TWO HOURS AND THREE YEARS: THE LIFE OF A SHORT SHORT STORY

New Zealand-based writer and first-place winner of the 23rd Annual Writer's Digest Short Short Story Awards shares the personal experience that inspired her story.

- MICHAEL WOODSON

 

Mrs Singh is in her wedding sari again

By Mary Francis

Danilo rolls the fishnet up the old lady's leg and thinks of fishing back home, out in the boat with his tiyo, casting out sheets of netting, dragging in the needlefish and squid. His uncle, a wiry man browned by the sun, never still, always at work like the waves on the shore.

"That good, Mrs H?" he says. She hitches the lace at the top of the stockings and nods.

Danilo knows how it started, but has not told. Not that anyone has asked, exactly, but the wondering is in the air.

"Want me to do your hair?" says Danilo.

He's a favourite on the second floor. He knows this and is pleased about it. They like his quiet voice and gentle manners. The ladies trust him to dress and undress them if they need it, to assist with showers and medications. Even the gentlemen, fewer and more resistant to care, relax when Danilo comes to help. Mr Chin gets confused and speaks Mandarin to him sometimes, but Danilo doesn't mind.

"More height," says Mrs H, examining herself in the hand mirror. Danilo obediently teases her hair further, with the gentlest turns of the comb. He shields her face when he uses the hairspray. The end result is perhaps a little lop-sided, a little unprofessional, but she's happy with it. Next time will be even better, he assures her. He's getting the knack.

"Pauline's wearing ... something," says Kayla in a low voice as they sort cups and saucers. High tea is a Calendar Event. Even Mrs Singh, who is struggling these days, has made it along.

Danilo darts a look over Kayla's shoulder and sees Pauline from number 208. She's in a gold flapper dress.

She has a peacock feather in her hair, and lines of pearls draped around her neck. She has bright red lipstick and teal eyeshadow. She drifts through the ground floor lounge like a tottering bird.