Page 33 - Homestead By Ann Newhouse

aside to allow me to enter the restaurant. “After you dear sir,” she giggled as I shuffled pass. “Thank you kindly, Ma’am,” I replied turning with a smile.
The room was hazy with the heat, and the smell of sweat hung in the air. People were shouting and laughing. Johanna took my arm and led me to a table for two. Over the noise, she pointed to a seat and ordered me to sit and wait. She disappeared into the throng of people. She soon reappeared carrying a tray of drinks smiling at my shocked face. “You have to know how,” she commented.
“Thank you, just what the nurse ordered,” I mused.
“I have ordered a steak and fries ok?” she asked.
“You have read my mind,” I replied, as I lifted my glass to clink.
As if there wasn’t already enough noise, a country group took to a platform in the corner and started to sing and play rock-an–roll. (At least I think that’s what they were doing). The sound was horrendous.
Johanna and I got through the meal without saying a word. We both realised it would be impossible to talk and make ourselves heard over the din. I graciously paid the check and we left. Johanna walked me to my door, and we sat on the steps to admire the night sky.
“Thank you, Johanna, for your company tonight.” “You’re very welcome, I enjoyed it very much.” “Do you always eat alone?” I asked.
“Tonight, my family are in town as it’s my little sister Mandy’s birthday. It’s a treat to go to town. She is fourteen today, a very bad age to try and please. You are too young to do what you want, and you feel too old to celebrate it with your parents. They will stay in the hotel and allow her to go to the dance with friends in the hotel. This way she will get a bit of freedom and my parents know she is safe,” Johanna told me she loved her sister very much. Something I had no concept of.
As Johanna rose to leave, she leaned in and kissed my cheek. Although I was tempted to return her kiss, I decided not to.
A few days later, I was preparing to take my place on the cattle drive. I felt much better now, and I was confident I could be of use to the team. It was 5.30am and I was drinking coffee and filling up my billycan to take with me. Tom, the drive manager, would bring the food supplies for us all. It