry’s firearms are at the police station.”

  Dr. Clarence looks at Chrissie, very concerned.

  “What about his relationship with God?”

  Chrissie shrugs.

  “I don’t think he reads his Bible anymore and I doubt if he still prays. When I look in his eyes, there is nothing. He has lost his soul.”

  The tears slip over her cheeks and she bravely tries to dry it.

  “I did some research on the Internet and I have wondered . . . what are your thoughts on homeopathic medications?”

  “I’m a bit apprehensive about that, Chrissie. Especially prescribing it to patients with PTSD and depression. I’m personally not keen on prescribing it to these patients, but what did you see?”

  “Well, it’s more a food supplement that stimulates the brain to secrete its own serotonin. Satiéte. Do you know anything of it?”

  “I know of a psychiatrist in Cape Town that prescribes it to one of his patients. With great success. There is a patient that used cocaine. When he started using these medications he managed to quit the cocaine and his sleeping pattern has normalised again.”

  Chrissie’s eyes light up.

  “But I doubt if Polmed will pay for it. And it is very expensive. It’s advisable that Adrian uses the Sleep Tite and Tranquility too. I’m sure you have read of it as well.”

  “I did read about it, yes.”

  “So you might pay as much as R1000 per month for medication alone.”

  “Believe me, Doc. There is no price too high. I want Adrian back and I’ll do anything to achieve it.”

  “Hey, old man. I’ve got a present for ye!”

  Adrian aims to turn around in his chair from where he was sitting watching television one evening as Barry came home from a day shift, but Barry stops just in time.

  “No, no. Ye have to close your eyes and promise not to peek.”

  Adrian giggles.

  “What’s going on, Engelsman? What do you have for me?”

  Barry gently puts the playful, fluffy Alsatian puppy in Adrian’s lap and the puppy immediately licks Adrian in the face. Adrian laughs and opens his eyes.

  “Oh, Barry! He is adorable! Where did you get him?”

  “Well, your Da and I wanted to cheer ye up a bit and—”

  Barry affectionately rubs the puppy over the head and takes a seat opposite Adrian.

  “Your Da is bringing in the first police dog in Grabouw’s history. Your dog, of course.”

  “Oh, my goodness! Are you serious?”

  “Aye. And he also said that when ye report back on duty that you and I can work together on one squad car.”

  Adrian’s face lights up.

  “Wait a minute.” he smiles.

  “What’s the catch?”

  “No, no catch. We want ye back. Very desperately. We miss you so much.”

  “I miss you all too. Don’t worry. I’ll be back tomorrow.”

  Adrian picks up the puppy and puts it close to his face.

  “Are ye sure? I mean, aren’t you still on sick leave?”

  “Was so for three months. I’m very bored. I mean, really, I haven’t been in the field for almost six months, including the training camp and tour. Feels like a lifetime.”

  “It is very lonely at the station without ye, but, Adrian, are ye sure you are up
to it? Don’t ye think you should wait a while longer?”

  “You know, since I’m drinking the meds my mom got me, I feel so much better. I’m sleeping well too. Was sleeping through without waking up at intervals during the night for two weeks now.”

  “I’ve seen the difference in ye in this last month. It’s incredible. I can’t express enough how grateful I am. But . . .”

  Adrian looks questioningly at Barry.

  “What?”

  “Your Da did ask me that if ye mention that you want to resume duty, that ye please do so in the charge office at first.”

  Barry notices Adrian is very dissatisfied.

  “Please. Your Da wants it like that and I will feel more at ease too. Ye need to get the hang of things anyway. Ye haven’t been in the field for a very long time and we are still worried about you.”

  Adrian sighs.

  “Okay, then. I give up. But just because you and my dad want it that way.”

  A couple of days later after resuming his duties again, Adrian finally felt fit to take up horse riding again. He felt terrible for neglecting Majoor like he did, but that was the amazing thing about horses. They are the most forgiving animals God has created.

  Adrian starts at a slow pace at first to get his confidence back again, but it didn’t take very long though before Adrian and Majoor became as one and Adrian allows Majoor to gallop freely with the frightening speed they both loved so much.

