Nameless - Chapter Five

The day known as Saturday returned once more. Katherine had survived her first week at Ferntree Gully High, and the weekend came with much relief. 1

Pete, Marie, Janie and Katherine sat around the table, munching on bacon and eggs, in what seemed to be becoming a family tradition. 2

“Peter...” Marie whined. “The bread’s burnt.” She held up the charcoal slice accusingly. 3

Pete rolled his eyes. “The term “burnt” is totally uncalled for,” he said. “In this day and age we must learn acceptance of all colours,” he added sagely. 4

Janie giggled, wiping some yolk off her chin. “Yeah, Marie, you shouldn’t be toast-ist.”5

Marie threw a wistful look at her daughter. “Call me ‘Mummy...’”6

“Marie.” Janie grinned mischievously.7

Pete’s eyes twinkled as he smothered his eggs in barbeque sauce. 8

“Hey, Dad?” Janie turned to face Pete. “What’s the humungous truck doing parked outside?”9

He almost choked on his toast in order to reply. “Remember Henry with the chickens?” he said, his mouth still half-full. 10

“Aha,” mother and daughter said simultaneously. 11

“His wife and son just moved here from London.” He turned to look at me. “Maybe you know the son, his name is James? He’s in your year-level, right?”12

In her mind, Katherine connected the dots. “Yeah,” she mumbled. “Seen him around.”13

“Oooooh! Katherine’s got a booooyfriend!” Janie sang frivolously.14

Katherine felt a warmth slowly spreading across her face. She couldn’t control it, and she coloured with shame. 15

“Ha!” Marie laughed. “She’s actually blushing!” 16

“Yes she is,” Pete confirmed, pleased.17

Katherine wolfed down the rest of her eggs, deciding to start on her biology homework. It could be so confusing working out the independent variables, and the dependent variables... Because everything changes, in the end.18

Katherine sighed, disappointed. It seemed she was perpetually colliding with that notion, like a blowfly crashing itself repeatedly against a glass window. Her undisciplined mind ensured that she always thought of the things that she wasn’t permitted to think of, unwittingly disobeying the iron-clad rules she had set for herself. Katherine didn’t want to forget these thoughts, just not unnecessarily relive them, entitling them to her torment. Yes, she wanted to remember her experiences. 19

Katherine reluctantly admitted to herself that she was terrified of the future, of what it brought, of the variables that threatened her bliss. 20

When you are young, you think you are untouchable, that you will live forever; that nothing will ever change. But nothing ever lasts forever. Life comes in different stages; some, so long ago that they are just fleeting dreams. Beautiful, perfect, like snow, yet tainted by change, by the inescapable variables, by crimson blood that shines like a flashlight in your eyes, blinding you.21

It seemed that from there, Katherine was thrust into a new life. Pete was quick to marry again, but what did Katherine know? She was just a child at that time – unimportant and unheard.22

Marie broke through her wall of contemplation. “Katherine?” She knocked on the door, entering after a few seconds. She was clutching a basket filled with muffins. “You’re coming to help me greet our neighbours,” she informed Katherine.23

“Can’t Janie go?” She pulled a face. 24

“Janie doesn’t know the son.” Marie smiled. “It’ll be good for you to make a friend.”25

“And what about the muffins?” She eyed the basket warily.26

“What about them?” 27

“Isn’t the concept of greeting the neighbour with muffins a bit American?” 28

“Everything American is in fashion!” She told Katherine, joyful, as if that fact alone automatically fixed each of humanity’s innumerable issues. 29

“They’re English,” she explained. 30

“Same thing,” Marie replied cheekily.31

Katherine sighed exasperatedly. “Okay, first rule, Marie,” she said. “Do NOT say that in front of them.”32

“Don’t get your knickers in a knot!” She waved her hand dismissively. “Let’s go.”33

“But, but... biology?” She motioned towards her textbook. 34

“Now, Katherine.” 35

They lived two doors down, just before the lake. Their house was shiny and new, no age or character tainting its glossy finish. It was something Katherine had come to expect from the area.36

Henry answered the door. He looked so much like his son that it was alarming. All except for his eyes, Henry’s were a soft hazel, warm and welcoming. “Oh, hello Marie! Come in! Oh, who’s this?” He smiled, his face transforming.37

