White Ute Dreaming Read Online Free PDF Page B

Ernie his eyes narrowed, his ears flattened and his tail began slashing across the floor. I thought he was going to run off and I held Ernie’s rope hard as he pulled and scratched over the timber to get a better sniff of the cat. He was stretched right out and heaving on his lead like a sled dog. Jesus smelt Ernie’s nose then stood up and rubbed against him. No fear. Ernie squirmed and backed away. Big brave guard dog.
    â€˜Sorry, Kez,’ I said a third time, and sat on her bed.
    â€˜What for?’
    â€˜I dunno. Not telling you about the stupid notes I’ve been getting.’
    â€˜That’s cool. Don’t worry about it.’
    â€˜Nah. I should have told you.’
    â€˜Maybe, but you didn’t,’ Kerry said, and hung her head.
    There was a big hole in the conversation and I could hear the distant clunking of dishes in the sink and Ernie panting.
    â€˜I think we should give it a break,’ she said from behind her hair.
    â€˜Give what a break?’ I asked, but I knew. I could feel it in my guts like I’d swallowed a boulder.
    â€˜Us,’ she said flatly.
    I would have thrown up but it felt like that boulder had stuck in my throat. I should have kissed her, held her, told her I loved her. Something. Should have. Big brave guard dog me stood up and slipped out the door. A fat lazy tear splashed on the mat with Ernie’s dribble. No-one would see it there.

Chapter Four

    I DID MORE HOMEWORK IN THE FOLLOWING WEEK THAN I’ D ever done in my life. Fell asleep at my desk one night, face down on my English folder. Woke up with a paperclip mark on my cheek that made me look like a pirate. Slept in my clothes. Didn’t brush my teeth. Wore my Bulls hat instead of combing my hair. Mum didn’t take any notice. She was pretty light on her feet and she told me I wasn’t grounded. Keep off the grass, she said. Whatever.
    Dear Wayne,
    Through the jungle I would slash,
    With my sword I’d crash and bash.
    All the demons I could smash
    Just for one good body pash.
    Anon.
    I was reading and re-reading that note with this image of Xena floating around in my mind—boobs nearly jumping out of her steel-studded leather bikini—and someone sniffed back a booger right in my earhole. Hendo. What a charmer. He said he’d spotted the girl putting the note into my locker, only it wasn’t a girl it was a boy. I reckoned he was bullshitting and he swore he wasn’t. Pointed him out to me. Year eight, I think. Weedy little crim. I felt like bashing the worms out of him. Little poofter. Hendo and I cornered him at recess. His mates ran off a safe distance and he stood there like he was some sort of kung fu expert.
    â€˜Come on,’ the kid said flatly. There was no fear in his voice but his eyes were almost all black.
    â€˜Settle down, you little prick. I don’t want to go you yet. I just want to know why you’re writing me letters.’
    â€˜I didn’t write you any fucking letters.’
    â€˜Bullshit. I saw you putting them in his locker,’ Hendo said, and pushed him in the shoulder. He stood like a rock.
    â€˜Yeah, I put them in there but I didn’t write them.’
    â€˜Who wrote them?’
    He shook his head.
    â€˜Who wrote them?’
    â€˜Nup,’ he said, and got ready to run.
    Hendo lunged at him and the kid pushed his hands aside so he stumbled. I grabbed at the sleeve of the kid’s shirt and pulled him to the ground. Put my knee in his back and mashed his head into the concrete with my stump.
    â€˜Fuck off, you prick. Get off me,’ he shouted, his voice breaking into a squeal.
    â€˜Who writes them?’ I asked.
    â€˜I don’t know. Some sheila in year eleven. She pays me but I don’t know her name.’
    â€˜She pays you? How much?’
    â€˜One buck. A buck a letter.’
    I looked at Hendo, who smiled and told me to let him up. The kid got to his feet but I held on to his