Mike Dixon

direction. She put down her book and wandered across try-
ing to appear casual. Her mother was worried that David
would make off in his disturbed state and try to live in the
wilderness away from the stresses of the world. She knew of
such a case, following a car accident, and it had ended in
tragedy.
Rebecca reached his side and stood for a while before
saying anything. When she did his reaction was mixed. David
was clearly put out by her intrusion but pleased to have
her company. Their conversation was strained and it was a
while before she got it going. The topic was bush tucker.
David‟s knowledge of the foods of the Australian bush was
surprising. He knew which plants were safe and he knew
about their nutritional properties. Rebecca couldn‟t make
him out. He seemed so vulnerable but the more they talked
the more she was impressed by what he knew. David was
clearly very competent and interested in everything that
went on about him.
For a while he was almost relaxed. He asked about her
grandparents in the Torres Straits and talked about his family
in Canberra. She told him she was about to begin univer-
sity there. Things were starting to look good. David asked
what people ate in the Torres Straits and she asked how he
knew so much about bush food.
Then the conversation went badly wrong. It seemed that
he had learnt from a friend who had been in the army. As he
talked, his expression became more rigid. Rebecca was horrified
by the transformation and guessed David‟s trauma had
something to do with the friend. His mind was tugging in opposite
directions. One part wanted to retreat and the other
wanted to speak about his problems.
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