From the first week Eddie had begun calling on homes. Many times the door was closed in his face. Even when he was greeted at the door, he was never invited inside. Invariably, if a male Aboriginal opened the door, and regardless of the tone of his dismissal, he was always aware of anger, deep-seated anger. Now, from Angel’s remarks he was aware that something was wrong, perhaps seriously wrong, and he prayed for direction.
Another week passed, still with the same results and frustrations. Angel came as usual each day. Eddie knew that if she had more to tell him, it would be in her time and in her way.
Then, suddenly, he received a phone call.
“Hello, Eddie. My name is Damien Evans.” That name is familiar, thought Eddie. His thoughts were interrupted by the caller continuing. “I need to talk to you. I was the parish priest before you, headed for a break-down but am okay now. Can we meet? But not in Bourke! Could you come to Dubbo – sooner than later!”
Gradually Eddie began to realize the significance of this call. “Hi, Damien. Of course I’ll come to Dubbo.” A time was agreed upon and the call ended.
How will I recognize him? Eddie asked himself as he drove toward Dubbo. The coolness of dawn at the beginning of the journey gradually gave way to the heat of mid-day as the miles fell away. Outside the church at 1.00pm. had been agreed upon. Eddie arrived at the destination with half an hour to spare. The coolness within the church refreshed him. He had drifted into a calm meditation when he was jolted into the present by a light touch and a reedy voice, “Eddie?”
Eddie looked up into a thin, drawn face that shook on top of an equally thin, gaunt body.
“Damien!” as they shook hands.
“We could go to the presbytery here,” suggested Eddie. Then added with a laugh, “They know me – a cuppa and a heat-up any time of the day!”
“Rather not,” replied his serious companion.
“Okay – a street or two away – we can talk over a meal.”
As they walked in silence the short distance to the café, Eddie was aware of the tenseness within his companion.
Once seated and lunch orders given, Eddie endeavoured – eventually successfully – to ease the tenseness within his companion.
“Did you drive up today?”
“No – stayed the night on the way. I’ve been very lucky. As you probably know, I was in rather a nervous state when I left Bourke. Treatment has helped tremendously – or perhaps leaving the problem behind was the answer.” He stopped talking but continued fidgeting with the end of the table cloth.
Seconds later he continued, “I’ve always been a bit of a nervy type. I just couldn’t cope with Bourke any longer. The bishop helped me find a chaplaincy position in Sydney.”
Eddie waited for him to continue. But after minutes of silence, Eddie asked, “Damien, did something happen to you in Bourke?”
He was unprepared for the response. “It’s a devil town!” In the same hoarse whisper he added, “Eddie, get out while you can!”
Eddie spoke softly. “It’s all right, Damien. Do you want to talk about it?”
Clasping and unclasping his hands, Damien began his story, at first slowly, hesitantly, then, like a river in flood, racing, gushing.
Eddie listened in silence, nodding his head at times, at other times quietly murmuring, “Go on Damien.”
Eddie guessed that Damien would be described as ‘highly strung’ and the pace of ordinary life would have been a challenge for him. But, as Eddie had been beginning to understand, life in many parts of Bourke had been anything but ordinary and, for Damien coping with it was far beyond a challenge. Damien was in tears as he concluded, “It nearly finished me, Eddie. I’ve come through treatment and I’m very grateful to the bishop for helping me find this new position of chaplaincy. Don’t let this happen to you! Leave before it breaks you too.”
Eddie leaned across the table and gently touched the shaking hands.
“Thanks for thinking of me.” He spoke quietly. “You have had a terrible experience. It’s over. You are safe now. Feel free. Enjoy life. It sounds like a good place to be.”
Damien smiled. “Yes. It is a good place to be. The old folk are so happy and so friendly. Still I felt the need to meet you and warn you.”
“And for that I am grateful,” smiled Eddie.
As they parted Eddie felt both pity and respect for this nervous little man. He took his hand as he parted with, “Thank you Damien. God bless you now in your chaplaincy.”
The road back to Bourke was long and straight. But, now Eddie had more to think about. As he fell into bed around midnight, he whispered a prayer for direction.