  Approaching the homestead, Adrian notices a strange car and he frowns. He didn’t know the car and both Henry and Chrissie was at work. As Adrian gets closer, he changes gaits, slowing down and finally brings Majoor to a walk. Adrian’s joy knew no bounds when Ryan emerges from the car and Adrian brings Majoor to a halt.

  “Still so reckless on horseback as usual.” Ryan smiles, shaking his head.

  “Haven’t been on horseback for three months.” Adrian says and groans softly as he dismounts.

  “Not as supple as I should be.” Adrian teases, but Ryan appears concerned.

  “Do you think you should be riding so soon, buddy?”

  “Oh, Ryan! Don’t you say hello?”

  Ryan smiles, hugs Adrian close for a while.

  “I wanted so much to see you sooner. I was so worried about you!”

  “Don’t worry about it. I know you guys went to England. I know how hectic the schedule is.”

  They walk onto the barn.

  “But seriously now. How are you, buddy?”

  “It took me very long to recuperate. I was in the hospital in Sydney for five weeks and then we came back here. I lost a lot of weight because I only managed soft foods for quite some time and—”

  Adrian sighs, becoming more serious.

  “I didn’t take it very well psychologically. I use to see Roy in my dreams. He would sit in the judge chair, wearing this cloak, laughing at me. And at night, all my senses are on super alert.”

  “You have to give yourself time. You went through the most horrific ordeal and it is very normal to feel what you feel.”

  Adrian pulls up the stirrups and removes Majoor’s tack.

  “It has to stop, sometime. Good grief, Ryan. I’m a policeman! I’m supposed to be brave. My community is supposed to be able to depend on me. I’m not supposed to fear anything, not suppose to back away from anything.”

  Ryan firmly but softly takes Adrian by the shoulders.

  “No. It’s not true. You are human. And you are so very young. You are not even 21 yet and in this last two years, you have seen more than others seen in a lifetime.”

  Adrian sighs.

  “Are you going to start playing cricket again in October?” Ryan asks.

  “I still need to regain my fitness first. I only started to exercise decently today, but I think I should be ready for the cricket season. Obviously, I’ll have to start from scratch again. How is everyone else?”

  “We all miss you terribly.”

  “I miss you too. Are you in a hurry?”

  “No. I came to visit you and to see how you are doing.”

  “Well, unfortunately the plane is not over yet, but I can offer you a nice cup of coffee and boring company of two policemen.”

  Ryan smiles.

  “I won’t miss that for the world.”

  Adrian takes care of Majoor first before they proceed to the cottage. Upon entry, Adrian’s puppy barking furiously.

  “Nero, down, boy. Ryan is our friend. It’s okay.”

  Ryan goes down on one knee and offers his hand. Nero comes closer hesitantly, sniffs Ryan’s hand before licking it.

  “How old is he?”

  “Eight weeks. I’m going to send him for training and then we are going to use him at the station.”

  Barry emerges from the kitchen.

  “Hey, old man. Thought I heard your voice.”

  Barry’s face lights up.

  “Hi, Ryan! Great to see ye again!”

  Barry and Ryan share a handshake.

  “I . . . I still wanted to thank ye for what you have done for Adrian back there Down Yonder. If it wasn’t for ye, he would not have made it.”

  “It’s okay, Barry. I understand the special friendship between the two of you. Adrian and I also come a very long way. Adrian is a very special person and he is also very fortunate to have a friend like you.”

  Barry blushes.

  “Actually, Ryan, it’s the other way round. I’m very lucky to have a friend like him. Me parents passed away when I wrote me final exams and I decided to join the Police in order to survive. I was terribly lonely and grieved for me folks. He and his parents accepted me as a brother and a son and they really helped me picking up the pieces of me life again.”

  Barry stays quiet for a long while.

  “I honestly don’t know where I would have been if it wasn’t for them.”

  Adrian puts his hand on Barry’s shoulder.

  “Don’t worry, Engelsman. As long as we are in this world, I will always be your friend.”

  “Let’s toast on that.” Ryan says.

