"Then we'll have to replace it, I guess."
"How can people be so mean?" she asked as she frowned and stuck out her bottom lip.
"That's the million dollar question, isn't it?"
"Who did this?" my older sister demanded as she took in the scene of utter devastation.
"No idea," I replied.
"Did you ask the neighbours?" my mother asked.
"Not yet, but according to the Custodian patrol that dropped in last night, the neighbours dobbed us in for having a wild party."
"That’s ridiculous," my mother said angrily. "May I suggest you visit your neighbours later and see if they saw anyone suspicious. Whoever did this must have made a lot of noise."
"Okay, I'll give it a shot."
"You have to find out something - this is outrageous!" my mother added. "But first, let's eat. We brought breakfast, lunch, and our sewing kits, so let’s have breakfast and then we ladies can get stuck into fixing all the clothes and linens."
My older sister pointed to the toolbox. "That's father's contribution. He refused to come because you told him to stay out of your life, remember?" she scowled, as though I was the guilty party, not him.
"But where can we eat - the table's all busted," Younger Sister asked as she nudged the flattened table with her toes.
Seeing no other option, I grabbed the table, plonked it on the floor near the bed, and gave it a thorough cleaning. After that my mother and older sister set a place for Nanako, Younger Sister, and me at the table and were about to wait on us, but I jumped up, grabbed the picnic basket, and laid out two more placemats, plates, and cups.
"Whatever are you doing, Ethan?" Elder Sister snapped, displeased.
"We're going to eat together," I said.
My older sister glanced from me, to Nanako and to Mother, torn between her desires to adhere to Newhome's rigid customs, yet aware that Nanako came from a more relaxed background. "But..."
"Come on, why don't you give it a go?" Nanako prompted as she laid a gentle hand on Elder Sister's arm.
My little sister grabbed Elder Sister's other arm and pulled her down. "Come on, Father's not here to object, so let's do it!"
Elder Sister frowned but knelt stiffly at the table nonetheless, and then my mother joined us.
We ate a nourishing breakfast of homemade wholegrain bread, boiled eggs, mixed nuts, and dried fruits. My mother and younger sister chatted freely with Nanako and me while they ate. My older sister listened but refused to participate.
When breakfast was out of the way, the women attacked the torn and slashed clothes, linen, and curtains with a vengeance. I was supposed to go to work soon, but I figured the boss would give me the day off if I told him what had happened.
I decided to try the phone on the off chance it still worked, and to my surprise, it did, in spite of having one side bashed in.
The boss was understandably shocked when I told him what had happened. He plied me with questions and then gave me the day off, though without pay, of course.
That taken care of, I dug into my father's tool box and set about re-attaching the kitchen's cupboard doors, which turned out to be a lot harder than I had anticipated since the vandals had bent some of the hinges. I was so engrossed in my task that I didn't register the arrival of a truck outside until its engine spluttered off.
Chapter Sixteen
I put down my tools and rushed outside to the walkway, for the truck sounded very much like one of the Recycling-Works delivery trucks.
And that’s exactly what it was. To my further astonishment, the boss, David, and Shorty climbed out of the truck's cab and opened the back of the truck. I hurried downstairs to meet them.
"Thought you could do with a hand, well, three pairs, actually," the boss said when I reached them.
I shook his hand, and winced as he crushed the life out of mine. "I don’t know what to say."
"Don’t say anything, just give us a hand with this blasted bed frame – it weighs a ton!" Shorty complained as he struggled to hold the wooden double-bed bed-head that David was pushing out of the truck. I quickly gave him a hand, but with my left arm still unable to lift anything heavy, it wasn’t much of a one.
"What’s all this?" I asked when I looked into the back of the truck and saw the rest of the bed frame plus matching bedside tables, a mattress, a sofa, and an aluminium table and chairs.
