THE RESTLESS SHADOW 

By Tessa Harvey

    The men parted amiably, shaking hands. James smiled. His face ached, as he realised he rarely smiled. He needed to change. Walking to the office, he asked for the times and dates of parent/teacher interviews. The receptionist took details, noting them on her computer and printed a list for the term. She was pleasant, and James decided to wait for his sons near the classrooms.
    Other parents were also waiting and he chatted to a few. For the first time in his life, he wondered what his parents thought of him! They had both died a few years ago in a car pile-up due to fog on a busy motorway. He had missed them, largely because his own sons would never remember them.
    Surprised to see him, Izak and Chris were mainly silent. Chris was struggling a little with words still. Then he began humming. Izak nudged him to stop, wary of his father's annoyance, but James encouraged them to sing the tune. It was about Jesus and called "My Lighthouse" by a group called Rend Collective.
    "Dad," remarked Izak as they turned into their home drive, 'that green car has been behind us since we left school."
    James slowly drove to a standstill and looked in his rearview mirror The green vehicle had seemed to slow but sped up sharply as he looked.
    He shrugged. Probably because it was such an unusual colour, the kids had noticed it. Chris wanted to say, "that car got mum," but he didn't, sensing somehow his father might get angry.
    They scrambled out, picking up their backpacks. "Thanks for the ride, dad," Izak said, smiling.
    Wendy was eagerly waiting for her family. She was so relieved James and the children were happier. Then she caught a glimpse of the sleek green vehicle and her stomach clenched. Wendy had clearly told Clarence she did not want to be bullied and that her family must come first.
    The man had laughed and abruptly terminated the call. What could she do?

    

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