AFTER THE JUDO.

A girl and three boys in 1964 and the pursuit of a love.

Monica watches

as Benedict and Jim

practise judo on the grass

off the path

to the farmhouse.

 

She cheers Benedict on

standing on the edge

clapping her hands excitedly.

 

Her other brother Pete

leans against the fence bored,

hands thrust

in his jean’s pockets.

 

How long are you going to be

practising this judo s**t?

the film starts

in half an hour,

he says.

 

Benedict throws Jim

to the floor

in a  quick movement,

Monica raises her hands

to the air.

 

Knew you could do it,

knew you could,

she says, patting

Benedict on the back

of his jacket.

 

Jim dusts off

his jeans

with his hands,

looks at Pete,

then at Monica.

 

Caught me off guard,

he says,

she put me off

with her yelling

and clapping.

 

Can we go now?

Pete says,

moving off the fence,

now you’ve done

your judo stuff?

 

Can I come?

Monica asks

looking at Benedict.

 

No way,

Jim says,

don’t want no girl

dragging us down.

 

I am not any girl,

I’m your sister,

she says, staring

at Benedict.

 

He looks at Jim

then at Monica.

I don’t mind if she comes,

he says.

 

I do,

Pete says.

 

Monica pouts

and folds her arms

over her small breasts.

 

The farmhouse door opens

and their mother comes out.

I thought you

were going to the cinema?

she says.

 

We are,

Jim says,

just going.

 

They won’t take me,

Monica says.

 

Of course they don’t

want you with them,

her mother says.

 

Anyway I have some chores

I need help with.

 

Monica pulls a face

and glares

at her brothers,

but looks at Benedict

pleadingly.

 

Maybe next time,

he says.

 

Not with us she don’t,

Pete says.

With me though, maybe,

Benedict says,

giving her a wink.

 

Come on in Monica,

leave the boys be,

 the mother says.

 

Monica follows her mother

towards the farmhouse,

gesturing her middle digit

at her brothers

while her mother’s back

is turned.

 

Benedict smiles,

watches as she sways

her small hips,

blows him a kiss

from her open palm.

 

Jim shakes his head

and follows Pete

to the bikes

by the shed,

while Benedict,

takes a kiss

from his lips

and throws it

at Monica’s

departing back.

 

Her head turns

and her hands open

to catch the thrown kiss

moving slightly forward

so as not to miss.