The boss ran a hand through his thinning hair. "It’s stuff I don’t need any more but haven’t had the heart to throw out. I’ve been storing it in the Recycling-Works for years, wondering what to do with it. So you may as well have it rather than leave it there to rot."
I was so moved I had to hold my breath for a moment to keep back the tears that threatened to spill. "Thanks, Boss, that's…wow, I really appreciate this."
"My pleasure. Now let’s get it up to your flat."
When Shorty and I entered my flat carrying the bed-head between us, he froze and gazed about in shock – for about a second. Then a broad grin split his face. "Woah, Jones, next time you have a party, you gotta ask me over...but hey, where’s your fridge?"
"They tossed it out the window."
"Really? Wow, wish I'd seen that," he said with a smirk. "Imagine standing down below and suddenly this fridge comes flying out the window. Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's Super Fridge!"
"Glad you think it’s funny. Can we put this bed-head down? My arm’s about to drop off," I said, smiling in spite of myself.
Nanako was absolutely blown away when she saw the wooden bed frame, especially since it was much higher quality than our old one. We set up the bed and its mattress – which was free of mould, by the way – and brought in the table, chairs, and sofa. Then we took the ruined bed, table, chairs, sofa, and TV back to the truck so they could be disposed of. Due to Shorty's small stature and me only able to use one arm, the boss and David ended up doing most of the work.
That done, the boss took a moment to survey the flat. "They sure made a mess, but let’s see what we can do about that."
"But what about work, Boss?" I asked, confused.
"We figured you needed a hand, so we’ve all taken the day off too," the boss said, smiling. I was touched for the second time today. I had always respected him for being a decent enough chap, but this display of sacrificial generosity revealed the goodness in his heart.
"Right then," he continued. "Shorty, David, into the bathroom and rip all those broken tiles off the wall. Jones, you’re with me - let’s see if we can make your front door indestructible."
The boss and I put a brand new lock and then a deadbolt on the front door. After that, the boss reinforced both the doorframe and the door with metal strips so the door couldn't be kicked in again.
As we worked, I wondered if Shorty and David were actually doing any work, for the only sounds coming out of the bathroom were laughter.
Curious, I stuck my head in the bathroom and giggled in spite of myself. Shorty had wrapped himself up in toilet paper and was doing a mummy impersonation, with his arms outstretched and all. David was standing in the shower with a chisel and hammer in his hands, but was laughing so much he was on the verge of tears.
Shorty noticed me watching him and fixed me with one of his classic sheepish grins.
"Shorty..." I said.
"Hey, why do you always blame me?" he protested as he dropped his toilet paper covered arms to his sides with a humph.
"I don't know, something must have tipped me off."
Playing along, David lifted his hands. "Wasn't me, Shorty, I promise."
"Well, I'll let you two get back to it," I laughed and rejoined the boss, who was turning the smashed cupboard shelves over in his hands, thinking of the best way to repair them.
"Your sister’s very attractive," he said as I rejoined him.
I looked at him in shock; perhaps I’d completely misjudged his character after all. "She’s only twelve, Boss," I hissed angrily.
"Not her, you silly git, your older
sister," he said as though it should have been obvious. "What's her name?"
I was shocked again, but for entirely different reasons this time – someone found my older sister attractive? I glanced over at her and tried to see her in a new light, and I guess with her fine features and long auburn hair she could be considered attractive, but all I saw when I looked at her was the bitterness and disdain that radiated from her person all day, every day. "Her name's Ruth," I replied when I finally found my voice.
"I can't see a ring on her hand - she didn't marry?"
"No."
"But how's that possible, she's older than you, right?"
"Yeah, she is." And I had to admit he had me there. It wasn't something I'd ever given much thought to, but now that I was, I was puzzled. She was twenty-two - why hadn't father married her off?
"You know my wife passed away two years ago, right?" the boss shared quietly.
"Sorry, no, I didn't know that."
