He takes one last drink, and stands. ‘Now’ — he hands me the mug — ‘I have friends to visit.’ He shakes my hand. ‘Please don’t serve that coffee to anyone you actually like. Look after the talisman and its mighty power. Adieu.’
He waves a hand in the air and then leaves the room, and I hear him go out the front door. I watch him walk out my driveway, and across to the box trees, where he retrieves a small motorbike. He straps on an ancient helmet, kick-starts the bike, and disappears, blue smoke blowing out behind him.
I take the piece of porcelain to the office, and leave it there.
17
17
A day later, I am at my sheds, picking things up and putting them down. I think I am attempting to tidy up, but it is a haphazard and aimless attempt. I am thinking about my mother. She was always tidying up, always moving, always setting things straight. I hear the sound of a ute drawing in close behind me. I turn, and see the yellow machine that is becoming the vehicle in my nightmares: Ben Ruder’s ute. He steps out, adjusts his hat, shuts the door, and takes several steps towards me. I guess he sees me tense and brace myself, because he puts a hand in the air, and says, ‘I’m not here for a fight.’
He lets the hand drop, and stands still, looking at me. ‘I know we’ve had our differences, but I want to get past that.’
I always forget how short he is — something to do with the force of him. But now he looks small and maybe even sad in his tired boots and dirty shirt, the greasy hat pulled down too far. I feel like I might even have the upper hand.
‘I heard you’ve been getting a hard time from crooks or something. As a neighbour, I wanted you to know I’d like to help out any way I can.’ His face is grim, and I think he might be genuine. When I don’t respond, he adds, ‘I know some pretty tough people. They could probably fix the situation.’
I almost laugh. Fix the situation? This is the solution of one gangster against another.
‘I can handle it,’ I say. ‘But thanks.’
He is quiet, and he looks away down towards where James rests. Then he says, ‘Elaine has told me a lot of what has happened. Someone put you in hospital, others came here and threatened you. No one can handle that sort of stuff on their own. It’s the time when you call on your community for help. Like when there’s a bushfire or a flood. We all get together to help each other out, no matter whether we like each other not. That’s the way it’s always been.’