Category: Rituals

It was the end of the end of term
end of the year
if the gods were favourable, the end of university
and perhaps, the end of zero gravity.

The last class
of the last day.
He is good this professor
lively, interesting
free of pomposity
must have been doing this to 25 years – at least
but still presents with boyish enthusiam.

At the beginning of class
not the obligatory obituary for the year
but announcement
“ we should get finished in 15 to 20 minutes
if all goes well.”
Code: if all shut up, we’ll be out of here in double quick time.
Got it – loud and clear
exactly 15 minutes …..“ I think that’s all I’ve got.”

Books close
papers fold
bodies twist upwards.
“ Oh, oh … before you go … one more thing
I’m an old man
sometimes I get a little cantankerous
so humour me
please, answer the question I have asked,
not the one you preferred I’d asked.”

 

 

She said she knew immediately why he was there
confirmation
she didn’t need to – but did
a glance
down
and to the right
the pitch of his trousers. Yes.

At home she would have told him
not interested,
go away,
get lost.
But here
living and working on site
required caution, dexterity.

She invited him in
asked about him and his
feigning interest in his family
and told of hers
and the man at home
whom she missed
looked forward to being reunited with
when the season was over.
Half an hour of fabrication she said
better than several months of slow burn.

 

Vivacious,
he was
but couldn’t be
only women – men can’t.
Gay
he was
and definitely was not.

The only man in a kitchen sorority
on the first day – right after introduction
he asked
“ who’s available ”
a joke,
that wasn’t.

Talented
creative
chaotic
charming
late: always
over budget: nearly always

Food service is stood on its head
the patients applauded
letters arrived
 ‘like a restaurant ’
‘ so much better than last time ’
‘ arrived expecting ….. so pleasantly surprised.’
A star.

He showed the boss the letter
the salary + $7,000.
She thought it interesting
so did he – and waited
two weeks
nothing.
He asks – she can’t match it
a resignation is offered
a bluff, she calls it.

He left
didn’t want to,
face-saving insisted.