Immaculate

Family Meeting

Part Six

Sang's POV

I watched the sink fill with soapy water and listened as Dr Green and Owen stacked the dishes in the dining room. I don't think they were talking, but if they were it was low enough for the water to drown it out.

I bit my lip, sticking one hand in and swirling the water with my fingers, the bubbles moved and shook. I switched off the tap as Dr Green came in with Mr Blackbourne behind him.

"Excellent start," Dr Green said cheerfully, nudging me to one side as he placed his pile of dirty dishes in the sink. Mr Blackbourne placed his beside the sink and picked up the cloth to dry them. He held it out to me and I took it.

I'd stayed for dinner with them a few times now, I think it was their way of making sure that I got at least one balanced meal every week. But we'd now developed a system; Dr Green washed, I dried and Mr Blackbourne put them away. It still struck me how well he knew the layout of Dr Green's kitchen and where everything lived, it gave me an indication as to how close they were as friends.

"So, listen, pookie, now you don't have anything in your mouth, let's get down to business," Dr Green spoke up, his tone light and flirty

"Dr Green." Mr Blackbourne's voice held a low warning that I easily picked up on but didn't understand why. He took a dish from me and started to talk as he put it away.

"Dr Green said you've never attended any Health Education Programmes in your previous school. Ordinarily it would be introduced in year 6 with age appropriate information and then built upon each year. Ashley Waters is no different in it's responsibility to teach these programmes, but they are lacking in content due to State laws. I don't want you attending the schools classes for a number of reasons; firstly we'd be throwing you in at the deep end, your year are already aware of far more than you, and you'd be at a disadvantage...."

"Not to mention the little brats have mouths straight out of the gutter," Dr Green interrupted him and I saw Mr Blackbourne frown in annoyance but his face quickly became blank again.

I looked at Mr Blackbourne as I handed him another plate. He took it and caught my eyes before I could turn back to the sink. He held me in place with his eyes and I found myself straightening up slightly.

"Secondly, they don't teach enough information to ensure your future safety," he said and turned to put the plate away.

"Safety?" I asked, I was feeling awkward but I was grateful for the way they were discussing this; as if it was just as normal as discussing the weather. And maybe it was between normal people who were friends, families. I had no idea what people in families talked about. We never discussed anything, even less personal issues like this.

I remembered the start of the year when I had finally started my period. I only knew a few details that had been mentioned in the encyclopedia that I had, and it had been a scary time when it had finally happened, but there was no one to ask, no one to tell me it was ok. I had carefully broached the subject with Marie, hoping that maybe she would take on the role of older sister finally and guide me. My hopes were dashed when all she did was turn her nose up at me and inform me curtly that she didn't want to know, and slammed her bedroom door in my face. I had learnt my lesson and never tried again.

"Pookie....." Dr Green waved a hand in front of my face and I realised with a jump that I had zoned out while Mr Blackbourne was talking, staring down at the plate in my hand.

"I'm sorry," I mumbled and hastily started to wipe the plate, lost my grip and nearly dropped it.

Mr Blackbourne's reaction were fast and he caught it before it could hit the floor.