HIS FAREWELL SMILE

THAT FAREWELL SMILE.

By Marshall Collins.

His eyes sparkled like the sun shining through a window, and with his
eyebrows

raised, the smile upon his face portrayed an Angel in disguise.

Simon was a kind and considerate person, who was only too willing to
offer a

helping hand to others in distress, but as the smile faded and his
eyebrows

returned to normal, it became obvious that he was in pain.

"Jane", he shouted, as he lay in the Hospital bed. "I can't stand this
pain any

longer, I need my injection".

"Simon I'm sorry it's not yet time for your injection, I'll be with you
soon" replied

Nurse Jane.

Another Patient was wheeled in on a trolley. Simon stared at him, "I
just hope he

doesn't have to go through what I've been through", he murmured gazing
up at the

ceiling. "Why can't I just die, I've no life left.

An hour later Jane returned. "Right! Simon, it's time for your Morphine
injection".

"About bloody time", Simon whispered, grinning at Jane. "Ah! Well, here
we go

again. How about an overdose".

"Don't be stupid Simon, you know I can't do that, believe it or not
it's your humour

which keeps me going, so there's no chance of an overdose. Come on now
hold

your arm out". Jane gave him the injection.

"Thanks Jane" he murmured. "I hope I don't wake up in the
morning.

Jane left the ward, Simon now felt more relaxed, he closed his eyes and
whithin

a few moments he was asleep.

2
It was four o'clock in the afternoon on a wet and windy day. Simon and
his Mum

we're standing in the street outside their house, waving goodbye to his
Dad as he

walked towards the waiting coach. "Mum, will we ever see Dad again".
Simon was

eight years old at the time.

It was 1939, his father was on his way to join the Troops. Mum put her
arms

around Simon, tears trickling down her cheeks. "Don't cry son, he'll be
back soon".

It was 1945 before they saw him again.

Simons' Mum 'Sarah' was a wonderful caring mother, always by his side,
but now

she had to go out to work in order to survive through the war years.
Although

Simon missed his Mum whilst she was at work, he was pampered by his
Grandma,

and his Auntie Trudy, who loved to surprise him with unexpected gifts,
such as

Jelly Babies, Mars Bars, etc.

Grandma loved her tiny garden, she grew lots of lovely flowers thanks
to the

Manure left by the horses of the Coal man and Milk man.

"Yes Gran I've got the shovel and bucket, I'll go and collect the
'Muck'". This was

a daily routine for Simon.

Most of the day Grandad would sit by the fire and stoke it up with coal
from the

sack by the hearth. He'd always have a pencil and paper in his hand and
try to

work out which horse was going to win the next race, so he could place
a shilling

bet at the bookies.

Grandma on the other hand, would be forever cooking something special
for the

evening meal. A meal that was rarely eaten, because most evenings where
spent

in the Shelters across the road during an Air Raid.

The screeching sound of Sirens were often heard night after
night.

"It's an Air Raid". Grandpa would shout

"Yes we know , we've heard it all before" Grandma replies shaking her
head as

usual.

"Don't forget your Gas Mask Simon", Grandma would shout as they rushed
out of

the house into the Air Raid Shelter.

The sound of Bombs exploding all around put fear into the hearts of
everyone.

Then after a while, the 'All Clear' would sound. We all cheered and
left the Shelter

To make our way home.

"Oh! my god", cried one of our neighbours "My house has been
hit".

The devastation was unbelievable, Mum and my Grandparents tried to
comfort

Bill and Kath as indeed did other neighbours. Their house had been
badly

damaged, yet other houses in the street had escaped the blast.

The morning dawns, Grandma encourages Simon to eat some porridge oats
for

Breakfast. "You know I hate porridge, I've told you before".

"Eat it, it's good for you. It will put hairs on your chest".

"Huh! That's all I need at my age, hairs on my chest".

"Bye Mum", Simon shouts , as she leaves for work.

"Bye Simon, see you later, don't forget to take your Gas Mask to
school".

"No Mum I won't". He lies. One of Simons favourite pranks was to leave
the Gas

Mask at home, because if you arrived at school without it , you were
immediately

sent home to fetch it. Simon and his friend Joey had it all worked out,
until one day

the Headmaster found out what they were up to. They were both called
into his

office and 'Caned'. Needless to say, they never did it again.

4

Saturday afternoon was Cinema time. Three Pence a seat in the front
row, but if

you brought in some empty Jam Jars you didn't have to pay, they were
used for

recycling. Simon always managed to cadge them from the neighbours. He
could

then spend the Three Pence his Grandma gave him on sweets.

The Years passed on, letters from Dad who was with the 8th Army in
Italy,

occasionally arrived, at least we knew he was still alive.

Friday the 13th March 1942, a day that will never be forgotten. An
announcement

was made on the Radio that at 3-30 p.m. the world was coming to an end.
In many

Cities people where marching carrying Banners with the words 'The End
is Nigh'.

Everyone was panicking, 'It's a Prophesy, it will happen'.

At 3 p.m. that day, Simon and his little girl friend Pat stood in the
street holding

hands and looking up into the sky, then as the time of destruction
approached

they kissed and cuddled each other waiting for the 'Big Bang'.

3-30 p.m. arrived, nothing happened. For a moment there was total
silence in the

street, then suddenly everyone cheered.

"It was all a joke",someone shouted. Laughter came from all around. How
was it

possible that anyone could believe that this could happen, but they
did.

May 8th 1945. V.E.Day. The war in Europe was over. Simon and his
friends with

the help of their Parents organised a Street Party to celebrate the
Victory. They

all went up to the local Military Hospital and brought the wounded
soldiers in their

wheelchairs to join everyone at the party.

Flags were flying, the soldiers received a very warm welcome from
everyone

around. The Press was there to take photographs, it was a wonderful
experience.

The one thought that passed through Simons mind, was that he would soon
see

his Father again.

The Train pulled in to the Station, it was just after midnight.

"I'm tired Mum, I'm falling asleep".

"You must keep awake Simon, Dad will be coming off the Train any minute
now,

look out for him love". Easier said than done. The Platform was packed
with

soldiers coming home.

"He's there" shouted mum, her voice full of excitement. "Look Simon
he's over

there". Simon followed his mothers gaze, but it took him a while before
he

recognised his Father. Five years was a very long time, but now he was
home

and that was all that mattered.

They hugged each other for a while and then made there way to the Taxi
Rank.

Once in the Taxi Simon snuggled up between his Mum and Dad and fell
fast

asleep.

Wake up Simon, it's time for your medication, he looked so contented
but there

Was no movement at all.

That Farewell Smile on his face filled Nurse Jane with emotion as she
tried in

vain to revive him.

Simon had finally got his wish, he had passed away peacefully,
remembering

those precious times as a child.