The Golden Land

by Di Morrissey

  Mark was quiet on the way home. Natalie knew that he was concerned that Andrew’s recovery was still a long haul. They were both worried about keeping their family functioning, the costs of preschool and other activities were mounting, not to mention the petrol to drive the ute up and down to Brisbane every day. They knew that Mark had to get back to work because their savings were running out fast.

  One morning Mark was watching Adam and Charlotte at the playground. A small boy tried to push in front of Adam at the slippery dip and Adam objected. During the ensuing scuffle Mark’s phone rang.

  ‘Hello—Calm down, Adam, it’s your turn next. Charlotte, hold your skirt up, otherwise you’re going to trip up the steps. Sorry, who is this? Oh, right, yes.’ Watching Charlotte in her long skirt Mark wished he’d insisted on her wearing something more practical to play in. He was only partly listening to the voice of a woman from the mine’s human resources unit.

  ‘I’m sorry, I’m with my children. Could you run that past me again?’ As he listened, the colour drained from his face. ‘But you can’t do that. I have a family to support. My son is very ill in hospital,’ he started to explain. He could not believe what this woman was telling him. Then he stopped speaking and slowly rubbed his eyes. ‘I see. Yes. I understand, but it all seems very unfair to me.’

  ‘Daddy, Daddy, look at me!’ Charlotte squealed as she slid down the slide.

  But Mark found it hard to smile and appear enthusiastic as he absorbed this latest blow. The mine management had undertaken some redundancies and his position was one of those that had gone. He no longer had a job.

  He didn’t break the news to Natalie for several days, praying that he would find work quickly. But without a date for Andrew’s release from hospital and no immediate offers of work, he had to tell her.

  When the children were asleep, Mark asked Natalie to sit down and said, ‘Nat, we have to talk about where we’re going from here. How we’re going to manage.’ He looked distracted and concerned.

  ‘Andrew is doing okay. At least now we know he will be coming home, even if not exactly when,’ said Natalie.

  ‘I know, it’s wonderful. But, darling, it’s not going to be that easy.’

  ‘I know it’s been hard for you,’ began Natalie. ‘But once he’s home, I’ll manage the three of them when you go back to the mine. I know I will.’

  ‘Natalie, I haven’t got a job to go back to,’ blurted out Mark.

  Natalie looked at him incredulously. ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘The mine let me go. They did a round of redundancies and my job was one of them.’

  ‘That is so unfair! How could they do that with everything we’re going through?’

  ‘I know, Nat, but that’s business, I guess. No place for sentiment. They just do what is best for the company and the investors. It had nothing to do with my being off work. It was just a coincidence.’

  ‘Mark, what are we going to do? What about a redundancy payout? Will you get anything?’

  Mark shook his head. ‘I don’t think so. I wasn’t there very long. Not a full year. And I’ve used up my holiday pay.’

  Natalie was struggling with this news. ‘Well, maybe losing the mining job’s a blessing. You can get a job here, locally. Not as much money but it will be great to have you based here again,’ she said, sounding almost relieved. ‘Especially when we bring little Andrew home.’

  ‘Nat, I’ve been asking around, and the building industry on the coast is quite depressed at present. There don’t seem to be any jobs going.’

  ‘What about your mates? Tony and the others?’ she asked in alarm.

  ‘I’ve been asking. Things are tight. My mates all say that if anything comes up, they’ll keep me in mind,’ he added. ‘I’ll start looking further afield.’

  ‘Are there any mining jobs going?’ she asked, feeling slightly desperate.

  ‘I’m looking, but there doesn’t seem to be anything right now. I guess with the downturn here, more tradies are applying to go out west. And, anyway, what can I promise companies when I don’t know how long it will be before I can start?’

  Natalie’s mind was whirling. She was trying to think laterally, trying to stem her rising panic. ‘Mark, you’re such a good electrician, you’ve never had trouble getting work before.’

  ‘I know, but it seems that times are tougher than they’ve been and it might take a while to get a job. Even a FIFO one. But what do we do in the meantime? We’ve used up our immediate savings and the mortgage won’t wait.’

