The Gypsy Oracle

A Novel in Installments

Chapter 4

Olive, on the other side of the world, was continuing to feel heightened anxiety about the whereabouts of her son and his incarceration. She was vaguely aware he had a family in Bangkok, but had no idea how to reach them or their names or addresses.

She had only recently reunited with her son after decades of estrangement, and was horrified that he was now torn from her again.

“This cannot be, this cannot be,” she prayed and rocked after the conversations with the Kathmandu jail and the American Embassy. She was waiting to confirm her flights with British Airways, desperately begging her father to help pay for the air fare which totaled over $2,000.00 even in coach.

“Dad. Please help me pay for this. No Tommy won’t. He hasn’t the money. Yes, I’ve asked Mum. No I don’t have the savings. Please Dad,” Olive begged her father who was in his late seventies to transfer enough money into her bank account to get her to Kathmandu. She was well aware once she arrived she would need money for bribes at the prison, but that bridge could be crossed as needed.

Her father was angry at his grandson’s foolishness and was bringing up the old issues of her son’s father, and the age old conflicts he still held against Olive’s mother. “You know that child of yours should…