Season of Hate (26 page)

On what was supposed to be our last afternoon in town before leaving early the next morning, Penny and I were invited to Johnny and Binda's for their weekly barbecue. We were joined by their three teenage kids, now enrolled in High School, Mr and Mrs Symonds, Pindari and his family and another large black family. Johnny had a job, a business and was living in a house. He therefore saw it as his duty to share his good fortune with his extended family and those less fortunate – at least his food. In Aboriginal communities, if someone has food, everyone eats.

The Symonds had moved into Johnny's old flat, happily turning the upstairs over to Johnny, Binda and the kids for the lesser upkeep of downstairs. They still had the tearooms and spent a couple of hours a day there, but someone else ran it. Unused cakes would still find their way home for other outstretched kids' hands to take – more often than not those of Johnny's and other Aboriginal kids nearby.

Sometime late in the afternoon, while sitting on their back verandah watching Mr Symonds holding the hose for all the kids to run about under, Binda made a comment.

"Doctor Crabbe's leavin' town end of the month. We're back ta havin' no doctor again. Apart from your dad, Crabbe was the fifth new doctor we've had in as many years."

"No one wants to stay," lamented Mrs Symonds.

The end to the evening we couldn't postpone any longer. Johnny and I stood awkwardly to shake each other's hand.

"We'll come and visit. And you must come and stay with us again sometime, ya hear?" I struggled to get the words out. We couldn't look each other in the eye. Johnny reached into his pocket and produced one of the old marbles we had given to him years ago and handed it to me as a parting gift. I held it up to the light, as memories of our playing with them flashed inside my head. We both mustered up strained smiles, realising its significance in both our journeys. Without warning he pulled me towards him in a bone-crushing hug followed by mutual rubbing pats to each other's back that lasted minutes.

"See ya soon then, eh brother?" I managed to get out as we loosened our grip to arm's-length. Johnny with his head down gave a weak nod. I felt the emotion welling inside me. We were both seconds from tears but still held on to each other's wrists. One last hug then we shuffled apart.

That night, lying in the darkness of our motel room, Penny spoke straight out,

"So when are we moving back?"

I turned the bedside light on and she was smiling.

"As soon as Binda said 'no doctor again', I could see it in your eyes."

"You know me too well. It'd be a big upheaval. It'd mean taking the kids out of school before end of term. New school, new friends."

"They'll cope."

"My partners at the practice, I can't leave them in the lurch."

"They'll have a dozen doctors breaking their necks to join that practice. Not that you won't be missed, but –"

"What about the big drop in income?"

"Since when has money been the driving force?"

"Of course there's all the moving … Selling our place. What about the beach? You think the kids'll be happy swapping waves for wheat fields?"

"There's the creek or the community pool."

"I guess."

"Patrick McNally, you're as keen as me to come back. The kids'll adjust believe me – you and Doug did. This place is in both our blood. So stop throwing up obstacles and start planning how we can make it work. I'll check with the school here tomorrow. I can pack our things back home and have them freighted up while you get yourself established here with the kids. Doesn't matter how long our place is on the market. It's not like we need the proceeds before we can move. It's exciting, don't you think?

I kissed her and we spent the next hour cuddled together, excitedly discussing the details of the move.

"Wait 'til I tell Mum and Dad we're moving back. They'll be over the moon to have Harry and Charlie up here," she gushed. I jumped out of the bed grabbing at clothes thrown over a chair as I went.

"I'm off to Johnny's. Can't wait to see his face when I tell him the good news."

Everything had become clear. I had the answers to my questions at last.

'Who am I?' Well I am not just defined as one half of twins, or husband, or father of twins. I am my own entity. I am me. I am a doctor. But I am also my father's son, brought up on his principles and beliefs. I had found my purpose for being as well. I chose to return and continue his work and also help those most needy in the community. But doctoring is one thing. With Johnny and Pindari's guidance I'm prepared to help in any way, against the discrimination of my black brothers and sisters – help make their voices heard.

The 'For Sale' sign came down next morning.

THE END

Michael Costello is an AWGIE winning playwright, television and screenwriter. His plays have been produced around Australia and New Zealand.

Of his award winning play
Royal Affair
, Chris Mead, the Curator of the Australian National Playwrights’ Conference, stated "... rich, intelligent and seductive, (Michael Costello) writes with sagacity and wit".

Michael was commissioned by Sue Smith to write an original episode for her
Close Ups
series for the ABC and has received funding from the NSWFTO for a feature film.

He is currently working on a new play and has two other novels in the works.