Weeks passed so quickly. Joe had to admit to himself that his initial disappointment (known only to himself) on coming to Blayney rather than straight to Bathurst, had turned into a happy acceptance. Life was full, but so far devoid of any problems or worries. He had to marvel at Steven’s will to move regardless of any obstacle in his way. Joe had learned very early that offers of help or in any way endeavouring to assist, could cause a storm. Joe understood; he also knew that Steven would ask for help if he really needed it. How would I be in such a situation, Joe sometimes wondered. Now, young, healthy and very athletic, Joe could only guess.
With his happy, out-going nature, Joe was immediately accepted by, not only the Blayney parishioners, but also by those in the country areas where he occasionally celebrated Mass.
Hospital visitation was a new experience, but he soon conquered any fears of inadequacy.
In his Mass each day he felt blessed and happy. Yet, deep down, he knew in the years ahead there would be crosses – how heavy he did not want to imagine. But he also believed that with help there would be rising from each cross. After each Calvary there will be a Resurrection, he often reminded himself.
Lunch once a week at the school gave Joe the opportunity to get to know the teachers and to mingle with the students out of class time.
It was in the second week that Sally ran up to him, pulling along her friend Naomi.
“Father Joe, this is Naomi.”
“I have to thank you, Father Joe for helping Sally out with my boys last week.”
“A real pleasure,” Joe smiled.
He looked quickly at this new acquaintance – auburn hair, dark purple eyes. Her appearance would have been stunning, he thought, had it not been for a vivid scar that ran down the length of her left cheek. He was to learn soon after that both Naomi’s parents had been killed in an horrendous car smash, of which they were innocent victims. Naomi had been pulled out alive but with severe injuries. Now the scar was the only reminder of what she had suffered. She was an only child and had been reared by her mother’s sister.
As the weeks turned to months Joe began to think that he could stay here indefinitely. But he had heard the quote recently that life wasn’t meant to be easy!
Not long after he was faced with a situation, abhorrent and foreign to him. Steven broached the subject one morning after breakfast.
“Joe, I do have a job for you. I’d do it myself, but…” He patted his legs.
“Sure!” answered Joe.
“Our second class teacher is worried about one of the girls in her class – a bright little thing. But now barely talks. Seems sad – but could be the teacher’s imagination. She has called at the home but no one answers the door. The father drops her off in the mornings and she catches the bus home. The mother is a very shy person and never comes to the school. The teacher caught up with the father one morning as he was dropping his child to school and expressed her concern. He just laughed – said she’s a quiet kid. But the teacher is worried. So, Joe, could you call on the home and see if you can meet the mother and find out if all’s well or if there is something to worry about.”
“Sure,” answered Joe. “As soon as I finish at the hospital this morning, I’ll pop over.”
Joe’s knocking on the door proved as unsuccessful as the teacher’s. Silence only answered his knocks. He could see how the young lady could go no further. A garage joined one side of the house while, on the other side, a high locked gate barred entrance.
Although slightly difficult, Joe decided if he climbed part of the way he could jump over.
He made it on the first attempt and followed the path to the back of the house.
A thin little lady, taking clothes off the line, looked up in shock as Joe turned the corner.
“Sorry to startle you! I’m Father Joe. Just calling on parishioners.”
Not only shock remained on the lady’s face. Dark discolouring on her cheek and around her eye was very obvious. As she dropped her hands from the line, Joe also noted the dark discolouring on her arm.
“Sorry, Father. I didn’t expect visitors!” Then she added quickly, “I had a fall!”
“Heavens!” Joe exclaimed. “You’ve made a mess of yourself. What does the doctor think?”
“No need for a doctor,” she quickly replied. “I’m okay.”
Joe had never seen a battered wife before and was quite shocked.
“I’m okay, Father. Truly. No need for fuss. Just a fall. I’ll get over it.”
Where to from here? Joe mused, still quite shocked.
“You’d better go, Father. My husband will be home for lunch soon. He doesn’t like visitors.”
I bet he doesn’t, thought Joe. Then, to himself, bite the bullet!
“Mary – it’s okay I call you that?” She nodded.
“Mary, it’s obvious that someone has been treating you as a punching bag. I can guess just who. You don’t have to take this. You’re a special person. No one has the right to do this to you!”
“But it was my fault, Father. I burned the sausages.”
The usually placid Joe could feel deep anger slowly rising. “Mary, we all make mistakes. No one – and I mean no one – has the right to do this to you.”
“Please Father go! It’s all right. Greg didn’t mean it. Please go – he’ll be home soon.”
“Mary, please. You don’t have to take this. Your husband is a sick bastard – excuse me! – but he is. He needs help. And what about that beautiful daughter of yours?”
“She’s okay Father. He likes her. He wouldn’t hurt her.”
“That’s for now, Mary. But no one can guarantee the future. If you want to guarantee your daughter’s future, you must leave this man.”
She started to cry. “I can’t Father. He said if I ever try to leave him he’ll kill me and Jody too! I can’t! I can’t!” His arm went around her as she began to sob.
“Please Mary, for you and Jody.”
“Thanks Father. But he said he’s sorry. He won’t do it any more.”
“But how long has it gone on? Mary, let me help you.”
“No, Father. You can help by leaving now.”
“Mary, you are worth more than this. You are a special person. And you have a beautiful daughter. I’ll go now. But please call me at any time.”
“You’d better come through the house,” she smiled wanly. “Otherwise you’ll have to jump the fence again.”
They were on their way through the house when they heard the front door opening. Mary froze.
“Leave this to me,” Joe whispered. Then, in an inner prayer, “God help me.”
Surprise, then anger registered on the face of the short man walking through the door, opening and closing his fists.
Joe extended his hand. “Hello. I’m Father Joe. Calling on the homes in the area. Couldn’t make anyone hear so came round the back. Your wife was just letting me out.”
Anger on the face of Greg Huntly eased as he took the extended hand.
“This fall has caused some serious damage,” Joe added. “She really needs to see a doctor.”
“She’ll be okay,” Greg answered. “She’s strong.”
“Perhaps. But I still think she needs a doctor.”
“No need, Father. I’ll keep an eye on her.”
“Father Steven will be worried about one of his parishioners having such a fall. So, I’ll be back in a day or two.”
With that, Joe left. Back at the presbytery he sought advice from Steven.
“Not much that we can do, unless Mary leaves or makes a complaint,” Steven advised.
“But what about the little girl?” Joe asked.
“We can keep an eye on her a school.”
Two days later Joe returned to the Huntly’s home. Once again knocks on the front door proved fruitless. Once again Joe practised his climbing and vaulting skills. The house was still but the back door was open.
“It’s Father Joe, Mary,” he called out as he knocked loudly.
She soon shuffled out. “You shouldn’t be here,” she whispered.
Joe looked at this frail little lady. “Mary, please think of Jody if you won’t think of yourself. You don’t have to take this. A government agency would take care of you both. You don’t have to take this!”
“No!” she whispered. “Thanks Father. Please go.”
Dejectedly, Joe returned home.
“What can we do?” he questioned Steven.
“There is nothing more you can do. The school will keep an eye on the little girl. They will watch her for psychological or physical abuse. As for her mother, we will call now and then, but…”
Joe felt compelled to take the advice of his elder. Years later he heard news of mother and daughter. Jody had left home as soon as she was old enough. Mary had remained with her abusive husband.
The next month Bruce returned and Joe was saying farewell to his new-found friends in parish and school. He knew he would miss them all – in particular Steven, who had been friend and mentor.