Minimalist Gossip Magazine Cover (49).pdf (23) - Flipbook - Page 65
runs up to the glassed-in veranda where Judy is watching with her hands over her
mouth. Mum bursts out of the car like she’s the Hulk and goes to the boot and
starts chucking Judy’s books at the veranda. Some of them hit and make the glass
wobble. Judy bolts inside, but Dad just stands by the sliding glass door with his
arms crossed in front of his face, trying not to get hit by the books. He says,
‘Baby, please, baby, stop.’ Mum’s yelling swear words and Dad looks ashamed,
like a boy caught stealing a lolly. I wonder why he calls Mum baby when he’s the
baby. He’s more of a baby than me. Mum’s in the driver’s seat again and she backs
out real fast, leaving more tyre tracks through Judy’s green grass. It’s quiet in the
car until we get out of the curvy roads and back into the real town where the
streets are straight again. I put my hand on Mum’s thigh which
feels hard and strong. She says, ‘I’ll get you some better books, okay?’
I’m glad I still have Seven Little Australians at home.
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