Dessi's Romance Read Online Free

friend
    why must you always
    work so hard
    to seek a guy’s affection?
    You’re better than all…
    Yes, better than all these men put
together.
     
    I wait for a break to ask, ‘Abdul,
what’s your major?’
    He slowly sits up. ‘Applied
Maths.’
    ‘What’s that like?’
    ‘Maths can explain why you
got hurt in that accident and the other two were ok. It’s Chaos Theory.’
    Emma asks, ‘What’s Chaos
Theory?’
    If we half expect him to
mock our ignorance, he says seriously, ‘Chaos Theory suggests that real life is
a series of incidents in which one event may change those that follow and make
them unpredictable.’
    I consider this. ‘Does that
mean even if we’re careful we can’t prevent an accident?’
    ‘Not really. In your case,
the driver was stupid. What Chaos Theory suggests is that life can never be
like a scientific experiment where you can predict every factor.’ He breaks
off. ‘Now I’m boring you…’
    ‘Not at all,’ I say
hurriedly.
    ‘No way…’ Emma echoes. She
chatters on about school and what she expects the holiday to be like. Abdul
openly examines me. I look away. Outside, the wind rises and knocks a branch
against the window. Shadows flicker. My heart gives a sudden jolt. I have a
premonition of things falling apart… falling away…and only wake up to Emma’s,
‘…one of Mum’s friends injured herself so badly she’s suing her gym.’
    He says, ‘Thought all gyms
had a personal responsibility clause,’
    ‘Maybe,’ Emma says slowly.
‘We’re joining up soon.’
    ‘Why not now?’ he asks.
    She glances at me. ‘We’re
waiting for Dessi’s ankle to heal. I really want to use that setting to show
how they can fill some people’s lives.’
    ‘Like Degas and his ballet
dancers,’ I boast for her. ‘Great idea, isn’t it?’
    ‘Great idea,’ he says
smiling. ‘Personally, gyms aren’t my thing. Between lifting and shifting, I
keep pretty fit.’ Then comes an unexpected ‘Dessi, how about coming with us
tonight?’
    There’s a nanosecond
hesitation before Emma cries, ‘Great idea, Dessi. Do you good to get out.’
    I shake my head. No way
will I be a third wheel when it comes to Emma’s men. ‘Too hard with this
ankle.’
    ‘Poor Dessi,’ she says.
‘She can’t come to the Gold Coast either.’
    Abdul’s eyes twinkle. ‘Me
neither. Boring old work for me.’
    Emma uses this to jump in with,
‘Dessi will be lonely. Why not drop in on her?’
    Horrified, I glance away.
Even the suggestion invokes future problems I know I won’t be able to handle.
But won’t he think me rude? I turn back to murmur, ‘You’re very welcome.’
    Why did Emma suggest this?
Of course! She expects me to keep an eye on him while she’s away. No way! I
tell myself. ‘Uh...’ remembering hospitality, ‘like a coffee?’
    ‘No thanks.’ Abdul stands
up. ‘Got to get home.’
    Emma frowns. ‘Why the
rush?’
    ‘Got heaps of business to
finish off. Won’t take long, I’ll pick you up around nine.’
    ‘Leave Chagall with me,’ I
murmur. ‘Go on.’
    ‘You can have him soon as
he’s weaned,’ Emma promises.
    I hop back up the passage.
As the others step outside, the gate swings open. My brother Jeremy stops short
at the sight of a stranger.
    ‘Abdul…’ I keep a straight
face. ‘Meet my brother, Turd.’
    He laughs. ‘Hi, Turd.’
    Jeremy reddens. ‘Snot
face,’ he yells at me.
    I grin. ‘Serves you right
for being a turd.’
    He’s lunging my way when
our combined laughter stops him and he stalks into the house.
    Abdul drives a twelve-year
old white panel-van. We stand around admiring it. ‘Can’t wait to get wheels,’
Emma cries. ‘Soon as I get back, I’m saving for my P’s.’
    I bite my lower lip. Hasn’t
Hannah promised I can use her car soon as I get mine? But how can I drive a car
with a broken right ankle?
    The others slide into the
van. Emma waves good-bye. I manage to keep smiling until they disappear, then
make my way back