“Thank you so much for sharing your amazing story with me,” Chloe wiped her eyes. Rarely had she been exposed to such beauty in the story-telling of others. Theirs really was a remarkable story and she felt privileged that they had shared it with her.
Grace came over and handed her the newspaper clipping of them planting the tree and gave Chloe a hug.
“We trust James’ judgement, whatever his reasons for doing what he is, he allowed you in and so we are honoured to do the same. It felt good to tell our story. Thank you for listening.”
Chloe felt herself absorbed into the picture in the article, as if she had been there herself. These two children in the picture now seemed so familiar to her after hearing their story and the love that spanned more than six decades. Chloe sat a while longer with them, Grace brought more tea and biscuits and they spoke about her move to her new home and about the job she was about to begin and her feelings on that.
At the end of the afternoon, Grace told Chloe she would love her to visit again and they looked forward getting to know her better and following her new career. Chloe thanked them both and told James she would see him the next morning again. She stopped at Tea for Two for a cup of coffee with Phoebe and then went home to reflect on all she had just heard.
Chapter Eight
She met with James the next morning and they gathered acorns as usual. She noticed again that he still had not filled the pink packet. She told him that she would collect with him for the rest of the week but would be beginning her new job the next Monday and so would not be able to meet with him during the week after that.
“That is OK, we are getting very close to two hundred acorns now. I am sure we will have them by the end of the week. I am also going back to school next week. The holidays are almost over.” He smiled at her, this time without the usual shyness, but a smile of familiarity and camaraderie.
The next week Chloe used to familiarise herself with the history of the village. She spent a lot of time in the library reading old newspapers so that she would have some reference going into her new job. It was important, as editor, to have an understanding of any articles she would receive with regards to relevance for the magazine. Her mornings with James had become very special and relaxed and she was sad that they would soon be over. She was really settling into her new home as well and still enjoying afternoon coffee with Phoebe. Their friendship was strengthening and there was comfort in knowing she had someone to talk to through all the exciting and daunting events of her new life.
The first day of her new job arrived and Chloe arrived early. Edward held an early morning meeting around the boardroom table to welcome her. They had a rather informal meeting with everyone introducing themselves properly and all just discussing how the work process would flow. They explained that most of the articles where from free-lance journalists and the first thing Chloe needed to do that morning was make contact with the regular contributors as a way of introduction; Edward had already sent a mail out informing them that she would begin that day. There seemed to be good working relationships between everyone in the company and by the end of the meeting Chloe felt that she would fit right in. They were all welcoming and supportive and offered any assistance she would need while familiarising herself with the company and her role.
After the meeting, Chloe was left to settle in her office and do her introductory phone calls. Cami brought her a pile of the last few months’ editions of the magazine so that she could get a feel for the content and layout. This was all new for Chloe, she had always been on the other end – submitting articles for editing and publication – she hoped that it would not take her too long to get into the flow of things and into her role. The last edition had just been released on the Friday, so she had two weeks to get the next one out. The only actual writing she would need to do herself would be the Editor’s Letter at the beginning of the magazine. Edward understood that she did not want to write anymore, but had made it clear that he had left that door open for her and hinted that he would love an article or two from her at some point.
Chloe slipped into her role and routine very quickly. She found her colleagues pleasant and helpful and the journalists eager and willing to work with her and contribute their writings. She found their articles informative and interesting. After her first two weeks and the first magazine in her care had gone to print she was commended by Edward and the rest of the team in a morning meeting for her quick learning and great efforts in producing a magazine of even higher quality than it had been before. Chloe also asked for a moment to speak. She thanked them all for their support and said that in all her years in the industry she had finally found a company that aligned with her philosophy and allowed her to feel she was contributing to something worthwhile.
She had been meeting with James on the weekends; catching up with how he was enjoying being back at school and if he was reaching his target number of acorns. It had slowed down a bit as he had homework to do and still had to fit in swimming and horse riding. So they gathered as many as they could in their time together on the weekend.
Once a week Phoebe and Jean Pierre invited Chloe around for dinner to catch up and this had become a new routine and something to look forward to mid-week. They would congratulate her on the previous week’s edition and fill her in on the events in their lives. Phoebe had just begun choreographing a new ballet for her students. They would be doing a ballet version of The Ugly Duckling and her little lead ballerina did not quite understand at this point why she had to be the ugly one. Phoebe giggled as she retold how she had to spend time with her every day before rehearsals explaining over and over again how important her role was, about inner beauty, and reassuring her that she would be beautiful on the outside too by the end of the play. Jean Pierre had a huge project in the pipeline with a restorative venture on an old chapel in one of the nearby cities. It meant a lot of time away from home and he hoped Chloe would make sure that Phoebe had some company from time to time.
