Being Shelley by Qarnita Loxton

Author:Qarnita Loxton
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kwela
Published: 2019-10-17T06:59:10+00:00

Smell the coffee, Shellbell

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Rolled. Bombed. Dumped.

26

Saturday, 3 March

He was late for our afternoon shift at the shop.

I knew to expect that he would be late. But he was freshly showered and the Pina Colada Coconut Vanilla Dessert was pushed back, something clean smelling in its place, an almost freshly squeezed citrus scent that took its place in the air. It was a smell that went perfectly with my instant forgiveness at his lateness. I wish I had that smell in a bottle; I’d dunk myself in it after last night at Tiger’s Milk. This morning had been supremely awkward; or, more accurately, I was awkward with everyone and they were awkward with me. Di, Kari and Lily seemed fine with one another. Kari made the kids breakfast and issued a solemn apology to everyone over coffee.

I pretended not to care. I might have tried to laugh. I wanted to forget the words that had stung me; I was supposed to be the thick-skinned one.

We all fussed over our kids in the apartment that was too small for all of us, getting them organised for surfing with Wayde. Kari and I moved extra slowly with our heavy heads, the littlies a whirlwind of excitement at our feet.

For them, it was a successful morning, as all had got up on foam surfboards, riding white water onto the sand. As Wayde had promised, they were so close to the beach I could stand ankle deep in the water and take close-ups with my phone. I was so determined not to sit on the beach with the others that I didn’t notice whether or not the water was warmer than in Blouberg. Wayde seemed convinced it was.

If I were that way inclined, I would’ve got down on my knees and thanked God, I was so grateful when the morning was over.

It would be better now. I was back at the shop. Kids with Jerry. Unlike with ABS and with my husband, I had nothing to feel awkward about with Wayde.

‘Sorry, I had to stop at the shop quickly. A little party tonight to celebrate my first paycheque.’ He passed me the smoothie he’d promised me when I left Muizenberg.

‘Thanks,’ I said, taking the smoothie, trying to forget about the awfulness with ABS and Jerry for a moment, ‘but maybe I’d rather have what’s in your other hand, thanks very much.’ I raised my eyes at the plastic Tops bag. I could see a bottle of whisky and a six-pack of soda through the red plastic. Not too late for hair of the dog. A tub of something sat on top of the soda.

He laughed, lifting the bag to give me a better look.

‘I’m celebrating! Okay, my mother is celebrating.’ He looked a little embarrassed, and ran his fingers through his hair, tugging on the back before he released his hand. ‘She’s pretty happy that I’ve got a steady job, so she’s doing a little supper thing for the two of us at home to celebrate my first paycheque.

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