Title: Little Steps

Author: Geoff Cochrane

In: Sport 8: Autumn 1992

Publication details: Fergus Barrowman, March 1992, Wellington

Part of: Sport

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Sport 8: Autumn 1992

[section]

It is early evening on New Year's Eve.

Behind my mother's head a mirror is full of the pink of the setting sun. At my back is the odour of garden. A child squeals glee. I bend to my mother's cheek.

'The kids are having tea.'

In the breakfast area beyond the kitchen my sister's daughters sit at table. Ann stands above them. She seems taller. I kiss her, too, on the cheek. She is thinner of face, has achieved a definition she must previously have lacked. She is quick with odours, of the children and their foods, yes, but with all the scents of the garden as well, of leaves and their sap and of woodsmoke.

'I like your soap,' I say.

'What, good old Sunlight?'

We laugh together. I hold her at arm's-length to watch the little of myself there is in her. I see her again as a girl, see the curtsy in her look. With her I am at home, have made it to this annual celebration, to the place where the family meets.

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