Chloe felt for the first time in her life everything had been blessed and her life was moving in a direction that brought balance and a sense of structure, stability and higher purpose. She still felt that something bigger was just about to breach the surface, although she had no idea in what area of her life this was to be. There was just this sense of hope and purpose, of an opportunity to fulfil her destiny, whatever that meant for her.
One Saturday morning she met with James. He beamed as he told her:
“I have one hundred and ninety nine acorns.”
“Congratulations and well done on your persistence James. You have diligently gone through your daily process with determination and patience. Just one more to go and I am so happy to be here to share it with you.”
Chloe ruffled his hair and as she did so she noticed the pink packet was still empty. Perhaps it was meant for the last acorn, for some reason James kept to himself. They walked towards the tree and he examined all the acorns lying on the ground. He went through his normal process. To Chloe most of them seemed like healthy acorns. She didn’t see any holes, all the caps came off easily, they were all a robust dark brown to black in colour and they all sank in the jar of water. Yet James took his time, throwing out many, until at last there was one he held in his hand for a moment longer than all the others.
Chloe held her breath as he reached for a packet. It was the pink one. She gasped, but hoped he didn’t hear, she dared not ask, she knew better. He looked up at her and there were tears in his eyes.
“You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to James,” she said soothingly, “but also know that I will listen to anything you feel you want to share with an open heart.”
James nodded, and then sat beside her, head bowed as he put the acorn gently into the packet.
“This acorn is for my best friend, Hannah. Her birthday is next week and I want to give it to her, to make a wish for her, with her.” The tears began to stream down his cheeks.
“James, that is beautiful.
I am sure she will love her gift. But why are you crying? Are you scared that she will not like it?” Chloe was touched by what she thought to be his nervousness.
“No, I am not scared that she will not like it. I’m worried if I have chosen the perfect acorn for her. It needs to be the most magical acorn, because my dream for her needs all the power in the universe.” He said this through sobs and Chloe sensed there was something bigger worrying James.
“Do you want to tell me what your dream is for her?” she prompted.
James hesitated and tried to control the sobs. Chloe put her arm around him and comforted him.
“Hannah is very sick. She spends a lot of time in hospital and has missed lots of school. I can’t see her anymore because she has to be kept away from everyone because she gets sick so easily.” His little body was wracked from the sobs.
“It is OK James, cry all you need to, it helps to get it all out.” Chloe stroked his hair as he cried. When he had finished, he looked up at her, his eyes red and swollen. Then he continued.
“Her dad says it is called Leukaemia. She needs to go to hospital again, the doctors say there is only one thing that might save her, but it is very expensive. My dream is for her to get better. I want her dad to find the money to make her better. He is very sad.”
Chloe’s heart broke to see James’ pain and to hear his story and his unselfish dream.
“James, I don’t know what I can do to help, but I would love to meet Hannah’s parents and hear what needs to be done.” She didn’t know where this thought came from, but it just tumbled out, like another puzzle piece. She did not know the circumstances or anything about the family, but she saw how much it meant to James.
She had been a part of his acorn collecting, leading to this moment of him finding the perfect acorn for his dream. She felt that whether she had chosen to or not, she was now part of this and that it was far greater than she was. Something huge was happening and she had been drawn into it, for reasons she couldn’t even begin to comprehend. She just trusted that she needed to follow it and honour whatever role she needed to play in it.
“There is just Hannah’s dad, her mom died when she was born, it’s just the two of them,” James explained. Chloe’s heart ached even more. But what could she do?
“Your dream is very special James, and what you are doing is so unselfish. Let us get you home, I will walk with you. I will meet you here again tomorrow.” They got up and walked to James’ home quietly together.
Chloe got home and into a hot bath. As she lay there beneath the bubbles, tears welled from the bottom of her heart and she sobbed and sobbed. She didn’t stop until she got out. She got into her nighty and gown, made herself some hot chocolate and cuddled on the couch. She cried some more, the well of tears seemed to be bottomless. James’ story, Hannah’s story, had both reached that part of her that just wanted to make everything right with the world. That same passion to help and to heal that had always been with her. That force she had been running from because she had been forced to abandon it. And here it was, refusing to let her hide anymore. Calling her out to the greatness that had always been in her, waiting to be unleashed. She was frightened. What was expected of her? What could she possibly do?
She heard a voice in the stillness: ‘Write Chloe. It is your gift.’ She sat there in the silence of her home, dumbfounded, spellbound and serene. She knew what she had to do and did not question it.
The next morning, she met James as promised. That day they were not collecting acorns. Chloe asked him if he would mind taking her to meet Hannah’s dad. James was a little unsure but agreed. Together they walked there and Chloe asked James to tell her all about Hannah and their friendship.
“Hannah is the same age as me. We used to be neighbours when we were about five years old until my mom and I had to move last year,” he explained. “At first we didn’t speak to each other much, but one day when I got home from school I saw her having a tea party outside with her dolls and I was curious. We started playing together after school sometimes.”
