Juliet wonders about Morné. What brought him to Greenhills? If Juliet’s world is held in delicate balance, what is Morné’s like? What expectations and disappointments have shaped him into a boy so mountainous and round? Morné doesn’t let much slip in group. He settles himself on a chair, always next to Sadie, where he’s quick with mumbled asides that make her laugh. What a pair.
Vuyokazi’s regular seat is on Morné’s other side. What’s it like for the two of them to sit so close to each other? They could give each other tips. How to binge; how to purge. Does Morné count calories? Juliet’s never seen him do it, but he’s quick and clever. Maybe he keeps track in his head.
Morné’s never on time for exercises. He slouches in late, shuffles to the back of the Rec Room, mutters under his breath as he sweats his way through the class.
He’s clever, though. He talks in group, contributes, but never in a way that says anything about him. He’ll bring up topics that get them all talking: the quality of food, why they have to have lights out at ten, isn’t there something more interesting to do in art therapy, whether it’s possible to get a doctor’s note to be excused from exercises. After a good fifteen minutes spent discussing his ‘issues’, he’s off the hook for a couple of sessions.
The thing is, in other groups this might have worked, but Ellen’s pretty switched on. Juliet knows exactly what he’s doing, deflecting like crazy so he doesn’t have to talk about himself. Will he be able to keep it up, though? Something has to crack soon, or someone.