“Segway? You going tame in your old age?”
“Fuck off. As soon as this cast is off, we’re going hang gliding off the lighthouse at Byron. It’s a little hard to get a grip on anything right now.”
“Why can’t you use your right hand to jack off instead? Or are you worried your left one will get jealous?”
“You’re such a dickhead. Do you wanna be Paul Blart with me or not?”
Ben’s took his time answering. “Yeah, all right. I’ve always wanted to try one of those things. Let’s go be mall cops.”
The relief I felt was massive. He didn’t know my internal struggle, or how much it meant to me to have him here as I bolstered the courage to face the pain. I asked for an escape and some company, and he said yes. Simple.
Damn, it was good to have my friend back.
Ronnie
In five years, I had never taken a day off. I was entitled to a mental health day, with all the shit that had happened to me lately. Mother Nature was on her period this morning, having a major sob fest, drowning us all in her grief. It broke through the monotonous heat, so I was actually pretty happy about her misery.
“Don’t forget that box of photos under my bed. Ooh, and the washing in the dryer.” Granny reclined on the floral monstrosity, sipping a cup of tea and overseeing my last minute packing.
“You seem a bit too happy to be getting rid of me.”
“I’m ecstatic!” The wrinkles around her eyes congregated to point the way to her hairline.
“Thanks, Granny. Jeez. Lotta love comin’ at me, I don’t know if I can stand it.”
“It’s because I love you so much that I’m so pleased to be rid of you.”
“That makes no sense.”
“It will,” she sang. I hated it when she dropped cryptic little hints. Not only was it a reminder that this was a ‘normal’ exclusion zone, but it ramped up my anxiety levels about the future. I just wanted to be blissfully unaware. Like ‘normal’ people.
The ripping sound of the packing tape grated on my eardrums as I taped up the last box. I slapped my palms against my thighs, relieved to be finished. “Well, I guess I’ll start loading the car.” I looked from the boxes to Granny, alarmed to find her looking so pleased with herself. Like she set this all up. Aw, shit. Don’t tell me … No, Veronica, don’t be stupid. I reminded myself that I found the ad on my own. She had nothing to do with it. Damn it. Why does she have to mess with my head?
The sound of Granny’s giggle faded as I retreated outside with the first box. My car was parked in the visitor space about ten metres from the door. The downpour turned me to a soppy mess, instantly. My baggy grey T-shirt stuck like it was vacuum-sealed, forming wings under each arm. The moisture twisted my hair into tangled ropes. Well, this sucks.
After saying a big thank you to Granny, I headed to my new place, trepidation and a little excitement coming along for the short ride. When I pulled up in the driveway, Brad came running out with an umbrella. Little late for that. I got out of the car before he reached the bottom step, pulling the first wet box out of the back seat.
“Hi. I guess you don’t need this.”
“Nope. Thanks anyway.” I gave him a tight smile and aimed for the stairs. It was a sweet, thoughtful gesture, but I didn’t want to give him false hope that I was a nice person. My back-off signal had to be blatantly obvious.
I reached the top, surprised to find that he wasn’t behind me. My traitorous heart thumped harder when I saw Brad with a box balanced on one arm, a plastic bag full of clothes dangling off his plaster. Idiot! It was going to get wet. He kicked the door shut with his foot, and flicked his head to the side to get the wet hair out of his eyes. My stomach clenched. Aw, that’s so far from fair it’s not funny. The rain deepened the colour of his hair and stubble, adding a touch of danger, and reminding me of how he looked in the art gallery.
Brad looked up with a huge grin on his face, undeterred by the deluge. I bent to put the box on the veranda before I dropped it. My whole body shivered, despite the warm, humid air. I chose to blame the rain rather than my reaction to him. Whatever my body has decided it wanted, it just wasn’t possible. Not in the least. I wouldn’t be humiliated again.
The plastic bag rustled as he put it next to the boxes. “Thanks. You didn’t have to go out in the rain. I could’ve done it.”
“No worries. I like getting wet. It’s invigorating …” His eyes bored into mine before straying to my shirt for a second. “Are there any more?” he said to my forehead.
“No, that’s about it.” I pushed the remote locking button on my key, watching the indicators flash twice. The rain was so loud; I didn’t hear the beep.
“Seriously? Wow, you travel light.”
That’s what happens when you don’t really have a home. I turned my back on him and searched one of the boxes for a towel. Luckily, the inside was still dry, but I’d have to empty them before the water seeped through. The towel soaked quickly when I rubbed it over my head. Flipping my head upside down, I twisted the towel around my hair forming a turban. It wasn’t glamorous, but who cared?
Brad’s jeans added to the
