Category: Writers Block
Garry and Anja spent 4 weeks in hospital and he used the time to grieve and regain something of himself he was sure was lost,Anja finally relented and gave a nurse her home number, but not before a porter crept into her ward with a phone she glanced up and saw Seamus's double smiling at her then he held out the reciever. "Talk to them eh if you were my sister I'd be on the 1st flight" the weather had improved and the airports were operational, Anja smiled weakly and took in the resemblence to her late friend, he remained relaxed and unmoved "I'm used to that...man we'd great craic confusing people but it didn't last as my Irish accent is shocking" a crooked smile lit up his dark eyes as Anja pulled out a chair and motioned for him to sit down "ok but eh I've not got long" she wanted to mistake him and hear Seamus's soft Cork accent and his fast speech, the ache of wanting and living without,was terrible "we 'd eh a big rescue 1 day 10 climbers lost on The Maiden...the lads were incredible that day, but Seamus was some lad for getting hurt, he was in here so often, we threatened to name the bloody hospital after him" Anja smiled and listened intently to his voice she was trying to replace his highland accent with an Irish one "so when we had him safe I turned up at the base a week later..2 of the team had been off with flu and had just been briefed, you should a seen their faces when I sauntered in large as life" her imagination was working overtime but she only saw a semblence of Seamus {maybe his ghost} he stood up and pointed to the phone, she had forgotten about the reciever, and the sweat caused by nerves "anyway I have to get moving call your parents the last thing we need is a Viking invasion" Anja groaned and watched him leave a nurse came to talk with him they seemed friendly and for a minute she was jealous.
Anja dialled the number and waited while drumming her fingers on the cumbersome cast,on her left leg, it began to itch and she was exasperated at being unable to ease it to her relief the familiar voice of her brother floated into her right ear "hello..Anja! This is great ohh the weather we have had so much bloody snow" she laughed and tried out her excuse for the injury "hello I broke my leg on ice outside the bothy..stupid hmm? At least the mountain didn't win this time" Andre laughed at the blatant lie she could hear acceptance and she exhaled as he imagined the real reason for her extended silence {I would be on the 1st flight without another word} he punched his numb legs and tried to hide the need to escape the confines of his life, violent storms had stranded him inside for 2 weeks and Anja could hear the growing frustration in his voice "I needed you to help me evade the guards I miss my devious sister"
She smiled sadly and a montage of images of her helping Andre into the car,for a wander around the hibernating city,and for the pain of watching him getting drunk on strong beer,flooded into her mind the memories weren't altogether unwelcome "I miss you also there's a pub across the road where I can see us 3 getting pissed"
Andre hesitated he was uncomfortable with strangers even one safe enough to drink with "3 I want you to myself ...you don't care if I embarrass you" she wanted to introduce Garry she knew he would be blase with Andre "he won't care.... he has a friend who is paralysed, Garry is great with him" Andre pulled on his cigarette and brushed away the fallen ash from his jeans "its f..king cold how are you doing which mountain let you off" luckily climbing had never impressed him he could't see the point "An Teallach ohh my Gaelic is so bad, it means The Forge,a very beautiful but serious hill" she had been prepared for her worried parents and their veiled pointed references to Andre's accident,but not for what her brother said "An Teallach..... our friend called from Edinburgh 3 days ago, there was a bad helicopter crash, with 4 people killed did you see it...Anja!"
A penetrating chill crawled over her like cold water she shivered and moved under the blankets {what do I say how can I ask you to lie for me again!}"hmmm .....yes I heard it was awful" Andre dissected the truth from her evasion, as he had done so often "you were in the crash right..that's why your leg is broken and why you haven't been in touch, because you dreaded being blamed for my accident" Anja fingers absently knotted around the edge of a blanket then relaxed then tightened the tension was unbearable "yes...they always blame me you know how its easier if they forget the details...Garry and I survived, but 4 of our friends are gone,so be patient yes and I really wish you could be here"
Andre took a long slow drag on his cigarette and shocked her "If Dad tries to keep me from travelling to Scotland I will move out immediately..your the only 1 who treats me equally.." Anja was aware of her brother's craving for independence and freedom,and she knew he would be prepared to use her injury, to secure it. "I've been dying to tell you I saw a great flat close to the sea, and not far away there are some viscous crags to break your legs on, you would love it" to his amazement she agreed but her ultimatum worried him "I have asked Garry to come home with me when he's ready..we have become very close..he needs a new life away from his grief.." Andre stubbed out the cigarette on a nearby ashtray and his resentment angered her "why..do you collect these strays hmm..you hardly know this...Garry where's he from..does he have a record" Anja scowled at the receiver and threw back the blankets her leg was itching and she scratched furiously near the top of the cast
"What's up all I hear is grunting it sounds as if your having sex" Anja stopped scratching and almost hung up "ohh ha ha I have a really bad itch you remember how annoying that can be" Andre laughed and she pressed the receiver closer to her ear to absorb it "is that all! An itch no I don't remember could you describe it to me" she sat up on the bed and poured a drink of water Andre listened to the background noises but they were not what he wanted to hear "so uhm when are you getting out any sign of a release date" "you should have joined the police instead of sitting around complaining" he was glad she couldn't see the hurt in his eyes but the shake in his voice made it visible "ah ha yes I'm sure they will take me hmm I'd be useful in pursuit,perhaps they would allow me to fit a rocket, to my f..king chair!" Andre enough!..Feck! There are worse things and so many options now.." he lit up again and accidentally dropped the burning match between his legs "shit!..I'm blaming that on the stress incurred by your craziness" Anja refused to accept the blame and asked if he was ok "yes considering II nearly burned my dick off".
she rolled over and laughed loudly at his sarcastic humour despite his anger and frustration Andre enjoyed hearing her "ohh hell I have to go ..will you I hate asking you to li.." I will but you didn't answer my qestion about Garry" Andre's persistance irritated since the accident he had become too protective "Garry's ok why must you always think the worst hmm, also he's 1/2 Norse, with a very famous name,so there's something to keep you occupied..bye love you"