Lonesome Howl by Steven Herrick

Author:Steven Herrick
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Tags: JUV000000
ISBN: 9781741156157
Publisher: Allen & Unwin Pty Ltd
Published: 2006-01-08T05:00:00+00:00

Lucy: good riddance

I stretch my legs out,

feel the tension ease from my body.

Jake passes me the water bottle

and I take a long swig,

thinking of Peter having

to do some farm work,

for a change.

And Dad,

stalking around the house

looking for his beer,

saying,

‘She’s probably run away.

One less bloody mouth to feed.

Good riddance.’

I reply, under my breath,

‘Good riddance to you.’

Jake: too many questions

When we start walking again

I ask Lucy,

‘Does your mum or dad

ever talk about my family?’

She keeps her head down,

treading carefully along the path.

‘I wouldn’t know.

My parents don’t say anything to me,

unless it’s to tell me to do something.’

I can’t believe that.

‘Come on. Do they?’

Lucy stops and looks at me

through her hair.

‘I told you.

They don’t talk to me,

and I don’t talk to them.’

She walks ahead

and I follow slowly.

I say, to myself,

‘You must live in a quiet house.’

‘What?

’

‘Nothing. I was just saying . . .’

‘I live in a dump.

That’s where I live. A dump.

Are you happy now?’

I see the anger in her eyes

and hold up my hand.

‘I’m sorry, Lucy.

It’s just my dad . . .’

I stop.

This won’t help matters.

‘Your dad what?’

Lucy says,

‘Didn’t he want you coming with me?

Because I’m a Harding.

That’s probably enough reason for him.’

Lucy shakes her head.

‘If you want to go home,

and be with your know-all dad,

then go.

No one’s stopping you.’

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