I’m Jewish, Eli wrote.But I appreciate the sentiment.
Kelly giggled. How stupid of her. She might normally be mortified but the alcohol had diluted her usual instinct to feel foolish at making a mistake.
Are you mad at me?
No. A lot of people forget I’m one of God’s chosen. It’s the long, blond hair.
Kelly smiled. He wasn’t angry. But was he flirting? She wanted to find out.I like your Jewish hair.
That’s the most beautiful message anyone has ever sent me.
Hewasflirting.
Kelly bit her bottom lip.Where are you?
Home.
Want to meet up?
Sure. Where are you?
At my parents’ house.
You want me to meet your parents on Easter Sunday?
No. Just me.
She sent him the address, poured herself another drink and walked through the garden to the front gate. She sat down on the footpath, her back resting against the fence of her childhood home. She’d met Toula like this so many times when they were younger. Clandestine meetings to discuss the turbulence in their teenage hearts.
And now her heart was turbulent again. Excited, nervous and aching all at once as she leaned her head against the warm brick wall and closed her eyes, waiting for Eli to arrive.
***
‘Happy Easter, Jesus freak.’
His voice startled her eyes open. Had she been sleeping? How long had she been sleeping? Was she drooling? Kelly wiped her mouth. No drool, thank God. But she was dizzy and momentarily confused.
Eli sat beside her, resting his back against the brick wall and extending his legs out flat like Kelly’s. He wore casual pants and a T-shirt, and the final glow of the setting sun gave his curls a fiery tinge. He was everything she needed to see right now.
‘Hi, Eli,’ Kelly said.
He turned to her with a smile. ‘Hello, Kelly.’
‘I’m sorry.’
‘It’s okay.’
‘I’ve known Finn since we were kids. We’ve been through so much together.’
‘Kelly, you don’t have to tell me anything you don’t want to.’
‘He’s had a rough life. His dad killed himself and his mum became a total basket case.’ Although she could hear the shadow of a slur in her words, which came more slowly and with more difficulty than usual, she wanted to keep talking. ‘Finn’s pretty much permanently one crisis away from being suicidal. It’s my job to look after him.’
Eli watched her closely and Kelly returned his gaze, unaccustomed to the comfort of eyes that were trying to see into her soul. Trying to understand her. Maybe even trying to work out how to put her back together. ‘Why is it your job?’
‘We made a pact when we were younger.’
‘What sort of pact?’
