Summer

by Michelle Zoetemeyer

  Lunch was already cooked, but it was too early to eat yet. I wasn’t very hungry anyway. I’d already eaten a Wiz Fizz and a Mint Pattie from my plastic Christmas stocking full of lollies, as well as some of the chips Uncle Dennis brought. He works at Newstan Colliery and they have a big Christmas picnic every year, which he helps organise. He always brings heaps of leftover lollies and chips with him on Christmas day. Last year I even got to go to the picnic with them because Robbie was away on camp and couldn’t come, so Uncle Dennis said I could use his tickets. I had untold fun. It was at Rathmines Park, which is near the lake, so we got to go for a swim and everything. I came second in my age race and me and Kerrie-Anne almost won the three-legged race, but we tripped just before the finish line and ended up coming fourth instead. I won a competition for guessing how many jellybeans were in a jar and I didn’t even have to pay for the ticket. Everyone was allowed one guess for free. It took me a whole week to eat all the jellybeans.

  I could hear Greg and Max next door. It sounded like they got a swimming pool for Christmas. I peeked through a gap in the fence and saw Mr Higginbottom standing next to a pool holding a hose. The pool wasn’t very big, but it was better than nothing. I wish we had a pool. We used to have one before, but the water kept going green, so Dad took it down.

  I went back inside to see what Kerrie-Anne was up to. She was in the lounge room playing with her new Barbie doll. Disco Barbie’s clothes and accessories were arranged all over the floor and she was being stripped naked with no regard for decency.

  “Want to play?” she asked. “I have another doll in here somewhere.” She ferreted through a large box and handed me a Barbie. Unlike Disco Barbie who had nice shiny hair and sparkling clothes, this one was feral looking with hair sticking up in every direction. “It’s not new, but you can play with it if you want.”

  I sat on the floor next to her and undressed Second-hand Barbie. I heard a car rumble and got up to see who it was. A big red car with a white roof did a U-turn and pulled up out the front. Even though it looked old, it shone like new.

  No doubt someone was lost.

  Uncle Dennis and Dad came out to see who it was. “Man, check out those wheels,” Uncle Dennis whistled admiringly. “What is it?”

  Trust Dad to know. “It’s a 1961 Ford Thunderbird Convertible,” he said.

  Uncle Mick joined Dad and Uncle Dennis at the front door. “Definitely not from around here,” he added.

  I thought they looked like a pack of old women gossiping at a bus stop.

  Clare stepped out of the car. “What was that you were saying Mick?” asked Dad, “not from around here, hey?”

  Uncle Mick sniggered. “Holy shit, that boyfriend of hers has good taste; and I mean that in more ways than one.”

  Dad swiped at Uncle Mick. “Hey, watch what you say about my little sister.”

  They stood and gawked at Clare while she waited for her flatmate to get out. “Wrong again,” Dad said, “if that’s a bloke, I’ll eat my hat.”

  A tall, dark-haired girl stepped out of the car. Her hair was really short and wispy. Even from a distance, I could see that she had deep blue eyes and a pretty face. She was much heavier than Clare, but not what you’d call fat.

  “I didn’t know that your sister was a rug muncher,” Uncle Dennis muttered under his breath. Dad turned around to see if Kerrie-Anne and I had heard. I pretended to play with Second-hand Barbie. “Do you mind?” he snapped. “I’ll have none of that around here, thanks. Why don’t you keep your mouth shut for a change?”

  Uncle Dennis looked like a scolded child. “I was only joking, mate.”

  Clare came inside with her flatmate in tow. “Merry Christmas everyone. Sorry I’m late.” She handed Mum two Tupperware containers. “I made Coconut Ice instead of White Christmas; hope you don’t mind.”

  If Clare was aware that all eyes were on her, she never showed it. She casually introduced her friend to everyone. “Everyone,” she said, “this is my flatmate Shelby. Shelby, I’d like you to meet my family.”

  Everyone said hello at once. Uncle Dennis leaned across in front of me and whispered in Uncle Mick’s ear. “Flatmate my arse,” he said.

