Dad was already sitting, Alan to one side of him, with a place for James on the other and one for his mother next to Grandma. There was no spare setting for his father’s new floozie, James noticed, which made him feel considerably better.

They all raised their wine glasses and Dad nodded to Mum before they were served little plates of tuna mornay vol-au-vents by all Grandma’s friends in matching white aprons over their good frocks.

Seeing his brother up close for the first time since the night of his accident, James noticed a stiffness to Alan, as though he couldn’t turn his head to the right to greet James and their mother. He kept his gaze on their father and the rest of the room, except when Grandma asked about how school was going, and even then he talked past James and Mum as though they weren’t there.

After the starters were cleared, Grandma beckoned.

‘Jamie, move your chair beside me so I can talk to you properly.’

Being near Grandma settled him, so he willingly did what she asked. Shifting his position also gave him an uninterrupted view of Tony, which settled him even more.

During the main course there was a fuss about the vegetarian meal almost going to Alan because James had moved. Dad glowered every time the word ‘vegetarian’ was spoken. Grandma said it the most, since she wanted to know all about this decision of her grandson’s, and what meals Beck prepared for him.

James gulped at his wine and managed another without either of his parents noticing, but always his gaze settled on Tony, framed between uncle Bill’s back and Alan’s shoulders.

It was about time his cousin gave him a tender look, James thought.

But the speeches took everyone’s attention away from their plates, and James lost his view of Tony while Leanne’s father mumbled about her family. Merle Jenkinson was in James’s sights now, giving stern looks whenever her husband faltered.

Then Dad took the microphone and carried on about Tony’s exploits at the footy club, and wayward girls, and that finally a sheila had trapped his nephew for good.

As soon as the loud, old-time dance compilation started booming from the speakers in each corner, James returned to hanging around the edges of the party.

When the cake was cut, he found the best hiding place at the end of the bar where the spare tables had been stacked. He sat watching the broken exit sign flicker on and off, downing the dregs of every abandoned beer glass he could get his hands on.

Thirteen 2005

THIRTEEN
2005