"And it's been tough, you know, raising two little 'uns without her. I want to remarry one day, but I don't want more kids - two's plenty - I just want a wife and a mother for me kids."
"I see."
The boss fell silent after that and we concentrated on repairing the cupboard shelves, though he appeared lost in deep thought.
As we worked, I couldn't help but overhear Nanako and my older sister chatting amicably as they began the arduous task of stitching our new curtains back together - someone had sliced them up them with a very sharp knife.
"If I am not being too forward," Nanako asked, "How is it your father hasn't arranged for you to be married yet?"
"He can't," my sister whispered.
"But why?" Nanako pressed.
"Because no one would have me."
"Of course they would."
"No, you don't understand - I can't have children," my sister admitted, her voice barely audible.
Time slowed to a standstill and I turned to appraise my sister, seeing her for perhaps the first time in my life. She was barren? Since when? I hadn't heard this mentioned, not once. Yet she must be speaking the truth, for although my father mentioned his desire to marry off my little sister as soon as she came of age, he had not once mentioned finding a husband for Elder Sister. Was this why was she was so bitter and angry all the time - because she couldn't get married or have children?
Before I knew what I was doing, I put down my tools and walked over to join them. For the first time in my life, I felt sympathy towards my sister and wished there was some way I could comfort her.
Nanako noticed me approach and flashed me a beautiful smile, but Elder Sister looked at me with nothing but contempt, as usual.
"Elder Sister, I'm so sorry, I had no idea," I said gently, trying not to let her attitude rile me.
"No idea about what," she snapped.
"That you can't have children," I said softly.
"How dare you eves drop on me - that was private!" she spat angrily, each word laced with hate.
"Private? We're family - why wasn't I told about this?"
"Because it's none of your business!" she snapped.
My attempt to remain patient failed - my hackles were up. "Elder Sister, what exactly have you got against me?"
"What are you talking about?" she shot back.
"All my life you've been so distant and cold towards me, criticising me every chance you get. Why?" I demanded.
She just stared daggers at me.
"Well, come on, what's the reason? There must be one, right?"
"You really don't know, do you?" she said, glowering at me.
"Know what?"
"Oh good grief, Younger Brother! Why are you so blind? While I've had a life of hardship and suffering, you've been spoilt rotten," she said venomously.
"Me? Spoilt by whom?" To be honest, I was at a loss. Was she suggesting Mother spoiled me? If so, she was completely mistaken. I glanced at Nanako, who was watching my sister and I bicker with alarm.
"And do you know what the clincher was?" Elder Sister said, continuing her attack.
I shook my head. "I still have no idea what you're talking about."
"When I was fourteen I was diagnosed with a non-cancerous Pituitary tumour, which if left untreated would leave me barren. But the treatment was very expensive and Father flat out refused to do it. He said we couldn't afford it."
I didn't say anything, for I was ten then, and although I knew at the time something was going down, no one told me what it was.
"Yet when you got shot, Father didn't even hesitate to take out a fifteen year loan to pay for your operation," she continued heatedly.
"Hey, that's not fair," I protested, feeling as though I was suddenly on trial for crimes I didn't commit. "I didn't even know about the loan."
"It's been like that our whole lives, Younger Brother - Father's never done anything for me or Younger Sister, but he's always pulled out the stops for you."
"But none of that's my fault," I said, trying to get a word in edgeways.
Elder Sister stood. "Try telling that to a fourteen-year-old girl whose dreams for the future have just been crushed because her father told her he can't afford to get her the treatment she needs, yet on the very next day when you break your arm, he spends his whole wage getting it reset by a specialist."
After delivering that final barrage, my sister stormed off and joined my younger sister and mother in repairing the towels and bed sheets. My mother met my gaze fleetingly, and then looked away, her eyes moist with tears. Along with everyone else in the room, she'd heard the entire conversation.
