Hikkaba
~ Part 3 & Last
By Len Morgan
Hikkaba confided to Ferlin, I think Elise would have accepted
twenty-five, considering that Colin is so ill.
“I don’t understand why you involved
Alan at this late stage?”
I didn’t, that was pure chance.
Just a hundred years ago, the magic
encompassed the whole five acres. Now I have just thirty
yards, in any direction, around this glade. It’s possible
there is a degree of intermittence which allowed him to enter.
“It may disappear completely within
five years, what will happen to you, to us, then?”
I have existed for so long; it will
be interesting to discover what comes next. Will I disappear
in a puff of smoke? Poof, The uncertainty is
exhilarating.
Ferlin gazed down at the tree.
If you wish to take photographs do
so, they will do me no harm. Very soon I shall experience the third
state of consciousness.
Ferlin took out his camera. “How
do you know there are three states of consciousness for you to experience?”
Click!
I know only that ‘Awareness’ was the
first state. I have only vague memories prior to that.
Click!
“And what was the second state?”
Click!
I achieved the second state when I
learned to contact and share thoughts with others ‘Communication’, was the
second state.
Click!
“We need to know what the third
progression could be. Is there something we
humans…” Ferlin shook his head, dismissing the thought from
his mind.
Click!
We will know in due time.
.-…-
Alan was
concerned. For several days Colin’s appetite had been
absent. He had been off work for three days with a virulent
bout of flu. Alan knew it must be serious, all the cheer and
bravado had gone from Elise. She put on a brave face for
Alan’s benefit but he knew… It was Tuesday, and he’d expected
her to visit him with her wash basket. He waited, but she
didn't come.
He came down for
breakfast. At first, he thought the kitchen was empty, then he saw her sitting with her head in her hands.
“Morning mum,” he said.
She sat up and dabbed at her
red-rimmed eyes, with a handkerchief, and forced a smile. “I’m
sorry, I haven’t prepared breakfast, would you mind making do with cereal
today? I’m not feeling very well. I think I’ve
caught Colin’s man flu.”
“What’s wrong mum?” he went over and
gave her a hug.
She started to cry, the tears poured
down her cheeks and she started to tremble, uncontrollable
heart-wrenching wails filled the room.
“Oh Alan, I don’t understand
anything anymore, I feel so helpless. If anything happens
to Col I
don’t know what I would do.”
Then he saw the opened letter on the
table and picked it up.
“He’s got cancer,” she said.
“Oh my god!”
“According to the specialist he has
six months, maybe less.” She began to weep again.
“I’m sorry… So
sorry…”
“It isn’t your fault son, but he’s my
life, and he sits moping in bed refusing even to talk about
it. He just plays the same sad tunes, ‘In the Ghetto’, ‘If I
Can Dream’, ‘An American Trilogy,’ over and over.”
Hikkaba, what can I do?
Think Elvis!
.-…-.
He ran back upstairs and burst into
Elise and Colin’s bedroom. Turning off the stereo he grabbed
the battered acoustic guitar that had once, allegedly, belonged to the King,
the pride of Colin’s collection.
Colin sat up, “What are you doing?”
Alan handed him the
guitar. “Play,” he said.
“I can’t, I never learned how,” his
face teared up.
“A great Elvis fan like you, has
never learned to play?”
“Never,” said
Colin. “I’m tone-deaf, I can’t even sing two notes in
tune. I would give anything to be able to sing or play one of
the King’s songs, even ‘An American Trilogy’.”
Alan handed him the Silver Star. “Use
this as a plectrum. Think Elvis!”
“But,” his face became alert and his
fingers formed the chord ‘G’ and he started to play. His face broke
into a smile. Elise, who was standing by the door, let out a
girlish squeal, began tapping a rhythm on the door panel.
Alan began to sing:
“Holly smoke oh lord snakes alive I
never thought this could happen to me!" Colin took over...
"I got stung by a sweet honey
bee, what a feeling came over me!” but it wasn’t Colin singing, it
was Elvis.
They played and sang, one after
another, every hit Elvis ever recorded and Colin played and sang everything
note-perfect.
Several hours later they finally
collapsed to the floor exhausted.
“That was the most incredible
experience I’ve ever had,” said Colin. “How?” He
looked down at his sore throbbing fingers and cried again. “He
was the most fortunate man ever to live, to be able to sing and plays like
that.”
“You were the one playing and
singing,” said Elise hugging him.
Colin’s face blanked for several
seconds, then he stood up, quite his old self. “Come on you two,
were going to meet a friend.”
“Alan looked uncertain, where are you
taking us?”
“Your friend Hikkaba has invited us
to a party in the park, ‘Hickory Park ’, come on,” he
said. “Bring the guitar, Alan.”
They walked straight through the
gates, without a moment’s hesitation.
“Colin, Elise, we’ve heard so much
about you,” said Ferlin.
“Mr Hikkaba?” Colin asked.
“No, I’m Ferlin. Hikkaba is
expecting you, follow me.”
Something was
wrong. Alan could feel it as soon as they entered the
glade. The magic extended just fifteen feet around the tree.
“Aah! No,” Elise
cried out and backed out of the glade.
“It’s ok mum,” said
Alan. “I’ve been here before, they can help.”
“You’ve been taking advantage of this
poor innocent child? I’ve heard about people like you,” she
said.
Alan went over and plucked one of
Hikkaba’s leaves, Elise followed him and he placed it in her hand.
“This is like the one I found in your
room,” she said, she went silent, a dreamy look on her face.
“What are you doing to her,” he said
in alarm.
She is reliving a childhood memory.
“I haven’t got a leaf, how are you
contacting me?” said Alan.
