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The Goderich Signal-Star, 1985-06-12, Page 20PAGE 2A--GQDERICH SIGNAL -STAR, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12,1,x85 Comm u.0 ity News Markcould not help but wonder if he would ever be old enough to understand Y.. His daydreaming was interrupted by the familiar sound ofthe steel gong which his mother now pounded to let him know the breakfast was ready. Mark quickly jumped down and jogged all the way to the rocky trail that led to the house above. It was a steep climb, but he seemed unaware of it. A few minutes later he burst into the kitchen, startled for a mo- ment to see his mother all dressed up. "Hi, Mom," he panted, kissing her prof- fered cheek. "Oh, good: pancakes!" "Are you hungry?" "You bet," he said, slipping behind the table. • "I've had five already," Robbie bragg- ed, his lips glistening with maple syrup. "One, darling," his mother corrected. "You must not exaggerate." "Twelve," Robbie countered stubborn- lyStuffing the first piece of pancake into his mouth, Mark glanced again at his mother. He was used to seeing her at this time of day with her hair in curlers, her feet in slippers and the rest wrapped up in ner old housecoat. But this morning she wore a gaily col- ored spring dress, sparkling earrings, stockings and shoes. Her hair looked as though she had just been to the beauty shop. Except for the apron, Mark had not seen his mother like this since she had gone to a party and that seemed like a very long time ago. "Think we're gonna go to the zoo again, Mark?" Robbie mumbled through a mouthful of pancake. "Today is gonna be different," Mark said. "We may even go to the harbor and borrow Pete's boat again, like we used to, til • Wan page 1 mother had explained when one evening he bad not comehorne. "When will we move?" Mark had asked excitedly. "We will stay here." "Here? I ..., I don't understand." "You're too youfig to understand." Subsequent inquiries had been parried by warnings not to pursue the matter any further and assurances that everything would be all right. The only times he and Robbie saw their father now was during the monthly visits to Vancouver. At first the prospect of ex- ploring the big city had seemed like a lot of fun, but soon the outings had become as boring to Mark as the tv dinners at hr's father's small apartment. Walks and talks proved poor substitutes for such things as boating and kite flying. The walks invariably led to the zoo and the talks led nowhere. Once it had been made clear that what mattered most could not be discussed, the resultant small talk produced long periods of awkward silence. Robbie, who at four was still too young to be diplomatic, made the situation worse by asking repeatedly if it was time yet to go back to Seacove. Will today be different? Mark wondered. Could things possibly become again what they used to be? A sea gull suddenly swept into view, screeching in protest of the boy's presence,• then vanishing again into the thinning mist. Mark took a deep breath, the salty air in- vigorating him. He thrust his head backward . and stared into the wispy whiteness above as though expecting to find the elusive answers there. Involuntarily he recalled last Christmas. Early in the morning he and Robbie had found the colorful parcels under the festively decorated tree. Everything was quite a bit like it used to be at that time of year: the cards on the mantlepiece, the white world outside. But the usual laughter and excitement that had gone with it in the past, this time had been as noticeably absent as his father. In anticipation of his father's visit, he had helped his mother set the table for four. The carefully placed red and green napkins, the holly and candles had almost made him happy. When his father arrived, they had all rushed to the door. "The boys would like you to stay for din- , ner," his mother said, and for a moment the hope for peace and goodwill had sparkled in her eyes. "The turkey is this big, Daddy!" Robbie had said, spreading his hands their max- imum distance. "I'm sorry, but I can't stay," his father had said. "I've made other arrangements. On the way to Vancouver the snow -laden trees swept past in a meaningless blur. The other arrangements turned out to be hamburgers and chips at a drive-in. Mark could not help wondering if he would ever be old enough to understand all this: What he did understand was that his father would never wear the dressing gown they had so carefully wrapped the night before and that for the next week or so they would eat turkey for lunch and sup- per. When they had reached the apartment, Robie was soon busy extinguishing im- aginary fires with his new fire engine, but Mark found the games of scrabble as bor- ing as the electric car race that followed. It was the longest afternoon in his life. A thousand times he wanted to ask his father why they could not have spent the day at home instead, but rather than ask- ing questions he answered them. Yes, things are going all right in school. No, he had not seen Mr. and Mrs. Wigford lately. Yes, he would be careful at the beach. From that day on his father never again walked them to the door. He simply drove up to the driveway, kissed them hurriedly and vanished for another month. When he came to pick them up, he honked the horn. The April sun had now melted an open- ing through the mist and the sudden warmth made Mark sigh in appreciation. He tried' to find the courage to believe that this morning things would be different — better. Earlier that week he had found his