“When did she start getting sick?” Chloe asked.
“About a year ago, just after we moved away. I went to visit after not seeing her for a while and her dad said she couldn’t have visitors because she was not feeling well,” James answered sadly.
They carried on walking and soon arrived at the home that James indicated was Hannah’s. He knocked on the door and a man, not much older than Chloe, answered the door. Although still in his early thirties, the worry showed on his face and fatigue in his stance. He looked enquiringly at Chloe and then greeted James warmly.
“Hello Uncle Ben, this is Chloe. She has been helping me and I told her about Hannah and wanted to introduce her to you. I know we can’t see Hannah, but I just thought…” he stopped, stifling his tears.
“It is so nice to see you James, hello Chloe, pleased to meet you I am Ben. Please come inside,” he led the way through to the lounge.
Once inside Chloe explained, “I apologise for my intrusion, I know it may seem odd James bringing a stranger to meet you. It is just that I have spent a lot of time with James lately and he is an incredibly special boy. I see how much he cares about Hannah,” Chloe was doing her best to try to explain her visit and not seem inquisitive about their obviously difficult time.
“I don’t mean to sound nosey, but I would just like to hear about Hannah and what you are going through, I understand completely if you don’t want to share with a stranger.”
Ben’s face softened momentarily and he gestured to her to sit down.
“I trust James’ judgement. He has been a good friend to Hannah and I know how it upsets him not to be able to see her. If somehow this helps him, I will be glad to talk with you.” He offered coffee and when she accepted he went through to make it and returned a short while later with coffee and rusks. He sat opposite Chloe and they began to talk, immediately finding an easy rapport.
He explained that Hannah had been diagnosed with Leukaemia about eight months before, a couple of months after first becoming ill. She had been through so much testing and was now on medication that was slightly easing symptoms. She was currently going through a bad patch and was in hospital. The doctors felt her only chance of recovery was a bone marrow transplant but this held what seemed like insurmountable challenges. Firstly, it was an exorbitantly expensive procedure and secondly, if Ben, as her closest relative, was not a match as a bone marrow donor, they would need to test family and failing that she would need to go onto a waiting list to find a matching donor. There were so few registered donors in the country so she would go onto an international list and there were just so many children needing donors and so few people knowing how important it was to register as donors. The need was just so great.
Chloe felt that stirring within her again. Was this what she had been led to? Through all the hard times she had been through in her career, the disappointment, sense of failure and her resignation? Leaving town, arriving in the village, meeting Phoebe and then the Taylors? Her new job? Meeting James? All of it leading to this moment? She found herself blurting out her next words.
“Ben, this is going to sound a bit strange and premeditated or journalistic. I assure you it is not, I am astounded to find myself here about to say what I am. May I do a feature article on Hannah? Something is telling me there are people out there who could, and would, help if they just knew about her.” Chloe was shaking inside. What was she doing? She had vowed not to write any articles again. Ben looked at her a bit sceptically, and she continued:
“Let me explain, I am not looking for the next big story…” and she proceeded to tell him her story of disillusion, giving up, leaving, arriving and finding what she was running from had chased her down and arrived before her. By the end of the visit some of the weariness had lifted from Ben’s face as he agreed to let Chloe write the story. She saw a flicker of hope in his eyes and felt a bit of fear that she may be setting him up for something she may not be able
to deliver. But something told her that if she did not at least try then all hope would be lost. A little girl’s life depended on finding funds and Chloe had the means and capability to reach people who may be able to help. She and James left and Ben thanked them for the visit and for lifting his spirits. Chloe walked James home and then went home to plot her angle on the story.
On Monday morning she called a meeting with Edward Taylor and told him what she would like to do and asked for his permission. Edward beamed.
“Chloe, I have been waiting for you to want to write for us. I did some research on you when you agreed to take the job and I have read some of your stories. You are an amazing writer and it would be an honour for my company to be the channel for your story to see the light.”
Chloe was grateful for the opportunity and to have Edward’s support and enthusiasm. She would not let it interfere with her editing duties and so she worked on her story in every free moment she had in the evenings. The only time off she took during the next two weeks was for her midweek dinner with Phoebe and Jean Pierre and her time with James in the park on the weekend. They still collected a few acorns here and there, but mostly they had begun picnicking and just spending time together. James had taken her to meet his mother, Jessica, the previous weekend, at Chloe’s suggestion; so that she would not have to worry about the stranger James spent so much time with. She also met with Ben a couple of times just to get further information from him about Hannah, her illness and her medical requirements. Ben seemed to relax a little more with each visit and Chloe found herself enjoying his company and admiring the love and dedication he had towards his daughter. She still had not been able to meet Hannah, but Ben told her that as soon as Hannah had recovered from this latest chest infection and was able to have visitors, he would invite Chloe and James over to see her. She missed James so much.
Harvesting Acorns Page 9
