Zebus and Miriam.

Activity 2.2 OU - Zebus and Miriam

Like an endless carousel the photographs numbly revolved in Zebus’ hands, those faces, grinning awkwardly with fixed camera smiles that always seemed to take the genuine out of peoples expressions, Zebus thought it afflicted  the British more than others. I was one of them once; he shuddered, once forty odd years ago.

He recognised the church, it was the one at the top of his grandmothers’ street, a dowdy old thing, a brick work of crumbling sand constantly soaked with rain, it was a wonder that soft-shoe crabs hadn’t taken residents. The bell had fell through the roof, it’s replacements apparently an awful tape sounding cast through a tinny speaker. He remembered being dragged by his grandmother and those other old biddies, his arm red and sore Zebus surprised himself with a giggle at the reminder the photographs gave him.

‘What’s you laughing at? ’ Miriam asked, after swallowing some morning tea. 
Zebus leaned over to her, she was twenty years younger but at forty-three she still had her figure in shape. A man searches for years to find such a woman to have an understanding. She kept him from going insane, which he knew he surely would, sleeping night after night in such a large double bed alone.  

‘Well, stop staring at me like a hungry dog, will you. What you have in that post?’ Miriam tsked putting down her tea cup and folding her hands into her lap.

‘Family Miriam. Long forgotten wounds and faces. I’m jotting down a reply.’

‘Now I know you, straight forward and –‘

‘Nowt wrong in straight forward Miriam.’

She shook her head and rolled her eyes, for the umpteenth time ‘you’ she stabbed her finger ‘have no diplomatic nature. People don’t like such a thing. Let me see that reply.’

Zebus handed it over, ‘it’s just a first draft.’

She took the sheaf of paper and eyed him suspiciously ‘Mmm hm.’ she sounded through her closed lips.

‘What in the name. What a way to start a letter, and to family… God’s sake man. It’s your nephew’s wedding. They look beautiful, even if it’s raining.’

Zebus slurped his coffee and chewed some toast ‘well it’s true, that mother of his looks like death in a back-draft. Never seen her decent smile on her face ever.’

‘It’s raining that’ll be why, rain spoiling such a great day.’ Miriam eased up on the rocking of her chair and wiped crumbs off he piny.

‘Nah, zebus huffed ‘that woman, look at that face, like she’s got shit for a moustache. The girl Lizzy, ain’t good enough for her kin, that’s what’s going through the bints mind.’

‘Well…’ Miriam re-examined the wedding photographs, they all stood in line at the church doors, rain pouring with smile’s brave but telling. Inwardly she conceded old Zebus was right, what an upturned face his old sister has.    

    ‘See told ye, you know it to. Thank god I never had the money to go back home, imagine turning out like that lot. Beside wouldn’t have you to snuggle with when the desire takes, eh.’

‘They’re still your family you odd old dog. No matter how the years and the distance of water separates. Be nice, for once… and what you mean snuggles with me, you ain’t got that far mister.’

‘Whatdaya mean for once! I’m always nice.’ Zebus clunked his feet on the ground bringing the rockin’ chair to halt the porch shuddering.@and its about time we did get that far!'

‘They glad probably.’ Miriam laughed and struggled out of her seat, ‘you didn’t go back,' she headed for the kitchen in search of fresh iced water, 'you pain in the ass you.’