  ‘Then we have to use the savings we’ve put aside for the major renovations. I know that I had my heart set on doing them, but I understand that we can’t.’

  ‘You’re sure? I know how much you want to fix this place up.’

  ‘We can’t do it without an income, so we’ll just have to bite the bullet till you get work.’

  Natalie was surprised by how easy the decision was but she knew it was only a short-term solution to their problems. She remained deeply concerned about their financial and future prospects and she knew Mark was, too.

  After weeks of travelling up to Brisbane each day, Natalie finally conceded that she needed a day to herself and Mark went to Brisbane to visit Andrew on his own. She sent Charlotte and Adam to preschool as usual although she didn’t know how much longer they would be able to afford it. Natalie decided to make the most of having the time to drive into the hinterland to see Thi. When she arrived, Thomas was in Thi’s front garden planting some herbs.

  ‘Natalie! What a nice surprise! I’ve come to see Thi and now she’s got me gardening. Her husband is away at present so I’m happy to lend a hand. Come in. She didn’t tell me she was expecting you.’

  ‘She doesn’t know. I just decided to go for a drive while the kids are in preschool. I need a bit of a break.’

  ‘Yes, I have heard that it’s been very difficult for you,’ said Thomas. ‘How is your little Andrew? Let us go and make some English tea. Thi has made some biscuits. She’ll be back shortly.’

  ‘She’s certainly a multitalented cook. Do you know how the markets are going?’ said Natalie.

  ‘Very well, Thi tells me,’ said Thomas laughing. ‘This weather, good rain, lots of sunshine, has been good for the gardeners. I’m sure she’ll make you take home some fresh vegetables and fruit, and of course some flowers. How is your husband?’

  ‘He’s good but it’s been an adjustment looking after the house and the children. I’ve been spending every day at the hospital in Brisbane. But today he’s sitting with Andrew, so while I have a couple of hours to myself I decided to drive out here. We hope the baby will be coming home in a few weeks.’

  ‘That’s wonderful news!’ exclaimed Thi, coming into the kitchen and giving Natalie a hug. ‘You look tired, but it’s wonderful to see you.’

  ‘Yes, I feel tired, but I thought a trip to the lovely countryside out here, and to see you, would be good for me. Bit spur of the moment, I hope you don’t mind.’

  ‘Of course not! Bring the children next time.’

  ‘I will. They would enjoy it. Thi, it seems ages since I’ve seen you. Before the Saffron Revolution.’

  ‘Such a terrible thing. You saw footage of it on TV? I spoke to Mi Mi yesterday. There are some awful stories coming out. The monks, as well as the ordinary people, have lost their rights under military rule. The military can arrest and kill anyone at any time. There is no law in our country. They arrested the monks and people for praying for the wellbeing of others.’ Thi shook her head. ‘Some of the monasteries are still surrounded by soldiers so that the monks can’t go out and demonstrate, but neither can they go on their morning rounds with their alms bowls asking for food.’

  ‘I saw some photos in the paper of some of the monks marching with their bowls upside down. What does that mean?’ asked Natalie.

  ‘The monks hold the moral and spiritual authority in Burma, even though the country is ruled by the military, so the junta has always tried to establ
ish its credibility and legitimacy by acknowledging the monks’ religious position. By holding their bowls upside down, the monks were symbolically rejecting alms from the military, and excommunicating the soldiers from the spirituality that is the core of Burmese life,’ explained Thi.

  ‘So the monks were trying to make the point without confrontation?’ said Natalie.

  ‘Except, of course, with the junta that is impossible,’ said Thomas sadly. ‘These demonstrations will have ramifications for a long time to come.’

  ‘They said on the news that people were protesting because fuel prices went up very sharply,’ said Natalie.

  ‘Oh, the craziness of the generals. They have no idea how to run Burma’s economy except to benefit themselves. Do you know that they stole land from poor farmers in order to start building a new capital city called Naypyidaw? Burma doesn’t need a new expensive capital in the middle of nowhere,’ added Thi.

  ‘Perhaps this Saffron Revolution has lit a small fire in the hearts of people outside Burma,’ said Thomas.

