The next few hours passed in a flurry of meetings with doctors who couldn’t promise anything apart from their best, an endless round of visitors from the church who came to see if they could do anything, and sitting with Jayden, quietly willing him to come back to them. But there was no change. He continued to lie there, lifeless and expressionless. Tessa could hardly bear to look at him. The kind-hearted boy she’d come to love dearly was in there somewhere, but right now, he looked dead. Her heart grieved for him.
The doctors had also confirmed they wouldn’t know how much brain damage he had suffered until the swelling eased, which could take days, possibly longer.
By late morning both Tessa and Ben needed a break, but neither could tear themselves away from Jayden. They’d just received another update from the police. Troy Barrett had been remanded in custody and his case was set down for three weeks’ time in the Magistrates Court. Unless of course the unthinkable happened and Jayden died. In that case, the charge would be upgraded to murder and he’d face the High Court.
“Take a break, Tess. Go and see your parents and the girls. I’ll stay.” Ben looked so tired as he stroked her hand. Dark circles had formed under his eyes, and his face was pale and drawn.
“No, I want to stay, but we need to make those calls. Everyone at home will be wondering what’s happened. And we need to let Angela and the Morgans know, just in case something happens.” Tessa gulped. She hated even thinking about the possibility of Jayden dying. “And what about Kathryn? I think we should tell her, too, just in case.”
Ben let out a heavy sigh. “You’re right, she should know. She’s his mother, after all. And yes, we need to tell the Morgans and everyone at home.”
“Are you up to it?”
“No, but it has to be done.”
“Maybe we should both go to Mum’s to make the calls. We can have lunch and a shower and then come back. The doctors aren’t expecting any change.”
He grimaced. “I’d rather stay. What if something does happen?”
“We can’t stay here forever, and we needn’t be long.”
“You’re right. I could do with a shower and some decent food, so yes, okay. Let’s do that.”
As they left Jayden’s cubicle and returned to the waiting area, even more familiar faces greeted them. People Tessa barely knew from church, and others she knew well, like her best friend, Stephanie and Steph’s mother, Vanessa.
Wheeling her chair over to Tessa, Stephanie held out her hands. “Tessa, I’m so sorry. I couldn’t believe it when Zoe called. But then I heard it on the news…” Her dark eyes moistened and she blinked back tears. “We’re all praying.” She grabbed Tessa’s hand. “I feel so bad… the guy who did this to Jayden was in my youth program.” Tears streamed down her face. “I don’t know what made him do it. He’d been doing so well.”
Tessa crouched down so she was eye-level with her best friend. Stephanie had been confined to a wheelchair since a car accident a number of years before, leaving her a paraplegic. She now worked with disadvantaged youth and had some marvellous successes. It seemed Troy Barrett wasn’t one of them. Tessa wrapped her arms around her friend. “It’s not your fault, Steph. You can’t control what they do. You do your best, but they still make their own choices.”
Stephanie nodded as she wiped her eyes. “I know. But it’s hard when something like this happens. As his Youth Worker, I’ll need to see him.”
Tessa gulped and closed her eyes. She hadn’t given much thought to the young man who’d done this to Jayden, other than send bad thoughts his way, but he was probably just a messed up kid in need of love. But how could she love him if Jayden died? She’d need to take that one up with God. “You do what you have to, Steph. We’re still coming to terms with it at the moment.”
“I can’t imagine how you’re feeling. Let me know if I can do anything. Okay?” Stephanie gave a watery smile.
“Thanks. We’re just heading to Mum’s for a shower and some lunch and to make some phone calls, but then we’ll be back. I’ll let you know if we need anything.” Tessa gave her a big hug.
“I’ll stay here until you get back. They should let me sit with Jayden.”
“That would be great. Call if there’s any change?”
“Absolutely.” Stephanie smiled as she blew her nose.
Tessa gave her a final hug then straightened. Vanessa, Stephanie’s mother, stepped forward and lifted her arms to give Tessa a hug. “We’re all praying, Tessie. Let us know if we can do anything.”
“Thank you.” Tessa smiled at her best friend’s mother, the previous owner of ‘Misty Morn’, the property in the lush Mary Valley she and Ben bought from Vanessa when she moved to Brisbane to live with Stephanie following the accident.
The others who’d been sitting in a group one by one stood and also offered their help, assuring Ben and Tessa of their prayers and support. It was almost too much. Everyone was so kind, but there was nothing anyone could do apart from pray.
