There were three things I remember most clearly on that trip. The first, most often recounted, was the isolated spot just off the beach, north of Noosa Heads, under gum trees and a few steps from the water. This was where the campfire was set. Fish were sought just past the breaking waves – glistening silver whiting, and a disconcerted crab, soon released. I have been fishing twice, neither successfully nor willingly, so I rejoined the group at the fire, where scone dough was wrapped onto the ends of sticks and offered to the glowing embers.
The second was Dubliners, by James Joyce, hidden among the most generic selection of holiday reading. I’d never read Dubliners or Joyce before. Amazing.
The third was the card game, five hundred, which you taught us. You must have been in your twenties at that point. As tall as anyone, if not a little taller still. A bushy beard in fiery red to match your hair. I don’t know how much enjoyment you got from playing cards with your teenage cousins. I do know the enjoyment you gifted us, treating every hesitant play as a thoughtful masterstroke. Teaching us the joy of the game, not just the rules. Patient and generous with your time. Quick to smile, quick to laugh.
That is forever how I will remember you.
There are so many scattered things, I remember about you. But one of them was that I always liked the way you write. Whether in an email or in a message or a blogpost or a piece of fiction and your poetry though this is not an example was rather fine. I think I liked your turns of phrase and pacing. And I guess you always knew how to end. I’m maybe struggling with that, these days. Too many thoughts that trail. Too many segues. Too many… things… in my head, the good and the bad and the ugly. But I’m okay. Uh… kind of a lot of cats in the house, heh, and one of them who is the littlest and an unexpected guest reminds me of a different little black cat… who I wrote a story for in my head… but don’t get to see anymore either and that small spot in my heart still aches… for him and his white/cream brother.