Tea and Sunshine in December
September 1, 2006 at 10:55 AM
by Ashleigh
The sun burns into the crazy paving outside the veranda doors. I lie on my towel, dripping in baby oil, feeling the heat turn my skin into a human version of a baked potato.
I hear dad enter the house via the back-door.
Mom is sewing something for the Home Industries, mouth full of pins.
'Ephraiiiiiim, faga tea!'
'Yes, baas'
'Shirrrrrrrl! Jesus, it's hot.'
'Mmmm. Hang on a minute while I finish this seam.'
'Jesus, I wish you wouldn't put pins in your mouth like that. One day you're going to swallow one and choke'.
'Mmmm.'
'I came across Faan in town. There's a drama going on in that house. Jan and Marge are having words because Jan won't let the girls sunbathe.'
'Why?'
'Apparently they're not allowed to enjoy the hot weather while the crops are wilting.' Snickering laugh.
'Bet those girls can' t wait to get back down south to varsity'.
Mom says nothing.
And I, lying on my towel in the sun, hear Captain Subtext riding high.