FIRE 

By Tessa Harvey

    Much to his chagrin, everything in the house was changed around when he came back to the farm.
    He now had a smaller bedroom while his wife and Joey had the larger room. At first he made no attempt to hide his anger. The male nurse pointed out that his wife was expecting another child and was still recovering from cracked ribs. He was also told it was up to him to have the relatively small operation to prevent more children.
    He fought strenuously against this, using an endless litany of self-centred arguments, none of which prevailed.
    After a few days, Bart realised that when he went out to look after the farm, no-one shadowed him. No resident nurse ( beyond a regular cursory check), no Mrs. Elliot who was now in almost permanent residence.
    What came to bother him most of all was the attitude towards him of all his children, particularly that of his eldest son, Buddy. Slowly the man realised he could not blame current societal outlooks. He must change - but how?

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