Chapter 26

Dave and Tony were ushered into the emergency room as soon as they arrived. The surgeons had stitched Sharon’s arms and contained the bleeding. Now, Sharon lay in the recovery ward. Tony was beside himself. He didn’t know what he would have done without Sharon. He sat next to her bed and held one of her hands.

After a little while Sharon woke. She thought she saw two white robed angels holding her hand, yet, as she blinked her eyes she could see that it was Dave and Tony. There was something different though, something in the air, as they smiled at her. She felt a feeling of all encompassing peace go right through her, as it had that day on the beach a week before. She closed her eyes again and let the feeling of peace envelop her whole being. She heard an audible voice that said, "I love you." She opened her eyes and it was as though it was De JA Voo. Except this time it was different. This time she could see the person who was saying it. It was Tony. She looked across at Dave and heard him say it too.

She smiled and closed her eyes. It must be a dream, she said to herself. She didn’t know how long she slept. She dreamed that they were standing at her side praying. With her eyes closed she could hear their prayer. She felt one of her hands squeezed and this time, when she looked up, she saw a brilliant shining man clothed in a cloak. He had the eyes like David’s but they these eyes shone brighter. She felt them summon her weak spirit. Waves of white light broke off him and washed over her. Each wave brought it’s own emotion, one love, another joy and yet another peace. As he held her hand, she felt a strong tingling travelling up her arm. She asked in a weak voice, " Who are you?"

He answered "I am Jesus, those who call on my name shall be saved."

Sharon’s eyes filled with tears. She couldn’t believe it. This Jesus that Dave had talked about had come to visit her in person. "Jesus, oh Jesus, please save me," she murmured.

"I have saved you and will continue to save you. You’re mine, child." Jesus replied.

"But will you always be with me."

"Sharon, I love you and will always love you. Nothing can change that. I loved you while you were still in your mother's womb. I gave my life that you might come alive through me. I died for you and your faults and I rose from the dead so you too can rise from any of your problems. Believe what I say and rest."

After Jesus said that, he left. Something in her was different. She felt as if life had come into her soul. Her heart beat with a new enthusiasm. Her body was totally refreshed, and her desire for heroin had vanished for the moment. She felt alive; her mind was full with new hope. She looked down at her arms, her track marks had completely disappeared and on lifting the dressings she saw no sign of her suicide attempt.

She burst forth into tears. Her whole being had been transformed. She had physical evidence that proved to herself what had happened really did. She didn’t know miracles existed, yet when she looked at herself now, she knew she’d just witnessed one. She couldn’t help but love Jesus; he’d saved her. She cried with joy and sat up in her bed.

There was a book on her bed opened at a certain page and she picked it up. She read a passage her eyes first focussed on.

"Now on the last Day, the great day of the feast, Jesus cried out, saying if any man is thirsty let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, as the Scripture said, from his inner most being shall flow rivers of living water."

Sharon’s accepted that this verse showed what was happening to her. She felt a new substance flowing through her blood. As a junkie she could feel a new substance easily. This living water had personality, it was pure, it was strong and yes it made her feel more alive. She began reading another passage.

"But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. And early in the morning He came again into the temple and all the people were coming to him, and he sat down and began to teach them. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in Adultery, and having set her in the midst, they said to Him, Teacher this woman has been caught in Adultery, in the very act. Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such a woman; what then do you say?"

Whilst they were saying this, testing him, in order that they may have grounds for accusing him, Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground. But they persisted in asking Him. He straightened up, and said to them, he who is without sin among you, let him throw the first stone at her.

And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And when they heard it, they began to leave one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, Woman where are they? Has no one condemned you?

No one Sir, she said

Then neither do I condemn you Jesus declared, Go on your way now, and leave your life of sin".

Sharon couldn’t believe her eyes. Here was this same Jesus. The one that appeared to her, telling another woman of unfavourable reputation to leave her life of sin. A new voice in her head spelt out the similarities to her. Both of them, Sharon and the woman caught in Adultery, were guilty of sexual sin. Both were close to death. Both of them had a personal meeting with Jesus, who didn’t condemn them, yet told them he loved and accepted them. She’d never forget His words . It was difficult to comprehend why she was special enough to warrant a personal visit.

Just then, Dave and Tony came back into the room. They were chatting to each other, having a hot chocolate that they’d bought and not expecting to see Sharon sitting up in bed. Dave saw her first, and he was bewildered. She was radiant, her clothes and skin seemed to glow.

"What’s happened to you!" Dave asked, a little worried.

"I had a visitor." Sharon replied with a dazzling smile.