  “Forget the coffee. I hope you have a good Scotch.”

  Adrian laughs.

  “With a Scotsman in the house, do you honestly think we will not have?”

  With the parade just finished, Adrian and Barry make their way to Adrian’s car to take out their equipment. Henry curiously looks out of the window upon hearing Adrian’s spontaneous laughter.

  Henry smiles.

  As the days progress, Adrian is blossoming out to be the same carefree person he used to be, and was not only a relief to see, but a joy that words couldn’t describe. With Barry and Adrian becoming 21 in a short while, Henry could only hope that nothing traumatic will ever hit their lives again, none of them deserved it.

  Henry opens the window.

  “What noise are you making so early in the morning? I can barely have a conversation on my telephone in the office! Come here, immediately!”

  Henry chuckles when he sees Adrian’s shocked expression.

  Adrian looks at Barry and they dutifully makes their way to Henry’s office. Adrian knocks tentatively on Henry’s door.

  “Come in, Constables. And close the door behind you.”

  Damn it! What now?

  Adrian and Barry, still wearing their caps, salute Henry and he stretches them. A naughty smile plays on Henry’s face as he pulls out a set of keys from his office desk drawer.

  “I thought I would keep this as a surprise, but both your birthdays are still a while away. Obviously, everyone will use it, but I thought that you may have the maiden drive.”

  Adrian frowns lightly.

  “Major, what are you talking about?”

  “Golf Romeo 6. The new Isuzu double cab that came yesterday. You are my most reliable policemen and respond quickly to your complaints.”

  Henry hands the keys over to Adrian and Adrian’s face lights up.

  “Major? Are you serious?”

  “Yes, Constable. Apart from that, du
ring the course of the day, please make a turn at Logistics to get the dates. Both of you will go on an advanced driving course. Golf Romeo 6 is very fast and reliable, good on the road, but I don’t want to lose either of you or the cars because of a lack of training. And, Constable, take it easy. She is very responsive on both the brakes and accelerator. Don’t push her too hard, too soon.”

  “No worries, Major.”

  “How many complaints are outstanding?”

  “Actually, Major, we are only two vehicles outside today. Only just, because the other two Constables that are drivers booked off sick.”

  Henry loses his temper.

  “After I explicitly said that I need all my personnel over the festive and Christmas season! So, how many complaints do you have?”

  “Five, Major.”

  “Then dismissed and take care out there.”

  Adrian and Barry load their equipment in the new vehicle and Adrian looks at Barry.

  “Do you want to drive, Engelsman?”

  “Och, hell no. Maybe later. I only got me licence last year and I don’t have the confidence in me self to drive this type of car just as yet. Maybe after the advanced driver’s course.”

  They get inside and buckle up.

  Adrian stares wide eyed at the technology in the vehicle and whistles.

  “Paradise. Remind me to bring some CD’s tomorrow that we can listen to music.”

  “Do ye think it works?”

  Adrian switches the radio on and changes the channel to KFM.

  “This is going to be fun.”

  Barry tests the sirens and they both giggle as some of the personnel look out of their office windows.

  “It’s even got a PA system. Listen here.”

  Barry aims to crack a silly joke on it, but Adrian just laughs and puts the mike away.

  “Well, I feel sorry for those who drive around where they shouldn’t be. The car has got an AVL system.”

  Adrian switches on the Police radio, waits a while.

  “Romeo, Romeo, Golf Romeo 9, oops . . . sorry. Golf Romeo 6, permission to book on air?”

  “Golf Romeo 6, proceed.”

  “Yes, Romeo. Good morning. I proceed. The driver will be Constable A Parker with cell phone number 082-2121978, I repeat 082-2121978. Registration number . . . um, please stand by.”

  Barry laughs.

  “Here ye go.”

  “Yes, Romeo, sorry about that. Registration number will be Bravo, Pappa, Delta 521 Bravo. I repeat, Bravo, Pappa, Delta 521 Bravo. Please stand by for the crew.”

  Barry takes the mike from Adrian.

  “Good morning, Romeo. The crew will be Constable BR Daniels. Over.”

