Beata watches Luisa fussing with cups and spoons, sugar, napkins, tablecloth water glasses. She marvels at her cousin’s concentration on the minutiae of coffeemaking; feels the brandy numbing her head and arms; is relieved to surrender this moment of her life to this cousin who seems to know so clearly what to do and how … Continue reading Extended family
Domestic violence
Battered woman
*** When Beata arrives at her cousin’s grocery store on this particular morning, it is just before ten a.m. and there are already some customers in the shop. Her first cousin Luisa and husband Matteo arrived in Melbourne five years before Beata, directly after getting married in Italy. They have no children and are buying … Continue reading Battered woman
The 96: 1962
'Eccolo, finalmente!' At 7:06am the 96 tram rattled to a halt in front of Beatrice and the six other passengers who all made their way from the footpath onto the road. The tram’s heavy wood and glass door shuddered open and the seven began an orderly climb up the two steps onto the carriage. A … Continue reading The 96: 1962
Doc ArBee 