Читать книгу Female Snipers - Greg Pius - Страница 4

Nahid welcomed her new comrade from the hall meeting. In a casual tone of voice she said

"Welcome to our home Florence. I am so glad you could come to share our modest lunch."

Still slightly embarrassed about how she had given this woman such a hard time at the hall meeting, Florence Schulz said in an apologetic tone of voice,

"After my questioning yesterday it is I who should be glad that you were able to forgive me my rudeness. I cannot apologize enough for getting your intentions so wrong. Then to invite me to lunch at your home...I am humbled. Thank you."

Shaking her head Nahid said in a firm but friendly tone of voice

"Between comrades there is no need for apologies. When I was over in Australia in my refugee camp I would have done exactly what you did. You were right when you said that most speakers just lecture without any empathy."

Still unsure of herself in this woman's presence Florence said in a hesitant tone of voice,

"I brought my pumpkin scones as a sort of apology present. I hope that was okay. I know you said not to bring anything but I felt so naked with nothing to give in return."

A warm smile now lit up Nahid's face as she said in a pleased tone of voice,

"I love pumpkin scones. You cannot find them in the shops over here. Thank you so much. We will share them after lunch over a large cup of tea just the two of us. Now come in to the living room to meet my family."

Without another word the two women walked into a crowded living room. There was a large man, one teenage girl, one young boy, three dogs and a kitten sitting in various parts of that room spaces Nahid opened up the introductions by saying in a proud tone of voice,

"Family this is my friend Florence Schutz. Please make her welcome in our house. Florence the big lug of a man is Thomas Fitzgerald known to all as Fiery Fitz. That beautiful young woman is my second oldest with the pretty name of Analasise but we call her Ana. The handsome boy is my youngest whose name is Francis but we call him Frankie. The dogs are Pippa, Ruby and Bella. The kitten is called Roo. Family this is the leader of the rebel women's refugee alliance in this district."

Florence was swamped with hellos and smiles. The dogs barked and the kitten rubbed against her leg. Then they all start asking her questions at the same time. Nahid moved in to rescue Florence from this barrage.

"Enough with the questions everyone. Florence is having lunch with us so you can ask your questions one at a time. But it is up to Florence to decide if she wants to satisfy your curiosity. Is that clear? Yes Fitz I am looking at you."

The sheepish looks from everyone of Nahid's family members made it abundantly clear who the boss was in this family. Even the dogs stop barking when she gave them that look. Having re-established calm in the lounge room she announced in a happy tonre of voice,

"Lunch is served everyone. Make your way to the table but ladies first and guests get to sit wherever they like, so no complaints about seating arrangements. Fitz can you serve the drinks? Ana I need your help serving. Florence just tell Fitz what you want to drink. Everyone to the table to enjoy good food and good company."

Automatically Nahid's family did as she said, as Florence found herself seated and pampered. The food flowed out of the kitchen. Being winter the entrée was soup. A traditional French onion soup done with baked bread was served to all at the table which was covered in a beautifully woven cloth. The cutlery was sterling silver! The plates were fine bone china. There were pottery mustard pots, silver salt and pepper shakers, honey filled small bowls, sugar bowls ,everything imaginable at lunch time in New Zealand. Florence was swamped with sights and sounds of a normal family party luncheon.

The main course was lamb done in a lemon sauce with rosemary gravy. Florence was given the choice of jacket potatoes, baby peas, halved carrots, mint sauce and sweet potatoes. The plates were large enough to accommodate generous servings of food. Fitz poured red wine into Florence's glass before giving the children fruit juice. Voices rose in volume and laughter rang out as the family forget about interrogating Florence, accepting her like a family friend.

Dessert found almost full stomachs but was too delicious to refuse. Nahid had baked a large apple pie glazed over with plum jam. There was a choice of rich creamy ice cream or custard or both. The afters for the children was chocolate cup cakes. The adults had their choice of cheeses with savory biscuits. Coffee was served with even little Frankie having his mugacino.

Finally no one could eat anymore so they began to drift away from the table. Nahid did the tea as she took the scones out of her oven. Adding jam and cream she brought this to a special table in the kitchen. There Florence sat with her as they talked of many things. Eventually Florence got around to asking Nahid's advice. In a relaxed tone of voice she said,

"Some of the older rebel women who were with you in tht refugee camp in Australia told me that you ran an effective women's protective squad. They said you reduced the incidence of rape and assault down to almost zero. We are having big problems in this very area. Can you tell me how you were so successful in such cramped conditions?"

Knowing full well that this was a serious problem, Nahid assumed a concerned tone of voice as she said,

"We had to institute a zero tolerance policy. Tried to nip it in the bud before violence became an issue. So we patrolled shared spaces to crack down hard on bullying intimidation verbal harassment and inappropriate behaviors. Any sexual assault was punished severely and publically. Simply put we got it across to the sexual predators that 'NO' meant "NOT EVER'. then we educated men to realize that inappropriate touchings and crudeness were never permissible."

Impressed beyond belief, Florence found herself whistling out aloud. She covered her outburst by asking some clarification questions in a surprised tone of voice.

"Surely the men objected? Did you have to get violent to stop the real bad ones? What about retribution to female relatives?"

Answering these questions in the order that they were put to her Nahid said in a suddenly rock hard tone of voice,

"We made it abundantly clear to all the men that offenders would face severe penalties. Yes violence was needed. Any paybacks from male relatives were dealt with as separate offences and punished with hard penalties."

Florence now understood why the older women had rushed to Nahid's defense. There is little things worse than sexual harassment and assault when you are living in a tent in a refugee camp. If Nahid all but stamped this out then she really was a wonder woman. Florence acknowledged this by saying in an awed tone of voice,

"You are an inspiration to rebels both here and in Australia. Thank you for sharing that with me."

Blushing Nahid said in reply using a conspiratorial tone of voice,

"Florence you will be a great rebel leader. I have faith in you. My days are long gone but your day is coming. Thank you for your friendship."

Later as Florence was saying her goodbyes Nahid came up to her to give her a big hug. There were tears of gratitude in Florence's eyes as she walked to her car. She thought that with rebel women like Nahid Fitzgerald to act as role models the rebel cause had to succeed.