  Barry hands the mike back to Adrian and takes down the meter readings.

  “Any other complaints, Romeo?”

  “Yes, Golf Romeo 6. I have an unnatural death to spoil your day. The address will be Appletiser Street, house number 54. Your complainant is Mrs. Gerber. Reference number 109528. Did you copy?”

  “Yes, copied, Romeo. Enjoy your day and as usual, good luck and God bless.”

  Adrian sighs.

  “You know, if my day starts with an unnatural death, it’s only going to get worse. What else do we have, Engelsman?”

  “Romeo gave us a suspicious vehicle, malicious damage to property, patrols, housebreaking attempt and a domestic violence.”

  “Sweet, Romeo, Golf Romeo 6.”

  “Golf Romeo 6, proceed.”

  “Romeo, did Golf Romeo 10 book on yet?”

  “Negative, Golf Romeo 6.”

  “Okay. Please, Romeo, when they do, it should be in the next half an hour or so, but could you please give three of my complaints to them? You know how long we stand off at an unnatural death.”

  “Copied.”

  “Thanks, Romeo. I’m out.”

  Adrian and Barry arrive at the home where the complaint is and they meet up with a very distracted Mrs. Gerber.

  “I am so glad you came here so quick.” she says.

  “I heard a huge bang about an hour ago. I didn’t think much of it, but I decided to check on my neighbor. It’s awfully quiet inside and I’m really worried.”

  “It’s okay, madam. Please, go to your home. I am not sure what we may find.”

  Armed with some crime scene tape, Barry approaches the house with Adrian. The front door was locked and Barry goes to the back door to check there as well, but both doors were locked. Adrian removes his pistol and shoots open the lock before kicking the door down.

  A very gruesome scene awaits them as a middle-aged man was lying on the floor with the shot gun next to him and the blood, pieces of teeth and brain matter splashed on the walls and ceiling. Barry rushes outside before folding over and though feeling very sick himself, Adrian swallows hard at the nausea and forces himself to recollect.

  Adrian turns around, takes the crime scene tape from Barry to cordon off the area. After making the scene secure, Adrian puts his arm around Barry’s shoulders.

  “Hey, Engelsman. You okay?”

  Barry catches his breath.

  “Aye . . . I’ll be okay. It’s just . . . I’ve never seen it this bad before.”

  “Would you mind organizing the key personnel for us? There is some coffee left in my thermos mug. I think you can use some.”

  “Won’t ye need a hand here?”

  “Already secured the scene. It’s just a question of keeping the curious public away and starting with the docket.”

  Barry goes to the squad car and Adrian takes a seat on the door step to start writing his statement and start the docket. This was a very gruesome scene indeed, but Adrian knew that he had to deal with these situations for the rest of his life until he retires one day.

  After some ten minutes, Barry joins Adrian, appearing less shaken.

  “All done, old man. They are on their way.”

  A car stops on the pavement and Adrian and Barry walks closer. A young man, approximately early, mid twenties gets out of the car.

  “What are you doing here?”

  “Sir, please. This is a crime scene—”

  “What are you doing here? Why are there yellow ribbons in front of the door?”

  “Sir, please. This is a crime scene—”

  “What happened?! Answer me!”

  “Your father shot himself, sir. I’m so sorry.”

  The young man tries to run toward and inside the house and it takes real effort from both Adrian and Barry to restrain him.

  “Sir, please. I understand you are traumatised, but this is a crime scene and you are not allowed here.”

  “But it is my father, damn it!”

  “I understand that, but I am a policeman and the law protects me to deny you access to the crime scene at this stage. As soon as the detectives were here and the photographers took the photos, you may go in.”

  Two paramedics arrive on the scene and the young man aims again to go in. With strength he never thought he had, Adrian grabs him by the arm and holds him there.

  “But if they go in it means he is still alive! He needs me!”

  “Sir, I’m sorry. Your father has died. The medics are here only to declare him dead. It is part of the procedure.”

  “I don’t believe you.”

  “Sir, listen to me. You would not want to hear this, but your father has shot himself with a shotgun. No-one survives something like that. I’m so sorry—”

  “No, you’re not! Your dad is probably still alive! You have no idea of what I’m going through! You are heartless!”

