Read Online Calypso Summer by Jared Thomas - Free Book Online Page B

called from the boundary again. Bruce bent over laughing.
    â€˜That can’t be out can it?’ I asked.
    â€˜It is if one of the kids catches you,’ Vic told me.
    â€˜But don’t worry, you can’t get out on the first ball,’ said Bruce.
    I smiled at my cousins and then took my position back at the crease. This time when Mat fired the ball I was prepared and whacked the ball to the fence on the full.
    â€˜Better watch out Mat,’ said Vic, still sitting back relaxing while watching the game, ‘looks like someone’s out to get you.’
    After facing a few balls I could see that my cousins were really trying hard to get me out so I thought I’d give them a run for their money. And I did too, I smacked Bruce, Mat, Josh, Shae and Brea around everywhere. Even Uncle Ray had a bowl, trying his luck. I was having more fun than I’d had in ages.
    â€˜He’s playing for sheep stations,’ Vic said when I hit two fours in a row off of Shae’s bowling.
    When Brea was running to get the ball I saw Aunty Janet get up from her seat and start walking inside and was reminded of why I’d travelled to Aunty Janet’s in the first place. ‘Anyone else want a bat?’ I asked, ‘I retire.’
    â€˜You knew I was coming to bowl you out inny Calypso?’ Vic called out.
    â€˜Nah, just need the loo,’ I said.
    â€˜See, you’re shitting yourself,’ Vic said and everyone else laughed along with him.
    I handed the bat to Uncle Ray as I walked towards the house. When I stepped into Aunty Janet’s kitchen she was having a cup of tea and playing patience. The old uncles were sitting off the side of the kitchen watching the news.
    â€˜Can I grab some water Aunty?’
    â€˜Sure dear, the glasses are just there,’ she said moving her eyes away from the neat rows of cards.
    As I poured the glass of water, Aunty Janet said, ‘You better introduce yourself to your uncles over there.’
    No one had introduced me to them properly because they ate inside when we were having lunch and of course they hadn’t said a word to me earlier in the day. I took a sip of water and walked over to where the old men were sitting. One of the old men’s thin bony hands gripped his walking stick. Then he held it out for me to shake. When I shook his hand Aunty Janet told the old man that I was his nephew and said that I was Audrey’s son and Jack’s grandson. I hadn’t heard my grandfather’s name in a long time but when Aunty Janet said his name, both of the old men smiled.
    â€˜That’s Uncle Edward,’ said Aunty Janet, ‘and his brother Uncle Joseph.’
    Joseph held his hand out to shake mine with all the strength he could muster. I didn’t know what to say to the old fellas but it was good to finally meet them. ‘They’re your great grandfather’s brothers, you know Calypso?’ said Aunty Janet.
    As I stood there thinking about how old the men were and all of the things they must have seen Aunty Janet asked, ‘Now what did you travel all this way to speak to me about dear?’
    I walked to the kitchen table and took a seat next to her. ‘Well, I have come to see you because I want to find out about some things.’
    â€˜And if I can’t tell you?’ asked Aunty Janet.
    â€˜Well, it’s just been good to meet everyone, hey.’
    â€˜You too,’ said Aunty Janet, ‘and now that you know where I am, you better come back to visit.’
    â€˜I will.’
    â€˜Good dear. So what is it you want to know?’
    I didn’t want to come straight out with it so I just told her, ‘I work at a health products store where we sell all these things to fix people’s sickness or things that just make people feel better.’
    â€˜Mmmm, that sounds nice dear,’ Aunty Janet said before placing a card on the table.
    â€˜It’s alright. And we don’t