sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” Now, that was new. I’d never heard that version of my problem. I’d been born blind so God could show how clever he was! Or she was. And if not being sure about that is another sin, add it to my list. Seems I’ve got a long one. But I did like the bit about it not being my fault. Or mum and dad’s. My folks are good people. They were supposed to kick me out when I became an adult and I refused to admit that I was at fault for my blindness. But they stuck by me. It wasn’t easy for them. A lot of their friends became ex-friends. Dad’s a real quiet bloke and mum, she’s even quieter. I heard her be very loud with her sister though, when Aunty Flo suggested they get rid of me. Recommended a ‘home’. Didn’t get many visits from Aunty Flo after that day. Big loss. Not. Dad came home with a few black eyes and bruises, but he never said where they came from. I did hear that one of his ‘mates’ had to have a bit of dental surgery. I love my folks. I love them so much. Back to that day. I’d decided that I didn’t mind this new version I was hearing, and I thought the bloke had a nice voice. So, I was a bit shocked when he spat at me. Or at least, that’s what I thought he did. Turns out he’d spat next to me. Still not real nice. And then all his mates went quiet, and I heard him scrabbling around in the dirt next to my chairs. I was getting a bit nervy. Then I heard him whisper, “Stay calm. This will bring light.” Next thing I knew, I felt fingers on my eyes, and I started to panic. He was rubbing something into my eyes, and I could smell the dirt, the mud he’s made with his spit, and I started to lash out. I mean, how would you feel about someone wiping their spit and dirt into your eyes? It was disgusting. It was insulting. It felt like he was telling me I was dirt. So, I started to lash out. I was swinging punches and yelling, and I felt one or two of them connect, and I heard him grunt. Then I felt his hands on my wrists like two clamps. He was strong. But I was still yelling. I was not happy. I heard 74
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