Live In The Moment

Half past five. Katherine pulls up at Station Pier, Waterfront Place, Port Melbourne.

Two hours till departure.

They join a long queue.

You two have been quiet in the back there, says Katherine.

Jinjing is crying, says Terence.

Oh dear, says Katherine. What's the trouble?

He wishes he was with Gaius and Arthur, says Terence.

Sniffff! says Jinjing.

But Gaius needs the other parrot, says Katherine. What is it called?

P. krameri, says Margaret. A rose ringed parakeet.

Yes, him, says Katherine. And it's just as well really. Live birds and animals such as dogs have to travel in cages. Jinjing is a toy, so he doesn't.

Jinjing wants to go in a cage, says Terence.

Sniffff, says Jinjing.

You can't visit your pet in its cage on the voyage, says Margaret. They have strict rules about it.

There, says Terence. Stop crying. You wouldn't have liked it.

Sniffff! Jinjing stops crying. He would dearly like to say something.

If he could, this is what it would be:

What sort of fool would give Terence a cheese knife!!!!

He's stopped crying, says Terence. 

Good, says Katherine. Live in the moment.

Good advice, says Margaret. I'm just going to slip out to the toilet.

I'll go when you come back, says Katherine.

Margaret gets out of the car, and goes to look for a toilet.

It's been an educational road trip, says Katherine. Jinjing learned the whole alphabet and some diphthongs. And you...

I won a prize, says Terence.

Oh yes, my cheese knife. Where is it? asks Katherine.

In my shorts, says Terence.

Get it out, says Katherine. That's no place for a cheese knife. It has those two upturned prongs on the end.

Terence pulls out the cheese knife. 

Give it to me, dear, says Katherine.

But it's mine, says Terence.

It needs its protective sleeve on, says Katherine. 

She feels about in her handbag.

Here it is. Hand it over.

Will I get it back? asks Terence. 

Yes, says Katherine. You'll be in charge of it until I go on my cheese tour.

Terence hands it over.

The prong ends are covered in strands of velour.

The strands are green. The colour of Jinjing in the vicinity of his button.

Perhaps this is the reason why Jinjing has not been talking.

Katherine reaches back and picks up Jinjing.

Sure enough. Two holes either side of his button.

And the button askew.