They finally took their leave and headed for the car park. Tessa shivered. It had been quite mild when they left home in the middle of the night, but a cool change had come over while they’d been inside. Light rain dampened her arms as they dashed for the car. She rubbed her bare arms before grabbing her jacket from the back seat and slipping it on.
Fifteen minutes later, Ben pulled up behind Zoe’s fancy sports car parked in the driveway of the neat suburban single-story brick home Tessa and her brother, Elliott, had grown up in. With no children and a healthy double income, Zoe and Harrison could afford pretty much whatever they liked. But they both had kind hearts and were generous with their money and their time. In fact, Tessa had a sneaking suspicion they were helping to keep Zoe’s parents' ailing farm afloat. Not that anything had been said. It was just a feeling she had.
Tessa sat in her seat, unable to move. In the car with Ben, she could almost pretend nothing had happened. As soon as they went inside, there’d be no escape from it all.
Ben reached out and took her hand. Turning her head slowly, she met his gaze.
“We’ll get through this, Tess. Remember Psalm 46? God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear.’”
Tessa’s heart lifted. “Yes. Be still, and know that I am God.” She drew a slow breath, allowing the words to sink deep into her soul, giving her peace and strength. “Thank you. I needed that.”
“It’s not going to be easy, but God is with us. He won’t let anything happen that He won’t give us the strength to handle. We just have to trust Him.”
Tessa nodded. Ben was right, so right. God had been their strength through so many circumstances; there was no reason to believe He’d desert them now.
“Ready?”
“Yes.” Tessa undid her seatbelt, opened the door and climbed out, ready to face whatever lay ahead.
Sounds of happy children greeted her as she and Ben stepped onto the verandah. As he opened the door and held it, Bella raced to the door and threw herself at Tessa, almost knocking her over.
“Whoa there, Bella. How’s my little girl?” Tessa swept the toddler into her arms and hugged her tight.
“I’ve missed you, Mummy.”
Tessa laughed. “And I’ve missed you, too, sweetheart. But I’m sure you’ve had fun with Grandma and Auntie Zoe.”
“Yes. And Uncle Harry and Grandpa.”
Tessa glanced beyond Bella to where her father sat in an armchair in the lounge room, surrounded by a pile of cuddly toys and books. Tears pricked her eyes. He looked so relaxed, but she doubted he knew who Bella was. “That’s great, sweetheart. And where’s Grandma?”
“Making lunch.”
“That sounds good. Let’s go and see her, shall we?”
“Okay, but let me get Snuggles first. Grandpa’s cuddling him.
Tessa carried Bella over to where her father sat. Bending down, she placed a kiss on his cheek while Bella retrieved her favourite stuffed animal, a soft grey koala who’d seen better days. “Hello, Dad.”
He looked up, a blank expression on his face that seemed to have aged all of a sudden.
“It’s Tessa, Dad. Your daughter.” She could see his mind working, and it tore her apart that he couldn’t remember who she was. But God was their strength; she had to remind herself of that. One day, Dad would have a new body and mind. In the meantime, she just had to love him the way he was. Whether he knew her or not.
“Tessa, you say? Do I know you?”
Tessa gulped and then smiled. “It’s okay, Dad. You’ve had fun with Bella and Naomi this morning?”
His face lit up. “Yes, but I don’t know where they came from. Do you know them?”
She let out a small laugh, but she just wanted to cry. “Yes, Dad. I’m their mother.”
“Oh...” A fleeting flicker of recognition crossed his face before it disappeared.
“Can I get you anything?” She jiggled Bella in her arms.
“No, I’m happy here, thank you.”
“Okay. I’ll go and find Mum.”
“Bye bye.” He looked up. “What did you say your name was?”
Tessa bit her lip. “Tessa. It’s okay, Dad, it really is.”
His head nodded. He’d gone someplace else.
Ben slipped his arm around her waist. “Come on, Tess. Let’s find your mother.”
She leaned back against him and inhaled slowly. “Okay.”
Bella clambered from her arms to Ben’s as they walked the short distance down the hallway to the kitchen. Eleanor was busy making sandwiches with Naomi’s help, and Zoe was making coffee. All three looked up as she and Ben stopped in front of the breakfast bar.
“Ah, I thought I heard something.” Eleanor put her knife down, wiped her hands on a towel, and then stepped close to Tessa and hugged her. “How are you doing, sweetheart?”
Tessa swallowed hard. “Okay, I guess. There’s no change.”
