GAME OF CATCH 1951

A BOY AND GIRL AND A GAME OF CATCH BALL IN ALDERSHOT IN 1951.

Auntie said to play
on the black metal balcony
while she gave the flat
a good clean through

Auntie's mutt
was sent out too
and we stood looking out
over the barrack ground
it was a warmish November day
and in the distance
I could hear soldiers marching on gravel
and sergeants bellowing at them

the mutt's ears lifted up
and he made a groaning noise
and Milly(Auntie's friend)
with her daughter Elsie
came up the black metal stairs
at the side of the flats
and along towards us

is your auntie at home Benny?
she said

I looked at her
she was wearing a grey dress
and an old brown coat
her daughter Elsie
stared at me unfriendly

yes
I said
she's spring cleaning the place

o maybe I've come
at a bad time
she said
looking at me

shall I go tell her
you're here?
I said

o if you would
she said

so I went in and told Auntie
and she came out with me

O Milly just having a clean around
you want to come in
for a cup of tea and biscuits
Auntie said

o I don't want to disturb you
while you're busy
Milly said

o I can do it later
come on in
I could do with a chat and tea
Auntie said

the daughter pouted
her small lips
and looked at me
with her small eyes

you stay out there
with Benny
her mother said

do I have to?
Elsie said glumly

yes you do
her mother said
and they went in
and shut the door

the mutt lay down
and closed its eyes

I stared at Elsie
want to play a game?
I said

no
she said
and walked away a few paces
and stared out
at the barrack grounds

I've got a ball
we can play catch with
I said

don't want to play catch
she said in a moaning voice
she gazed at me
I was 5 years old yesterday
and you're still 4 years old
so I'm oldest and so choose
what game to play
if I decide to play at all

I'm nearly 5 years old
I said

don't matter none
because I am 5
and you are not
and so I choose what game
she said glaring at me

I sighed softly
ok what game
do you want to play then?
I said eyeing her features

catch
she said
we'll play catch with the ball

so I went to a box
by the front door
(where the mutt
kept its things)
and took out a rubber ball
and showed it to her

it looks chewed
she said

it's the mutt's ball
I said
it's all I have

she frowned and said
is it wet with dog's slime?

no
I said
it's dry now

she gazed at the ball in my hand
is it clean?

sure it is

give it to me
she said

I gave her the ball
and she wiped it
on her green coat
and looked at it
then she stared at me

guess it will have to do
she said moodily
if it goes over the balcony
she said
you'll have to go get it
she added

I looked at her
white ankle socks
and black battered shoes
and hair in ribbons

ok
I said with a smile
but she didn't smile back
soldiers still marched
and sergeants bellowed
and the sky
looked black.