Holiday in Cambodia by Laura Jean McKay

Author:Laura Jean McKay
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Black Inc.
Published: 2013-05-16T16:00:00+00:00

‘When your father was dying, people came to sit with me,’ Kathleen said.

‘He wasn’t dying, he just came off his bike. He was drunk.’

We were carrying the last of the supplies down from the car. Phila had spent two and a quarter hours gathering Kathleen’s requests and bringing them back while I waited with her at the darkening lake. Pale clouds iced the sky, leaving no stars or moon. I’d followed him to the car park on his way out and said that I hoped this wouldn’t impact on our, what I considered to be good, working relationship, and that he wouldn’t think this indicative of Australia’s attitudes towards Cambodian people. He’d smiled and said that we should talk more simply when we were on holiday. I’d said I was just sorry, sorry about Kathleen.

‘How would you know if he was drunk or not? You were off at Natasha’s,’ Kathleen told me.

‘I believe I was five.’

‘Well, people, adults, came to sit with me and I came to understand the importance of it. I learnt from that, see.’ We set down a striped bag holding pillows and blankets and a box that rattled like cutlery and turned to watch Phila come down the stairs with the food. ‘Phil’s nice, isn’t he?’

‘His name is Phil-a; “-a”.’

‘Phil-a. Sounds like a girl’s name. I almost dated a Phil once.’ She turned to me but I was studying the weave of the plastic mat that the family had placed on the pier. It was a peacock with his train of eyes spread in courtship, fading with the day. Kathleen found a spot over his right foot and plonked onto it, cross-legged. ‘He’s as lonely as you, that man,’ she reflected and wriggled her hips to settle. ‘Wants a woman in his life.’ I shook my head at her. ‘What?’ she said. ‘What?’

‘A large part of my time over the last month has been spent researching and preparing to go to a Tampuen village.’ I glanced down at the old woman who sat watching the lake.

‘Sounds like you’re ready to go, then. Do you think we should cover that … what is it, chicken? It’s out in the weather.’

‘I’m saying you can’t just walk in and be with people. Especially at a time like this. There are special rituals, practices. It’s disrespectful.’

‘Sit down would you, darl? You’re making this lady nervous.’ The old woman’s neck was craned back to take in my height. I crouched but couldn’t manage a flat-footed squat so I fanned my legs out to the side like the younger women.

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