I nodded, I supposed it was. ‘Nice t-shirt, Christy,’I said, getting out of the car to talk to him properly.
‘Red bought it for me,’ he said, ‘from California. He knows I am a disciple of the great man.’
‘And what would Leonard Cohen have made of Nora’s Last Stand?’
‘My poem or the point of principle?’
‘Both.’
‘He would have been impressed by the latter and I would say encouraging about the former. He might give me a few tips, though, on howto write a great poem. It’s a very creatively inspiring space, Tabitha, I have to say.’
‘Really?’ Was heating Heinz tomato soup really so inspiring? Forming a human blockade, pitching mother against daughter, really so exciting. I was feeling decidedly weary regarding the whole thing. ‘That’s nice for you. It’s great, Christy, it really is that so many people are having the time of their liveswhile making mine really difficult.’ I thought of Rosie at home. She’d cried that morning when I said I had to leave, making me promise that I would be home at lunchtime to check on her.
Christy nodded. ‘You’re right, Tabitha,’ he said, gently. ‘It seems very unfair, doesn’t it?’
I nodded. ‘Yes it does. And how am I meant to make a rational decisionin either directionunder these circumstances?’
‘I don’t know. But you will.’
‘What?’
‘Make the right decision – whatever it is. If it’s to sell the land, then I know it is the right decision.’
‘Why?’ I said suspiciously. ‘What do you mean?’
‘I’ve always admired you, young Tabitha,’ he said. ‘You are one of those people who aren’t afraid of anything.’
‘Thank you, Christy.’ If only he knew. I had lived my life based on fear.
‘As Leonardwould say,’ he went on, ‘poetry is just the evidence of life if your life is burning well, poetry is just the ash.’
Did he expect me to start writing poetry now? Just being me was struggle enough. ‘I think I’ll leave the composing and the musing to you, Christy,’ I said. ‘And I’ll…’ I’ll what? Carry on being the bad guy? The one on the wrong side every time?
But he chuckled. ‘You’ll do the rightthing,’ he said. ‘Whatever it is, you’ll do the right thing. You know it’s much easier to be us,’ he said, pointing to the protestors. ‘We’re just speaking out. We don’t have anything else to do. You are the one with the weight of decision on your shoulders. You are the one with the weight of responsibility.’
I shrugged noncommittally.
‘This situation…’ He gestured to the protestors. ‘And allyou can do is find a place of peace.’
‘Peace?’ I said, sulkily, but realising how much I loved Christy. He was right. Fighting never got anyone anywhere. This was democracy and however much I would have like to live in a totalitarian state, we didn’t and I would have to suck it up. Also, the energy I had for the sale of the land and all the improvements was waning. Our pupils, were, on the wholehappy. If I didn’t make any more speeches which would make them cry, then we weren’t doing too badly. Rosie was alone and upset. All anyone needed was love. Soppy but true.
‘Have you written any more about the protest?’
‘I have a few,’ he admitted. ‘Well, more than a few. Seeing these people, never giving up, standing up for what they believe in… it’s been quite the inspiration.’
‘Really?’
‘Really,’ he said. ‘And that’s what I want to talk to you about. You see, my book is going to be published and I wanted to know if I had your permission.’
‘For what?’
‘To publish it.Nora’s Last Standcould be out by Christmas. I’m finishing a few poems off and I have one more to write. But it won’t happen unless…’
‘Unless what?’
‘UnlessNora’s Last Standhas your blessing. I won’t publishit if it makes you unhappy or uneasy or uncomfortable.’
‘Congratulations,’ I said. ‘That’s great news.’