  ‘I was really shocked and upset at what I saw on TV, and now, from what you say, what I saw was only a small part of the protests,’ said Natalie. ‘In fact, I was so moved I wanted to help in some way. Mi Mi told me that she knows Princess Aye Aye, King Thibaw’s granddaughter, and so I decided to return my kammavaca to her. I think that it should be back in Burma with its rightful owners, so, I’m completing Uncle Andrew’s original mission and that feels important, too.’

  Thi put down her cup and reached out to cover Natalie’s hand with hers. ‘That is a very special gesture. It will mean a lot to people in Burma when they hear about it.’

  While they talked some more, Natalie felt herself relaxing for the first time in many weeks.

  ‘When you bring the baby home, can we help?’ asked Thi. ‘I am happy to do what I can and I’m sure that Thomas is too.’

  Thomas smiled and nodded in agreement.

  ‘Thanks, you’re both kind, but Mark will be there. It’s going to be a bit scary, having Andrew home without the backup of the medical expertise he’s had in the hospital.’

  ‘You’ll manage just fine. But if you want help, you just call,’ said Thi.

  ‘Thank you,’ stammered Natalie, close to tears. She wished she could share the burden of Mark’s desperate search for work, but she held her tongue. ‘It’s just been lovely to have a break like this.’

  When Mark got home from the hospital later that afternoon, he eyed the fresh vegetables, leftover biscuits, jam and spicy pickles Thi had sent home with Natalie. ‘That’s a lovely lot of food, Nat. Thi is very generous, but I hope she doesn’t think we need charity.’

  ‘Don’t be silly. Thi is just a generous person. She gives stuff to everyone. I didn’t say anything about you being made redundant. You really should go to her community market again. Thi would love to see the kids, and Charlotte would like another pony ride,’ said Natalie lightly. She could tell from his comment about charity that Mark was deeply worried.

  Later, sitting at her computer to send her mother an update on Andrew’s progress, Natalie saw an email from Peter Michaelson, the antiques trader in London. Perplexed, she opened the email.

  I am wondering if you are still holding the kammavaca you asked me about? If you have not yet sold it, I am still interested in acquiring it. I have a serious collector who would be willing to offer you AU$40,000 for your artefact. Could you please let me know if you will sell it to me at this price?

  Natalie stared at the message in shock then burst out laughing and called out to Mark, ‘You’re not going to believe this.’

  Mark didn’t show much reaction when Natalie read him the offer but instead looked at her seriously and said, ‘That’s a lot of money, Natalie.’

  ‘Yes, someone really wants it!’

  ‘What are you going to do?’ asked Mark evenly.

  ‘I told you. I’m sending it back to Princess Aye Aye. I’m going to email Michaelson and tell him I’m sorry, but it’s being returned to its rightful owner.’

  ‘But, Natalie, we need that money!’ exploded Mark. ‘That offer could save us.’

  ‘Mark, I’ve already written to Aye Aye and told her that I’m returning the kammavaca, and I’m not going back on my word. I owe it to Uncle Andrew. He wanted to do the right thing, and so do I,’ she said stubbornly.

  ‘I agree, and it was a nice gesture when the thing was only worth a third of this offer and I had a job! But we need that money now! Our circumstances have changed. We have to keep a roof over our heads, put food on the table and be responsible for three children!’

  ‘Mark! Yes, we need money, but we also need a longterm solution. Selling the kammavaca is a drastic step that we may not even need to take. Sure, we didn’t see things unfolding like this but you won’t be out of work forever. We have to bite the bullet and hope —’

  ‘That’s the point, Nat. I don’t know how long it’s going to take for me to get a job again. Everyone is doing it tough, there’s been a downturn and companies are cagey. We’re not just talking about putting the renovations on hold. We’re using up all our money.’

  ‘I understand that. But we’d be in the same boat with or without the kammavaca. You were okay about returning it to the princess when it was worth a lot less.’

  Mark answered through gritted teeth. ‘Exactly. Now we know it’s worth a helluva lot more, and selling it can help us now we’re in financial trouble.’

