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Changes From a Sunset

By Aileen Friedman

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CHAPTER ONE

Every Thursday evening, Cole, my partner of three years, my brother Eric, and I have dinner with my parents, Leon and Rose. They live just around the corner from my home in Gordons Bay, and on top of our regular family dinners, we see one another almost every day. Thursdays, however, is family night, and we are all expected to attend.
Eric is 24 and an utter nerd, permanently glued to his computer and understandably single. I have often tried to set him up with a friend, but he makes any excuse to avoid the date, and I’ve subsequently given up. Like me, he is average height and dark, but unlike me, dresses more sloppily than anyone else alive! My poor mother moaned at him throughout our childhood, but to no avail.
Cole is striking next to Eric – with his blonde hair, cheerful brown eyes and a big smile and as an avid surfer, he is brown as a berry all year round. An accepted member of the family, he attends dinner on Thursdays without fail.
As always, I am greeted by the Jack Russell, aptly named Jack when I walk into the house. My mother is busy in the kitchen, and my father is watching the news in the lounge.
‘Hi Mum,’ I say as I give her a hug and plant a kiss on her forehead.
‘Hello, love! Eric isn’t coming tonight. He phoned and gave some ridiculous excuse about working. He knows it's Thursday! Can’t he just tell those people he works for that he has to have dinner with us?’
I hear the disappointment in her voice. She has never understood that people work longer than from nine to five these days.
‘Is Cole coming? Don’t tell me he’s also working? What is this world coming to that no one appreciates family dinners anymore?’
‘He’ll be here, Mum,’ I assure her before she feels the need to pop a pill or two.
I walk with her into the lounge, and she sits down across from my dad. I stand in the doorway and look at him, admiring what a genuine gentleman he is. Leon brims with kindness and love for Christ. He is very involved in the church and is always visiting members, conducting Bible studies or assisting various charity groups. On top of this, he still manages to run his own business - GB Tours is a tour company that takes tourists on daily or national tours and often does business with the company I work for - Rio Adventures.
While I completed my degree, I worked part-time for him. Once I graduated as an accountant, he asked Mr. De Luca at Rio Adventures if a position came up, whether he would consider me. As it happened, a position was immediately available and hence I started my career at Rio Adventures. I suppose I could have worked for my dad, but I wanted to see what else the world had to offer. Not much so far, but I’m happy. And besides, had my dad employed me, he would have had to get rid of someone else, and he’d never have been able to do that. He would rather starve than let an employee go, and in turn, his employees are equally loyal to him.
‘Hi Dad, how was your day?’
‘Busy as usual, but someone has to pay the bills, and fortunately, I have God on my side.’ His usual reply.
I just smile and cross the room to give him a hug and kiss, and sit down next to him. We stare at the TV, but don’t take much notice of the news. He puts his arm around me, and I snuggle into his chest. I can never get too old for this. If there is ever a place I feel safe and secure, it is here, in his arms. I don’t even feel this safe with Cole. He kisses me tenderly on my head and asks how my day was.
‘Okay,’ I sigh.
Their home does not have an entrance hall; it is open plan, and you walk straight into the lounge from the front door. You’ll see only the basics; no fancy furniture or ornaments.
‘Material things don’t get you into Heaven,’ my dad always says.
It’s still very cozy and homey, though, with family photos all over the place, and I love coming here.
A tap on the door, someone opens it and walks in. Jack is the first to greet Cole.
‘Hey Jack, come here boy,’ he laughs, while he picks Jack up and lets him lick his face.
‘Argh, no man! Cole! That’s so disgusting!’ I groan as I get up to greet him.
‘Why? He’s just saying hello.’ He always lets Jack do this.
‘Go and wash your face and hands,’ I scold him like a school teacher.
He ignores me and greets my parents.
‘Hi Rose, how are you today?’ he asks, hugging her.
‘Hello Cole, Eric isn’t coming tonight! He has to work! Isn’t dinner more important than work?’ She looks at Cole reproachfully.
‘I’m sure he would rather be here,’ Cole replies politely.
He puts the jacket I asked him to bring for me over an armchair, and moves in front of my dad to shake his hand.
‘Hello Leon, how are you doing? Anything good happening in the world today?’