Once contact is made it becomes
permanent after a few hours, give or take some.
“What is happening to the
magic? The area is shrinking, I can see it,” said Alan.
Oh, that. I’m dying
so I’ve decided my death would be meaningful if I enable others to live and,
nurtured new life. Come closer.
They all moved closer to the tree, it
was visibly wilting.
Give us one of your songs Elvis,
‘Loving You’ is nice.
Colin started to sing, Ferlin Alan
& Elise sang backing vocals. The magic held its ground at
ten feet, it even gained a little. As they sang on one after
another, buds started to form on Hikkaba. They sang on, and
the buds grew larger and burst into bloom--Large red and white flowers giving
off an incredible perfume. When the singing stopped the petals
dropped off, revealing bulbous fleshy green seed pods. They
started to swell, doubling and trebling in size. Somebody, outside
the circle, started to sing ‘Amazing Grace’. Other new voices
joined in. Alan looked around and saw two dozen people who had
been attracted by Colin’s singing. They closed in, joining the
circle, and Colin began to play and sing again.
They sat within the balmy circle,
while outside it began to snow.
It was getting dark and people were
drifting away. It had been a great evening and people wondered
why they had never visited the park before.
There was an explosion, bright
coloured sparks flashed overhead, like giant fireworks. The seed
pods were bursting explosively. They shot skyward and just kept on
going up into the night sky and out into space.
“They will seek worlds of their own,”
said Ferlin.
Another seed pod exploded and those
people remaining moved back to a safe distance. It was a
tremendous impromptu firework display that lasted for half an
hour. Then the snow began to set and the swirls became heavier
and they made their way home. Alan had witnessed the tears in
Ferlin’s eyes and felt his sadness.
.-…-.
The oncologists gathered in
deliberation. They talked and talked amongst
themselves. Finally, the consultant in charge approached them.
“Mr Armstrong, I have very good
news. We can find no trace of the tumour, it has either
disappeared or, he gazed pointedly at the specialist who had diagnosed Colin’s
condition, it never existed. Since there is absolutely no
evidence of scarring I’m inclined to suspect the
latter. You’re completely clear of cancerous tissue and can go
home. Congratulations,” he offered Colin his hand.
.-…-.
Elise was sick on Christmas morning
but felt a little better as the day progressed.
“I’m calling the Doctor,” said Colin.
“But, it’s Boxing Day," she
protested, "at least let the poor man have Boxing Day at home.”
Colin saw the sense in it, but the
sickness returned the following day, so he drove her to the local health
clinic.
.-...-.
“Your sickness is perfectly natural
for a woman in your condition Mrs Armstrong, it will last a few weeks then
disappear. You do know you're pregnant?”
“That’s fabulous news,” said
Alan. “Congratulations Mum and Dad.”
Colin beamed with
delight. "Don’t think we won’t be escorting you to this new
school of yours, just because of a little thing like pregnancy."
"Mmm I’m pregnant, after all
these years, I just can’t believe it!” Colin gave her a hug
and dabbed at his eyes.
I wonder if Hikkaba had
something to do with it? Alan thought.
.-...-.
Before he left for school, Alan went
round to 24 Hickory Close.
Ferlin answered the door. “Alan so you’re off to Gorton Grange, nice of
you to call. I have something to show you before you
go." Alan followed him into the house, and out into the park to
a familiar but now unfamiliar spot. Ferlin pointed to where
Hikkaba had stood. The area was empty. “Come
closer,” said Ferlin. “Look!"
“Yes I see it, a green tendril shoot
sprouting from the stump.” “It may be a parasite or rebirth,”
said Ferlin, "only time will tell."
They returned to No.24 where Ferlin found an official-looking envelope on the front doormat. He opened it and smiled, "Apparently our rate demand was sent in error, people have been complimenting the council on the Hickory Close wildlife park. We don't owe them a penny!"
They returned to No.24 where Ferlin found an official-looking envelope on the front doormat. He opened it and smiled, "Apparently our rate demand was sent in error, people have been complimenting the council on the Hickory Close wildlife park. We don't owe them a penny!"
.-…-
Colin drove Elvis through the gates
and drew up beside a Bentley and a Rolls Royce. He climbed out
to get Alan’s cases from the trunk. Elise gave him a hug
and Colin shook his hand slipping him a twenty-pound
note. “Never know when you may need a little cash. Let
us know how you’re getting on, send us an email or ring, and don't forget
to have fun. Life is short."
As Alan walked past the Bentley
another boy pulled on a school cap and joined him, “Did you just arrive in that
vintage MkI Cortina?"
“Yep,” said Alan expecting the worst.
“Cool, I wish I'd arrived in style
like that."
“My name is Alan. My dad
is a professional Elvis impersonator,” he said.
“Cool, my dad’s a merchant banker,
are you a first-year like me maybe we could bunk in together."
“Maybe,” he smiled, and they entered
Gorton Grange together. Maybe things will
work out just fine, he thought.
/ends
I will never look at trees in the same way again.
ReplyDeleteIs there a hikkaba in Epping Forest?
Glad it all ended well!!
You never know, Peter. A Hikkaba seed pod may have landed in your garden.
ReplyDeleteNice one, Len.
Perhaps a sequel Len. A very enjoyable read.
ReplyDeletePeter. In reality they are called olive trees. :-)
Rob! In reality I was at a garden centre and saw a gnarled and stunted olive tree bonsai, and a 323 year old Acer bonsai, and thought maybe there's a story there somewhere what have they seen... Heh heh!
DeleteI guess I can forget about finding one in Epping Forest then.
DeleteJust thinking, all the olives I eat seem to have the stones taken out, I bet Del Boy's making a fortune!!!