Page 44 of Summer, in Between
Tommy shakes his head, but Matty leaps at the offer for a burger like he hasn’t eaten for days.Ant sits opposite and calls out the same order.
‘Why don’t you guys actually go to the counter and order like normal people?’
‘Sadie knows we’re going to pay,’ says Ant with a shrug.
‘That’s not what I mean.It’s called respect and basic manners, something you Neanderthals would know nothing about.’
‘What are you talking about, Neanderthals?’says Ant.‘We’re the model of respect.Look it up in the dictionary, you’ll see a picture of us.Isn’t that right, Paulie?’
A woman walks past the window, weighed down with a boogie board, a beach bag and a bucket and spade.A beach towel drapes over a shoulder.She has three small children with her and as she pauses to shepherd them along, she drops her towel.She bends to pick it up and Steve stands behind her, thrusting his hips rapidly.The four Neanderthals outside with him laugh.
I spread my hands, gesturing at the foolery outside, and raise my eyebrow so high there’s a chance I’ve given myself an aneurysm.
‘You’re right.You guys arethemodel of respect and decorum.It’s a crime against humanity that you haven’t been nominated for a community award.’
‘That was just really bad timing,’ says Ant.‘You can’t judge all of us from the one dickhead.’
‘I don’t see any of those guys outside telling him off.’I cross my arms and lean back in my seat.
‘They’re not his mother.’Paul flicks through a surf magazine.‘We’re not responsible for anyone but ourselves, so I don’t know why we cop your Neanderthal crap.’
Sadie places orders on the table, complete with a side of chips, on the house.
‘You’re the one they all look up to,’ I say.‘That makes you King Neanderthal.’
‘Cat, stop hinting.’Paul bops me on the nose with a chip.‘You can be my Neanderthal Queen.’
I shake my head and look out the window.
‘Wind’s turned.’Paul grins like he’s just won a prize.‘We’re hitting Miller.Come for a surf, Matty?’
Matty nods enthusiastically, the one time in his life electing not to speak with his mouth full.His legs are swinging on the seat like a toddler.As he shoves another handful of chips into his gob, possibly more delicious because they haven’t come out of his pocket, Paul taps my thigh under the table.‘Matty, you’re with me,’ says Paul.Matty high-fives him.
‘And me too?’says Tommy.
‘No way in hell are you surfing Miller Point,’ I tell him.‘You know how dangerous that beach is.Mum and Dad would kill you.And they’d kill me if I let you go in.’
‘Please, Paul?’He pulls out the puppy dog eyes that do laps around Nonna.
‘Why are you asking Paul?You think he’s the boss of you?I’mthe boss of you, and I just told you, you’re not going.It’s too dangerous for Matty, let alone you.’
‘Shut up, Cat,’ says Matty.
I point a chip at him.‘Say that again and see what happens.’
He gives me a look,thatlook, but thankfully turns his attention to the remnants of his burger, scooping up every crumb.
‘You coming too, Cat?’asks Ant.
‘I’ll come, but I’m not surfing.’
‘No, you won’t.I don’t need a babysitter,’ says Matty.
‘No, you need a keeper.’I lean across the table and wipe his mouth with a napkin.‘You don’t own the beach; I’ll go where I want.’
‘You surf, don’t you, Cat?’asks Ant.
I shake my head.
