While having supper that night my dad asked Catharine and me, if we would like to go
and visit our aunt and uncle for a few days on our own and they would meet us there for
Christmas. Being the first time that we would be away from home, Catharine and I
excitedly agreed.
A couple of days later we drove up to Aunty Rosie and Uncle Gerald. Mom and dad slept
over and left the following morning.
Catharine and I were extremely excited. Aunt Rosie had arranged for us to participate in
the church’s Christmas pageant and as my parents would be back by then we would
surprise them. Catharine would be mother Mary and I would be an angel in the play.
It was a very busy time for both of us. Costumes needed to be made and we had to attend
the practises. It seemed as if everyone was busy with the preparations for the concert.
Our costumes were beautiful. Catharine would wear a long soft blue dress and mine was
long and white and flowing with wings stuck to the back and a halo on my head. I would
be an angel.
I was extremely happy and excited but something happened that changed everything.
A week or so before my parents were to meet us, Aunty Rosie told us to go and bath. She
filled the bathtub with bubbles and while playing in the bath I heard a very strange sound.
I looked up and saw uncle Gerald standing in the doorway watching us, his face was a
bright red and a strange sound emanated from his throat. He looked extremely angry and
my heart leapt in fear.
Just then Aunt Rosie walked into the bathroom and Uncle Gerald sauntered off.
While Aunt Rosie dressed us, thoughts were milling through my head. “What did I do..?
Why is Uncle Gerald so angry…? Are we going to get punished…?. These thoughts kept
going through my head and I was petrified.
When we had dressed, Aunt Rosie sent us to the bedroom to play. She would call us
when supper was ready.
At dinner that evening Uncle Gerald was his normal happy self and conversation flowed
until it was time to say goodnight and go to bed. The earlier thoughts had disappeared
and all was as it should be.
That night I had a terrible nightmare, probably because of the earlier fright. I was sobbing
in my sleep and woke up as a result. It was then, that I saw Uncle Gerald next to
Catharine’s bed. He sat on his haunches with his back toward me and softly whispered,
“it’s alright little one, it’s alright…. don’t fight me, I love you.”
