Red Dirt Heart 02 - Red Dirt Heart 2 by N.R. Walker

Author:N.R. Walker [Walker, N.R.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2014-08-17T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Fighting: the defining kind.

I insisted Travis shower first, knowing if we ran out of time before dinner, Ma would be scowling at me and not him. It also helped that he was naked and wet in the shower in the bathroom, and I was fully clothed in the kitchen with Ma. Because I’m pretty sure if I went in there with him, neither one of us would be eating dinner.

As it happened, everyone was back from their weekend in Alice Springs, and there was the usual chatter about what went on coming from the dining room. It all fell silent when I walked in, though, and I was reminded of how poorly I’d behaved the week before. I had them walking on eggshells because I’d been in such a pissy mood.

I gave them a smile and took my seat at the head of the table just as Ma was bringing in the last platter of food. I figured there was no time like the present for getting sorries out of the way. “Before we start, I just wanted to apologise for my behaviour last week. I was out of line, and frankly, I’m a little surprised you all came back to work for me.”

You could have heard a pin drop.

I looked around the table. “Unless you’ve all come back to tell me you’re not workin’ for me no more…”

George laughed, and Travis hooked his foot around mine under the table.

“Nah, takes more than that to get rid of me,” Ernie said, though I think he just wanted to start to eat. He was eyeing the food like he hadn’t eaten all weekend. He probably hadn’t.

“Please, eat,” I said. “Don’t disrespect the cook by letting it go cold.”

There was the usual clanging of serving spoons on crockery, but before anyone had had one mouthful, Travis said, “Um, I suppose I should tell y’all that the Immigration department is kicking me out of the country.” There was absolute silence, and every pair of eyes at the table was on him. “They’ve given me three weeks to leave.”

Almost comically, every one slowly turned from lookin’ at Travis to lookin’ at me.

I gave them the best smile I could manage. “He’s not going back.” Then, because that sounded a little psycho, I added, “Unless it’s his choice.”

No one moved. Hell, no one even blinked. So Travis said, “Charlie seems to think it’s just a mix-up or something. We’ll call them tomorrow to sort it out.”

“Can they make you leave?” Trudy asked quietly.

Travis shrugged. “I guess.”

“’S’okay, Mr Travis,” Billy said, wearing his usual half-face grin. “I can hide you. If someone comes lookin’ for you, you come with me. Ain’t nobody find you. Not even a Tracker’ll find you.”

Travis looked at him seriously. “Would I still be alive? Because that’s sounding very much like I wouldn’t be alive.”

Billy laughed, and it was the type of laugh that made other people smile. So with the mood somewhat back to happy, I said, “Please, everyone, eat.”

They didn’t need telling twice.

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