Free White Ute Dreaming by Scot Gardner Page A

stupid. If you want it, take it.’
    â€˜Nah. I’ll pay for it.’
    â€˜Take it,’ he said, and stuffed the bits back into the box. The corners of the box were ripped and he stuck them back together with tape then taped the box closed. Kerry had been watching us in between taking money from customers and she suggested I stick the box under her table.
    â€˜Do you want a drink?’ Den asked, as he jumped up the steps to the front door. I nodded and sat back on the grass next to Kerry. She pulled her chair out so she could face me.
    â€˜So how’s Mandy?’ she asked, and smiled.
    â€˜I don’t know. I don’t even like her. She didn’t send me the notes. I don’t even like Mandy.’
    She laughed. ‘Joke, Wayne. Steady.’
    Her bare toes were burrowing in the lawn in front of me and I hammered on them with my fist.
    â€˜You brute,’ she said, and rubbed them like it had hurt. I’d barely touched them. A car horn tooted out the front.
    â€˜Who wrote the notes?’
    â€˜I dunno. Some sheila in year eleven. Den knows her. Angie someone-or-other.’
    She nodded. ‘Are you going out then?’
    The car horn tooted again and we both looked up.
    â€˜No we’re not going out. I don’t even remember her last name.’
    â€˜It’s your mum,’ she said, and stood up, nearly knocking the change tin off the table.
    It was Mum. My heart wobbled. Wonder what she wants?She waved me over to the car. Maybe she’d found the pornos under my bottom drawer? She leant across and opened the passenger’s side window as I jogged to the car.
    â€˜Hi love. Uncle Don’s in hospital,’ she said. The smoke from her cigarette rose in a perfect line to the windscreen.
    â€˜What? Is he okay?’
    She shook her head and took a drag. ‘He’s got cancer. They don’t think he’ll live through the night. Grab your things. We’ve got to get up to Shep.’
    I clicked into panic mode and ran back up to the table. I grabbed the slot car set.
    â€˜What’s the matter? Everything okay?’ Kerry asked and took her hat off.
    â€˜My uncle Don is dying. I’ve got to get going.’
    Den came out with three glasses of green cordial.
    â€˜Dying? What? He’s not that old, is he?’ Kez asked.
    â€˜Nup. Oh shit . . . my bike. Could you look after that for me? Until I get back?’
    She nodded.
    â€˜Thanks.’
    â€˜What’s the matter? You all right?’ Den asked, as he put the glasses on the table with a clink.
    I tried to tell him but the words got all jammed up somewhere between my brain and my mouth. ‘Kez will tell you,’ I said, and ran to the car.
    â€˜Wayne!’ Kez shouted.
    Mum popped the boot and I stuffed the car set in beside an overnight bag. ‘What?’
    She held her hand over her mouth. ‘Love you,’ she mumbled.
    I wish I’d had the guts to blow her a kiss or tell her that I loved her. My head had turned to scrambled egg. I waved.

Chapter Nine

    M UM’S EYES WERE PUFFED UP LIKE SHE HAD HAY FEVER . W E didn’t stop at the flat. She kept driving down Garrison Street all the way to the highway. We’d nearly made it to Seymour before I opened my mouth.
    â€˜What about Ernie? Who’s going to look after him?’ I asked.
    â€˜Ted and Ivy. Your dad’s not going to be around until tomorrow. Got some work in Broadmeadows. He said he’d take Ernie to the van when he gets back. He’ll look after him.’
    â€˜I haven’t got any clothes. Or a toothbrush.’
    â€˜I’ve packed you some stuff,’ she said, and pushed the cigarette lighter in. She opened the pack of Holiday Extras and tried to grab a smoke. She dropped the lot and they bounced off my leg and landed on the floor at my feet. She swore and ran her hand through her hair. I picked them up, gave her one and put the rest back in the pack. Except one. I