  Adrian looks at Barry.

  “Sir, I’m going to ask my crew to talk to you while I supervise in there. He lost both his parents and I know he’ll be able to give you some advice.”

  At last, some eight hours later, it really settles down for a change and Adrian and Barry relaxes in the squad car, having some lunch.

  “I am so dog tired. Ye can’t believe!” Barry complains.

  “It has b
een the most hectic day since we started here at Grabouw. I’ve never experienced something like this. Normally, it’s a quiet precinct.”

  “Not today.” Adrian says.

  They sit in silence and some frown starts playing between Barry’s eyes.

  “Looks like one hell of a fire over there.”

  Adrian looks at it intensely and the uneasiness grows inside him.

  “Too soon for a veld fire this time of year in Grabouw. Much too soon.”

  “What do ye think it is?”

  “I don’t know, but it doesn’t look good.”

  Adrian takes the last bite and takes a sip of his soda before starting the bakkie and driving toward the smoke. The closer they go, the worse the feeling inside Adrian gets.

  Something was terribly wrong . . .

  “Put on some music, Engelsman.”

  Barry switches on the blue lights and sirens and Adrian carefully navigates his way to the scene. Henry was right. He didn’t have to do much to drive faster. The Isuzu was indeed very eager to go.

  Adrian stops at the scene and they get out, breaking through the curious crowds.

  “Did anyone call the fire brigade?” Adrian asks.

  “Yes. They should be here any moment, Constable.”

  “Great, thanks. Barry, do me a favor. Take the bottom floor. I’ll go upstairs.”

  “No, Adrian! It’s too dangerous! I’ll go!”

  But Adrian ignores him and dashes into the house, up the stairs. He assesses the situation. This is very bad. The fire brigade had to come very soon.

  The dense smoke starts closing up his lungs, but Adrian bravely moves forward from room to room and he comes across a panic-stricken 3-year-old girl that held onto her teddy bear as if it was going to save her life.

  Adrian grabs her up in his arms, covers her with a blanket and holds her close. She screams uncontrollably.

  “It’s okay, sweetheart. I’m here. You’re safe, okay? Just hold on to me. You are going to be all right.”

  The toddler flings her arms around Adrian’s neck and he can feel her choking him. Adrian realizes that he already struggles to breathe and he gently tries to make her to soften her grip on him, but the toddler refuses to let go.

  Adrian realizes that they had to get out of the burning house very soon. He runs down the corridor and gets startled out of his wits when a piece of wood cracks and falls on the floor, trapping them. Adrian closes his eyes. He wasn’t going to die like this, not with such a young life in his hands . . .

  Adrian musters all his strength and agility, and jumps over the burning wood and rushes down the stair case and to the outside, handling the toddler to someone in the crowds.

  “How many people came out?” Adrian asks anxiously.

  “The other Constable came out with a baby boy.” someone says.

  “But he went in again.”

  Adrian winces and starts to panic. The fire brigade did come and they were already hosing the house down, but it could still collapse any second.

  Adrian rushes toward the house, but is pulled back by a fireman.

  “Constable, you can’t go in there! The house is going to collapse any moment!”

  “You don’t understand! My buddy is in there!”

  “Constable, listen to me! We can’t even go in there! It’s too dangerous!”

  “No! I can’t wait!”

  Adrian breaks loose violently and rushes into the house.

  “Barry? Barry! Answer me, Engelsman! Where are you? Barry!”

  The panic inside Adrian overwhelms him. It was a big house, and the visibility was zero. Barry’s 21st birthday on Christmas was two weeks away . . .

  Adrian realizes with a shock that the stair case that he came down with five minutes ago has collapsed and was inaccessible. His heart races. What if Barry was still upstairs!

  “Adrian . . .”

  Adrian turns his head to the sound from where Barry’s voice came from and he rushes to Barry’s side. Barry is pinned down by some pieces of wood that made the stair case.

  “Barry! Engelsman! Are you okay? Can you move?”

  “Me leg hurts! I think it’s busted!”

