With My Back to the World by Sally Cooper

Author:Sally Cooper
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Wolsak and Wynn Publishers Ltd
Published: 2019-08-15T00:00:00+00:00

Rudie told Kikka she was running out for milk. It was just after twelve o’clock. “In case you need to leave while I’m gone,” Rudie said, “I’ll say goodbye now.”

She found Bob filling in a sudoku puzzle at the Corner Bar on James North, a beer and a checkered-paper-lined basket of French fries on the table in front of him. Women’s curling played on the wall-mounted TV.

He nodded and shooed at her with his left hand. “This is my sanctuary, Rudie. Enter only if you intend to leave me in peace.”

A tall woman with pale caramel hair teased high and clasped with a barrette on the top of her head approached, clutching a notepad. Bob shooed her away. “Just get her a beer. If she doesn’t want it, I’ll drink it.”

Rudie sat down in her coat. “I won’t keep you long, Dad. I’ve got things to do, as you know.”

Bob nodded, his eyes roaming the sudoku page.

“You don’t even have to look at me,” Rudie continued. “I would like it if you’d talk to me though. Mom says –” The words turned to chalk on Rudie’s tongue. How dare she presume to tell this man what he felt? But here he was, red-faced now, pushing back his chair and staring at her, legs wide, hands on his knees.

“It’s not up to your mother to say anything,” he said.

“Who else is going to tell me if you won’t?” Rudie’s beer arrived, and she took a long swallow, licking the foam from her lips, then drinking some more. She pulled her shoulder blades together, sat back and crossed her legs. “She said your –”

Bob gathered himself up and let out a long, heavy breath through his nostrils.

“She said my what? I’m not having this conversation.” He swivelled around until he caught the waitress’s eye. He nodded at her, then took out his billfold.

Rudie drank more beer, a bubble forming in her stomach. “Dad, don’t go. You should be proud of it, Dad. I am proud. It has nothing to do with adopting Roselore because I didn’t know this detail when we applied, but it opens up a door for us, don’t you think?”

Bob snorted. He dropped a twenty-dollar bill on the table and pulled on his jacket without making eye contact. The waitress eyed him from the bar where she tallied their bill.

Halfway to the door, Bob turned, his face red, his eyes narrowed. “No, it doesn’t open any doors. If anything, it shuts the story up further, because that’s what it is, a story, because you’re right. It’s got nothing to do with the current situation.” Then, without saying goodbye, he opened the door and disappeared into the light.

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