Going Home

Part 26

Josh stared at his mother. He wasn’t sure if he was ready for that and didn’t know how to answer.

Margaret, seeing the uncertainty on his face and not wanting to push him and cause a severing of their tenuous connection, offered another option “look think about it okay, but if you decide not to come. We’ll come here. You just tell us when it’s good for you and we’ll be here.” She wanted him to know that she was not giving up on this, if he can’t or won’t come. If need be they would come to him.

Josh nodded. He needed to think about this. Going back to the farm would stir up more memories. “I’ll think about it.”

Margaret smiled “thank you. I’ll call you later in the week and you can let me know what you decide.”

As she finished speaking Margaret noticed a blonde woman in the same uniform as Josh enter the café and move towards them. Taking a closer look at her face Margaret smiled as she recognised Grace. Margaret couldn’t believe how different she looked in her uniform. 

Stopping at their table Grace smiled back at her “hello Margaret.”

“Hello Grace, I almost didn’t recognise you in your uniform.”

“I know it’s amazing the difference it makes, my Mum says the same thing.” Then turning to Josh Grace said with a regretful look “sorry Josh we’ve been called out.”

 Standing he replied “no worries.” Then turning to his mother he said “I’ll get back to you” and pausing for a minute he added his first voluntary communication “have a safe trip home.”

Though small, the significance of this utterance was not lost on Margaret, and she had to fight to hold back the tears. Swallowing hard she replied “thank you Josh I will.” Then turning to Grace said “it’s been lovely to meet you Grace, I hope we’ll meet again soon.”

“Yes, me too Margaret, bye” and Grace led the way out of the café.