“They didn’t ask. They assumed. It’s rude to out someone at brunch.”
“I mean, yes,” she agreed, “but do you think you’re not out?”
“Are you asking if I’m straight?”
“This conversation is so weird.”
“Obviously I’m a lesbian.”
“Thank you. They were trying to be nice.”
“The allyship flag was waving loud and clear. And yes, I’m mixing metaphors intentionally.”
“You’re in a mood.”
To her amazement, she realized her friend was happy.
27
ANOTHER LIFE
Ronnie shuffled outside, cupped her hand around the phone. “Oi. Can you pick me up?” Reg helped Rainbow with her math homework at the dining room table. Rainbow corrected him every time he solved an equation differently than Nev would have.
Nev sounded exasperated. “Gumball has to be your priority right now. Stop calling me.”
“After she falls asleep.”
“What do you imagine life will be like if you get every other week with her?”
“I’ll get used to it.”
“Stop running away from her.”
“I’m not. I’m here all the time.”
“Don’t perpetuate the cycle of abandonment.” Nev was right, as usual. Irritating. “Go play with her.”
She can be kind of a lot, if you haven’t noticed.“Being around kids is exhausting.”
The familiar roar of the large Kubota’s engine carried through the phone. Nev was riding a tractor. Probably fertilizing the hayfields with lime. “Wait until she’s a teenager. I’ve beenmeaning to ask. When you sleep over at my place, is it a Freudian thing?”
Ronnie swallowed, looked out at the pool and the dry grass in her dad’s garden. She puffed out her cheeks, made a popping sound with her lips. She scratched a bug bite on the back of her arm. “What is that again?”
“Never mind,” Nev said. “I don’t want anyone to get their feelings hurt.”
“I like you. It’s not that complicated.” She winced. “Am I taking advantage of you?”
Nev snorted. “Pretty sure it’s the other way around.”
Ronnie didn’t know what that meant, only that Nev wasn’t coming.
Saturday night, after Rainbow fell asleep, Ronnie texted Nev a picture of Rainbow asleep against her side. The girl was wearing pale purple pajamas with fluffy white clouds on them.
(Nev) Good job, mama.
(Ronnie) What’s on for tomorrow?
(Nev) For you, nada. I’m driving up to Mareeba to meet a potential buyer and give them a test bale. I’ll leave after smoko. Might pay some bills. Could take Uni out if it doesn’t rain, check perimeter fence for fallen trees. If it rains, I’ll change the oil on the Kubota.
