Page 38 of Thursdays at Orange Blossom House
‘You are,’ Dorothy says quickly, before the tears that are in her throat move up to her eyes. ‘I’m lucky.’
‘We both are,’ Ruth says, reaching across to squeeze her hand. ‘It’s just that sometimes we forget to say it.’
SPRING 1993
Jurassic Park, starring Sam Neill and directed by Steven Spielberg, is released.
A new American comedy show calledSeinfelddebuts on the Nine Network.
The hit Australian TV dramaA Country Practicenears its end on the Seven Network.
Ray Martin finishes his role as host ofMidday.
Madonna embarks on her Girlie Show tour.
Crowded House releases the albumTogether Alone.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Patricia pulls a cardigan around her shoulders as she leaves Orange Blossom House. Even though spring has arrived there’s still enough winter in the air to cause her to cover up at night. She dreams of the warmer season ahead, when she can embrace her inner lizard and bask in the sun.
‘That was a tough one tonight,’ Dorothy says behind her.
‘Yes.’ Patricia stops to wait.
‘I’m a little slower than usual,’ Grace Maud says, almost creeping along the path.
‘So am I,’ Patricia says. ‘I thought my hip joints were going to pop at one point.’ She winces at the memory of a standing pose held for so long she actually thought she might yell an obscenity.
‘I really feel like a little old lady tonight,’ Grace Maud says, patting her thigh. ‘These feel like they don’t want to work.’
‘Seriously, Grace Maud, we’re all feeling it. I’m not just saying that.’ Patricia turns and keeps walking to the street. ‘And I hardly think we could ever call you a little old lady. You’re bendier than half the women in there!’
‘How ridiculous,’ Grace Maud says, but she looks quite pleased.
Dorothy sighs. ‘You’re more flexible than me. My body feels like it just wants to stay curled up no matter how many times I try to force it open.’
It’s true that Dorothy is stiff – surprisingly so for a young person. But Patricia can see that there’s also a form of armour there: Dorothy is protecting herself against something. Or someone. Maybe against the class? Or herself.
Patricia has seen it before, in students. The ones who feel like they have the most to lose – for whom the stakes of mere existence are the highest – are the ones who hold themselves, and walk, rigid. Shoulders hunched, heart protected. She just didn’t have the vocabulary for it until she came to yoga and heard Sandrine talking about ‘not putting your heart in a cave’.
Once Sandrine even walked up to a student who was standing upright, feet together, hands by her sides, and said, ‘Dear, dear – don’t you think it’s time to drop your weapons?’ Sandrine saw something Patricia couldn’t see, but immediately the student’s shoulders lowered – then she started to sniffle. This turn of events intrigued Patricia enough that she has started observing others. In a casual way only – anything else might be considered creepy.
So in her casual way she has observed that Dorothy has armour, and weapons, but without knowing her better Patricia won’t be able to discern what she’s protecting.
‘Don’t force it, then,’ Grace Maud is telling Dorothy. ‘You’ll do yourself an injury.’
Dorothy appears to consider the advice as they step out onto the footpath.
‘Here’s my car,’ she says, turning towards them with a smile that seems a bit too bright for the occasion. Another weapon.
‘See you next week,’ Patricia says. ‘That’s if we can walk properly by then.’
‘Goodbye,’ Grace Maud says, and heads in the same direction Patricia is walking.
‘You must be parked near me,’ Patricia says – a safe statement given there are only two cars in this part of the street.
‘Is that yours?’ Grace Maud gestures to the vehicles as they cross towards them.
