Nostalgic Reflections on Redfern. Autumn , 2015, Based on a true story
Visiting my terminally ill sister who had a unit in building behind the Mounted police complex in redfern/surrey hills,. She wanted to take walk to park near redfern oval where she had some trees she loved to draw, and had done some kind of art classes nearby.
Beautiful Autumn day ,casually strolling down there, Im dressed in dress pants and shirt ( not my ussual attire -certainly not my work attire!) Anyway passed a scruffy looking gentleman in shorts and singlet with plastic bag . As he walks past he growls ." Better not come back here after dark ! Your kind gets found with a knife in the guts! "
Pleased that a local wanted to start a pleasant conversation , I replied pleasantly... "Dont forget to take your medication before your appointment with your parole Officer ! " welllll !!!.... Im my worst own enemy sometimes ! He stopped and let fly with a tirade of threats , challenges etc etc, and I kept walking , my ears finely attuned for expected sound of approaching running feet and woosh of a knife cutting through the air to lodge between my ribs. Still had pretty good Bladder control back then so no accidents there. Did make a note for future reference , Discretion is better part of valour , or something like that. He was a white man too so wasnt racial.