Where the Rekohu Bone Sings by Tina Makereti

Author:Tina Makereti [Tina Makereti]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Random House New Zealand
Published: 2013-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

For two more days, Iraia waited at the wharf with the other hopefuls, and was not hired. The promise of work now seemed like a figment of his imagination. When he again saw the old man who had spoken kindly to him, he was pleased he had brought with him a crust of bread to share, though the offering was meagre. His new friend nodded in appreciation, but barely moved when the call for workers went out.

Once it was obvious no more workers were needed, Iraia spent the rest of each day walking to different parts of the city until the afternoon sun began to descend in the sky. It did not take him long to reach the outskirts, where roads or rails ran out. He climbed the hills again, and enjoyed the fresh air. Perhaps on a Sunday he would bring Mere walking.

On the third day, he did not see his friend. Iraia had been able to keep his mood light and cheerful until then. He worried now that some bad fate had befallen the old man, but worse was the foreboding that such a thing could happen to him too, and Mere. When a rotund-looking gentleman came looking for carriers for wool and coal, Iraia pushed his way to the front of the crowd.

The man chose seven others before he considered Iraia.

‘You’re strapping. I’ll take you,’ he said, ‘and perhaps the coal won’t be a worry to you since it won’t change the colour of your skin.’

Iraia and two others were set to work loading the ship with coal while the rest were sent to assist the loading of cargo. It was many hours of work, and late afternoon before the men stopped for a bite.

‘This is a fool’s game,’ said a fair-haired man who was now the colour of soot. ‘The thing to do is get work on one of the ships.’

‘Aye, but no one’s giving those jobs away any more. Men are sticking to their posts. Know they’ll be on the street like us if they so much as flinch.’

‘I’ve a mind to sneak on before they leave. What can they do once I’m on board? They’d have to let me earn my keep.’

‘Throw you over, that’s what they’d do. Set you afloat on a raft with an oar if they’re being kind.’

‘Feed you to the sharks.’

‘Freeze you below decks with them meat coolers they’re all getting on board.’

‘At least there’d be plenty of meat!’

Iraia sat off to one side. He didn’t know what to say to these men who seemed so much more worldly and at ease than him. They didn’t talk to him, but they weren’t cruel either.

The work continued into the evening. It was at least nine, and dark, by the time he made his way back to Mere.

‘Where have you been?’ She was in bed but still awake. Worry, not anger, was clear in her voice.

‘I got work, Mere. I have to stay until the boss lets us go. They need me tomorrow too, but I can’t say when I’ll be back.

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