A Nerd, a Tough Kid and the Wonder of Dance

Chapter 21: a visit

Gladys and Ray (they'd asked me to call them by their first names years ago) were really pleased to see me: Ray shaking my hand, Gladys hugging and gushing. All the while Jena stood there with a slight frown on her face.

"You look thirsty, Garth," Ray said taking hold of my upper arm, "Come on, we'd better go out the back and have a beer. Jen love, would you mind . . .?"

Jena pulled a face, but headed for the kitchen. Ray and I settled down in the covered outdoor area and Jena bought out the stubbies of beer. When she handed mine to me, I offered it back to her invitingly. Years ago when Ray and I used to have a beer out here, Jena usually had a few sips of mine.

She snatched it off me, had a swig, then shoved it back at me and strode inside. Ray raised his eyebrows at me and I just shrugged.

The first beer disappeared quickly, so Ray called out asking Jena to bring two more. She did and we went through the same ritual.

A few minutes later, Jena came back out. She had an unlit cigarette in her mouth and a lighter in her hand. She didn't even look at us as she walked on past a few paces. She kept her back to us as she lit the cigarette and stood there smoking while Ray and I exchanged disapproving grimaces.

I'd noticed a ceramic bowl on the outdoor table serving as an ashtray. It was filled with sand and had half a dozen butts in it.

Jena finished the cigarette, stuck the butt into the sand and marched back inside.

Ray was shaking his head, "I wish she wouldn't, I really do. Stefan got her started; she says it's her choice and I suppose it is, but God, it's so stupid . . . I mean she's had lung problems. Her mother hates it. Garth, do you think she would listen to you?"

"I don't know, Ray, but I'm going to try. She won't like it, but I'm still going to try."

"Thanks, mate, thanks."

I finished the second beer and was thinking that it was probably time for me to go, when Gladys called out through the kitchen window, "Garth, do you want to stay for dinner?"

"Yeah, that'd be good," I responded, quite pleased, "I'll give Mum a ring."

"Don't worry, I just got off the phone to her. I told her that you were out the back boozing with the old man and could end up too stonkered to walk home. I said you would sleep here if need be."

I laughed. "It's always good to have a contingency plan."

Ray called out, "Jen, could you get us another couple of cold ones, please sweetie."

She bought them out, gave Ray his, then stood in front of me frowning. Instead of giving me the bottle, she raised it to her lips and took a long swallow. Then she leaned forward as she passed me the beer and whispered fiercely in my ear, "And don't think you're sleeping with me."

"What?" I exclaimed startled, but she was already heading back inside.