I mumbled like you’ve never heard a man mumble before.

Fax from J to S (J always posted letters, to receive a fax meant it was an ’emergency situation’   Friday 7 June 1996  17:16 Hey Sis, Mum took off about 40 minutes ago, so you’re probably all excited and everything, and I don’t mean to bring you down, but I’ve got this kind of emergency situation goin’ on and I could use some advice. … Continue reading I mumbled like you’ve never heard a man mumble before.

I’ve signed the divorce papers.

From: ‘Mum’ Sent: 1 Feb 1996 3:22PM To: ‘S’ Subject: Thanks for your messages, this is the first opportunity I have had to get into the computer room, it was down for a while and we have been so bloody busy!  Got a wedding to go to tomorrow – am having the arvo off.  Thank heavens, or I think I might throw a wobbly at … Continue reading I’ve signed the divorce papers.

My Book of Life – no platitudes or clichés here.

Monday, 24 August 1992 Dear Sis, Yet another boring lunchtime, nowhere to go, nothing to do, well nothing inexpensive anyway.  How goes it in the Great Land of the Unwashed?  Mum told me you and Jack are buying a house and maybe renting it out.  Good move Big Sis, I can see you beating down the door and smacking some pensioner over the head, screaming … Continue reading My Book of Life – no platitudes or clichés here.

It’s not my party, but I’m still gonna cry about it.

Tuesday, 18 August 1992 Hey Sis, Your second letter in two days! It’s just that I only get half an hour for lunch so by the time I actually get anywhere it’s always time to come back so I figured I’d start another letter, it burns time. It’s Mara’s 21st party thingy on Saturday night, something I’m not looking forward to. Ma says it’s formal … Continue reading It’s not my party, but I’m still gonna cry about it.

Bad news letters from mum are always hand written.

7 February 1992 Dear S I know that this is going to be the hardest letter I have ever had to write. I have asked your Dad to leave the house.  The reason for this is that on Thursday night of last week I had been out and have had a feeling for some time that Dad was still seeing Lilith.  I drove around to … Continue reading Bad news letters from mum are always hand written.