Another Night in Mullet Town Read Online Free PDF Page B

the esky between the seats.
    I nod and attempt a smile
    before pushing off.
    We paddle across the lake
    and the wind is so loud
    it’s impossible to talk.
    I’m grateful.

Left alone
    When I get home
    I find a note on the table.
    Mum has drawn a heart
    on a piece of paper
    with red nail polish.
    There are no words.
    I fall asleep on the lounge,
    just like Dad does,
    only without the encouragement of beer.
    The wind slams the screen door
    and wakes me in darkness.
    I shuffle to my bedroom
    and pull my blankets up high.
    Every teenager’s dream
    is to be left alone
    with the run of the house.
    I remember the day
    Mum and Dad paid off their mortgage.
    Dad brought home a bottle of champagne
    and they pretended to enjoy it
    before switching to beer.
    Dad helped me do the dishes,
    while Mum played country music
    and threatened to dance us
    around the lounge room.
    The next day Dad told us
    one of his regular customers
    had gone out of business,
    the truck needed an overhaul
    and the only way to pay for it
    was another loan.
    I wriggle further under my blankets.
    I haven’t seen my parents smile since.

The fundamentals of grammar
    Monday in English,
    I arrive too early
    to find Ella reading a paperback
    in an empty classroom.
    I study Mrs Sutcliffe’s handwriting
    on the whiteboard:
    The differences between an adverb and verb .
    Even in year ten
    we’re still learning –
    or not learning –
    the fundamentals of grammar.
    â€˜Ella reads quietly,’ I say.
    Ella looks up. ‘Pardon?’
    I feel the heat rush to my cheeks.
    â€˜I was thinking of adverbs and verbs.’
    I point to the whiteboard.
    â€˜ Reads is the verb, quietly is the adverb.’
    I should have written nerd
    across my forehead in texta.
    â€˜Now I’ll jump out the window,’ I mutter.
    Ella smiles imperceptibly.
    â€˜Ella smiles imperceptibly,’ I say.
    Ella’s smile broadens.
    â€˜Ella—’
    â€˜Jonah!’ Manx thunders into the room.
    â€˜Trust you to be early for English.’
    He tosses his bag on the desk
    and swings his leg over the chair.
    â€˜Did Sutcliffe give us homework?’
    I glance back at Ella.
    She’s engrossed in her book.
    Or pretending to be.

Tequila
    Mrs Sutcliffe starts the period
    by announcing we’re going to read,
    â€˜The greatest book ever written’.
    Manx groans and says,
    â€˜Anything but the Bible.’
    Rachel makes the sign of the cross.
    â€˜Save me,’ she cries.
    Everyone laughs.
    â€˜It’s called To Kill a Mockingbird ,’ says Sutcliffe.
    â€˜Tequila Mockingbird?’ asks Angelo,
    leaning across his desk
    to slap Patrick on the back.
    Patrick jumps up from his chair
    and threatens to punch Angelo.
    His face is red, fists raised
    and he’s shaking in rage.
    Angelo slinks down in his chair.
    â€˜It’s a joke, Patrick,’ I say.
    His eyes cloud over
    as if he were somewhere else.
    â€˜Sit down, Patrick,’ says Mrs Sutcliffe,
    â€˜and we’ll forgive Angelo’s attempt at humour.’
    â€˜Sorry, mate,’ says Angelo,
    who, like the rest of us,
    has absolutely no idea
    what’s got into Patrick.

Follow
    At the end of English,
    Ella waits until everyone
    has left the classroom,
    before picking up her books.
    I untie my shoelaces
    to avoid looking at Manx
    who gives up waiting for me
    and charges towards the canteen.
    Ella walks slowly past my desk.
    â€˜What’s the term for
    suffering Sutcliffe stoically?’ she asks.
    â€˜Alliteration,’ I answer.
    She reaches into her backpack,
    pulls out a pear
    and places it on my desk.
    â€˜Your reward,’ she says.
    I pick up the fruit
    and feel its soft warm skin.
    â€˜I could learn more from you
    than Sutcliffe,’ Ella says.
    She smiles and walks to the door.
    â€˜And without Patrick’s violence,’ I say.
    â€˜Do you want to share the pear, Jonah?’
    I gather my books quickly,
    but, in my