The Ghosts Trilogy by J. Balodis

Author:J. Balodis
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Currency Press
Published: 2012-01-03T00:00:00+00:00

… or words to that effect—

LAUMA: You forgot the first line: ‘Sacred is that moment that sweet suffering knows’.

EDVARDS: To hell with the suffering and please let the devil quote his own scripture:

‘… shouts

Offer me, offer me your lips,

Offer!’

Offer me, offer, that’s what it says.

LAUMA: [kissing him] Yes, all right, yes. And what about the rest?

EDVARDS: That’s the bit I know. I’m a slow student, okay.

LAUMA: I wouldn’t say that.

EDVARDS: Something about sin that isn’t sin that makes us give in to sin. God let me sin like this to the end of my days. That last part I made up, okay.

LAUMA: Okay.

‘Everything on earth contains this power,

Protect it, and do not judge us,

It flows through the night and through our flesh.’

EDVARDS: Ah yes, flesh, I remember that. ‘Flows over sorrow and over joy.’ Something something and again: ‘Wrap! Wrap your arms around me.’ And don’t let go. Don’t ever let me move one step away from you.

LAUMA: You know I can’t promise you that.

EDVARDS: Why?

LAUMA: My travel permit won’t let me stay.

EDVARDS: Paperwork. Ruth can fix that, okay?

LAUMA: Besides, there’s my family, my children and grandchildren.

EDVARDS: Of course, of course. I keep forgetting we’re not young puppies. I know. We’ll bring them all out, on the family reunion plan, set them free. Okay. Otto can afford it no matter what Lydia says.

ARMAND enters, on his way through with some sketching equipment and a carry bag.

ARMAND: Morning. Don’t mind me.

EDVARDS: [accent] Hey, photograph. Where is your camera?

ARMAND: A photograph of the happy couple.

EDVARDS: Tell us when to smile.

ARMAND: [taking a photo of them] You haven’t stopped. Good swim, was it? Or have you both got tight skin?

EDVARDS: It wasn’t the fountain of youth, but it was the next best thing.

ARMAND: Might try it myself later.

EDVARDS: It only works if you go in with a partner.

ARMAND: I don’t want to be any younger. It’s taken me this long to get as smart as I am now.

LAUMA: There is an Indian saying that life without love is like a stunted tree growing in rocky soil.

ARMAND: I’m in the right landscape.

EDVARDS: You want me to translate.

LAUMA: I can see. Artists like to be unhappy in love. It helps their work.

ARMAND: Maybe I’m not an artist.

ILSE enters.

ILSE: I thought we were all going for a walk.

EDVARDS: I’m ready. I only have to put my shoes on.

LAUMA: I have to go and change. I won’t be long.

EDVARDS: Don’t run, don’t run. Even if you take your time we’ll still be waiting for Lydia.

He watches her go.

ILSE: Poetry in motion.

ARMAND: Don’t wait for me. I’m going to see if inspiration strikes. It hasn’t yet. Maybe lightning will instead.

ARMAND goes.

ILSE: Trees or rocks today?

EDVARDS: Rocks are easier. They don’t rush about so much.

ARMAND: What is it Dad says: ‘A tree is a tree’. Like a true Australian. At least I inherited something from him.

ILSE: Are you in love?

EDVARDS: We never speak the word.

ILSE: Nor did we. Do you say to her what you would say to me?

EDVARDS: No.

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