"What did someone give you, a dose of radiation or something? You’re shining like a light." Dave put his arm partially across his line of sight, shielding his eyes from the light radiating off her body.

"No, but he gave me a dose of something. Look at my arms. There’s no trace of the cuts I made. Look there isn’t even a track mark to be seen." She was excited with a joy the two of them had never seen. "It was Jesus. He came to my bedside and woke me up. He talked to me and answered my questions. I have felt wonderful ever since."

Tony and David’s mouths dropped. Dave could see why she was shining brightly now. It was the presence of Jesus still upon her. He’d said, ‘He is the light of the world’, and in this instance Dave knew why. Just to look at Sharon was like looking at the sunshine. She shone. The fact that her wounds had completely healed also was proof to the miracle. Dave’s eyes filled, as he hugged Sharon.

As he pulled away from her she pulled him back. She planted a kiss, full on his lips and said, "I love you David ".

Dave kissed her back and whispered in her ear as he held her in an embrace. "I love you too, you gorgeous creature."

At that time Tony jumped up on the bed and nuzzled in close to Sharon. "I love you too mum." Tony was shocked that he said it, yet now that it was out, somehow he felt comfortable. Sharon smiled and drew Tony close to her side.

"What caused you to do it Sharon? I was just falling for you, an then you tried to take your life!" Dave asked.

"Joanne’s dead!"

With that, Tony’s eyes filled with shock. "What do you mean?"

"She overdosed. I’m not sure if it was suicide or mistake. If it was mistake, it was my fault. I killed her. I thought if I killed myself I would join her in the afterlife. Sharon looked into Dave’s eyes and wrapped her arms around him. Her head rested in the small of his shoulder. "I killed her Tony. She was my best friend. I let her down."

"The heroin killed her, not you. Didn’t you know that I love you?"

"I was confused. I was in pain. I couldn’t face it any more. I’d had enough."

The three of them talked for a couple of hours. A doctor came in to visit, and seeing that Sharon was better he gave her a puzzled look and said she could go home. He didn’t opt for a psychiatric evaluation. With her wounds visibly healed, he felt comfortable for her to continue in the hands of the invisible surgeon.

When the confused doctor left the room shaking his head, the three of them burst out laughing. Sharon looked at Dave, then back at Tony and they both agreed she’d be okay. Dave suggested that they should ring Christine as Sharon had decided during their time of discussion together, that she was going to leave the Cross. She was going to leave her profession and give up heroin. They were major decisions, and Dave wanted her in the best possible care.

In the lobby of the hospital, they rang Christine’s house. It was six thirty and a friendly voice answered the phone. " Hello, Christine speaking "

"Hi Chris, its Dave. How are you?"

"I’m fantastic Dave. God has just answered my prayers. It looks like a guy is going to support us financially to set up some homes for the street kids."

"That’s great Christine. I spoke to my church today about it and we received a big response. It looks as if they’ll be right behind us also. Tony, Sharon’s friend, became a Christian also this morning."

"That’s amazing. I can’t believe how God works sometimes." Christine’s excitement was infectious. "Isn’t God great! What have you been doing Dave? Have you been preaching again?"

"No, I was just lucky to be with Tony when he made his decision. But Christine, I need to tell you about Sharon. She attempted suicide by slashing and her veins right up her arms. She would have died except for us turning up. It was nearly too late but the ambulance came and she’s now in hospital. And that’s not all. It’s so amazing, no one but God could do this. While Tony and I had left her for a few minutes to get a hot chocolate she says Jesus appeared to her. She accepted him on the spot. When we came back with our drinks, she was glowing, her arms where she’d cut herself were healed and she was so happy she talked to us for over an hour about it."

Christine was silent for a moment. I was all a bit much to fully absorb in one phone call. She was still trying to come to grips with her afternoon with Jonathan. He’d made a deposit on two houses, and they’d had a wonderful chat about life, and the Kids of the Cross.

"Christine. Are you still there?"

"Yes I’m here. I’m just a little overwhelmed at the moment. It’s been such a big day. Nathaniel was with Sharon at Joanne’s place this afternoon. Did she tell you? Chris asked softly.

"Yes, she did. She was very grateful for that; she just couldn’t handle the death of her friend. Please pass on my thanks to him. The main reason I was ringing is that Sharon has decided to give up heroin and her prostitution. She will need someone to look after her for a while, especially as she comes off the smack. It’s hard, going cold turkey, yet Sharon assures me that she can do it."

