Yellow Paper: Part 3

'Cup of tea, Ava?' It was her aunt calling through the door, as though nothing had happened.

Ava knew her aunt was safe middle ground, and besides, a cup of tea was what Ava needed just then. She got up and went to the kitchen. Her aunt was leaning over the bench, staring out the window at the sunset. The kettle was hissing, and the white and blue teapot was sitting on the bench, along with a couple of cups, which meant that her mother wasn't having any. Doris saw Ava standing there. She turned round, took the kettle and poured water into the teapot. She was wearing a faded top that was stretched across her torso, and she pulled at the sleeves as though she wanted to say something, but didn't know what. Ava poured tea for herself, black and strong. She leaned over the bench to watch the sunset fade.

'Where's mum?' Ava asked.

'She went out for a drive. Your mother means well, Ava, and she wants the best for you.'

There wasn't anything you could say to that.

'She always was, well, strong – minded. I remember when we were young, it was always your mum that I and the boys followed. She was a born leader. There would never be any point in having an argument with her, she would win every one, even if you were right and she knew she was wrong.' Doris wrapped her hands around the cup and sipped it thoughtfully.

'Me, I was usually pretty happy to do what she said. You remind me of her, Ava. I suppose some of that stubbornness rubbed off onto you.'

'Maybe.' Ava said, still looking out the window. She was wondering why her aunt was talking to her like this. Auntie Dorie usually kept out of the way of any problems between Ava and her mother.

'In some ways, it's not an admirable trait, but in others... well, strength of mind and purpose, Ava, that's a good thing, if you're after something good. If you're after the wrong thing, you wreck your life.'

Ava made the connection.

'That's what happened to mum, isn't it.'

Her aunt looked startled.

'I wouldn't say she wrecked her life, but yes, she was so wrapped up in her own ideas about your father that she didn't listen to what people said about him, she just went ahead and married him. And in the end... well, you know what happened.'

Ava nodded and drained her cup.

'I'm not saying you'll end up that way, Ava, I'm just warning you: make sure you know what you're going for. The thing in itself might be good, but don't trample other people so that you can get it.'

'I'm not doing that, and I wouldn't, anyway. But thanks for telling me.'

Ava leaned forward and gave her aunt a quick hug.

It was Monday, and Ava was walking home from school, wishing that the holidays had lasted longer.

She heard someone running behind her, and turned to see who it was. It was Danny, her friend from school, and he looked out of breath. His dark hair looked like it had been brushed the wrong way, and his shoe laces were untied.

'What's up?' Ava said, wondering why he was running to meet her like that.

'Should ask you that. Haven't seen you for ages, what have you been doing with yourself?' His chest went in and out, in and out, and his breath came out in short puffs.

'Just the usual... I'm pretty busy at the moment I guess. Did I tell you? The School of Music accepted me in their competition! So I'm doing a lot more practice than usual.'

Danny was surprised.

'Well, I have news for you then. I entered for that competition as well.'

'You're kidding! Did they let you in?'

'Yeah, I got the letter on Saturday.'

'That's fantastic, Danny. But now we're competing against each other.'

Danny grinned and shoved his hands into his trouser pockets.

'May the best man win.'

'But you're far and away the best, Danny.' Ava laughed, and shrugged. 'Well, I'm gonna give it a good go, anyway.'

Danny looked at her. 'What are you going to play?'

'Clair de Lune. I love it, it's like water. It's so... the notes just feel so right.'

'Yeah, I know what you mean. I thought your mum was a bit against your playing. How did you manage to get her to let you do it?

Ava clenched her hands and looked down at the pavement.

'I didn't.'

Danny looked at her. He let out a low whistle.

'Something to do with your dad who played?'

Ava looked up at him angrily.

'What do you know about my father?'

'Hey, take it easy! You told me yourself that your dad played. You also told me your parents

separated. So I thought... I mean, maybe your mum just doesn't like any reminder of your dad.'

He sounded almost pleased with himself, as though he'd thought of something new.

Ava was annoyed, but she knew her anger was lost on Danny.

'No, that's not it. My mum wants me to have a job that makes alot of money. She doesn't think I would make any playing the piano. When she gets an idea like that, she sticks with it, even though it doesn't make sense.'

'She's trying to help you, though.'

'I dunno.Maybe. Anyway, I'm going to play in the competition.'

'Good on ya. See you tomorrow.' Danny stopped at the corner of the street to cross the road. He lived a couple of blocks down from Ava's house.

'See ya.'