Big End

Big End is a coming of age novella set in the midst of the Cuban missile crisis. Eric, accompanied by a recording of Bill Haley and the Comets, is assembling the reconditioned engine of his Ford 10 prior to leaving the provincial New Zealand town of his upbringing and moving to the city to begin university. His girl friend arrives to tell him of the missile crisis. Sarah is a theatrical girl about to move to London to study acting. They are deeply in love but the relationship has not been consummated. They argue over the merits of Fidel and the prospect of the end of the world, joined by Eric's mother, who suffers from the nerves and then his invalid red neck father. The sign writer brother adds to the mix when he announces that his new girl friend is Maori. Meanwhile the radio commentary continues and the end of the world threatens. That night they make love and are discovered by brother and girlfriend, who have decided to get married. A new day dawns, the crisis mounting as the Russian ships steam toward Havana and they argue about Sarah's going and their relationship. She helps him put the engine in, momentarily forgetting the world. They return to global matters to learn that the crisis has been averted. But where is the celebration in this hick town? Eric's mother instead tells them that she has had a vision of God and her nerves are feeling better and the invalid father suddenly walks again. Sarah and Eric discuss their future, with doubtful result and when Eric asks for his birth certificate, his parents have to reveal that he is an adoptee. Sarah arrives that evening for the last time and they make love again in the Ford 10.
The next day Eric waves Sarah off on the train and goes down to the river where he has spent much time during his boyhood. His brother takes him to visit his prospective wife's parents, who are rough but welcoming, before he packs his car and leaves for the city.