A MATTER OF BLOOD 1958

A BOY AND GIRL AT SCHOOL IN LONDON IN 1958 AND A MATTER OF BLOOD.

Benny met Ingrid
by the steps
down to the playground
of the lower school

she had hesitated
and looked back at him

so crowded
she said
and noisy

wait over
by the flower bed
and keep in
the quiet place

so they walked back
over by the flower bed

we can be blood friends
he said

blood friends?
she said frowning

yes a friend of mine
Jim said it was
what Injuns used
to do in the Wild West
Benny said

she looked at him intently
do what?
she asked

well we make
a small cut on our thumbs
then join them together
and exchange blood
he said

she looked horrified
cut our thumbs?
she said
her eyes large
behind her thick
lens glasses

just a small cut
he said

and exchange blood?
she said

yes
he said
taking hold
of her thumb
in his fingers
press our thumbs together
and the blood
from us both mix
and we'd be blood
brother and sister

she looked at her thumb
what if it keeps bleeding?
she said

it won't
he said
we press until it stops

she didn't look convinced
not here
she said

no no
he said
we need a knife
and I haven't one here
but I have a penknife
at home we can use

she looked at him
through her thick lens
what do I tell my dad
if he asked how
I cut my thumb?

Benny looked
at her thumb
between his fingers

we'll think of something
he said  

when would you do it?
she asked

he released her thumb
after school?
he said

where abouts?
she said

my flat
my mum'll not say
anything if you come in
he said

she looked uncertain
but my dad
what if he won't
let me out?
she said

see how it goes
he said
if you your old man
don't let you out
then we can do it
another time

she looked at him
then at her thumb
will it hurt?

no no
Benny said
me and Jim did it
we're blood-brothers now

she looked down
in the playground
at the kids at play

maybe
she said
maybe another day

ok
Benny said
and both walked on
and away.

Author's Note

PHOTO BY COLIN O'BRIEN