Read Online Still Waving by Laurene Kelly - Free Book Online Page A

sink.
    â€˜Don’t worry about that. I’ll do it later.’
    â€˜Now you’re coming Saturday night even if you’ve got rabies.’ Phoebe twisted my arm up my back. It didn’t hurt much, it was just pretend.
    â€˜I’ll see.’
    â€˜Not good enough, my friend,’ Jasmine butted in. ‘You must come. That’s an order.’
    â€˜All right, all right, I surrender.’ I put my hands on top of my head like a prisoner of war.
    I walked them downstairs to the front door.
    â€˜I’ll ring you tomorrow,’ I said as I waved them goodbye. I was still waving when one of my neighbours walked by.
    â€˜You waving at me?’ he said, smiling.
    â€˜No.’ How embarrassing.
    I raced up the stairs two at a time, feeling a bit apprehensive about Aunt Jean. I made another pot of tea, got the tray and cups. I carried the tray, concentrating so I didn’t spill any. I put the tray down to open the roof door. I held it open with my leg which was quite tricky. I rattled my way through, watching the vibration of the cups with trepidation.
    â€˜I’ve brought up a pot of tea.’
    â€˜You’re a good girl, Julie.’ Aunt Jean often said that, so it must be true I thought, as I put the tray down.
    â€˜Are you going to tell me what’s going on? I tried ringing you a couple of times.’
    I poured the tea.
    Aunt Jean was crying. ‘There’s nothing to worry about.’
    â€˜If there’s nothing to worry about, why are you crying? Just tell me.’
    I stared at Aunt Jean, whose bottom lip quivered. I could tell she was trying to speak but words weren’t coming out.
    â€˜What is it? Tell me.’
    â€˜I don’t want you to worry, but I’ve got a lump in my breast that has to be checked out.’ Aunt Jean stared ahead. ‘I’m having a biopsy tomorrow. I have to go to the hospital.’
    I hugged Aunt Jean. This sounded horrible. Did it mean she had cancer?
    â€˜Now Julie, at this stage there’s nothing to worry about. It more than likely is a benign lump.’
    â€˜You haven’t got cancer have you? I couldn’t bear it Aunt Jean. I couldn’t take it. It’s too much.’ I cried into her shoulder.
    â€˜Julie, listen. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. I’ll find out after a few tests.’
    â€˜But what if …’
    â€˜Think positive, remember.’ Aunt Jean cupped my chin in her hand and looked into my eyes.
    â€˜I didn’t even know you had a lump,’ I mumbled.
    â€˜Neither did I till my check-up this morning. It gave me a shock, but I feel certain that everything will be fine.’
    I wished I could share Aunt Jean’s optimism. I had to pull myself together for her sake.
    â€˜I’ll think positive thoughts, too.’
    We hugged and I suppressed a tear. The sound of the sea hummed in the background. All I could think was that Aunt Jean had to be all right. She just had to be. I concentrated hard on wishing that it was all going to be fine. I took a deep breath and listened to the birds squawking in the distance. That’s what I felt like doing. Squawking.

CHAPTER 5
Tuesday Night
    Aunt Jean was in the bath. We’d had a light meal of salad and cold chicken and Aunt Jean had opened a bottle of wine. I could tell she was worried, even though she did her best to act cheerful. I played along. I didn’t want to see Aunt Jean crying, because I felt uncomfortable when adults cried, and I didn’t know what to do.
    When I told Aunt Jean about getting a driver’s licence, she said it made sense and promised we’d do some driving lessons soon.
    I liked the idea more and more and saw a world of possibilities opening up. I’d travel all over the coast, surfing. I’d visit Kate up north. I was determined to save up for a station wagon with board racks. I felt a new kind of excitement at surfing all around Australia.
    Aunt Jean said her