大象传媒

Dear Miss Tustin

{This is an extract from a longer story that I'm in the process of writing called "Dear Miss Tustin"}

The evening air clung uncomfortably to Maria's body as she sat huddled on the front step, observing the silent street with her roaming mournful gaze. The setting sun stained the skies with patterns of a deep blood red which seemed to slot perfectly into place with the present mood of the village folk, which hung, enhanced by the silence, like an unbearably heavy weight over every home and family that populated this modest interbred community - for everyone had known her father and with it the tragic circumstances which had lead to his departure from the world.

"Your papa was one of the most enterprising gentlemen I have ever to set eyes upon," Ana had reflected gloomily earlier on that day, running a hand gently over the top of Maria's hot head as she knelt under the shade of palm leaves, "you could comb every beach and forest of Costa Rica and never find another soul so memorable, may god protect him."

That wish swirled in Maria's mind, for today they had passed him over to gods capable cradling hands - there was no more they could hope for now. The dust from the beaten road mingled with the dryness of grief burnt her throat savagely as she uncurled from her protective ball and stretched her legs out to full length, kicking bitterly at the tiny grey shards of shingle that littered the sides of the track, brought in by the churning wheels of tour busses and mopeds.

She could smell the threat of a storm brewing in the heavens overhead that would undoubtedly spring suddenly out of nowhere, preparing the street for another endless period without a single drop of water. Normally she would relish the rain, and would run down to the school playing field with the dog and roll in the long grass, letting it soak through her clothes cool and soothing. But not today. The sound of feet shuffling behind her made her look round and see the small slim form of their houseguest immerge from the dark front doorway and stop beside her.

The two girls greeted each other with their eyes before Danni sprawled out on the front step and rolled her t-shirt up slightly, in order to catch the last rays of sunlight upon her stomach before they slipped away below the horizon and the moon took up its night time post. Maria regarded Danni curiously, lying so oblivious and carefree across her hosts front doorstep, as idle and insolent as she had been since the day she first set foot in their house. She had seemed utterly bored at the funeral today, sitting always in the same position with the same vacant expression across her face, probably dreaming of hair straighteners and hot showers.

The community and other funeral guests had regarded her with surreptitious distaste, marvelling at her appalling lack of respect for the man who had welcomed her into his home so warmly. But they had always shown politeness to her face, with gracious offers such as "another drink Miss Tustin?" or "are you not too hot Daniela?" always in their best English - even though it was more than what Danni deserved for she had made no such effort for any of them during her three week stay. Maria had not been too bothered by her guests expected disrespect, in fact Danni's behaviour that day had relieved her for at least she had had the decency to hold back her sharp tongue from all the usual complaints it made about the food, the temperature, the people... maybe that was her mark of respect toward Papa Maria concluded.

"Hey Maria," Danni spoke out of nowhere, cutting into the shocked silence of the street, "I'm sorry 'bout your dad yeah?"

Maria noted the look of vague remorse in the girls expression as she stared straight into her eyes whilst her brain desperately tried to sort the English words into an acceptable grammatically correct reply.

"Thank you Daniela," she said slowly, "he is at peace now."

Danni nodded disinterestedly as she dropped her gaze from Maria's face and returned to topping up her tan, a pastime that was soon to end. Maria returned her attention to the dead road in front of her and waited as the world paused briefly as if in preparation for the rain which followed minutes later, streaming from the darkening sky in warm torrents that washed down the roads and soaked the girls in seconds. They both crawled forlornly into the shelter of the houses front door, pausing while they decided what to do.听

Then, simultaneously and without saying a word they got to their feet and crossed through to the bedroom that the whole family shared, where Maria draped the mosquito net over the window and spent the rest of her evening laying stiff and sad on her bed, listening to the rain as it drummed rhythmically around her.