couldn’t believe that was what she wanted to
say. It was so weird. What’s with the beta-carotene thing? Did you do something
to piss her off?”
I could
wrack my brains for hours and I know I’d never come up with anything. Melinda and I never fight. In fact,
over the years, if there were a toss up as to who had the right to get pissed
off, it would probably be me. Melinda’s notorious for being late and cancelling
last minute. And her excuses are no less than lame. Still, because she’s my
friend I’ve accepted it as a quirk of her personality and let it slide.
Maybe this is
her way of getting back at me because I didn’t get along with the guy she was
seeing? I know I said he was needy but she asked for my honest opinion. And he
was. He waited ten minutes for her outside a public toilet at the market,
pretending to scan the pictures on his phone. The market was practically empty.
It wasn’t like she wouldn’t have been able to find him. He followed her around
the house like a puppy and showered four times a day when we went on a couples
weekend. Not to mention the industrial quantities of Listerine he gargled after
every meal. Even Brendan, Mr Germs-Are-My-Enemy, was freaked out.
Surely, it’s
not because I reminded her of that.
“And this
was everything she said?” I ask again.
“Word for
word.”
Shaking my
head, I screw up the piece of paper and toss it towards the bin. It hits the
rim and bounces onto the floor. Well, isn’t that the story of my day. I suppose
I’ll try to catch Melinda later on, when Rory’s in bed. There has to be some
reason for her strange message.
“So when do
you go to hospital?” Lani asks, walking back to where she’s been changing the
display window. She’s setting up a vintage hat and handbag display, with a
bunch of old stock she found floating around in the back room. We’re hoping to
draw in a younger crowd. Retro is cool in Perth. Cute vintage shops are springing
up right down Hay Street and we need to get on the bandwagon. So Lani says. I’m
not denying it. Lani’s good at recognising a trend, despite following none.
She’s like a trend unto herself.
“Next week.
And we have a tonne to do to get organised before then. I’ll be out of action
for about a fortnight but if everything’s done it should be plain sailing while
I’m away. The hospital stay is only a couple of days and I’ll recuperate at
home. I might come in a couple of hours a day until I get back on my feet. I can’t
leave you stranded.”
“I’ll be
right. Carly’s on Uni holidays. She doesn’t mind doing an extra shift if we
need her. We talked about it the other day.”
I nod,
pleased that Lani is showing initiative that doesn’t involve wasting money. “I’ll
give her a ring, then. Put the wheels in motion, at least for the fortnight
I’ll definitely be out of action.”
“So after
the surgery, it’s chemo?” Lani asks, as she stands back to admire her handiwork.
“I guess. The
doctor said I should start a few weeks after. So that’ll be in a month or so.
It’ll mean bi-weekly trips to the clinic but I should be right to come to work
the day after each treatment.”
“You don’t
need to do that. I can take care of things. The most important thing is for you
to be well.”
“I think I’d
like to be here if I can. Lots of people work during chemotherapy. I want to
carry on as normally as possible. This doesn’t have to disrupt our entire
life.”
I think she
understands.
“Play it by
ear then. Who knows how you’re going to feel.”
“Exactly.”
“What about
the boys? How’re they coping with this? Do you need me to take charge while
you’re in hospital?”
I try not to
laugh because I know Lani’s joking this time. Brendan would blow a gasket if
she were let loose in our house. He goes into convulsions if the cushions are
fluffed the wrong way.
“I think
they’ll cope.”
“Rory’s taking
it okay?”
“He seems to
be. Every now and then
say. It was so weird. What’s with the beta-carotene thing? Did you do something
to piss her off?”
I could
wrack my brains for hours and I know I’d never come up with anything. Melinda and I never fight. In fact,
over the years, if there were a toss up as to who had the right to get pissed
off, it would probably be me. Melinda’s notorious for being late and cancelling
last minute. And her excuses are no less than lame. Still, because she’s my
friend I’ve accepted it as a quirk of her personality and let it slide.
Maybe this is
her way of getting back at me because I didn’t get along with the guy she was
seeing? I know I said he was needy but she asked for my honest opinion. And he
was. He waited ten minutes for her outside a public toilet at the market,
pretending to scan the pictures on his phone. The market was practically empty.
It wasn’t like she wouldn’t have been able to find him. He followed her around
the house like a puppy and showered four times a day when we went on a couples
weekend. Not to mention the industrial quantities of Listerine he gargled after
every meal. Even Brendan, Mr Germs-Are-My-Enemy, was freaked out.
Surely, it’s
not because I reminded her of that.
“And this
was everything she said?” I ask again.
“Word for
word.”
Shaking my
head, I screw up the piece of paper and toss it towards the bin. It hits the
rim and bounces onto the floor. Well, isn’t that the story of my day. I suppose
I’ll try to catch Melinda later on, when Rory’s in bed. There has to be some
reason for her strange message.
“So when do
you go to hospital?” Lani asks, walking back to where she’s been changing the
display window. She’s setting up a vintage hat and handbag display, with a
bunch of old stock she found floating around in the back room. We’re hoping to
draw in a younger crowd. Retro is cool in Perth. Cute vintage shops are springing
up right down Hay Street and we need to get on the bandwagon. So Lani says. I’m
not denying it. Lani’s good at recognising a trend, despite following none.
She’s like a trend unto herself.
“Next week.
And we have a tonne to do to get organised before then. I’ll be out of action
for about a fortnight but if everything’s done it should be plain sailing while
I’m away. The hospital stay is only a couple of days and I’ll recuperate at
home. I might come in a couple of hours a day until I get back on my feet. I can’t
leave you stranded.”
“I’ll be
right. Carly’s on Uni holidays. She doesn’t mind doing an extra shift if we
need her. We talked about it the other day.”
I nod,
pleased that Lani is showing initiative that doesn’t involve wasting money. “I’ll
give her a ring, then. Put the wheels in motion, at least for the fortnight
I’ll definitely be out of action.”
“So after
the surgery, it’s chemo?” Lani asks, as she stands back to admire her handiwork.
“I guess. The
doctor said I should start a few weeks after. So that’ll be in a month or so.
It’ll mean bi-weekly trips to the clinic but I should be right to come to work
the day after each treatment.”
“You don’t
need to do that. I can take care of things. The most important thing is for you
to be well.”
“I think I’d
like to be here if I can. Lots of people work during chemotherapy. I want to
carry on as normally as possible. This doesn’t have to disrupt our entire
life.”
I think she
understands.
“Play it by
ear then. Who knows how you’re going to feel.”
“Exactly.”
“What about
the boys? How’re they coping with this? Do you need me to take charge while
you’re in hospital?”
I try not to
laugh because I know Lani’s joking this time. Brendan would blow a gasket if
she were let loose in our house. He goes into convulsions if the cushions are
fluffed the wrong way.
“I think
they’ll cope.”
“Rory’s taking
it okay?”
“He seems to
be. Every now and then
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