And I felt like an absolute heel. My childhood had not been a happy one, since I clashed so often with Father, and because of the derogatory comments frequently thrown my way by Elder Sister. I had thought of myself as the unlucky one, the victim. It had never occurred to me that there was a reason for my sister acting as though the whole world was against her. But it wasn't my fault, why couldn't she see that? Throughout my childhood, I had assumed my father didn't like me, that I was an annoyance he couldn't escape. It wasn't until I found out about the loan that I realised he actually cared for me, and that his way of demonstrating his love for me was by doing things for me. I'd been looking for camaraderie, for kindness and compassion, and had therefore completely missed his way of expressing love.
But what then of my sisters? Was Elder Sister right - didn't he care for them at all? I guess I shouldn't be surprised if that was the case, for we lived in a male orientated society where the sons carried on the family name, were educated, and given jobs.
I sighed and sank onto the bed beside Nanako, who was studying me compassionately.
"Welcome to my family," I snorted.
She laid a hand on mine, but didn't speak.
I went back to helping the boss work on the cupboard shelves, and was so lost in my thoughts of self-recrimination that I didn't even notice my younger sister's approach until she tapped me on the arm.
"I didn't know any of that stuff about Elder Sister either," she whispered as she stole a furtive glance in our older sister's direction. "And besides, I think you're an ace brother."
I rewarded her with a heartfelt smile. "Thanks, Younger Sister, you're the best."
She gave me an impishly cute smile and darted back to her sewing project before the women could notice her absence.
We continued working until five, by which time we’d achieved quite a bit. The front door and cupboard doors were all reattached, the cupboard shelves had been repaired, the smashed tiles in the shower had been removed and thanks to my boss's generosity, new ones had been purchased and glued into place. They weren't an exact match, but who cares, right? The shower curtain, patched up to the extent that it reminded me of Frankenstein’s monster, was rehung, and the curtains were back up as well. Many articles of clothing, sheets and towels had been repaired. Some had been destroyed beyond repair and would have to be disposed of.
My mother and sisters made a quick exit at this point, f
or they had to go and prepare dinner lest they get home too late and suffer Father's wrath. However, they left behind a picnic basket full of food.
When they were leaving, I noticed my boss watching my older sister's departure with more than a passing interest, which set my mind a-wondering.
After that, the boss, Shorty and David, also left. We thanked them for their kindness and help, and Nanako apologised profusely for being such a poor host by not providing them with any food or drink during their stay.
After everyone had left, I knocked on the doors of my adjacent neighbours and asked if they'd seen or heard who had trashed our flat. Both neighbours I spoke to, a grandmother and a middle-aged father, denied having any knowledge of what happened, and quickly closed their doors.
That left me to conclude that they did know something, but what they knew terrified them. Did the vandals threaten them? Or, if Sienna was involved, did she bring some lowlifes with her to do the deed?
Leaving that issue aside for now, Nanako and I ate dinner - well, sandwiches - at our new aluminium table and chairs. When we’d finished, Nanako looked about the apartment at all that had been accomplished today, and smiled. "I'm exhausted, but happy. I couldn’t believe it when your boss, friends, and even your family all turned up to help."
"They're good people."
"That they are."
I took Nanako's small hands in mine. "There's something from my missing year, about us, that I've been wanting to ask."
"Okay."
"We got married two months after we met, right?"
"That's right – but why do you ask - does it sound too quick?" she replied, looking worried.
"No, it's common in Newhome for fathers to give only one to two months notice for us to get married, and we often don't meet the bride until our wedding day."
"So what did you want to ask then?" she asked, relieved but puzzled.
"Was our marriage arranged or did we decide to marry by ourselves?"
"What do you think?" she asked as she leaned forward with sparkling eyes.
"Well, it can't have been our parents, for mine were in Newhome. And you told me previously that marriages in Hamamachi can be arranged by the couple themselves."
Forager - the Complete Six Book Series (A Post Apocalyptic/Dystopian Series) Page 33