Death in Brunswick (20 page)

He walked down gracefully and took his mother's arm.

‘Can we get a taxi, dear? I know it's not far but I don't think I can…'

‘Of course, Mother.'

He raised his hand. A taxi stopped immediately. He nodded to himself—yes.

They got in and his mother gave the address.

‘Carl,' she said, ‘I hope you weren't offended by what I said before.'

‘No, Mother, you can't offend me.'

‘That's good, dear. You know I want what's best for you.'

‘Do you, Mother? That's nice.'

He looked at her benevolently.
How small she is—silly little woman.

She was talking. He watched her thin, sunken mouth moving mechanically in her flabby cheeks. Distantly he heard her say:

‘You do seem better after church, Carl. More relaxed…I knew you would.'

‘Oh yes,' said Carl, ‘I feel much better.'

‘Oh dear!' she said, gasping a little. ‘I wish I could say the same…I better take a pill.'

She fumbled with the catch on her bag.

‘No, Mother,' he said, smiling, holding her hand. ‘You wait. I'll put you into bed and bring you a cup of tea and you'll feel better. Why don't you give me your bag…I'll carry it.'

‘That's a good boy.'

He could hear her wheezing.

As the taxi turned into Carl's street, he looked out the window and saw Dave and June. She was pushing a pram…Dave was limping heavily.

He looked at them incuriously, his face calm. Actually, he wasn't quite sure who they were.

The taxi pulled up.

Will it be now?
he thought luxuriously.
Or will I just
wish
it to happen.

He helped his mother out and up the front path…

*

As Dave and June turned into Carl's street, they were arguing.

‘Why the hell did we have to come so far, Dave? You
know
you shouldn't be walking on that leg!' Dave's leg had been in a plastic brace since the day he had fallen in the cemetery. ‘And why do we have to come this way, for Christ's sake? This is Carl's street, isn't it? I don't want to see the little creep. You still haven't explained what…'

‘Just shut up, June,' Dave said, limping along, new lines of pain in his face. ‘I just wanted…Jesus! There he is!'

The taxi drove past, Carl looking out blank-faced.

‘Here! Stop, hon, June! Stop, wait!'

Dave stood still, watching the car stop and Carl help his mother out.

Dave strained to see the fifty yards between him and Carl.

‘Shit!' he muttered.

‘Dave, what's wrong?'

‘Shut up!'

He bent urgently forward, his bad leg braced.

The way Carl had his arm across her shoulders! There was something…He was like a…like a
praying mantis! Jesus! No…

Dave saw Carl look up into the sun, smiling. He and his mother went into the house. The door closed.

Dave shook his head violently. He beat his fist against his knee.
I'll
have
to tell them…

‘No!'

‘Look, Dave,' she said, with love and exasperation, ‘what's
wrong
?'

Dave gazed at her, his face suffering.

‘Come home, June…I got to tell you something.'

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