SHOWDOWN 1958

A GIRL AND HER PARENTS AND A SHOWDOWN IN 1958 LONDON.

Ingrid's father sat
at the dining table

her mother sat opposite
Ingrid sat between
looking at her plate of stew

what have you done
to your thumb?
her father said
gazing at her hand
a plaster pinky stained

cut it
Ingrid said

how did you cut
your thumb?
he said
raising his eyes
to her eyes

on a knife
she said
looking at the plastered thumb

what knife?
he said

I was cutting an apple
and it slipped
she said

must be careful
her mother said

what knife?
her father said

a knife at Benny's mum's flat
Ingrid said

her mother stiffened
and looked at her husband

you were at his flat?
he said

Ingrid stared at her father
his mum said I could
have an apple
Ingrid said

but you went to his flat?
her father said

it won't hurt the once
her mother said

did I ask for your opinion?
he said
glaring at his wife

just saying
she said

well don't
he said

Ingrid held her knife and fork
above her plate

what did I say
about going to that kid's flat
or even seeing him?
the father said

Ingrid hesitated
then said
not to see him

and what did you do?
he said

saw him but his mum said
I could have an apple

there was a sudden movement
and a hand cuffed Ingrid's head
and she fell backwards
off the chair
the knife and fork flying
out of her hands

her mother jumped
off her chair
and stood over her daughter

leave her alone
you mustn't keep hitting her
she said
glaring at her husband

Ingrid lay stunned
her head spinning
a pain about her ear

she's to do as she's told
he said
and she will
he added
rising from his chair

you touch her again
and I’ll knife you
his wife said
grabbing a knife
from the table
standing over Ingrid

he stared at his wife
anger held in check

his wife glared
fire in her eyes
he sat down
sighed
looked out the window
at the coal wharf
where wagons and lorries
were being loaded with coal

his wife helped Ingrid
up and held her
to her breast

Ingrid held in her tears
uncertain what was happening

sit down
her father said
looking at his wife
please sit down

his wife and Ingrid sat down
there was just the sound
of knives and forks on plates
and Ingrid holding back tears
mouthed stew

who put the plaster on your thumb?
he said

Benny's mum
Ingrid said softly
staring at her plate

thank her did you?
he said

yes
Ingrid said hesitantly

good girl
he said

her mother breathed hard
unsure of her temper anymore

and if you want
to see Benny you can
her father said

silence followed
a chill filled the air
and all Ingrid could do
was stare.