Behind the Hood (Behind the Lives) (19 page)

Sally cooed at Jake. She wasn’t the only one looking terrible. Her mother-in-law had dark rings under her eyes and her legs looked swollen and red. One of them had a large plaster on the right shin.

“Is your oedema back?” Jess asked.

Sally picked up Jake. “Yes. I banged it yesterday, and now it’s infected.”

“You go to the doctors?”

“Yeah, he gave me some antibiotics, then lectured me about losing weight. But the thing is I lost a whole kilo last week. It’s not like I’m not tryin’.”

“It’s his job.” Jess slung her purse over a shoulder and opened the door. She didn’t want to discuss Sally’s weight problems. The amount of times she’d heard Sally say she’d lost weight you’d think she would be a waif. It made Jess sad. But what could she do? It was up to Sally, plus she didn’t want to lecture her on it. The poor woman got enough from Nike that she didn’t need her adding to the mix.

Jess locked up as Sally carried Jake to the car. Once everyone was in, Sally backed out and drove off. Jess leaned back and closed her eyes, breathing in and out slowly.
Please don’t puke, please don’t puke...

“You alright?” Sally asked.

“I feel like spewing.”

“Just hold on, we’ll be there soon, love.”

Jess wound the window down. The cool breeze felt good on her skin, calming her nausea down. She so didn’t want to be pregnant right now. Yeah, they wanted more kids, but now just wasn’t the right time, their money worries making things difficult.

That reminded her. She better check the bank accounts to see what they had left. It had been such a pleasant surprise yesterday when the credit card didn’t decline that she hadn’t thought to check whether it had gone over the limit. She hated paying the twenty dollar penalty. Yep, as soon as she got home, she would pop onto the internet and check the accounts.

Sally turned into the car park at Claydon Shopping Centre, and pulled up in front of the supermarket. Jess got out; grateful to be on solid ground.

Sally removed Jake from his seat. “I’ll take Jakey into the supermarket while you go to the chemist.” She locked up, and threw Jess the keys. “Wait for me in the car.”

Jess caught the keys, and headed towards the mall. A loan shop, bakery, swift store, and a takeaway bar shared the space with the chemist, along with two boarded up shops covered in graffiti and For Lease signs. She covered her nose, blocking out the rancid greasy smell coming from the takeaway bar. She pulled open the chemist door and lumbered over to the counter.

The assistant behind the counter gave her a brilliantly “bleached” smile. “How can I help you?”

“I’m after a pregnancy test, please.”

“Just wait here; I’ll go get a few for you to choose from.”

Jess nodded glumly as the assistant walked off.

“Hello, Jess.”

Jess turned around. A podgy bloke with reddish-brown hair smiled at her. He was dressed in jeans, and a dirty black hoodie that smelt of cigarettes.

“Hi,” she said, trying to place where she’d seen him before.

He dumped a few packets of aspirin onto the counter. “You don’t remember me, do ya?”

“No, sorry.”

“You were in a few of my classes at Claydon High. I’m Samuel, but people call me Naf.”

Jess smiled. He was the clumsy clot always getting smacked in the head by balls in gym class. “Yeah, I remember you now.” Her smile dropped. “You were Tama’s friend.”

He nodded, seemingly unperturbed by her change in mood. “I heard you married Nike. How’s that goin’?”

“Good.” She gave him a weak smile. There was no need to be rude to the guy. He’d never bugged her at school like Tama. He seemed nice enough too, and probably wasn’t friends with the bastard anymore. She hadn’t kept her high school friends other than Nike.

Another shop assistant came over and picked up Naf’s aspirin packets, tilling them up. He handed over some money and took his purchases.

He lifted his chin at Jess. “Nice to see ya again.”

“You too.” She watched him walk off, then turned back as the first assistant returned.

“Which one would you like?” the woman asked holding out the pregnancy tests.

“The cheapest one, please,” Jess answered.

25

Tama

Corey pulled out of Claydon Shopping Centre and cut across the main road. With rush hour over, traffic was flowing freely. He turned right at the roundabout, and headed down Tiri Road. Naf downed some aspirin with Red Bull, then switched on the music deck. Nesian Mystik’s Polysaturated R&B filled the car.

“Can I borrow your CD?” Tama asked.

“Fuck, no,” Naf said. “I’ll never get it back.”

Tama grumbled and pulled the hood further over his head. Not like he had a CD player to use anyway. Effing pigs chasing him out of his home. He looked out the window at the rainclouds.
Bloody shitty weather
. His forecast for the day: Fucking cold and miserable.

Tama’s mood darkened as they drove past Claydon High. Two workmen were painting over graffiti on the office walls. Except for the good mates he’d made there, he hated the place. He’d found most classes a struggle. Of all the subjects, English was at the top of his To-Hate list. He’d told the English teacher once to stick his effing subject up his lily-white arse after he’d gotten a D for a debate, because he didn’t speak “Queen’s English.” For fuck’s sake, he lived in New Zealand not England.

Corey interrupted his thoughts. “Do ya reckon the pigs got Trey?”

“Nah,” Naf said. “I saw him take off with a coupla chicks just before that bitch called the pigs. It ain’t fuckin’ fair. That pretty bastard always gets more than his fair share of pussy.”

“Yeah, he does.” Corey stopped at a give-way sign. “But we’re still lucky you overheard that bitch. I would’ve been right pissed off if I got nabbed two nights in a row.”

“They weren’t after you, dumbarse,” Tama said. “I’m gonna find out where she lives and give her some fuck-back.” He grunted as he grabbed his crotch. “I’ll get it out of her mate somehow.”

