The snapping of the dry twig beneath his foot didnt even register for Jack. Instead, all at once the world whirled and spun in dizzying coloursa kaleidoscopic tumble that shattered, then reassembled into a million sparkling shards of light. Each brilliant star darted together and struck him high on his left arm, just above the elbow.
Ow Jack grabbed his injured arm and, without meaning to, let out a guttural howl of pain.
Jack! cried his friend Molly. She darted over, almost flying, then dropped to her knees in front of him. Does it hurt?
No, it tickles! he managed through a twist of pain, wincing as he whimpered.
Molly reached out her hand and lightly touched Jacks shoulder.
Get off! he snapped, all eyes and teeth. It hurts! Dont touch me!
Jack felt doubly wounded. It seemed clear hed broken his arm and would spend the next month as an object of ridicule, suffering the inevitable jokes about plaster. But worse, hed climbed this tree entirely of his own volition, keen to show off his agility and daring, all to impress Molly. The first disappointment he could bear, but the second gnawed at his heart. Not only had he made a fool of himself before this girl, but now she was trying to pity him. No chance. He struggled to his feet, cradling his limp arm, and strode off resolutely toward the hospital.
Jack, dont worry, Jack! Molly hurried along beside him, doing all she could to reassure him. Its all right, Jack! Its all right!
Oh, give it a rest, Jack stopped, glaring at her before spitting on the cold curb. Whats all right? Can’t you see I broke my arm? Are you daft? Just go home, I cant stand you!
With that, Jack set off down the pavement, not looking back. Behind him, his friends wide grey-green eyes blinked as she stood rooted to the spot, repeating softly, over and over:
Itll be all right, Jack Itll be all right
***
Mr. John Victor, if we dont see the funds in the next twenty-four hours, well be very disappointed. Oh, and by the wayexpect icy roads in the morning. Best take care behind the wheel. You know how it is, cars do skid… Accidents happen to the best of us, dont they? All the best.
The voice on the phone stopped. Silence pressed in. John flung the phone aside and buried his hands in his thinning hair, slumping against the high-backed chair.
How am I supposed to find the money? That transfer wasnt scheduled until next month
He sighed and grabbed the receiver again, dialling.
Olivia Sutton, can we send the payment to our partners at the group today for their equipment shipment?
But, Mr. Victor
Can we or not?
We can, but thatll mean the monthly budget
Hang the budget! Well sort it out later. Move the money today.
All right, but that will cause a cascade of
John cut the call short, thumping his fist into the chairs arm.
Bloody leeches
A strange softness grazed his shoulder and startled him so that he nearly leapt from the chair.
Sasha, didnt I ask you not to come to me while Im working? Didnt I?
His wife, Alexandra, pressed her lips to his ear and gently stroked his hair.
Jack, please, dont work yourself up. Its going to be all right.
Oh, not this again! he exploded, his voice raw. Im tired of your Itll be all right! Dont you get it? I might not even make it through tomorrowthen what, will you still be chirping that?
He sprang from his chair, shoving Sasha by the arms.
What have you been doing? Making stew? Go make your stew. Just dont wind me up, things are bad enough.
She sighed, turned to leave. At the doorway, she paused and glanced back, whispering those same, steady words.
***
You know As I lie here now, I recall our whole life together
The old man pried open his eyes and looked thickly at his wife, her once-lovely face now etched with time, her shoulders drooped, her poised posture lost. She sat at his side, adjusting the drip on his hand, and smiled quietly.
Every scrape I got into, every time I teetered between life and death, every horror the world sent my way Youd always show upalwayswith the same old phrase. You cant imagine how it used to maddeningly grate on me. I wanted to throttle you for your soppy optimism, he croaked, attempting to smile through a coughing fit. When at last he caught his breath, he went on, I broke bones, got threatened by lunatics, lost nearly everything, fell into holes most never crawl out of, and you endlessly repeated: Itll be all right. Funny thing is, you never lied, not once. How did you know?
I didnt, Jack, whispered the old woman. You think it was for you? I needed to believe it myself. I loved you, idiot that you were, madly, utterly. Youve always been my whole world. Anytime you suffered, my heart turned inside out. I cried oceans, lay sleepless for nights I just kept telling myself: Let anything happenbut as long as he lives, its all right.
The old man squeezed her hand, struggling with every word.
So thats it… And I used to get so cross with you. Forgive me, Molly. I never understood. Somehow I lived a whole life without even thinking about you. What a fool Ive been.
Molly wiped a silent tear from her wrinkled cheek and leaned close over her husbands fading face.
Jack, dont fret
She paused, searched his eyes, then rested her head tenderly against his still chest, gently caressing his cooling hand.
It was all all right, Jackie all all rightIts all right, she finished, her voice scarcely more than breath, yet steadier than any promise. The rhythmic beeping on the heart monitor slowed, the room caught a hush, and in that hush, Molly felt a warmth that outshone every bleakness theyd weathered.
The world narrowed to the battered old gold band encircling Jacks finger, the lines of laughter and pain etched round his eyesclosed now in their last peaceand the soft memory of a boy, impatient with love yet courageous always in its presence.
Outside, the wind fretted through the treeshigh, keening, persistent, just as at the beginning. But here, inside the stillness, Molly pressed Jacks quiet hand to her cheek, her smile trembling but strong.
All right, she said again, the words ringing clear and true. Always.
And sitting beside him as dusk folded gently round the house, Molly knew at last: what endured was neither victory nor safety, but the miracle of staying, heart in hand, through every tumble and turn, whispering hope against the darkand meaning it.
She kept her vigil until the sun rose, golden and certain, and then, as so many times before, stood up, smoothed her dress, and faced the daycarrying Jacks memory with her, fierce and forever, into everything that remained.