  Adrian starts to move the pieces of wood off Barry and he struggles badly with the last piece of sleeper wood to lift it off Barry’s leg.

  Adrian swears.

  “I’m sorry. That should not have come out.”

  “Adrian, please! Don’t endanger your life like this! If ye go now, you’ll make it . . .”

  “Don’t be ridiculous! I’m not leaving you!”

  Adrian tries again to lift the sleeper, but to no avail. The emotion starts streaming over his cheeks. He felt so helpless and vulnerable. Barry is his best friend and there is no way that he could walk out there and leave Barry behind.

  Adrian tries desperately to lift the sleeper again, but it was extremely heavy and every time he managed to lift it an inch, Barry winced in pain.

  “Adrian! Please! Just go!”

  “No! I’m not leaving you behind! I’m not giving up! We are both getting out of here!”

  At last, with his very final strength, Adrian manages to move the sleeper off Barry’s leg. He barely has strength left to lift up his light friend, but he picks Barry up in his arms so that they can get out of the burning house together. Barry cries out in pain.

  “It’s okay, Engelsman. I’ve got you.”

  “Just hurry, old man! It’s bloody scary in here!”

  Adrian rushes to the outside and becomes painfully aware of the flames chewing on his legs. They emerge from the house with a thunderous applause from the crowds on the outside.

  Adrian carefully lays Barry down on a stretcher before allowing the firemen to put out the fire on his uniform and them easing him onto a stretcher. Adrian winces at the prick of the needle of the IV and turns his head, looking at Barry. Barry desperately tries to fight back the tears of emotion.

  “Why did ye do that, Adrian? Why did ye risk your life for me like that?”

  “You are my best friend. I can never leave my partner like that, especially in a fire.”

  “But . . . ye could have died, trying to save me . . .”

  “Maybe. But I know where I’ll be going when I die. You on the other hand, don’t. You know you still have to put your life right with Jesus Christ.”

  Barry closes his eyes, swallows at the lump in his throat.

  “Ye know, I saw me life flashing in front of me . . . I was so, so scared . . .” Barry’s voice disappears.

  “Before ye came, while I was lying there, trapped, I saw this beautiful angel. It was so, so real . . . I then felt so peaceful. I didn’t feel that scared any more . . .”

  “Then stop being stubborn. You can feel it. You felt it. You know God is tugging at your heart. Don’t ignore it, Barry.”

  Henry passes through the crowds and kneels down by the two stretchers.

  “What a brilliant effort. I am so proud of you!”

  Adrian smiles wearily.

  “Sorry, Major. I had to push her. 140 km/h. What a ride . . .”

  Henry takes the keys from Adrian.

  “We’ll talk about that later. Are they going to be okay?”

  The medics look at Henry.

  “They should be. But we need to take them now. The smoke inhalation can be dangerous and both of them require treatment.”

  “Please take them to Somerset West Medi Clinic. My wife works there and she notified the ER already.”

  “Is she working there, sir?”

  “No, she is at pediatrics, but I called her when I heard the news of the fire. Hold on, Constables. I’ll be there as soon as all the key people were here on the scene.”

  Barry awakes with a strange feeling he has never experienced in his life before in the very early morning hours of Christmas. The darkness in the cottage suggests that it is still very early, probably about three in the morning.

  Barry sighs softly, rubs his eyes
. He couldn’t shake the feeling. Was that the feeling of being all grown up, being regarded as a man now that he was 21?

  Barry turns his head, stares at the sleeping Adrian and chuckles. Adrian was sleeping in the usual manner, his head resting on the one pillow that was almost half way down the bed, the duvet only covering him just due to Adrian kicking the bedding off during the night and to round it off, Adrian holding on to the second pillow like a young child would hold on to a soft toy. Adrian’s very soft snoring also sounded in the cottage and somewhere on the farm, one of the roosters natural alarm went haywire.

  Whatever this feeling was, it becomes too overwhelming and Barry can’t contain it any longer. It felt silly to him, but he suddenly had an intense yearning, longing, to pray and to talk to God. And for Barry, it was strange, because it was no secret that Barry was an atheist who didn’t want anything to do with religion.