“Her name’s Katherine, she’s Peter’s daughter,” Marie introduced her, thrusting the basket of muffins into his arms. Katherine followed her step-mother inside.38

“Nice to meet you!” He beamed, showing us into the lounge room. We sat down on a black, leather couch, assembled around a coffee table. “I’ve a son about your age,” he told me.39

Katherine nodded politely, lowering her eyes. 40

Henry nibbled on one of the muffins. “Delightful!” he exclaimed. 41

“Oh yes,” Marie chatted excitedly. “The flavour comes from the almond meal, and a hint of coffee!” She flicked her hair off her shoulders casually.42

“Of course, coffee,” Henry muttered, standing up. “My manners are appalling.”43

“Don’t worry ‘bout it, Henry,” Marie said. 44

“No, I insist.” He smiled again. “Or would you prefer some tea?”45

“Coffee’s fine. Two sugars, thank you!” Her lips curved into a pouty smile. 46

“And you, Katherine?” He turned to her. “Would you like something to drink?”47

“No, thank you,” she responded. 48

He hurried into the kitchen, leaving the two sitting alone, listening to the regular tick-tock of the clock overhead. 49

From the other side of the house, footsteps sounded. “Hey, Dad, have you seen my...?” James’ voice trailed off as he saw Katherine. His hair was tousled, a light layer of stubble upon his chin as if he had just gotten out of bed. “Hey, Katie.” He grinned warmly at her. 50

“Hello.” Katherine smiled meekly. 51

“To what do I owe this great pleasure?” He settled down into the chair beside her, his eyes still locked onto her. 52

“Muffins.” She suppressed a giggle, pointing towards Marie and the basket. 53

He took one glance at the muffins and burst into laughter. “Thanks, neighbour!”54

At that moment, his father re-entered with the drinks, beaming as he laid his eyes upon James and Katherine. “You two know each other?”55

“Do we know each other, Katie?” James grinned at her.56

“You could say that.” She smiled back.57

Henry set the drinks down upon the table, seating himself.58

“They go to school together,” Marie explained, bored. 59

“Ah, marvellous,” Henry said cheerfully, taking a sip of his tea. 60

“Where’s the missus today?” Marie enquired politely, blowing on her coffee.61

“In the city for a few nights, finalising some paperwork. Immigration can be quite the bother, you know?”62

“Oh yes, tell me about London. Is it yucky?” Marie leant forward. 63

“Not at all,” Henry protested, a wounded look upon his face. “It’s actually quite lovely.”64

Marie opened her mouth to retort, but James cut her off.65

“Katie,” he said. “Let’s go for a walk.”66

Katherine nodded, getting to her feet. 67

He led her down to the lake, sneaking under the barbed wire fence surrounding it. 68

They sat on the edge of the pier, their feet in the cool, clear water, both in awe of its beauty. 69

Katherine spoke first. “You know it’s ‘Katherine’, right?70

“Huh?” James cocked his head in confusion.71

“My name…”72

“Hmm,” he said, looking her up and down. “’Katie’ suits you much better.”73

She raised an eyebrow. “And do you just go ‘round changing people’s names on a whim?” 74

“Just yours…” He curved his lips slowly. 75

Katherine snorted, averting her eyes.76

“Nah,” he said hastily. “If I don’t like something, I find an alternative.”77

Katherine nodded curtly.78

“What would you like me to call you?” he finally asked.79

“I don’t really care.” She grinned mischievously.80

James chuckled again. “I think I’ll stick with Katherine to be safe.” He lowered his voice. “You seem awfully dangerous.” 81

“Why’d you come here?” Katherine changed the topic.82

“Where would you like me to take you?” He gazed at her intently.83

“No,” Katherine looked away. “To Australia I mean, to Ferntree Gully.”84

“Needed a change, I suppose.” He shrugged. “What about you?” 85

“I didn’t really have much say in the matter, if you know what I mean,” she said darkly.86

“We never do.”87

“I miss my home.”88

“I miss London.”89

He gazed at Katherine curiously, a new look in his eye. He took her hand and squeezed it.90

In front of the two, the sun was beginning to set. It glimmered softly on the water, slowly sinking into the horizon. 91

“We’d better get back,” Katherine remarked.92

He nodded, standing up and brushing off the dead leaves from his backside, before chivalrously helping her to her feet. 93