Chapter 36

That night, Sam had another visit. “You have been teaching well. Tomorrow or the next day Boobook will bring you another problem. A new resident who was of Mirima but has been away for many years. Oh, Lily’s girl is healthy. Tell her that.”

It was two days, but Boobook arrived with a man who looked to be in his thirties.

“I see you Sam.”

“And I you, Boobook.”

“This is Elly.”

“Elly?”

“Short for Eleasar,” said the stranger.

“Ah. He who stood his ground against the Philistines. Welcome. I am Sam, short for Samuel.”

“Also Bunjil,” said Boobook.”

“So. I was born here. When I was 17, I joined the army. The Forces taught me to drill an’ sent me to school. I served briefly on Diego Garcia an’ then was sent to Kandahar.”

“Afghanistan,” said Sam.

“Yes. I served there for several years and stood in the path of some shrapnel. I spent six months or so at Garden Island and then they shipped me to First Health in Darwin. They let me go a few days ago.”

“Were you hurt badly?”

“Left arm an’ left leg. Get a twinge now an’ then. Really OK.”

“How did you get to the ADF?”

“I got into trouble. Lady with ALS got the judge to agree to my enlistin’. Training camp straightened me out. After camp, I got ‘selected’ an’ got sent to Duntroon in the ACT. I was the RMC nigger. But they treated me well an’ trotted me out whenever there was a visitor. I was there for 18 months when they flew me to Diego as a paramedic. Then they flew me to Kandahar. I was a medic in a mixed Brit an’ Aussie hospital support group until spring 2021, when the Brits went home. I was attached to a Yank group that was being sent home – ‘extracted’ – when I was in an unlucky place. An’ here I am, coupla years later.”

“We’ve an Afghan family here. Might that be a problem?”

“Don’ see why. Where were they from?”

“Spin something.”

“Spin Buldak. About two hours from Kandahar, when the road’s OK. Do you see any others?”

“No drinking.”

“Not a problem for me.”

“Been here before?”

“When I was a kid. Swimmin’ the big lake. Gone now.”

“Yes. Dam bust and it’s not worth rebuilding, apparently. Tell you what. Come with me and I’ll introduce you around.” Sam turned to Boobook. “You want to come along, stick around or go home?”

“I’ll go back to Mirima. If Elly doesn’t like it here, have someone run him back.”

“OK.”

Sam introduced Elly to Jos and Zeke, who we discussing construction with Joel and several others. After a few minutes, Elly spoke up.

“How about a med-shack?”

Zeke said: “Like what?”

“Folks get sick; folks get hurt. Where do they go?”

“To the aunties. Those who’re preggers see Farzana.”

“All the buildin’. Don’t guys get hurt?”

“We take ‘em to town.”

“That’s nearly an hour. You can bleed to death in a few minutes.”

“He’s right,” said Sam. “We’re goin’ to nearly 200 folks. The next two buildings should be general use. I suggest a schoolroom and a medical/nursing house.”

There was a good deal of talk. Several women, who had been listening, put in their opinions. Rita carrying her infant daughter got Deb to come. A few Tiwi were drawn in. After a long time, Jos brought the discussion to a halt.

“This has been very good. Elly, you are welcome to Gabbaitch. Sam will give you paper. Can you draw what should be built by tomorrow?”

“Sure.”

“And a list of what you need. A few drugs. Some bandages.”

“A good military medical field kit would do.”

“Fine. Second. I’m unclear as to a school. But perhaps a shelter where two dozen or so might assemble? Zack. Talk to Farzana, one of the new mothers and Tessa. See what they think.”

Sam turned to Elly. “Let’s go fishing.”

“What about my sketch?”

“Think about it. Fishing is a good way to think.” So they went fishing with Andy and Joel. They spent nearly two hours and caught not a single ‘keeper’. But Elly was convinced this was a fine place to live. He’d have try to learn the name of that Tiwi woman.