father's letter on his mother's night table, the envelope partially hidden by a newspaper. Feeling guilt, but no remorse, he had read it hastily. Now the words that mattered came back to him. Dear Kathy, the letter had stated. There Mark thought, Dad wouldn't call her 'dear' if he didn't like her. "This Saturday when 1 pick up the boys for their monthly visit, 1 would like to talk to you first. I think if we can discuss things calmly, we can solve most of our pro- blems." Mark smiled, his face warmed by new hope as much as by the sun. His father would come to the' house — to talk, to solve problems. Things would be different. Didn't it say 'Love, George,' at the bottom? Mark laughed aloud without feeling silly. His mother had been right all along. "Your father needs time to work things out," she had said. OXJR HIGHE T P SAVINGS ACCO CHEOUINGACCO sn't it time you switched over to the one account that can give you tel ill deposit interest rates', while giving you all the options you need? No matter how much or how little you keep in a new Scotia Powerchequing' Account, our rates are competitive. 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As the cuckoo clock was in the middle of announcing that it waC nine o'clock, they heard the car approach the house. Mark rushed to the window. "It's Dad," he shouted. And opening the door: "Hi, Dad ! " ll "Hi, Mark. Dad!" Robbie. Hello, Kathy." "Come in, George," she said. And turn- ing to the boys: Okay, you two, go play downstairs for a while. Dad and I want to talk." "Only a few minutes, right Dad?" Rob- bie asked as Mark took him by the hand. "Yes, we won't be long." Once inside their room, Robbie asked: "Do you want to play spaceman, Mark? Nq. "Why not?" "Because it makes too much noice — that's why!" Robbie looked puzzled. '�I don't like you, Mark," he pouted. "What if I read you a Lassie?" "Okay." "It had rained all day," Mark started sotto voce. "Yoh roust understand, Kathy," his father's voice wounded strangely through the heat register. "1 understand all right," she said. "You don't want us." "Lassie was soaking wet when he reach- ed the farm." "That's not true, but we can't pick up where we left off." "Does she mean more to you than your own wife and children?" "Don't shout!" Mark put the book down. He'didn't hear the rest and fled the house as though it were on fire. 'Wait for me, Mark!" Robbie pleaded, . unable to keep pace. But Mark heard only the throbbing in his temples as he slipped and stumbled down the rock trail to the beach. He ran along the shore, the shells crushing under his pounding feet, until he reached the only refuge he knew. At the base of the volcanic sculpture he saw a crab. Angrily he kicked the creature into the air, watching its dismembered body drop clumsily on the rippled sand. Then he climb into his protective seat. Alone, very much alone now, he stared at the sea — the familiar view strangely distorted by the sudden tears. He clenched his fists and bit his quiver- ing lip to stem the rivulets on his glowing cheeks. Then he silently vowed never to hope again. story about Big Brothers needs you This Sunday is Father's Day and although most of us plan family celebrations to let our dads know how much we appreciate them, there are some who don't have or never see their fathers. Young boys who have no father need the companionship of a male sometimes to have fun with and exchange ideas with. Big Brothers helps boys between six and 16 by matching them with a volunteer male, 18 or over, who they can spend time with -them. The association takes great care to ensure the volunteer is suited to the responsibility of becoming a big brother. Big and little brothers are carefully matched according to their interests and individual needs. "We match personalities as much as we can," said Cathy Boddy, president of the North Huron Big Brothers Association in the Goderich, Clinton, and Seaforth area. In Goderich and area there are about eight buys matched with big brothers and.at. least as many waiting for a match, and this is usually the case. "There are always more little brothers on the waiting list then there are volunteers to match them with," said Boddy. • For boys who have no male within the household or possibly no male association in their lives at all, a big brother provides an needed friend, "The big brother is not a Santa Claus," said Boddy. "The purpose of the program is to create a companionship in the ideal sense. A big brother is there to listen. He is not a watchdog, and does not report Ieverything his little brother says to his mother. He is only there to be a friend." v, The big brothers and little brothers may participate in any kind of activity together, whether it's a walk on the beach, or an even- ing at the show. Big brothers are expected to spend at least three or four hours each week with their little brothers. Any cost to the little brother for an activity is most often paid by the Big Brothers Association because "generally speaking the mothers of these young boys don't have money for such ex- tras and are just making ends meet as it is," said Boddy. Although the association's main concern is individual relationships, little brothers and volunteers get together a few times a year to go camping or hold a Christmas par- ty. Boddy said a two year commitment by volunteer big brothel's is ideal but with a waiting list of little brothers, any volunteers participation is appreciated, especially by a boy who needs a friend. For more information on becoming a Big Brother, call Cathy Boddy at 524.9132 (after 6p.m.). i