‘Hello Cole, just negative news. Why they can’t concentrate on the positive in the world is beyond me.’
Cole sits down in the armchair. My mum has made her way back to the kitchen and yells at me.
‘Talia-May, get Cole and your father something to drink!’
My parents are the only ones that don’t call me Tali. I wish they would; I’ve never liked my name.
‘What do you want to drink Dad, Cole?’ I keep an eye on the TV.
They both ask for orange juice, and I force myself from my dad’s arm to fetch their drinks.
As I walk into the kitchen, my mother continues to complain about Eric’s lack of commitment to the family. It is at times like this that I want to shake her and scream, ‘So freaking what if he cannot make it! It’s not the end of the world!’
I know I could never do that; she will dissolve into hysterics. She’s been enjoying theatrics lately, and I’ve convinced myself it’s because Eric and I aren’t at home anymore, and she wants the attention.
I give my dad and Cole their orange juice when my mum announces that the food is ready. As always, there is food for a nation. Honestly, I think she cooks the entire week for this one evening – there’s leg of lamb, roast potatoes, mixed vegetables and rice – all cooked the real old-fashioned way and served with thick gravy and a side salad. Then, after you can’t eat another thing out comes the dessert – ice cream and chocolate sauce today. She cooks like this regardless of the season.
‘You’ve got to eat in the summer and the winter,’ she will argue when we try to explain to her that it is just too hot for her food in summer.
‘Looks good Rose, I’m starving so don’t expect any leftovers. I never get food like this when I visit Tali,’ Cole grins at me and my mum beams.
‘I taught her how to make food; she had to help make dinner every night as well as when we had guests. Don’t let her tell you she can’t cook!’
‘I can cook,’ I interrupt, ‘I just choose not to!’
My mother gasps. ‘Talia-May, how could you? I didn’t raise you to neglect your duties. A woman’s duty is to cook food for her man; what will Cole’s parents think of you?’
Cole looks at me with a smirk, and I know he is going to use this as ammunition later on.
My dad looks at my mum, ‘Let’s eat and discuss Talia-May’s cooking skills later, shall we?’
We sit down and hold hands as my father says grace. Dinner at home is always pleasant. We chat about our respective jobs, my mum continues complaining about Eric’s absence, and finally, when all of us have eaten far too much, I muster up the energy to clear the table. Finally, we relax in the lounge and once more, I snuggle into my dad’s arms while Cole and my mum settle into the armchairs across from us.
We chat a little longer and when my mum starts dozing in her chair, Cole and I use the opportunity to head home. We say our goodbyes and walk to our respective cars; mine is a light blue Ford Fiesta and Cole’s a white 4x4.
‘Think I must go straight home; got to get up at 03:00 to get to Mossel Bay,’ Cole grumbles.
‘Oh yes, I forgot you have to see your clients there this week.’
I sigh. He puts his arms around me and holds me as if he will never let me go; then he kisses me gently. We know my parents are watching.
‘I’ll drive behind you; phone you when I get home.’
He kisses me again then slowly lets me go and opens the car door for me.
Once I have my seat belt on, and the car started, he gets into his 4x4 and follows me home. On the way home I cannot help but think what a good guy he is. There are not many men who will wait to move in together until marriage. We spend most nights together, but he knows what I want and never pushes the issue of moving in. I don’t think I could be happier with anyone else. There weren’t any sparks or fireworks, as some would insist when we met on the beach at a New Year’s party. We discovered we could talk easily and have been together since. My dad always told me God will find you your soul mate, and you just have to trust in Him.
I pull into my driveway, get out of my car, and walk over to him. With his head out of the car window, his floppy blonde hair framing his face, he smiles.
‘When I get back we need to talk about your cooking duties Tali,’ and he bursts out laughing.
‘I knew it,’ I say laughing too, ‘you’ve probably been thinking about this all the way home.’
I lean into the window and kiss him goodnight.
‘I love you,’ he says.
‘Love you too, please drive safely tomorrow.’
I park my car in the garage, let the automatic door close behind me and go inside my homely rented cottage through the garage.
It can’t be more than ten minutes when my phone rings.
‘Just checking you’re okay. Sleep tight my love, I love you.’
‘You sleep well too; I love you too.’
I can’t help smiling. Trust my mother to give him some ammunition to get me to make food for him. He is always hungry.

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