Rhythm

by

John Terry Moore
 

CHAPTER 44

Andrew relaxed as they enjoyed their coffee together at the hotel.  A very laid-back country hotel, certainly, but a good one.  The breakfast buffet had been wonderful and the girls had eaten everything.  As had Linda.  He and Stephen would have to begin watching their waistlines again, he realised.  But if that was the extent of their worries, he thought, they were fortunate.  So much had happened so quickly, yet they were unassailable as a partnership and a family group.  Linda had another three weeks with them before going home to Singapore.  She had apologised for her lack of domestic skills, but had decided to become their gardener.  Only then had the penny dropped for Andrew!  The garden around the compound in Singapore had been all hers.  It was a passion for her and it had occupied her time throughout all those unhappy years with Stephen’s father.  She was also busily educating the children in all things horticultural, both Lizzie and Claire amazing he and Stephen with their interest.  The bonding process had been such that they would all miss her when she went home, but even the girls understood their Gran was now a permanent feature in their lives. 

But today was different.  The girls were excited because they were going to Adam and Patrick’s farm, only fifteen minutes away from their hotel.  There should be a few late lambs, Andrew thought, and the dogs; of course and the horses.  They had resisted requests for a dog of their own because there had been other priorities to attend to.  Now anything seemed possible, Andrew thought, as he locked fingers with Stephen.  Their love affair had simply swept everything before it; they loved each other so obviously that their family understood and respected their partnership.  In addition, they would always have enough of everything now the deal with Eddie Chin was about to become reality.  And the girls would never want for anything either if their upbringing stayed on track and their values were reinforced as he and Stephen had done from when they were babies.  Even before they had become a couple, they had both tried to set an example.  But it was thrilling to have such positive comments since their little family had finally become one unit.  They had noticed the attitude of the girls changing; they were much more relaxed, self-assured and were doing better at school than ever.  And the widening of the family circle in Singapore to include Linda, Uncle Sin, Harry, and Eddie and Angela Chin, was exactly what the girls needed.  They had needed to belong somewhere ever since they were babies and now they did. 

Stephen squeezed his hand and Linda smiled at them.  They were like teenagers again, she thought; so handsome and so loving.  She knew something special was ahead of them today; her son wasn’t usually devious but it obviously involved Andrew.  She smiled as she remembered Andrew’s ‘surprise’ for Stephen, just a few weeks ago in Singapore, how he seemed to understand exactly what Stephen needed at that time.  How it had brought them even closer, she suspected.  And certainly involved her, the children and the staff.  How through all of this ‘funny business’, she and her son had started communicating like never before.  She loved Andrew for his unselfish nature; it was similar to the old Chinese attitude where family came first and personal fortune was quite secondary.  She realised she was prepared to fight for them under any circumstances.  Together with Stephen, he had created a family group in which she felt loved and fulfilled; at peace with herself for the first time for many years. 

Stephen began to relax a little, knowing everything was in place and that the element of surprise would hopefully be seen as a gesture of love for his other half.  Life’s plan had unfolded for him at last and in so doing, he had been rewarded with the love of the only person who had ever meant anything to him.  He knew however his plan unfolded, Andrew would laugh off any embarrassment.  His main concern centred around their mates; Adam, Patrick, and the remainder of The Eight.  They had been amazing friends; really much more family than he’d ever had until quite recently.  Lance and Angelo, being close by, had been the most regular visitors; followed closely by Peter Finche.  And even Richard in the middle of his matrimonial blues had made an effort.  Darcy had flown down only two weeks after Annette had been killed.  He did the gardening, shopping and went back home after a week.  A week later Jacob was there, cooking for him, doing housework, taking him and the girls out.  Adam and Patrick demanded they come down to the farm, and the girls’ love of animals had begun there.  Totally caring and unselfish, the lot of them.  And in the background, of course, Andrew had always been there.  The most constant presence in his life, even when he was married to Amanda.  So no one ever questioned the fact that they were always together and that Andrew had such input into the upbringing of Elizabeth and Claire.  Accepted as two straight mates looking out for each other.  Even though their relationship back then had been physically innocent, Stephen realised they had been about as close as any human beings could be emotionally; and he hoped their friends would understand they had really only become a couple a few months ago.  So they hadn’t intended to be evasive or untruthful with the one group of people who loved them unconditionally. 

They pulled into the yard of the homestead just minutes before the Dean was to begin her presentation.  The girls spotted Patrick with Billy and Tommy, and the double stroller containing the twin girls, Mary and Melanie.  They tore across the yard, Patrick and Adam picking the excited two off the ground and swinging them around.  “Lizzie, Claire, how are the little princesses?” Patrick said.  “Look what we’ve got here!  Come and meet our little girls.”  Stephen and Andrew led Linda over and introduced her to Adam and Patrick.  They remembered her of course, from Annette’s funeral but decided, after an exchange of glances, not to mention the fact.  Patrick decided something was different; but when he saw Andrew link fingers with Stephen behind his back, he knew.  He correctly assumed it was something relatively new; and decided to give them time and some respect, so they could do their own thing in their own time.  If anyone deserved to be happy, it was those two, Patrick reasoned; a funeral on one side then a divorce on the other.  Yet Elizabeth and Claire were thriving!  Even more so now than even a few months ago, he thought.  ‘Adam has no idea,’ Patrick thought to himself as he watched his partner playing with the kids.  He was simply the most open and loving person Patrick had ever known, and he just happened to be married to him!  Only saw what was obvious because he always thought the best of everyone.  Only sneaky queens like himself, Angelo and his ‘Sis’ ----- Peter had this ability to work out what was going on behind closed doors. 

