SMOKE

ZORRY IS MAKING HER way toward Jengi, now before the feast is over. She figures it’s safer to give the plant to Jengi whilst Gaddys is safely ensconced at the feast table. Zorry reckons she may have a chance to be minutes ahead of the village shopkeeper. It’s a bold plan, perhaps motivated in large part by Zorry’s instinct not to take such a revolutionary plant home to the house she shares with her Mamma Ezray and infant sister Zettie. Doesn’t want to take that kind of trouble to her own front door. Aims to get rid of the water plant as quickly as she can.

When Zorry reaches the village shop, Jengi is waiting in the alleyway beside it, as if expectantly. He’s panting slightly, as though he’d just been running, she thinks. And then dismissing the thought. He is pretending to inhale on his government smoker. Jengi has clearly been waiting for someone.

Jengi’s regulation smoker is a useful alibi as he’s found on more than one occasion when caught out after curfew by the Egg Men. He never inhales but can do a good enough impression of passing out with the effects of the fumes. He has carefully cultivated his reputation as an addict, all the better to be sure he’s underestimated, passed over. Zorry notes that he holds it well away from his face now. Drops it and wipes his right hand on the side of his trousers, crushes it under his foot. It goes on giving off a small light. Jengi lights another. Holds it away from him.

Zorry makes her way towards him by its small light, which lights up one side of his face. His right hand.

Jengi leans against the shop wall at an angle. Cap pulled low.

“Where is Mamma Zeina?”

Jengi has a way of asking you a question as though to test what you know. Zorry finds that sly. She sighs. She has no time for Jengi’s games.

“Do you want this or not? She holds out the cup with the plant root in it.

Jengi doesn’t move to touch it. “I see.” He says.

“Do you, Jengi? What do you see?” And then, “Look … I don’t know why she trusts you but …” Zorry thrusts out her hand. “Look, just take this cup from me, would you Jengi?”

Jengi conceals a small smile. Takes the cup. Touches her hand for a fleeting moment, runs his index finger down her palm.

Zorry pulls back.

Now Jengi examines Zorry by the thin light, seems to see her for the first time. Blink. “Oh! You’re a bit young for a mother cupboard.” Jengi looks disappointed.

“Guess I just happened to be in the wrong place when she was reseeding.”

“No.” Jengi gazes at Zorry, the look is more brotherly now. “Mamma Zeina must’ve chosen you for a reason.” He looks up and seems to glance something behind her. “Now, get out of here. Scramble!” He says.

They both hear Gaddys’ car pull up at the front of the shop. Jengi thumbs toward the fence at the back of the shop, hisses, “That way!” But then catches her upper arm as she leaves. “Zorry.” He says. They are eye to eye for a moment. “She’s never been wrong Zorry. You are a mother cupboard now. Welcome to the resistance.”

Zorry examines his face. She is thinking. It’s a long, strangely unnerving moment for Jengi, the girl seems shrewd beyond her years. He blinks and she moves, sliding into the shadow beside the shop.

“Wait.” He says. “Don’t move yet.”

Now Jengi moves toward the front of the shop, greets Gaddys with a deep bow. Takes her jewelled hand in his own as she steps from the car and doffing his hat at the same time, one sinuous motion with more than a hint of swagger to it.

“What were you doing back there?”

“Smoking, Madam. My apologies.”

Gaddys smirks. Jengi kisses the shopkeeper’s thick, ringed fingers.

Zorry slips noiselessly toward the fence which blocks the other end of the alleyway. She is distracted by Jengi’s strange performance with Gaddys, catches her hand on the top of the fence by mistake. Curses in silence.

Zorry considers that Jengi might have mentioned the broken glass at the top of the fence.

She leaves her blood at the scene.