Thursday 20 August 2009

Minding the Grands

Nowaday, we never know which day of the week we will be going into town to do the grocery shopping. The Grands, being 'old school' type of people, like to know what day and what time and with whom - in advance. They like plenty of notice. It's in their make-up. We do our best to understand and accommodate this, and they do their best to understand our (somewhat spontaneous AND flexible) lifestyle, too.

We usually park the car on the top floor of the mall parking lot. It's easy (and quick) access to the food hall. Oh, and the toilets. Entering through the automatic doors I realised that I was walking between my mam and dad. Mam bustling in front and dad ambling behind.

What to do? Chase mam to slow her down, or wait for dad, who was about to evaporate in the sea of faces.

At lunch, dad hauled out his supply of silverside-on-wholemeal buttered rolls and began chomping at them, while the rest of us left him to keep the table as we sought our own lunches from the vast array of food vendors. "You like bringing your own, don't you?" I asked. "Yeah. It's better than choosing chips every time. Besides, I'm not paying those exorbitant prices they're asking for a sandwich".

Mam shook her head and bit into a six inch roast chicken and mayo roll from Subway.

It was agreed that we would meet outside the supermarket with our loaded trolleys three hours later.

"Where's your dad, Helen?"
"He was just behind me at the checkout"
"He's not there now. Are you sure it was him?"
"Yeah, it was him, Ma. I told him I was going to the butchery"
"Well I don't know where he is now. Probably vanished into thin air. I can't understand why I didn't bump into him while I was shopping"
"Maybe he's gone to the toilet"
"Maybe"
"I don't know what to think"
"Mam, I'll go and see if he's upstairs in the food hall"
"Ok, I'll look after the trolleys"

Seated at the table right in line with the escalator, sipping on a long-black-with-(cold)-milk-on-the-side was dad. He saw me walking towards him and his soft brown eyes began to smile at me, long before his mouth followed suit.

"I looked all over for you"
"And we've been looking for you, too"
"I came out of Coles and there was nobody to be found. I even went to the car, thinking that you might be waiting there for me".
"No, we were waiting on a bench, just outside of the store entrance - just like we agreed"
"Well I didn't see any bench"
"I'll go and fetch mam. I'm sure she could do with a cup of tea".
"Ok, I'll wait here..."

Mam and I travelled caterpillar-style up the escalator. "I hope you told him off, Helen. I certainly will".

I had no doubt about that....

8 comments:

Housewife Savant said...

Even in the midst of the busy-ness and occasional burdens; I wish I ended up with living parents I could tolerate.

I get jealous of others who have [extended] family that keeps in touch.

There's my crap, in your comment section.

What's silverside?

Helen said...

I know I am most fortunately blessed. I know it. Oh, and you can post your crap in my section anyday (not kitty crap).
Silverside is a deli cut meat - with a silver sheen - hence the name. The 'silver' side of the cut.xx

Josephine Tale Peddler said...

That's lovely Helen. I often smile to myself when I'm in the city shopping (hate shopping!) at the men lagging behind their wives and girlfriends. You can see all over their faces and body language where they would prefer to be! xx

Alan Burnett said...

It's always a pleasure to discover a new quality blog. I have a feeling I will be back.

Leave a Legacy said...

I love to hear about the life in Australia and things we're not familiar with here, such as "silverside", "trolleys", "butchery", "long black with milk on the side". I feel like I can hear you talk when I read you. But somethings are universal (well, a lot of things), and that's people, adult children with their parents. It could have been my families' conversation. Very much enjoyed this.

June Saville said...

A lovely feel happy blog ... so pleased you dropped into 70 Plus and Still Kicking so I could meet you.
Cheers
June also in Oz

Donna B. said...

Hi Helen, thanks for following me at Mystical Journeys...I love the way you write and your blog is amazing! How did you do the picture of the machine shop? How do you put all the advertisements and sayings on there? I am so new to blogging, I have not figured out all this stuff yet...Nice to meet you fellow blogger...

Lisa Gioia-Acres said...

I so enjoy reading your blog. It's going to take some time to understand some of the words: "silverside on wholemeal" and "long black".

I love the way you narrated the conversations. I felt as though I was along with you.

Thank you for your kind words on my own blog. I am so happy to have you to follow and be followed by.

How's the pie shop coming? Loved the pictures.

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