"It’s a little awkward. I’ve got the investigation on at the moment. No don’t worry, I’ll ring Cliff, he’ll understand. Nathaniel suggested I have a holiday, maybe this is God’s way of telling me to have it now. Do you want to bring her around straight away?"

Dave looked at Sharon and Tony and smiled. "No it’s still fairly warm outside. I think we’ll go for a swim as we planned. We’ll pack some of Sharon’s stuff and bring it over before nine."

Dave hung up the phone and said, "Come on let’s go. We’ll go to the beach for a late dip. They left the hospital and drove to Sharon’s apartment. Sharon didn’t feel like going in, so Dave left Tony with her in the car. He went upstairs and packed a lot of Sharon’s things into a large bag he found on top of her wardrobe. He made sure he took her swimmers and a couple of towels. He grabbed a few of Tony’s clothes and returned within five minutes.

"Here we go." He said loading it into the back of the ute. They set off toward the beach.

*******

Coogee beach was a welcome sight. The sun descent was nearing the western horizon. Gathering clouds on the horizon refracted the light and displayed a blood red sunset. The water looked cool, and so did Sharon when she changed into her bikini.She took Dave’s breath away. They all ran down into the surf. Sharon was first to hit the water, and with long powerful strokes she swam out the back of the breakers. The boys followed closely, stretching themselves. They splashed at each other, as the three of them frolicked in the coolness of the water.

"Isn’t this water just glorious " Dave said.

"It’s great!" Tony agreed, treading water out of his depth. "It’s better to have you with us Sharon. I don’t know what I would have done without you."

Sharon was silent. Dave took the opportunity to dive towards her. He tackled her under the water. When he came up with his face inches from hers, he held her around the waist.

Tony swam over and splashed them. This set off a chain reaction as Sharon separated from Dave and they turned on Tony. Water went flying, and Tony retreated to catch some waves, leaving Sharon and Dave alone.

"I’m so happy you’re alive Sharon. I cried with panic when I saw you lying in the bath. I didn’t know how deeply I felt for you before that. But my insides screamed when I thought you were dead. I love you Sharon. That’s just as much a surprise for me to say it, as for you to hear. But there’s no use denying it. I love you."

Sharon swam over to Dave. She wrapped her arms around him and put her head back on his shoulder. She didn’t say much besides "Keep talking."

"Well I never thought I’d be saying this. Especially now. I was happy being single. But now I have you in my arms, I want you. I want to hold you. I want to surf with you. Get to know you share my life with you."

Sharon smiled. She’d heard these words before. But this was different.

"I’m just amazed this has all come about. These marks on your arms. They have disappeared. That’s a miracle. You, meeting Christ. That’s just so special. It makes me so happy. You have seen my friend Jesus. My saviour. I’m just so happy to have you in my arms."

"You are such a romantic David." She kissed him on the lips then swam away. He swam after her fast, catching her and they wrestled in the water. Hands flayed, laughs rang out, and suddenly the two were locked in an urgent kiss.

"Come on guys! Tony said splashing them to emphasise his point.

Nothing Tony could do would separate them. Well nothing, until he dove under the water and began to bite Sharon’s toes one by one. She broke from the embrace as Tony reached the surface. She swam at him and he powered off in full speed and caught a looming wave into the shore.

Sharon close on his heels scrambled to catch the wave as it began to break. She lost him in the whitewash, but soon caught sight of him as they approached the shallows. Quick to her feet her powerful thighs pushed her legs through the shallows until she dived and brought Tony down in a tackle. Tony was in hysterics as they fought, and once again hands and bodies were lost in a rumble within the water. Tony finally surfaced, and stood laughing and dangled Sharon’s bikini top in his hands proudly, before running up the beach in triumph.

Dave was quick to swim and catch another wave into the beach. Seeing Tony take off with Sharon’s bikini was a surprise; seeing Sharon begin to chase him up the beach with her free swaying breasts even more of a shock. It wasn’t the sort of thing a son should be doing with a new mother’s top; neither was Sharon’s laughter and running up the beach after him, behaviour of a responsible mother. But Sharon and Tony weren’t like ordinary mother and child, and today was not an ordinary day.

Dave splashed out of the shallows and found himself becoming aroused. He smiled at the sight of the two running around the dunes. Tony was quick, and he darted from side to side like a rabbit. Sharon was determined though, and Dave knew it was only a matter of time before she wore him down.

Tony suddenly darted and sped back down a dune toward the water. Dave took it upon himself to play the hero, and grabbed hold of Tony as he whizzed past. Tony pleaded to no avail and within seconds Sharon was upon him. He gave up the bikini top to her, and broke free, running into the surf. Sharon looked up at Dave as she put her bikini top on.