  Uncle Mick smiled and nodded. Luckily Clare didn’t hear him. I gave Uncle Dennis a dirty look to let him know that I heard and went to wish Clare a merry Christmas.

  I wondered how long before the Inquisition would begin. Trust Aunty Audrey to get things started. “How long have you two shared a flat?” she asked Clare.

  Shelby answered. “Clare and I moved in together a couple of months ago,” she said. “It’s been great actually. It’s not far from work and Clare’s fantastic company.” She smiled at Clare who smiled back.

  Aunty Joanne was next in line. “Where do you work?” she asked.

  “I work at BHP.”

  “I see,” said Aunty Joanne, not seeing anything at all. “I used to work at the Sulphide once.”

  I wasn’t sure what the connection between BHP and the Sulphide was, but Shelby nodded as though it made perfect sense.

  “Do you work in the office there?” asked Aunty Audrey.

  “God, no,” Shelby said, “I’m a mechanical engineer.”

  Clare burst out laughing. She obviously thought the idea of Shelby working in an office was hilarious. Dad almost choked on his beer. Mum nudged him with her elbow and made a comment about the peanuts going down the wrong way.

  Clare took Shelby out the back before anyone could ask more questions. She introduced her to Grandma and Pa, who were still sitting under the tarp smoking. “You’ll have to come closer,” said Pa. “I can’t see you from here.”

  Clare walked Shelby over to where Pa was sitting. “Hello love, nice to meet you,” he said.

  “Likewise,” said Shelby, shaking his hand.

  Clare got a beer for her and Shelby and sat down next to Grandma and Pa. I walked over and joined them. “Hi, I’m Jenny.”

  “Hello Jenny,” Shelby turned around to face me. “Clare told me all about you.” Then, much quieter, “she told me you’re her favourite niece.”

  I looked into her blue eyes to see if she was just messing with me. “Really?”

  She nodded, “Really.”

  “Don’t worry about my aunties,” I offered, “they’re just a bunch of busy bodies.”

  “Oh that’s okay, I don’t mind. Besides, Clare already warned me.”

  I was dying to ask her lots of things myself, but I didn’t want to sound like my aunties, so I just made small talk. “Are you having a nice Christmas?”

  “I am now,” she said. “It’s usually a sad time for me, but it’s hard to be sad when there are so many happy people about.”

  I couldn’t imagine Christmas being anything but fun. “How come it’s sad?” I asked.

  A look of hurt flashed across her pretty face making me immediately regret asking the question. “Both my parents were killed in a car accident at Christmas time,” she explained.

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t know.”

  “Of course you didn’t. Don’t worry about it; they’ve been gone eleven years now.

  “Really? Eleven years?” I asked with more curiosity than was polite. “That’s as long as I’ve been alive. I turned eleven three days ago. So did my friend Tom.”

  Shelby raised her eyebrows; eye’s wide with surprise. “Well, how about that,” she said quietly, as if to herself, “you and your friend were born on the same day that my parents passed.”

  I looked at Shelby in disbelief.

  She smiled at me and nodded. “Well, then,” she said more cheerfully, “in future I will be a little less sad knowing that the 22nd of December, 1968 wasn’t all bad.”

  “Do you believe in reincarnation?” I asked her, remembering what Clare had said about Shorty and wanting to cheer her up further.”

  To my surprise Shelby shook her head. “No, I don’t think so. I’m not really sure.”

  I must have looked disappoint
ed because she quickly added, “But I know my parents believed in it, so I hope they’re right and they get to live their lives all over again.”

  “So, who do you spend Christmas with now?”

  “I usually spend Christmas with my brother Stephen, but he’s away this year, so it was really nice of Clare to ask me to spend Christmas with her family.”

  “My friend Shortie died last week, so I know how you feel.” I blurted, not even sure why.

  It was Shelby’s turn to be sorry. “Oh Jenny, that’s terrible, what happened?”

  “He got bashed up.”

  Shelby looked dumbfounded. “He what? Are you serious?”

  ***

  I didn’t intend to tell Shelby all the details; it just turned out that way. There was something about her that made me want to confide in her, even though I’d only just met her. Clare would’ve said that we connected, and I suppose she’d have been right. I can’t put my finger on what it was about her that made me feel like talking to her. All I know is that she asked me what happened and before I realised what I was saying, I’d told her everything.