  Barry softly gets out of his bed, rests with his knees on the pillow as he knelt down at his bed. He closes his eyes, rested with his head on his flat hand palms.

  “God,” he whispers very softly.

  “I’ve never prayed before . . . I . . . I don’t know what to say. I guess . . . I guess I just want to thank You for saving me life the other day . . . for keeping me safe . . .”

  His emotions overwhelm him as the Holy Spirit really starts working with him and the tears start flowing over his cheeks.

  “Oh, Lord . . . I’m so sorry . . . I’m so sorry . . . Please forgive me. Please forgive me of all me sins, all me pride over all these years . . . I am so, so lost. I don’t want to live the rest of me life without Ye anymore. Please . . . Please I beg Ye, I know I’m so bad and I have done so many bad things in me life, but please come into me life. Please be the only King of me heart. I confess me sins to You, Lord Jesus. I need Ye so much . . . and I believe that You have died for me on the cross for all me sins. Please, Lord Jesus, I invite Ye now to come and live within me, to make me anew . . . please cleanse me, please be with me . . . please show me how I can please Ye and live a life that You’ll be proud of. I just know that I need Ye so much!”

  Barry cries softly for a while, bravely drying his tears.

  “I guess You must have loved me, God, because Ye died for me. I love You so much. Amen.”

  Barry gets up, looks at Adrian again who didn’t stir at all and who still slept undisturbedly. Barry looks at the Bible on Adrian’s bedside table. He was so eager, so hungry, so thirsty to know more. And he couldn’t wait for the daylight to arrive so that he can ask Adrian to help him to start with the right passages . . .

  The sound of the knock on the door of the cottage rouses Adrian. He opens his eyes, a smile playing on his face.

  Today is a special day. It’s Christmas, and unlike the previous year, he was able to spend it with his family. Both his brothers were also coming to the farm. The last time the family had spent time together was the Christmas before Adrian went to the College.

  Adrian’s smile broadens at the sound of Barry mumbling in his sleep before he opens his eyes. Adrian gets up, sits down next to Barry.

  “Morning, Engelsman. Happy birthday.”

  Barry yawns.

  “Thanks, old man. Who is at the door?”

  “Probably my parents.”

  Adrian gets up and walks to the door to open and welcome his parents. They hug each other close for a long while, exchanging their well wishes on this special day.

  “Barry? You decent?” Chrissie teases before entering the cottage. Barry emerges from the bedroom, pulling the T-shirt over his head.

  “Hey, lads. Merry Christmas.”

  Chrissie hugs Barry close and kisses him.

  “Happy birthday, my sweetheart. I really hope that this day will be truly special and that nothing will ever badly happen to you again. You honestly have had your fair share. I really love you.”

  Barry hugs Chrissie again and holds her.

  “I love you too. Ye mean so much in me life, thank you.”

  Barry lets Chrissie go and shakes Henry’s hand.

  “Happy birthday, Barry. Everything prosperous for you on this special day and for the year.”

  “Thanks, Henry. I really wish ye a prosperous year too. Thanks again for everything that all of you have done and what ye are doing for me. I can’t believe I’m such a lucky person.”

  “Well, then I don’t know what you will think of your birthday present.” Henry says.

  Barry frowns and Henry smiles. He hands Barry a small envelope with a card inside.

  Barry opens the envelope and stares speechless at the keys in the card.

  “I can’t accept this, Henry . . .”

  “Why not? You may not be my biological son, but I have had the privilege of buying my sons their first vehicles. She is not brand new, but it is a Volkswagen and they carry on for years.”

  “This is incredible . . .”

  Barry stays quiet for a long while before clearing his throat.

  “I. I um . . . I also have a surprise for all of ye and I really hope it’s good news.”

  Adrian and his family look expectantly at Barry.

  “I first want to say thank you for all of your prayers, all your patience with me since I came here and since Adrian and I became friends. I . . . I accepted Jesus Christ into me life, early this morn.”

  The four of them form a group hug, tears of joy and gratitude flowing freely of everyone’s cheeks.