The Red Cardigan by J.C. Burke Page B

Bernie.’
    Evie nods and tries a smile.
    â€˜I didn’t draw it on purpose. It just sort of happened.’
    Bernie nods back, encouraging in her smile. Her top front tooth is grey and cracked.
    â€˜Had you spoken to Antonia much, before this, er, episode?’
    â€˜Not really. She’s pretty shy, being new at the school.’
    â€˜Evie, did you know her brother had died?’
    Silence.
    â€˜Evie?’
    Evie squeezes her fingers. ‘No,’ she breathes.
    â€˜I’m telling you this because of what happened. But I want you to understand it’s a very private and distressing matter for the Cipri family.’ Bernie recrosses her legs. ‘Antonia’s brother hung himself in the park across the road from where they lived in Brisbane.’
    She hears her father gasp. She turns around to him. He stands up and pushes his chair next to her.
    â€˜That’s better,’ Nick whispers and gestures back to his wife.
    â€˜I’m okay here,’ she answers.
    Evie is certain her mother’s only just handling this.
    Nick turns back to the counsellor. ‘How old was he?’ he asks.
    â€˜Eighteen,’ replies Bernie, passing Evie a tissue.
    â€˜I’m so sorry,’ Evie blurts through her tears. ‘I didn’t, I …’
    Evie can’t say anything else. Her throat is swollen and aches. All she can do is choke on the memory of that day.
    â€˜Evie, this is a very difficult situation.’ Bernie is whispering again. ‘My job is to help you not feel alone through this. And my job is also to reassure the students and parents that this was not – how do I say – intentional, on your part.’
    Evie nods, it’s hard to get a breath through the sobs.
    â€˜There are many people who don’t know how to handle this sort of thing. They’re shocked, probably a bit frightened. This situation is – unusual. We have to think about how people may react.’
    â€˜Of course,’ begins Nick. ‘Our concern is Evie and supporting her through this. Isn’t it, Robin?’
    But Robin says nothing.
    Evie touches the back of her head. It suddenly feels hot. She presses her hand against the spot, trying to deflect her mother’s stare.
    Â 
    â€˜Thanks for this, Alex,’ Evie says, as they walk home from the bus stop.
    â€˜It’s okay. I know you’d do it for me. Hey, Seb was having a bit of a perve on you, I noticed,’ teases Alex.
    â€˜Piss off, Alexandra.’
    â€˜He was.’
    â€˜So?’
    â€˜Poppy says he bashes everyone with his double bass trying to get a seat near you.’
    â€˜He likes a chat, that’s all.’
    â€˜He was at Taylor’s on Saturday night.’
    â€˜Lucky him.’
    â€˜Poppy and I reckon he was looking for you.’
    â€˜God, it must have been a boring party.’
    â€˜Poppy reckons she heard him say your name.’
    â€˜What were you guys doing? Stalking him?’
    â€˜Poppy said she walked past a group and heard him say “Evie” something or other.’
    â€˜Poppy – no, you’re both sick in the head and in need of a life,’ dismisses Evie. She has always considered Seb harmless, almost trustworthy.
    They take a drink and a packet of biscuits up to Evie’s room. Alex goes to the toilet. Evie gets her pad and pencils ready.
    â€˜Okay,’ Alex returns. ‘Where do you want me?’
    â€˜Um, over there,’ Evie points. ‘I’m just going to the loo, too.’
    Evie washes her face and pulls her hair back into what she calls her drawing hairdo. ‘I can do this,’ she whispers. She takes three long, deep breaths and tries to push the horrible face out of her head. ‘Just relax and draw.’
    As she opens the door to her room a rush of panic floods her body. Alex is holding up the portrait in her sketchpad.
    â€˜Who’s this ugly bitch?’
    Evie lurches towards her.