  Don’t get me wrong, what happened to Shortie isn’t exactly a big secret or anything, but I even confessed how guilty I felt about not dobbing on the Dumbrells when I should have and how sad I felt that I never got to say goodbye. Normally I would feel silly for saying things like that to someone I don’t know, but it wasn’t like that with Shelby. It felt like I’d known her for ages.

  I know people say corny things like that all the time, and I always thought they were full of crap. Now I know better. Dad says it’s okay to be wrong as long as you are grown up about it. I always thought it was a weird thing to say because I’ve seen lots of grownups that were wrong and they usually acted like children about it.

  By the time I finished telling my story I was close to tears and Shelby was furious. “So you haven’t heard anything since?” she asked in disbelief.

  I didn’t trust myself to speak so I shook my head instead.

  Shelby recognised my fragile state and instantly softened. “Hey, I’m sure your friend knows how much you miss him. And I’ll tell you another thing,” she said with such kindness I nearly cried, “I guarantee he doesn’t blame you one bit, so stop beating yourself up over it.”

  Before I could say anything else, Janice came out and called for us to come and open our presents. “Off you go,” Shelby said, “there’s nothing like lots of presents to cheer you up.”

  Mum waited for everyone to arrive before reading the names on the gift tags, one at a time. The room was too crowded, so I took my presents into my room to open them. Just as well Mum didn’t see me leave; she would’ve said I was being rude. I opened the presents and put them with the rest of my stuff on the bed. I slipped the Indian bangles Clare bought me on to my arm and jingled them up and down. I went back out to have a sticky beak at what everyone else got.

  The lounge room was like a mad house. There was paper and stuff everywhere. Everyone was talking over the top of everyone else and there were presents changing hands left, right and centre. I couldn’t stand all the noise and commotion, so I went outside to finish my drink. It was where I left it, except now there was a fly doing backstroke in it. I tipped it over the back fence and went into the shed to get another one.

  Clare and Shelby were standing at the fridge talking. They had their heads together and spoke too softly for me to hear what they said. They looked like they were sharing a secret. They stopped when they saw me approach and turned around to greet me. I still had a lot of questions to ask Clare, but it wasn’t the right time with Shelby around. They’re written in my diary, which is locked and hidden under my mattress. I made a mental note to look them up after lunch.

  Tom walked into the shed and stood beside me. “You’re cousin’s a retard,” he said.

  Shelby looked at us both and laughed. “Tom, that’s not a very charitable thing to say about your friend’s cousin.”

  “Oh, no, it’s true,” I nodded my head in agreement with Tom, “he’s right.” Tom smiled at me for sticking up for him. “Who did you mean?” I asked him.

  This time it was Clare who laughed. “Jenny, you’re such a crack-up. You agreed with Tom before you even knew who he was talking about.”

  “Yeah, so? All my cousins are retards. Sometimes I wish they wouldn’t even come here.” I didn’t really mean it. Mostly they were okay, it was only sometimes they acted like retards, and it was mainly only Janice. But, I’d said it now and I couldn’t take it back.

  “I’ll let you both in on a little secret, shall I?” Shelby leaned down so that she was the same height as us and rested her hands on her knees. Tom and I nodded, pleased that she was about to confide in us. “I know sometimes family can be a real pain in the arse,” she went on – we both giggled at her comments – “but, you really should be thankful you have a family, even the retarded ones. Some people are all alone you know? Can you imagine how boring Christmas must be for them?”

  I hadn’t really thought about it like that before. I love Christmas, but I never imagined it had anything to do with my family, especially that poonce Brian.

  “Yeah, I suppose,” agreed Tom, far more serious now that Shelby was talking to us both like grownups, “I like it when Jim’s home.”

  “Who’s Jim?” Shelby asked.

  “He’s my brother. He’s in the Army, but he’s home for Christmas.”

  Shelby smiled at Tom. “See; now that’s what I was talking about. It must be lovely to have your big brother home for Christmas. I sure wish I had my little brother here.”

