Underbelly by G. Johanson Page A

annoyance.
    “ That was eight weeks ago!” he said hot-headedly, “Those positions are gone now.”
    “ I thought it was last week.”
    “ For goodness sake, it was two months ago!”
    “ Is there any work at your store?” Germaine asked Shirley, thinking that she could work to help contribute.
    “ I don’t think so, dear.”
    “ Me and your mother will let you stay for a month here rent free but after that you’ll have to start paying your way,” Abner said firmly.
    “ That’s fine,” Grey said, finding it fair.
    “ If you’ve any sense, son, you’ll go and ask at the canners tomorrow. Jobs are like gold dust now – get in before more troops get back,” Abner said, advising him with his best interests in mind.
    “ I hear what you’re saying, Dad, You’re right, I should pull my weight, and we’re certainly not here to sponge off you. I’m not looking for a permanent job because the tour takes priority but I’ll take something for a couple of weeks.”
    “ Don’t tell them that. If you can get a permanent position you should stick at it,” Abner said.
    “ He’s right,” Shirley said. “Opportunities are hard to come by nowadays.”
    “ If they take me on I’ll play it by ear,” he said, smiling at Germaine. She was unhappy with the idea and told him so when he took her for a late stroll. She had acted as his nurse and primary carer for a long time and she felt it was too soon for him to start full time work, especially manual labour. Grey swept her up in his arms and kept walking as he carried her, a show of strength.
    “ I am a lot better, Germaine.”
    “ You might have to lift heavier things than me, and for long times.”
    “ It’s a cannery, they make tinned goods – it probably won’t be much heavy lifting. I know my limitations and if I think it’s beyond me I won’t do it.”
    “ All right, James, it’s your decision. You probably are ready, I’m just thinking how bored I’ll be without you around.”
    “ I’ll miss you too, but a man’s gotta work, especially this man because I want to provide for you – nothing could motivate me more than that. They might give me short shrift; as I say, I hope not, because I want to treat you to the high life – or as close to that as I can get on factory wages!”
    “ I know you want to work and I do support you. If your mother lets me do the household I’ll be fine.”
    “ I can’t see her doing that – she takes a bizarre satisfaction in doing the arduous chores herself. It’s an American affliction, Gem, where the women are perversely house-proud, to the level where their greatest joy is seeing a clean, well run house.”
    “ I can understand that.”
    “ I can, up to a point. I’m talking about fanaticism where this desire for domestic perfection is your whole life – Mom’s got a job so she’s not as terminally affected as some.”
    “ I can still see the appeal – does that mean I’m turning American already?” she joked.
    “ There’s worse fates,” Grey replied. Over time she would take on mannerisms and attitudes of his home country, which he found a sweet prospect, while keeping her exotic edge. Their critics (quite a few members of the community tacitly disapproved of their union and the breakneck speed which this French girl had made it across the ocean, ahead of serving soldiers and all other war brides) could go hang.
 
    Grey was taken on at the cannery, though he was informed when he was hired that his job belonged to another man and would be his if he returned, which Grey had no problem with, not intending to stay forever anyway. Grey’s prediction was wrong and Shirley welcomed Germaine’s contributions around the house, finding her very able – she was not quite as meticulous at cleaning, but she performed most household tasks well. After a shaky start all four of the Greys made more of a conscious effort, the two Mrs Grey’s working on their husbands to achieve peace, Shirley suggesting to