There is a Reason for Everything by Pam Swain (pdf to ebook reader TXT) 📕

a standing position. Using the branch as a support he slowly moved forward.

He could hear sirens and a commotion on the far side of the trees and he could see clouds of thick dark smoke filling the air. Above him, he could hear helicopters but he dared not look up in case he lost his balance once more. He hopped along clinging on to the branch to stay upright. He had to stop and lean against every tree. His head was spinning now and he was getting dizzy. The pain was almost making him pass out but it was with sheer determination that he struggled on. He tried a few times to call for help but his cries went unheard above the din coming from the crash site.

When, finally, he hobbled out of the trees the sight before him was worse that he could have ever imagined.

For as far as he could see there were pieces of twisted metal, black smoke, debris, clothing and dead bodies. Bloodied grass and lumps of flesh and limbs were strewn around. The terrible stench of blood, fuel, and burnt flesh mixed with the smoke made his eyes water and seared his nostrils, causing him to wretch.

There were rescue workers turning over pieces of metal, looking for body parts, ambulances and police vehicles and even fire brigades had managed to drive into the large field. Then rescuers were running towards him with a stretcher. Strong arms took over as he collapsed.
“Right sir, we are getting you straight to the hospital,” a paramedic said.

Before they moved him they put a plastic collar round his neck, a drip in his arm and did a brief examination of his injuries. As he was being wheeled away he looked back at the scene as if to imprint it on his mind forever. As they passed a row of twisted and mutilated bodies, he caught a glimpse of bright red. He saw enough to know it was Rose.

The next day, Jack was recovering from his operations and was told that he was one of only two survivors. The doctors thought it would be a good idea for them to meet each other, mentally it would give them both support. As Jack couldn’t be moved from his bed, the other patient was wheeled in to his room in a wheelchair. It was Marvin.

When he saw Jack a huge smile spread across his face, he had escaped major injuries and was clinging to his teddy bear.

Jack had plenty of time to think while he was in hospital recovering. Every time he closed his eyes he could see Rose’s body. He was sad that the future that could have been theirs had been stolen from them. It may not have worked but he would have liked to try.

Marvin came to visit every day and they played games and chatted and watched television. He was in foster care but he never complained and always tried to have a smile on his face although he was in shock. He was having counselling to get him through the horrible memories he had just lived through. They had become very close and Jack knew that he didn’t want to lose touch with Marvin. Now he was in his late twenties and knew he could give Marvin a good, stable life and be a positive role model. There would be problems but he felt they could get through them together. They had developed a trust and a bond and there was a pain in Jack’s heart at the thought of letting Marvin go to be reared by strangers after all he had been through.

Jack remembered Rose’s prayer, she had not been spared but Marvin had. He knew the least he could do for her was to make sure her son was brought up as she would have liked. Although their lives had touched for a very short while they had made a connection. He believed everything happened for a reason and there had to be a reason why he was on that flight, in that seat, on that day and he knew what it was. Marvin’s face spoke a thousand words when Jack told him he would like to adopt him as his son. His face broke into that smile that reminded his so much of Rose. The feeling of Marvin’s arms hugging him brightened Jack’s heart.


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Publication Date: 02-23-2013

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