The Bone People

While conversing one day, Joe tells Kerewin that his cousin, Piri Tainui, is married with four children, but that his wife has left him, taking three of the kids with her. The conversation shifts to Simon, and Joe reveals that the boy does not have friends or play well with others, even the Tainui kids. In fact, he often gets into fights with other children. Kerewin is surprised that despite his professions of love for the boy, Joe does not seem to be interested in understanding the motivations behind such behavior.

The three go out on Kerewin’s family’s boat and fish all day. Simon is terrified at first but conquers his fear and even manages to catch a very large fish. However, in the process of reeling it in, he injures his thumb. They immediately turn back to shore, but Simon is terrified of doctors, and Joe decides it is better if he takes care of the injury himself. Kerewin stays out of the way, and Simon is hurt by her perceived indifference. Later, she tells him that she is unable to watch others suffer and would not have been able to help Joe tend to Simon’s injury.

After a shopping trip to the nearby town, Joe brings back a dartboard.