Coda Josh Grant

Walking down Collins Street, 7am, it is quiet and unseasonably cold, I was glad I had my jacket on. “And all who sail in her.” My key walking to work fantasy is Pirates and deck hands, and the likes. I christen you Troupe Carrier Navajo. Now there’s a troupe, I’d like to carry, let me tell you. Oh yes, alright. No. No. No. I am agreeing with ya. I christen you Troupe Carrier Wahinngy. Better. I am glad you are satisfied. The Wahinngy, from Arnhem Land. You’ll see them in the address book under W.

We sat out on the deck in straw hats to shield us from the sun’s morning rays, which was the reason we were sitting out there in the first place. Amanda, Fabian and Max all wore Amanda’s straw hats, of which she has quite a collection. Shells and hats, shells and hats. The sun hats all had ribbons, yes shells, hats and ribbon. I had on days hat, no adornment at all, just a good, honest straw hat. Amanda had made scones, she was up early, and she just whipped them up. She had raspberry jam, and she’d whipped cream. “Now some philistines may tell you the cream goes on first,” says Amanda to Max, like ladies in the garden. “But don’t listen to them. The jam goes on first under all circumstances.” “Ah, get them young,” I say. “Indoctrinate them early,” well why not,” Amanda announced. “The… er… um, godbotherers were surely taking their progeny to their church from the time they were, er, um, crapping their nappies.” “That’s my girl,” I said. “My work here is done.” “You mean my work is don...

I went down the beach house with mum. It was promising to be a great weekend, you know, weather wise. I took my car. She took hers. Young Max came down with his mum, Fabian. Why does it always seem to be the weekends that I go down? I thought mum and I could both read and ignore each other. I could go outside for a joint and mum could pretend not to notice. When I questioned it, mum said, “It was always Fabian who asked. Max doesn't have any men in his life and she thinks you’re are good for him.” “I’m good for him.” “You have a dick.” “Amanda!” “Oh you know Fabian’s mothering skills, base at best.” “I swear, she wants Max to have an education.” The both times we have been down together, she has suggested to sleeping arrangements. "Max can sleep with you, can't he Josh?" asked Fabian as quick as she got there. Mum likes to have another child psychologist down to natter to in the evening and Fabian is the coolest one of her friends. She's very n...