  ‘I’m not going back on my word,’ repeated Natalie stubbornly. ‘I promised the princess that I would return it. It should never have been taken in the first place. Keeping it is wrong and so is selling it.’

  ‘If it goes back to Burma, who’s to know, and what’s to stop her from getting forty grand for it?’

  ‘Aye Aye wouldn’t sell it! It means something special to her. It’s about giving, Mark, about karma!’ retorted Natalie.

  ‘Nat, sit down, and let’s talk this through sensibly.’ Mark led her to the sofa.

  ‘Don’t treat me like a child.’

  ‘I’m not, I’m just trying to get you to see the sense of this. Perhaps that thing did come to you for a reason. And this is it. We need the money we can get by selling it. Don’t you think Uncle Andrew would have liked to help you and see some good come of his kammavaca? Help his namesake?’

  Natalie was annoyed at Mark’s calm and reasonable voice. ‘It was not hiskammavaca. He only got it so he could return it to Princess Tipi Si. There’s a very big principle involved and I’m not selling out my principle. I saw people dying for their belief in doing the right thing!’

  ‘Yes, I saw that TV coverage, too.’

  ‘It was real.Why should I compromise my beliefs and principles now, just weeks after realising what the right thing to do is? I won’t go back on my word. It’s what Uncle Andrew wanted, I know it. I’ve been given the chance to complete his journey. That’s the reason I found the kammavaca. We could have just as easily got rid of it in the clearing sale.’

  ‘But you didn’t. It’s here, and it gives us a chance to get over a rough patch,’ insisted Mark.

  ‘Mark, don’t you see? I can’t go back on my promise,’ said Natalie quietly. ‘We have a baby called Andrew because I admire my uncle and what he was trying to do. How can we teach our children about principles and standing up for what is right if I can’t lead by example?’

  ‘The old princess didn’t look after her family’s precious kammavaca! She sold it because she needed the money! What’s the difference for us?’ demanded Mark.

  ‘She regretted it straight away, Mark. I don’t want to be like that. We can’t get it back once it’s sold. I’m happy to sell anything of mine that’s worth selling if we need to but not the kammavaca.’

  Natalie stood up and walked from the room. She heard the front door close as she stood in the half-finished bathroom, the cold light of the unshaded light globe illuminating the unfinished walls and untiled floor.

  Natalie was mor
e than upset. She was hurt and angry, and frightened about the severity of their financial situation, which scared her as much as it did Mark. But the fact that he couldn’t see, or wouldn’t agree, with her point of view was like a huge boulder landing on their relationship. She knew they were both stressed and tired since Andrew’s premature birth, each out of their comfort zone, but the severity and intensity of her feelings and the stalemate she’d come up against with Mark was, she hated to admit, making her wonder just how well they knew each other.

  This was the first big test of their marriage. Her mother had always said that if things fall down, it’s almost always over money.

  Natalie had never thought of herself or Mark as being money hungry. She and Mark had sometimes giggled over the ostentatious vulgarities of style on the Gold Coast. The pampered women wearing too much jewellery and make-up, owning too big a home, too many cars and enormous boats, while ageing men in white linen pants and artificial tans escorted partners who were either too young for them or who’d had too much cosmetic surgery.

  But she and Mark had found a different lifestyle. When they’d moved into their house they’d met neighbours like Vicki and other young couples who were also struggling to raise families and make ends meet. They were making sacrifices to establish homes and build family lives that were more authentic than the shiny tourist exterior of this strip of prized Queensland coast. Perhaps she and Mark were being too ambitious. Had they taken on too much when they’d bought this house?

  Confused by all that had happened to them, she went to bed and fell into a troubled sleep. When she woke up she was surprised to find it was already 7 a.m. She could hear Mark giving the children their breakfast. Her breasts felt hard and she knew she had to express some milk.

  By the time she was ready to leave for the hospital, the children were playing outside and Mark was cleaning the kitchen.

  ‘Thanks for doing that. You’re a good father. I’m heading off now. Do you need me to do anything?’ she asked quietly.

  ‘No, dinner’s taken care of. You have Andrew’s breakfast?’