Hunting BLind: It's Every Family's Deepest Fear by Richardson Paddy

Author:Richardson, Paddy [Richardson, Paddy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781742287232
Publisher: Penguin New Zealand
Published: 2011-08-05T04:00:00+00:00

21.

For once she’s on time. It’s 11 a.m. and the café is starting to fill. Stephanie and Minna sit at a table near a window. The café is below ground level and people are passing by them up on the pavement. Minna peers up, critically narrowing her eyes. ‘Everyone’s in black,’ she says. ‘Black, black, black.’

Stephanie is also in black. Her black woollen coat, her black skirt, her black flat shoes. ‘It’s easier,’ she says.

‘Easier?’ Minna raises her eyebrows.

‘Not everyone’s obsessive about their appearance,’ Stephanie says.

‘Who’s obsessive?’

They order coffee. Stephanie a flat white, Minna scrutinises the menu, asks for a long black but with milk, separate please, and cold milk, okay?

They’re silent. Stephanie glances up at the people passing. Minna picks up her cell phone, looks at a text message and switches it off.

‘You’d think the people in the office could look after things while I’m away. I’ve had six messages today already. Next time I go away I’m leaving my cell at home.’

‘Nice to be indispensable,’ Stephanie says tartly.

‘Meaning?’

‘Exactly what I said. Nice to be indispensable.’

‘What are you saying, Steph? Because what I think you’re implying is I’m not necessary to you.’

‘I think you’re being over-sensitive. Anyway, you’re not, are you?’

Minna takes a deep breath. The waiter comes with the coffees and she picks up her cup. ‘I was pleased you asked to meet me.’

Stephanie shrugs. Already she can see this is a mistake. Though she hadn’t really expected Minna still to be in town, she phoned her out of desperation, needing answers, needing to talk. But already they’re locked in hostility – did she ever get on with her mother?

‘So why did you want to meet? If you’re angry with me and you don’t really want to talk, why put us both through it?’

‘I thought maybe you might want to ask about Greg and Dave when there wasn’t anyone else around.’

‘I know how Dave is. I know Greg’s okay. I talk to them.’

‘How often? Come on, just how often do you talk to them?’

‘Look, Steph, I don’t have to justify myself to anyone. You know perfectly well Greg’s doing just fine and your Dad’s happy. He’s got Esther now and they’re quite a little family. I’m okay with what he’s doing, he’s okay with what I’m doing. Everyone’s moved on.’

‘But I haven’t?’

Minna’s turn to shrug. ‘You haven’t. It’s not doing you any good either.’

‘What do you mean by that?’

‘You’re an adult. You need to get over it and get on with things.’

‘That’s your philosophy in life, isn’t it? Get rid of anything you’re sick of and just leave it behind you.’

‘Why don’t you lighten up a bit? I was hoping we might have fun together. What about one of those chocolate brownies? How about we eat something yummy and go do some shopping together?’

‘I can’t believe this. You’re telling me to have chocolate to make me feel better?’

‘Yeah. Yeah, I am, because I’d like you to stop being so bloody serious and aggressive. When’s the last time you actually had any fun?’

‘Have fun, keep it superficial.

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