Page 62 of Spiralling Skywards: Fading
“It’s the most popular takeaway dish in England.”
“What’s wrong with a good ol’ pie and sauce?”
“That’s not a thing here.”
“Well, it should be.”
“Well, it’s not, and I’d rather he eat chicken breast and not a pie that could contain horse, cat, dog, or anything.”
“Maggie, you sound like such a bogan sometimes. Sasha, what are you doing child?”
We were having a girl’s night in. Lori had woken up from her food coma she had slipped into after our takeaway and the wine she’d consumed before and during her meal. We all had Indian, while Maggie who wouldn’t even attempt a taste of anything that contained any seasoning other than salt, had fish and chips.
“I’m listening to the babies move.”
Sasha replied without lifting her ear from my tummy, which was how she had been positioned for the last ten minutes. Not that I minded, it was actually quite relaxing to be lying on the floor in front of the fireplace.
“They’re really active tonight.” She looked up at me and beamed a smile.
“They’re always active at night, hope that’s not a sign of things to come.”
She laced her fingers together over my belly and rested her chin on them.
“I can’t wait to have a baby.”
“Really? I thought you were still undecided about Shain.
“I am. I didn’t say it had to be his.” She finally sat up before I had to tell her she was crushing me and retrieved her wine glass.
“You’re still unsure about Shain? How long have you two been flying back and forth to see each other?” Maggie asked.
“Four years now.”
“If you’re not sure by now, my lovely, then you never will be.”
I held out my hand to Sasha, and she helped me up as she considered Maggie’s words.
“I know. When I got home from my trip to see him in July, I realised as I landed, how happy I was to be home and I was gonna finish it with him. I felt bad not doing it in person though.”
“So, you’re gonna let him fly all the way here for Christmas and do it then? That’s a bit harsh,” I said, letting her take a seat on the couch before I sat next to her.
“I think he’s a bit of a dick. I’d just call and tell him. If you tell him now, he might be able to change his flight and go somewhere else and drown his sorrows. Bali or Thailand, somewhere like that.”
“Sasha, ignore my daughter.” Lori said, tossing the magazine she had been flicking through down on to the coffee table. “Maggie, you can’t go around calling other people’s boyfriends dicks.”
“Why? Am I not allowed to have an opinion? You smoked too much weed when you were younger, Mum, it’s scrambled your brain. Now you’re old and think everyone’s lovely.”
Lori’s mouth dropped open.
“Sarah, Sasha, ignore her. I didnotsmoke weed.”
Maggie tilted her head to the side and raised her eyebrows, in an ‘oh really?’gesture.
“Well, maybe a little, but not too much.”
“My mum used to smoke weed,” Sasha stated. “She used to be really cool, but she’s changed.”
“How so?” Lori asked, obviously relieved she didn’t have to justify her pot smoking habits.
