Drunk Man

Finally they arrived at an ordinary field. Matthew quickly spread out the pillows, while Vera was busy getting rations out of her basket. The twins started chatting noisily. I don't know what to say. Unclear. And it seems like they are speaking in their own language, and no one else knows what that means.

Matthew stared at the Fire Tree, a tree that shouldn't be anywhere else but Australia. Such trees are found in many areas of New South Wales and Queensland.

The tree will look most beautiful when summer comes. At the beginning of the season, the leaves usually wilt, and after that they flower immediately. The flowers are red, slightly orange. Usually a few leaves are still left on the branches, but soon disappear with the color of flowers that look like fire.

A sight not easy to forget. Rows of Fire Trees with tall buildings towering behind them. The landscape around Philadelphia Park is of tall buildings. Like the Hilton Moreira Hotel on Clarendon Street, east of Philadelphia Gardens. It was as if the buildings were engulfed in flames. And when the wind blew, the flowers floated in the air like embers of a bonfire in the wind.

Fun, Matthew thought. He looked around. Still not many people. On a park bench not far from where he was now, there was a girl --- Matthew guessed she was a student --- looking seriously reading a thick book while enjoying a biscuit. Matthew also saw someone with a newspaper over his face, lying on another park bench. His feet were raised on the handle of the bench.

Matthew choked. He seemed familiar with the figure. And sure enough, when the man shifted his bed and lifted his face slightly from the paper, Matthew recognized him immediately.

That drunk man!!

Matthew quickly looked away. He didn't want his beautiful morning to be ruined by silly things like last night. Matthew suspected the man had sneaked into the garden at night. Through a gap in the barbed wire fence hidden behind the bushes.

"So what's the verdict? So you accepted the job?" Vera asked suddenly.

Matthew didn't answer right away. He saw Carren and Cassie playing in the meadow in front of them. Somehow suddenly there was a rabbit, and the twins scrambled to catch it.

"I'm not sure. But maybe I'll take it!" replied Matthew. There was a hint of doubt hanging over his sentence.

"But Warrandyte is far from Pendholva."

Matthew nodded. "I know!"

"Then?"

Matthew shrugged. "Works there make more money. Maybe three times as much as taxi drivers in Melbourne."

Vera looked at him in disbelief. "Even if it means you won't be coming home every day?!"

"I'll be home every weekend. I promise!"

Vera turned.

Matthew grabbed Vera's wrist, and stroked it gently.

"I think we agreed to save so that our two children can go to a decent place, unlike us. Only until high school. The rest I'm sure they will get scholarships."

"But should it go that far?"

"Didn't I try to find extra work? It's hard to find a decent job in this city. It's because there are few jobs, but a lot of people need to work."

Matthew tried to convince Vera. "After all, Kevin was there, who promised to help me! My job isn't too difficult either. Just keep the ammunition depot. All I did was sit still, watch people go in and out, take notes. And the nice thing is, I can do it. while listening to the radio."

Vera didn't say anything. He looked at his two children who were playing in the distance. His gaze was so sad. Her honey brown eyes became teary. There's a bit of sadness there. Matthew, who saw her again, hesitated. Doubts about his decision to leave.

"The kids won't like your decision," Vera said without taking her eyes off him.

Matthew sighed. "They will understand in the end."

"By then it will be too late! You may already have no place in their hearts."

"Hey.... I haven't been away for years and I won't be coming back again"

Vera looked at Matthew. He had tears in the corners of his eyes.

"You know....they really need you. There are things I can't solve as a mother. And it's up to you to sort them out. I can't help but wonder, what will I do when I leave you?? They always wait for them every night, then take them to their room. Got it...., honey!! They are too young to feel the burden of our poverty. They may have suffered enough with the fact that they never buy a new toy every week. But they don't never complained. You know why?" Vera asked with trembling lips. Turned his face the other way. Her tears melted. "Because there is a father who is always by their side at all times."

Matthew was silent. Mute like the wind that never tires of blowing, but never speaks. He just kept quiet. He felt the world turning silent with him.

The drunken man woke up from his sleep. The newspaper was lifted over his face. His eyes blinked. Then he walked over to the faucet. Wiping his face with water, then gargling a few times, and finally swallowing it down his throat. He just realized that many people were watching him. It's weird seeing people not like they used to be. Who doesn't care about other people.

The man slapped his forehead.

'Shit, I'm drunk again!' he cursed in his heart. He reached for his newspaper which was still lying on the bench. Then go.

The man walked over to Matthew. Unfortunately, Matthew didn't have time to hide his face. But the man didn't seem to recognize him. As he was about to pass, Matthew felt his chest pounding. But immediately relieved, when the man passed without looking at him. Matthew followed with his gaze where the man had gone. From where he was, he could see the man's back getting smaller and smaller and becoming a dot among the tree bushes.

I don't know where else the man should sleep tonight. Maybe at the cake shop on Acland Street, or under the bridge. Matthew felt sorry.