Corey turned right onto Meander Drive. “Why’d she call the pigs on you anyway?”

Tama didn’t know for sure. Yeah, okay, he shoved her a bit hard when she tried to drag her mate away from him, but it wasn’t his fucking fault that she banged her head. She was the one who barged into the room yelling and screaming. Shit, she was lucky he didn’t smack her one. He would have done it too, but didn’t want to risk losing her hot friend.

“She didn’t want me goin’ with her mate,” Tama replied. “Betcha she’s a lesbo.”

“You don’t think it had anything to do with Maia?” Naf asked.

Tama sat up. “Why? Did she mention her?”

“I didn’t catch much. Just heard her ask for the pigs then she said your name. I didn’t wait around for details.”

“Well, at least you still had a great night before we split,” Corey said. “How many didja get in the end?”

Tama perked up. “Two. And the bitch’s mate wuz gaggin’ for more.” He laughed. “Literally. I love it when chicks let you spoof in their—”

“You don’t hafta rub it in,” Naf cut him off. “You and Trey screwed things up for me with Aroha. She wuz willin’ to do me too.”

The red roofline of Lee’s takeaways and the Meander Liquor Store flew past. Corey slowed down for a speed camera.

“Aroha’s nasty,” Corey said. “You’ve got shit poor taste, bro. I don’t know how ya could’ve put up with the stink.”

Tama nodded. “You dodged a STD bullet, man. And I wouldn’t be surprised if that bird has AIDS. She’s always coughing. It’s bloody gross.”

“I wouldn’t have gone for her if chicks didn’t laugh at me when I try to pick them up,” Naf answered, “Now, if I had a choice I’d go for Nike’s wife. I saw her in the chemist’s. Mmmm ... tasty.”

Tama whacked the back of Naf’s head. “Don’t talk about her like that.”

“Ow! Whatcha do that for?”

“She’s mine.”

“No she’s not, she’s Nike’s.”

Tama kicked Naf’s seat. Man, the guy was pissing him off. Naf knew damn well how bad he had it for Jess, he didn’t have to speak smack about her or bring up Nike.

“She’s way to good-lookin’ for Nike’s ugly mug,” Tama spat. “That bastard doesn’t deserve her, the drug runnin’ crim.”

“You’re just jealous,” Naf said. “If I looked half as good as Nike I’d be gettin’ laid every night.”

Tama grunted his disgust.

Corey laughed. “Yeah ... Nike’s way prettier than the birds Naf tries to hook up with. I’d rather do him than them any day.”

Naf punched his brother’s arm.

The car swerved across the centre line. Corey steered it back into the left lane. “You fuckin’ bastard,” Corey spat. “How many times have I told ja not to bloody do that while I’m drivin’.”

“Then don’t fuckin’ insult me!”

Tama sneered. “You’re both homos. Why don’t cha go over to Nike’s house and bend over. Pooftas.”

“Fuck off! I never said nuthin’ ‘bout wantin’ to do him,” Naf shouted.

“Whatever,” Tama said. “Don’t you bastards have work and school?”

“I’m workin’ the night shift this week,” Naf said.

Corey sped up as a car tried to pass him. “I phoned in sick for school.”

“Yeah, you’re a fuckin’ sick bastard alright,” Tama said. “Homo. No wonder Trey doesn’t turn his back on you.”

Naf laughed as Corey flicked Tama the finger.

“I betcha get a chubby over thinkin’ ‘bout my pretty arse too.” Tama sniggered. “Man, I should’ve left ya with that fag last night. He wuz juicin’ for ya.”

Naf doubled over in laughter. “Stop it or I’ll piss myself.”

Corey’s face turned bright red. “I’m not a fag, so shut the fuck up or I’ll boot you both out!”

Tama waggled his tongue at Corey as Naf continued to laugh.

Corey flicked Tama another finger, then pulled into his street. Tama scanned the area, making sure that the pigs weren’t staking out the Connor house. Up ahead a toddler sat in a stroller, while his mother dug into a pile of discarded toys. On the other side, a truck waited as two men loaded a couch into the back.

Corey turned into his and Naf’s driveway, parking behind his sister’s blue VW. “Shit, what’s Beth doin’ here?” he said. “I thought she went to Ash’s. The bloody cow will dob me into Mum.”

“She’s not a cow.” Tama jumped out of the car, and hurried towards the front door. Citrus trees framed the large single-story brick house, along with battered vehicles that Mr. Connor collected. A car door slammed behind him.

Naf grabbed his arm and yanked him around, his expression vicious. “You dirty bastard, keep your cock in your pants or me and Corey will take to ya.”

Tama pulled his arm free, and shoved Naf in the chest. “You fuckin’ arsehole. Why the hell would I make a pass at her? I never have before.”

Naf’s expression went blank for a second. “Um ... sorry, man. Just when you say you like a chick it usually means you’re gonna try and pork ‘em.”

“No, it doesn’t. I like plenty chicks, and I don’t wanna root ‘em all.” Tama’s gaze flicked to the neighbouring house, making sure that no one was watching him.

Corey sniggered as he clomped past. “Yeah, right, and I love school.” He climbed the steps and pushed open the door.

Tama ran after Corey with Naf at his heels. After entering the lounge, he yanked the floral curtains across and switched on the light. He relaxed slightly, taking in the portraits and beach scenes lining the floral walls. He liked talking to Beth about art, and thought it was cool that she got paid to paint.

Beth walked out of the passage. “Whatcha doin’ home?” she asked Corey. “Don’t cha have school?”

“Nah, its teacher’s only day.”