KASE STUDY 

By Tessa Harvey

    Luke tossed and turned in his sleep. His dreams were vivid and painful. Finally, Rosa dug an elbow in his side. "Out," she whispered, fiercely, "I need my sleep."

    Groggily, Luke complied, groping his way to the spare room. He fell into a deep sleep, waking early.

    There were faint noises from the nearby kitchen, crockery rustling, food packets. He had left his bedroom door open and saw the gleam of the fridge light several times, and furtive whispers. Slowly, he crept out of the room, wrapping a blanket around his waist, then flicking on the lower beam kitchen light/

    A trio of faces looked at him - Willow startled but looking defiant.

    Silver looked like a deer caught in the headlights, a bowl of cereal in one hand, a glass of Milo in the other - or rather a glass of Milo with a sprinkle of milk!

    Felix was backing away, beginning to cry. This shocked him.Where was his feisty funny little boy?

    Luke raised his arms in a placatory gesture. "Hey, you're hungry! You could be hungry a little more quietly, but no problems. Let's share, guys," and he went to put on the electric jug.

    He could feel his children relax behind him, settling themselves at the table or the nearby kitchen bench. Turning, he put an arm around his small son.

    "What gives?" he asked his older children. "We were hungry," Willow answered, shoving muesli into her mouth as though she was starving.

    Silver looked down at her bare feet. "You were at work, dad. Mum is mad at Felix for going to see Nana and Pops."

    "We got no dinner," chimed in Felix, wiping his nose. He had been going to use his sleeve, but caught a look from dad and used a tea towel instead. "Agh," thought Luke, "that goes in the wash." But he was deeply upset.