KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK!!! Someone started banging on the door, scaring the shit out of Tara and me as they did. Mum and the boys seemed to be taking their time about getting home with dinner, so Tara and I had started watching 'The Locals', my favourite New Zealand horror film. We were cuddling on the sofa and I kept burying my head into Tara's shoulder when all the scary parts came up.
“Who is it?” I called out in a would be casual voice, trying to hide the fact that this mystery person knocking on the door had freaked me out more than just a little bit.
“It's your brother, who else would it be?” The deep voice of my brother, Max came through the door. “Geez, you sound like a bloody Aussie,” Max said as an after thought.
“Oi, you can't say shit like that Max!” I snapped at him through the door. “You can come in, by the way, we've got clothes on,” I called out after a few moments, realising that Max had nothing to say to my remark. The door burst open, revealing not only Max, but my other little brother, Carson as well.
“Simmy!” They rushed over and jumped on top of Tara and me, almost smothering the two of us.
“Tara, these two big oaf's are my brothers, Max and Carson,” I said through laughter. “Boys, this lovely lady you damn near squashed is my girlfriend, Tara,” I informed the boys.
“It's nice to meet you, Max, Carson,” Tara said as we all stood up.
“You too, Tara,” Carson replied.
“Yeah, ditto,” Max grunted, the lovable teen that he was. “Mum wanted us to come and get you two for dinner,” Max turned to me.
“Wicked, I'm starving,” I said rubbing my tummy, making everyone laugh.
“You're always hungry, sweetheart,” Tara teased me.
“What ever,” I replied in that annoying popular girl voice of mine, the one that pushed all the buttons I wanted it to push in Tara.
“I'll give you what ever,” Tara slapped my arm playfully.
“Come on, time for dinner and time for you to meet my mother,” I grabbed Tara's hand and led her down from the loft, the boys bringing up the rear. “Hey, Ma,” I said when we found my mother in the kitchen grabbing some glasses and the Watties sauce. At the sound of my voice, Mum put everything down on the bench and gave me a hug. “Um, Mum, this is Tara, Tara this is my mother, Gina,” I introduced two of the most important women in my life to one another.
“It's a pleasure to meet you, Tara,” Mum offered her a warm greeting in the form of a tight embrace. I was shocked and I could tell by the look on Tara's face that she hadn't been expecting it either. Actually the look that Tara shot me clearly asked me what she should do. I just shrugged my shoulders as my mother released my girlfriend.
“And you also, Mrs Adams,” Tara replied politely.
“Please, call me Gina,” my mother instructed her. “Come on, dinner's getting cold,” Mum ushered us into the living room, where we all sat down on the floor around the newspaper parcel of fish'n'chips. Once we were all on the floor Dad unwrapped the fish'n'chips, while Max poured us all a drink of Coke.
“It looks different to fish'n'chips back at home,” Tara commented in a low voice, leaning in close to my ear.
“That's cause Aussie's can't do fish'n'chips right, these are kiwi fish'n'chips,” I smiled warmly. “Dig in, try some of the fish, oh and the hotdogs are good too, and you should grab a couple won tons before the boys scoff them all,” I encouraged Tara, pointing to everything as I did.
“What are won tons?” Tara asked.
“Have you never heard of won tons?” I asked, shocked. Tara just shook her head. “Well, you know dim sims?” Tara nodded. “Yeah, well won tons are kinda like dim sims,” I explained. And as a result of my explanation Tara grabbed a won ton and tried it first.