“He’s still with us, so that’s a positive.” Her mother’s smile warmed Tessa’s heart, touching her deep down, almost causing tears to flow again.
She drew a breath and smiled as best she could. “That’s one way of looking at it.”
Her mother let go and stepped back to the kitchen bench where Naomi was buttering more bread. “I guess you could both do with some lunch. I thought you might be back, so Naomi and I made plenty.”
“That would be lovely, thanks.” Tessa smiled and patted Naomi’s head. “Have you been good for Grandma?”
Naomi’s face lit up. “Yes. She let me use the sharp knife.”
Tessa’s brow shot up.
“It’s okay. I kept a good eye on her.” Eleanor placed her hand on Naomi’s shoulder, an apologetic tone to her voice.
“It’s okay, Mum. We just don’t let her near the knives at home.” She glanced at Ben, who now sat at the table with Bella propped on his lap. “We could both do with a shower, and then we need to make some calls before we head back to the hospital.”
“Don’t forget to fit some sleep in somewhere.”
Walking to the sink, Tessa poured herself a glass of water. “I doubt we could sleep at the moment, but yes, we’ll grab some when we can. It’s Zoe who must need sleep.” She turned to her friend who’d just joined them. “Have you had a break at all?”
Zoe shook her head and shrugged. “I’m used to it. It’s fine. Coffee gets me through. Talking of that, would you like one?”
“I’d love one. Hospital coffee tastes like dishwater.”
“Tell me about it. That’s why I take my own.” Zoe let out a small laugh as she poured two cups from the coffee pot and handed one to Tessa and one to Ben.
“Can I see Jayden, Mummy?” Naomi’s little voice was filled with concern. “Auntie Zoe said he’s having a big sleep.”
“We’ll see, sweetheart. Maybe later.”
“Okay.”
Tessa smiled. After being such a demanding baby, Naomi had grown into a quiet, sensitive little girl who seemed to have wisdom beyond her years. Her insight and understanding never ceased to amaze Tessa, and she thanked God for her precious daughter every day.
Eleanor carried the tray of sandwiches to the table. “I’ll just get Dad. Start without me.”
“No, we’ll wait. It’s okay.”
Tessa turned to Zoe as they carried their coffees to the table. “I thought Harrison was with you.”
“He was. He got called into work. Some kind of emergency.”
“Surely someone else could have handled it.”
“You know what it’s like…”
“Yes, I do.” And she did. Having managed the vet clinic for over a year, she definitely knew what it was like.
“He’ll be back when he can.”
“I guess he’s told his mum about Jayden?” Tessa slapped her forehead. “Silly me… I just remembered she and Harold are visiting the girls in London.” Harrison’s mother, Margaret, although older than Tessa, was her good friend from the Fellowship Bible Church. Tessa had actually known Margaret longer than she’d known Harrison.
“He called her a while ago. She wanted to come straight back, but he told her to wait. She sends her love and prayers.”
Tessa could imagine Margaret wanting to jump on a plane straight away. Even when Tessa and Ben moved from the city to the country, she and Margaret had maintained their friendship, and no doubt she’d be feeling at a loss as to how to help, but there was no need for her to come racing back. She and Harold had been so looking forward to spending time with their twin daughters and grandchildren in London. It would be such a pity to cut the trip short. “Thanks. I’ll make sure I call her.”
Eleanor reappeared without Telford and took a jug of water from the fridge and placed it on the table.
“Dad not joining us?” Tessa raised a brow.
“He’s asleep. Thought it best to leave him.”
“Right. He’s gotten worse, hasn’t he?”
“I’m afraid so…” Eleanor’s eyes watered. It had been such a hard few years for her. Ben and Tessa had tried to convince her to have Telford admitted to a home, but she wouldn’t hear of it. “I’m fine. I can nurse him. This is his home.” But the time was coming… they all knew it. Her mother was in denial.
“You’ve been so brave, Mum. If only you would have let us move back.”
“I told you that wasn’t an option. Besides, Elliott helps when he can.” Tessa’s brother, Elliott, had returned from overseas mission work to help his mum a year ago, but now his new job as assistant pastor at a large church in one of the outer suburbs kept him busy. Too busy. “Anyway, let’s give thanks and eat. Can you do the honours, Ben?”
Ben nodded before taking Tessa’s hand and bowing his head. His deep steady voice brought calm to her soul as he thanked God for His love, care and faithfulness. God truly was their refuge and strength amidst all that life was throwing their way. Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me.