JAKE GENTLY closed the leather-bound book. He stared at his sister through water soaked eyes. The old man who resembled a street bum opened the door to the tiny room. He walked in, stone-faced, straight and tall. A tightly coiled length of rope hung from his huge brass belt buckle. The tall, slender woman gripped his arm. Her smile seemed warm, friendly and looked natural like a country girl was expected to have. Anyone could tell the couple belonged together. The woman sent her daughter a short silent nod.
Bernice, sitting at the mahogany desk next to Jake, stood.
Jake seemed reluctant to stand. Bernice saw to it he did.
“Mother,” he whimpered in a ghostly whisper. “I thought you were dead. I saw you lying in the coffin. I came here today to give my last respects. Why the fake funeral? If you wanted to talk, you could have rung me. You didn’t have to go through such an exuberant hoax.”
Trent escorted Naomi quickly across the grey carpet. They both squared themselves to their son.
“I suppose you’re expecting an apology from us for forcing you to come here under false pretenses,” chimed Naomi.
“It’ll be a good start.”
“I’m not at liberty to give one,” gushed Naomi. Her voice still sounded warm, yet she spoke in a firm tone. “The funeral just happened to be a ploy to convince you, Jake dear, you should come home.”
“Son, you know I don’t talk unless I have something to say.”
“Father, speak your mind. I know I’ve never listened to a single word you have said in the past, however, after reading the leather bound book on you and mother’s life, I fully regret my decision. I’ve been a fool every day since I turned my back on you and the Oasis and headed for the city.”
“Say no more,” urged Trent, lifting his hand in the air. “What’s done, has been swept away by the river that flows into the underground tunnel back at the Oasis. You need to make a choice about your future. A wise decision is preferred.”
“The Bible explains about the prodigal son. He left, wised up and went home. I feel the same way,” whispered Jake, interrupting.
“On behalf of your mother, I thank you for reading her memoirs.”
“I never knew the turmoil, you, and she went through.”
“Now you do.”
“I need to thank you for conceiving this plan to persuade our son to come home,” said Naomi, giving Trent a kiss on the cheek.
“Naomi, I only thought of the idea. If you didn’t lie motionless in the coffin, Jake might never have read the book.” Turning to face Bernice he continued. “I need to thank you for putting so many important memories down in writing.”
“Dad, Mum, it had been worth every hour just to see my brother one more time.”
“I didn’t know mum could ever be so dedicated to the Oasis, or our father. What a transformation. I’d never have picked her for a city chick,” quizzed Jake turning his head to stare at his sister.
The group chuckled, slapping each other on the shoulder.
“You should have stuck around,” snarled Bernice. “There are many stories more amazing than what you’ve just read that make up the life of Mr. Trent Stanton and his wife, ‘our mother,’ I have yet to write.”
“I thought if I stayed out there in the middle of Australia I’d be bored. I longed for the city, the people, the bright lights, and the nightlife,” confessed Jake.
“I never did have a boring day in my entire life,” advised Bernice. “As for the city and the night life, I’ve tasted it. I came sprinting back to the safety of the Oasis.”
“I never dreamt the city isn’t what I thought it would be,” whispered Jake, starting to pull at the edge of the leather-bound book.
“You should have asked me about the city. There’s no comparison between it and the Oasis. One has a fast pace which can have an exciting life, however, at every corner, there is a danger. The other has a relaxed, peaceful life, which is adventurous yet safe,” stated Naomi.
“Son, let’s go home,” whispered Trent.
“Only if we go to live at the Oasis so I can hear more stories,” stammered Jake, sliding the leather-bound book off the table. Holding it tight against his chest, he walked towards the door. He turned to face the group, giving a sharp nod. “Coming?”