"You’ll have to get used to my antics David."

"Sure. I can see that."

Sharon smiled and returned to tie her top up. She felt totally accepted by Dave. Little things like this were important signs. There was no embarrassment. But she did see the stirrings of his excitement. That served only to re-enforce her love. It was good she turned him on.

"Hey David?"

"Yes?"

"Come here."

Once again they embraced. The day had been long, it was almost over, and the embrace served as an intermission between her old life and the new she was embarking on.

A little later David was seated with Sharon and Tony and they were sharing some fish and chips at the northern end of the beach. Tony was busy devouring more then his share of chips whilst Dave and Sharon were talking.

"So you think I’ll make it David?"

"Yes, I do. And you know I’ll be there for you."

`"But! Why?"

"Because that’s how anybody gets through something like this. People need people. I needed Christine and her family, and you’ll need just as much help."

"But. I don’t…"

"Want to be a burden?"

"Yes. I don’t understand. Why would Christine want to help me?"

"Why do ambulance officers come when you call? Why do doctors staff emergency room around the clock? Why do people do good things?"

"But"

"But what hey? Dave smiled and lifted Sharon’s head so he could look into her eyes. "Because we are led to help. Because everybody needs a little help some time. Besides, I have another motive."

"Oh?" Sharon enquired suggestively

"Yes. You know I like you."

"Mmm" Sharon mouthed.

"I’m serious," Dave interjected.

"Mmm so am I David." Sharon reached across to grab Dave’s hand. "You don’t think I would be holding any person’s hand. You don’t think I’d be happy you saved me, if I didn’t like you. I understand your interest. I just can’t see me making you happy."

"Don’t be silly."

"Yeah Sharon. Dave’s just a guy," Tony added.

Dave gave Tony a wink. "He’s right. The only difference between me and you is a little love, understanding and forgiveness."

"Forgiveness?"

"Yes. Forgiving people for what they have done to you. Letting it go. All the pain. All the hurt. Forgiving everyone who has ever hurt you."

"That’s not a little!"

"Well. Anyway that’s the way. It’s called healing of the memories. It’s a way of cutting away the strings that manipulate us. Forgiveness in the name of Jesus Christ is the most powerful thing we can do a s humans. By letting others off, we free ourselves."

"Strange concept!"

"Yes God works in funny ways. He sent His Son down here to prove Himself and show us humans what was possible with God. He healed people, touched people’s souls and gave people hope, and the religious leaders of the day killed Him. But He planned that. And it’s through His painful death, that we can be healed and receive eternal life. His hopeless situation of the Cross is comfort to all of us who struggle, His shed blood a lotion for our pain. And His name Jesus Christ victory over life and death for all that choose to believe it. Yes God works with the power of paradox.

"He is so forgiving. You should have seen His eyes. They saw right through me. I felt dirty and guilty initially. But His presence made me feel loved and accepted. He was different to the God I’d heard about."

"He’s different to a lot of peoples’ views of Him. But that’s not our fault. Seek Him out, read the Bible, read what he had to say and you’ll soon learn more of him. Talk to Him and you’ll hear His words return into your mind. Look at the birds, the sky, the mountains and streams, and all of creation and you’ll learn about Him. You’ll see His smile in a babies’ eyes and His frown in thunder, His renewed hope in the sun appearing. He is everywhere. He loves us and yearns for us. You just have to seek Him out that’s all."

"He must think I am important to come down and see me personally."

"Maybe He needed to, to convince you. Maybe He wants you to share that experience with others. You may be spokes women for the abused. To all those other workers in the sex industry. They’ll believe you. You’ve been where they are. You have a real story. Your recovery won’t be textbook theory, it will be a real success and your story will be an inspiration. Maybe even one day you can help me write a book on recovery. Would you like to do that?"

"I’d rather make love to you Dave. When’s that going to happen?"

"On our wedding night."

Sharon smiled and squeezed his hand. "Is that a proposal?"

"Let’s just call it a promise Dave said. Come on let’s go. We have to get Tony settled and get you to Christine’s. It’ll be tough girl. But you have my promise to look forward too."

"Where did you come from Dave?"

"From just down the road honey. I came off the streets just over a year ago. Now I have appeared to give you a hand up."

"But why me?"

"Because you wanted to know the answers. Because you must have cried out to God to help you. That’s why I’m here. And…"

"And what?"

"And because I asked Jesus for a wife. And here you are."

"Come on you two. You are making me sick," Tony grumbled.