Page 100 of The Side Road
‘More than the riding?’
‘Yes.’
‘And that was when you knew you had her. And then you got pregnant and had me.’ Tash raised her arms in the air and cheered.
Oliver smiled.
They were quiet for some time, listening to the sounds of bellbirds and small animals rustling in the undergrowth. The occasional car passing. It was a still day, noises travelled quickly. The sun was now shining. Tash lay back on the grass and held her hands up to shade her face.
‘Mia and I…we broke up,’ Oliver said.
Tash sat up. ‘Is it because of me? Because?—’
‘No. You were Mia’s friend first.’ Oliver sighed. ‘I tried my best, but I think what I offered was too much too soon…at least too much for her. It’s no one’s fault – but at the first obstacle, she bailed. She might not be ready for a serious relationship. Or maybe she’s not ready for one with me.’
Tash considered her father. ‘But you were an under-eighteen champion,’ she pleaded.
‘I know.’
‘Are you sad?’
‘Yes. I’m very sad.’
She wrapped her arms around him. He smoothed her hair down and kissed the top of her head.
‘Can you get her back?’
‘It’s her call. I have to respect that.’
‘Is it going to be awkward if you meet her in the street, like star-crossed lovers?’
‘Yes.’
Tash chewed her lip. ‘I’m going to call Mary and break our knitting date. You need me more.’
Oliver smiled. ‘Star-crossed lovers?’
‘It’s fromRomeo and Juliet. Did you know that the traditional owners of this land were the Mudgee and Dabee clans?’ Tash asked. ‘The name ‘Mudgee’ means ‘Nest in the Hills’. We’re learning about it in history.’ She turned to face her father.
Oliver shook his head. Aboriginal history wasn’t taught when he was at school.
‘The women’s totem is the wedge-tailed eagle. Eagle Nest - get it?’
‘Makes sense.’
‘The philosophy of the clans was something called ‘Yindyamarra’, which means respect. But it also means to think before you act and have kindness and responsibility for others and yourself, while also appreciating the world.’ She lay back on the grass and continued to stare at the sky. Oliver lay next to her and followed her gaze.
Soon, they heard footsteps and turned. Haloed against the morning sun, a man was walking through the gravestones. It was Arthur.
Tash waved and called him over. The old man meandered his way around the headstones.
‘What are you doing here?’ Tash asked.
‘Visiting old friends,’ Arthur replied. ‘Unfortunately, absence doesn’t make the heart grow fonder.’ He looked up and scanned the brush that surrounded the cemetery. ‘Seen any robins about?’
Tash shook her head. She brushed the grass off her legsand stood up. Oliver followed.
‘They’re here,’ Arthur said. ‘Especially the red-breasted ones. Look at the lower branches – they also like fence railings. You’ll hear them twitter.’ He offered them Minties from his pocket.
