I woke to the sound of the wind gusting around the house. It was a change day today. The wind’s buoyancy and energy told me so. As I lay in my bed the number twenty-seven floated around in my head, multiplying itself 275481108135162186213240267294321348375402429456483510537, like a snake the numbers curled around inside my head, rolling themselves over and under and through each other. Inside my mind I admired the sequence, the flow, the immense sweeping beauty of these numbers I had captured today.
I arose and dressed, keeping my head steady, balancing the beautiful numbers inside my head. I wandered into the kitchen and looked out the big window; I could see Haupitonga diving through the trees bending them this way and that as he danced through the sky. Swirling clouds around joyously. I left the house and joined the wind dance. Arms in the air I spun around and inside my head my snake of numbers twirled and twisted. Haupitonga dove down and spun me around and we danced.
Change filled the air with energy and promise, my snake numbers glittered and rolled. I wended my way toward the centre of town, twirling and dancing, revelling in the change space. I saw old Mr Mahoney frowning at me, I could hear him muttering “feckless idiot” I smiled and threw him air kisses. Carolyn from number 9, looked so sad as she trudged down the street heading to work, she couldn’t feel the promise of change. For her everyday was the same. Malcolm was working hard fixing the tiles on Mrs Butler’s roof. Haupitonga buffeted Malcolm as he resolutely completed the roof repairs. I like Malcolm, he always has something nice to say to everyone and his baby was due any, maybe even today.
I gambolled along towards the park and I could hear the joyful screams of the children flinging themselves into the dance. Spinning on the roundabout and flying on the swings. I called to Haupitonga to come and dance with the children. I twirled myself into the park and spun around and around pirouetting my way through the children’s energy. And the wind spun the children’s screams into sparkling light that the children tried to catch.
I left the park and entered the main street, my goal the lottery shop. My number snake caressed the inside of my head 2132402672943213483754024294, rolling and smoothing the numbers across my mind. I danced towards the crossing and Jim Lange drove his big truck in front of me yelling “get out the way you effing idiot”. I darted back not wanting to be hit. Jim is a bully and angry man who beats up his wife and she then beats up the children. They have four children and the eldest boy beats up younger ones. It is a downward spiral that everyone knows about and that no-one seems to be able to stop.
I bring to the forefront of my mind that today is a change day. For someone in our town a beautiful change is going to occur. I dart across the crossing waving to Mrs Sutner as she loads the groceries into her car. Haupitonga flicks the hem of her dress and wildly plays with her long hair. Baby, Joy in her pushchair, hands grasp towards the wind as she squeals with delight.
I enter the lottery shop and smile at Yvonne behind the counter. “It’s a change day” I say “and I need to buy a lottery ticket”
I pick up the number card to mark off. The number snake rolls around in my mind and I pick out the numbers.
27 54 81 18 13 51
40 62 2 86 21 32
3 26 1 48 37 75
4 24 29 45 6 72
8 35 10 53 7 26
The number shine in my mind’s eye, then they lay themselves down on the card. I take the card to Yvonne and pay. Suddenly I feel as if a breath has been drawn in. I leave the lottery store and walk out into the street. There is a promise in the air, my eye moves over the people in the street. Who will the change attached too. I put my trust to the wind and allow the wind to push me along, past the bank and the noodle shop. Towards the Library, even outside I can hear the whisper of the books. They cannot entice me in. Today is not a book day, it is a change day.
Then like a star I see where the change belongs, urgency fills my steps as I rush towards Maxine. As I come close I see sudden pain cross her face and her pregnant belly ripples. Malcolm and Maxine’s baby is coming. I rush to her side and breathlessly ask “What do you need Maxine?” I need Malcolm” she gasps “the baby is coming”
I put my arm around her giving her support and lead her to the bench seat. She pulls her phone out, hits Malcolm’s number then bends forward gasping.
I grab the phone as it begins to fall, Malcolm answers. “ The baby is coming, we are down by the clock tower you need to come right now” I shout.
“ Breathe, breathe Maxine, Malcolm is coming.”
Several townspeople have come to lend a hand. Malcolm’s truck bullets up to the kerb, he flings himself out of the truck and around to Maxine and tenderly helps her up and into the passenger seat. As soon as she is in the truck he takes off. Everyone else starts to wander off. I notice Maxine’s bag by the bench and pick it up. My hand goes into my pocket and I take out the lottery ticket and tuck it into the side of Maxine’s bag. I start to head towards the hospital. The inside of my head is empty a vast expansive space. I allow the space to spread around me. Haupitonga still dances in the air, gusting away and I know that today the change is beautiful.
is beautiful.