Eddie was preparing to leave for the school the next morning when Angel tapped on his study door to announce, “There’s a man at the front door, Father. Says it’s a surprise.”
“Thanks, Angel.” Surprise! Thoughts were tumbling as he pulled the front door wider.
“Julian!” he almost shouted, surprised, but relieved.
“Sorry, mate,” Julian responded. “Things are happening fast. I wanted to keep you in the picture as to what is going on – or rather the part that I know of what is going on!”
“Well, you don’t have to tell me on the doorstep,” smiled Eddie.
“Hope not!” laughed Julian in response.
“As far as I know,” began Julian, “today is D Day. I’ve been told to stay at my lodgings or with you. I’ve also been told to ask you – if at all possible – to stay here for most of the day.”
“Unless an emergency call comes in for home or hospital, that should be okay.”
“Good-O. And I’ll stay here too… if that’s okay?”
“Sure!”
“I don’t know the full plan,” Julian continued. “A squad of Federal Police will be arriving today and are well planned into how and where they will strike. I don’t know any details – just was told to stay out of the way today. And your police chief here, Bryan O’Connell, who was seen as just filling in time until he retired at the end of the year, has played a vital part. He had looked for help from higher-up before you arrived here. He has helped tremendously in filling in gaps from what he unobtrusively saw and heard. Sad to say, that Bryce fellow was part of the ring in supplying possible names and addresses.”
Eddie shivered.
“Yes,” continued Julian. “It’s so hard to believe! And it’s so hard to believe that they were able to get away with it for so long! Why some of the community didn’t appeal to authorities… especially the Aboriginal community, who seemed to have been the targeted group of children.”
“No,” responded Eddie quietly. “It’s not hard to believe. Perhaps in years ahead it will be different. It certainly has improved in some places in the last ten years or so. But my race has been treated at best as inferior, at worst – well, I won’t go down that path. They have seen what has happened to the few who have spoken out about injustices. They are very much into families. For what they see as potential danger to their families, they will do what they consider it must take – even silence. They have had no power, no line to justice, no voice. Definitely the situation is improving. But I can well understand how the elders have warned them. They have seen silence as the safest way for their families. I think in the horror that has been happening around them, they could not trust me – they could not trust the white in me.”
“Thanks Eddie,” Julian spoke softly. “You have certainly explained it. But as the twentieth century moves to a close, it seems almost unbelievable that this situation could exist.”
“Yes, it does seem unbelievable. But, sorry to say, although the situation is changing, there is still a long way to go to understanding and acceptance.”
Angel arrived with a tray set out for morning tea for two.
“Angel, would you do me a favour?” Eddie asked.
“Sure thing,” she replied promptly.
“Sit down and join us. I’m just going to the kitchen for another cup. I want you to meet my friend, Julian.”
Angel was visibly embarrassed but soon at ease with Julian’s welcome.
“So glad to meet you, Angel. Eddie has told me how kind you have been to him. And, he tells me, you were born in Bourke and have always lived here.”
“Yes,” she answered quietly.
Julian continued, “I have lived in the city all my life. I know little of country life. Eddie also tells me how helpful your family is.”
Julian had hit the right chord. Her family was her jewel. Quietly at first, then gaining confidence as she progressed, Angel gave a glowing report on her children and grandchildren, often interspersed with, “They’re the best, Mr. Julian.”
Angel was clearing the table when Julian’s mobile rang. Julian answered quickly, then smiled at Eddie as he nodded his head. For five minutes Julian sat motionless, sometimes nodding, at all times smiling to himself.
“Thanks so much for that,” he eventually spoke to his mobile. “So we do nothing but wait for the official word.” After the answer on the other end of the line, Julian ended the call with, “A million thanks. Talk to you later.”
“Mate, it’s over!” Julian laughed. “Members of the syndicate – or whatever they call themselves – have all been arrested! Six in all. They are to be transported to jail in Sydney, awaiting trial.”
“Thank God,” whispered Eddie.
They both knew the immediate horror was over. The perpetrators would be punished with a long-term jail sentence – which eventually happened – but the victims would face months, years, more likely a whole lifetime, endeavouring to heal the physical, mental, psychological, spiritual damage that had been done to them. Eddie knew the need for his ministry ahead would be enormous.
As though understanding his thoughts, Julian announced over lunch, “I’ll be leaving tomorrow morning.” Then added, “And you’ll be coming with me.”
Eddie looked up, questioning.
Julian continued, “I have permission from your bishop. He is coming here for a few days so, no problems. You will have a massive job on your hands, so time out to build up strength for it.”
“But…” Eddie began.
“No ‘buts’ Eddie. You and Joe are years overdue for an anniversary celebration. We’ll meet up in Sydney. And I have news too – but that’s for later.”
“Thanks, Julian,” Eddie whispered.
“And Eddie, remember you are to get that cough checked!”
“Trust you to remember,” Eddie replied. “But, as you would have noticed, the cough is gone. I’ll be fine.” Noticing Julian’s frown, he added, “If it does come back, I will seek medical advice.”
Eddie did not add that the cough had not vanished. He still had coughing fits at night, but they were not as common nor as aggressive. He knew he would eventually have to keep faith with his promise to Julian. But, while the coughing had eased, he needed to use all his time in Bourke to help build up a community that had been severely damaged.
A couple of days with Julian and Joe and time with his family would refuel his energy and plans for the future. Also a time to relax with family and friends and celebrate the blessings of the past years. And the future – after the past year, so unknown! Yet he knew he would face it with faith and love for his parish, to bring back life to its people, to bury the past and look to the future with hope.
Mark Levitt had made sure that Eddie had the needed time off for his health – although Eddie was not aware of his bishop’s reasons.
“Eddie, you have been through a harrowing time,” he had noted very strongly. “For your sake and for the sake of your parish, you must now take some time off. If no replacement is available, I will be the replacement.” He did not add that he had intended to have some time there, regardless of the availability or not of a replacement.
“It’s fine, Mark,” Eddie had tried to bargain.
“No, Eddie. I insist that you take a few weeks off. By then you will feel stronger to help your parish come back to normality – if that is possible.”
He also had to admit to himself weeks later that the three week break was not only quality time with family and friends. It was also therapy time. The persistent coughing fits had eased considerably. Even so, Julian periodically reminded him of his need to consider his health and future implications.