  “Hmm, it is nice. He’s not staying long though; he has to leave before New Year’s Eve.”

  “Well, you better make sure you make the most of it then, you hear? And remember to say something nice to him when he leaves.”

  “Why?” I asked.

  “Because it might be the last thing Tom says to him, that’s why.”

  Tom looked confused. “Nah, he’ll be back at Easter time.”

  “Will he?” Shelby asked. “You know what, the last words my brother ever said to my dad were said in anger and he’s regretted them ever since.”

  Tom seemed to know what she meant and nodded. Shelby continued, “You should always be nice to people you like, Tom, and you too Jenny, because you never know when, or if, you will see them again.”

  “Just like Shortie, you mean?” I asked.

  “Yes Jenny, just like Shortie,” Shelby must have remembered what I said about not getting to say goodbye to Shortie, because she looked sad.

  ***

  Kerrie-Anne came out carrying a large plate of food. Tops; lunch was ready. I said goodbye to Tom who had to be home in time for lunch and ran inside to get some food. There was enough food spread out on the dining room table to feed an army. Grandma helped Mum serve it from where they stood behind the table. I picked up a plate and joined the end of the line. My mouth started to water the instant I smelled the roast pork.

  Mum sure was in a good mood today. When I eventually got to the front of the queue I pointed to the food I wanted without thinking. She frowned at me for pointing, but never said anything. Then she served me exactly what I wanted without making me have vegetables or salad like she usually does. She even called me back to give me some crackling because she knows it’s my favourite.

  I sat at the table next to Kerrie-Anne and Bridget. Tracy and Kate sat across from us. Clare and Shelby sat behind Kate at the grownups’ table. I could hear Uncle Mick from where I sat. “That’s some car you got there Shelby, how long have you had it?”

  “About a year.”

  “What made you get a car like that?” Dad asked.

  “I got some money from a property settlement and decided to treat myself to some new wheels.”

  “They’re some wheels,” Uncle Dennis said appreciatively.

  Shelby laughed. “Aren’t they?”

  “I must say,” said Dad, “even though I appla
ud your taste in cars, I wouldn’t have thought a Thunderbird was the sort of car that would appeal to a lady.”

  “At first it didn’t, but my husband always dreamed of owning one, so I couldn’t resist getting it.”

  I knew it wouldn’t be long before Aunty Audrey stuck her nose in. “I didn’t know you were married,” she commented.

  “I’m not.”

  Aunty Audrey looked confused.

  At first I thought Shelby wasn’t going to say anything else. “We got divorced a year ago,” she said, much too late to prevent Aunty Audrey’s discomfort.

  “Oh, sorry,” said Aunty Audrey absentmindedly.

  “Don’t be,” Shelby said, “I’m not.”

  Aunty Audrey looked even more confused now. “So, how long did you say you’d had the car?” she asked.

  Uncle Mick gave her a dirty look. Obviously, he also thought she was being a bit nosy.

  “About a year,” Shelby confirmed.

  “So, why would you buy a car for someone you just divorced?”

  Mum jumped in before Shelby could answer. “You’ll have to excuse my little sister,” she said, frowning at Aunty Audrey, “she can be a bit nosy sometimes.”

  Shelby laughed. “That’s okay, I don’t mind.”

  Uncle Mick glared at Aunty Audrey. “What?” she asked defensively.

  He rolled his eyes and looked away in disgust.

  “I was just trying to work out if I heard her properly. I thought she said she bought the car for her husband.”

  Shelby sounded like she was having fun. “Oh no, I never said I bought it for my husband,” she corrected, “I said I bought it because my husband always dreamed of owning one.”

  This time everyone looked confused.

  Clare laughed. “Well,” she said, looking around at the puzzled faces, “I don’t know about you, but I can’t think of a better way to piss off an ex-husband.”

  Chapter 45

  Saturday, 14 December 1968

  Maggie heard Peter’s car start up and drive away. She collapsed on the bed and burst into to tears. “Fucking bastard,” she cried, “how could you?” She thumped her fists on the bed angrily, “How could you?” she repeated.