Bedroom doors! 

Lance and Angelo were there and their kids Baruti and Naledi made a beeline for Lizzie and Claire; they were closer in age than the other kids, and there was already a great friendship between them.  Baruti seemed to have no problem with the fact that he was the only boy; even at this early stage he was a little gentleman and the leader of his group!  “He’s African, man,” Lance had said with a degree of seriousness.  “I think he sees himself as the African chief, leading his little group through the savannah; not bad for responsibility at his age,” he joked, with the pride evident in his voice. 

*****

Richard and Peter were late arrivals also.  Married only a year or so they had moved to their five acre property, renovated the house, bought a few sheep from Adam to keep the grass down and then started growing vegetables.  It had been a good season despite global warming and they had more than they needed.  Suddenly because everything was organically grown, they found everything they produced was in great demand.  When they passed their fixed overheads and were into profit, Richard’s little sideline had Peter’s full attention!  So they literally ploughed their profits back into their mortgage, and had cash to spare.  But as happy and content as they were, there was still something missing.  A family. 

Obviously better placed than any other couple through Peter’s position at the ICHP, they were beginning to examine their options.  Suddenly there was a call for help from the orphanage in Guangzhou, the very place where the founders of the ICHP had sourced their own big family.  All Chinese children, all grown-up now with kids of their own.  But almost all were female children available for adoption because even this far into the twenty-first century, Chinese people still wanted boys.  So inevitably the only boys available were ‘disabled’.  And that was how they were offered a little boy simply known as ‘Lee’, the original family surname.  Lee had never spoken a word since he was born.  There was evidently trauma through a very dysfunctional family; no one knew why he couldn’t speak, his hearing and all health checks appeared normal.  But he was over two-years-old and unwanted.  When they saw Lee’s picture, they knew instinctively that he was theirs.  An immediate connection; they looked at each other and nodded, grinning away like madmen.  The process was amazingly fast; because the little guy was unwanted, and because of the ICHP’s long term relationship with the orphanage and the Chinese government, Richard and Peter were in Guangzhou ten days later.  The formalities were completed within a week, and Lee stepped off the aircraft at Avalon; hand-in-hand with his new parents in under three weeks. 

The global network that Peter had set up was buzzing.  The boss himself was now a father!  The usual network was quickly in place; Lance, Angelo, Adam and Patrick, even Jacob flew down for a few days.  And Eric and Jasmine Finche were right up front; as usual, together with Monica Nation, Richard’s mother, all amazed and delighted that they were instant grandparents!!  Basic instinct told Richard and Peter their child was not disabled, and their trusty GP Darren Clarke agreed.  He suggested as much variety in mental stimulation as possible; reasoning that something in Lee’s background had caused immense trauma, followed by a long period of inertia at the orphanage, probably in the same surroundings, day after day.  So there was no reason for him to leave the relative comfort of his ‘safe’ little world where he was able to hide behind his wall of silence.  “The other element,” Darren had told them, “is one you two have plenty of; ----- love.  Kids pick up on positive vibrations like that; keep him close to you most of the time, so he’s always able to hear your voice, but importantly, let him listen to the interaction between you two.  Give it a month, then let’s review his progress.” 

Unable to take anymore time away from work, Richard took Lee with him to work some days, and Peter on others.  Both work places had a crèche, so Lee’s surroundings were always varied.  In meetings, Lee often sat beside him; mute but interested at all the grown-ups around him.  For the times Richard couldn’t keep watch, he went to the crèche where Mrs Wilkinson spoilt him.  On one occasion he followed her as she delivered another toddler to its mother, then she panicked when he’d disappeared!  There was laughter from the Managing Director’s office; Lee had wandered in there; looking over the edge of the desk as the MD enjoyed his afternoon coffee and biscuits!  Master Lee Finche-Nation had eaten both biscuits and was looking for more! 

At home he started making noises which they realised was some form of progress, but sadly nothing more, because they didn’t seem to relate to anything specific.  They spent hours every day talking to him; pointing to each other and repeating their names.  Then pointing to him and repeating ‘Lee’ over and over again.  A month had passed; they had been back to Darren Clarke, feeling depressed and useless, but he had reassured them.  “You guys can’t notice the progress because you’re naturally and correctly close to the action,” he said.  “But the most noticeable difference are his eyes,” Darren smiled.  “They follow you everywhere.  Just give him some more time, he’ll be OK.” 

“But don’t you think we should go to a paediatrician?” Peter asked. 

“What for?” Darren smiled, “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with your son.  He’s a late developer, that’s all.  Now go home and feed him; that’s a great way to keep the bonding process going; everyone loves to eat!” 

The following morning was Saturday and Peter had to go into work for a budget meeting.  Richard kissed him goodbye and he heard Lee stirring.  He bathed him, dressed him and sat him in his highchair for breakfast.  He had his back to him, pouring himself a coffee when he heard something.  “Da?” a little voice said, quite clearly.  Richard dropped his mug on the bench, nearly scalding himself.  “Lee,” he said, “did you say something?”  The little face contorted with effort.  “Da ----- d,” he smiled at Richard, who stood there, tearful, not believing his ears.  “That’s right, mate, dad,” he repeated.  Then he pointed at Lee’s little chest.  “And who’s this then.  Is this Lee?” 

“Lee,” came the response clearly.  Richard grabbed his phone.  “Babe,” he said to Peter, “y’ better come home.” 

“Why, what’s wrong?” shrieked Peter, thinking the worst. 

“Our kid’s talking his head off, and I can’t shut him up!”