“That was my mother. And … my sisters.”
Ronnie
“Are you sure you’re okay to drive? We could’ve done this another time.” Granny’s hand squeezed my elbow in a soothing gesture.
“I’m fine.”
Keeping my eyes on the road, I flexed and relaxed my fingers on the steering wheel in a refusal to let that woman get to me. It was the shock of finding out that I had sisters that made me feel like I’d been through a spin cycle. I’d never get to know those girls. I thought my mother no longer had the power to hurt me … I was wrong. They knew what it was like to have a father and a mother who loved them. I bet they were close with my mother’s parents, too. Their father was acceptable, where my father never was.
“I honestly didn’t see that one coming. It has always been difficult to tune in to your mother. I hope she’s treating those girls better than she treated you.”
“I guess we’ll never know. I’d really appreciate it if you’d change the subject.”
She put her hand back in her lap. “Okay, sweetie. I’m looking forward to meeting your new beau.”
Oh, good Lord!
“He’s not my beau. He’s my housemate. Please don’t embarrass me. I do have to live with this man.” For now, anyway. I shifted down a gear and tapped on the indicator to enter Moggill Road. Granny vibrated with excitement, all dolled up in a flowing kaftan.
“Why would I embarrass you? Always be yourself when you first meet someone. That way, you sift out the people who don’t click with you. Will save you a lot of pain later, believe me. Why would you waste your time and energy on someone who wants you to be something you’re not?”
A timely stop at a red light gave her words a chance to penetrate. If only my father had taken that advice. Then, I wouldn’t exist today. I wouldn’t be struggling with his legacy. The ‘gift’ that was the catalyst in his demise.
“Stop it. I know what you’re thinking. Your father made his choice. When the heart latches on to someone, it can become an addiction. If he had taken his time and stood back a little, he would have realised that your mother wasn’t in love with him like he was with her. He would’ve had a chance to save his heart for someone who’d truly cherish it. But, you were absolutely meant to exist, Veronica. You’re going to do great things.”
We drove over the Walter Taylor Bridge, and I tried to focus on the road, though I was unnerved by what she said. I wanted to pretend I didn’t hear her, but Granny’s expression was a mix of determination and compassion as she scanned my face.
“I don’t want to do great things. I just want to keep my head down and get through each day.”
“That’s a really good strategy for getting through tough times, but it’s not a good plan for life. That’s a one-way street to depression. Life is for finding your purpose and fulfilling it. Take a risk, live loud, be you. Like-minded people will come along, and you will get to help each other on the journey.” Again, she reached over to squeeze my elbow, my skin absorbing the infusion of calm.
The closer we got to the meet and greet, the more terrified I became of Brad finding out my little secret. My hands ached from gripping the steering wheel. I turned into the driveway and parked next to his ute. Granny waited for me to come around to help her out, her movements stiff, impaired by a metal hip and aged, brittle bones. After a bit of shuffling, she made it to the edge of the seat and I scooped her out, holding her by the elbows until she was steady enough to take the walking stick. I didn’t think of the stairs when I moved in here. We’d have to take it slow.
She hooked her hand through the crook of my arm. When I moved towards the stairs, she tugged me towards the side of the house instead. I used my free hand to open the gate, and push the palm leaves out of our way. My shoulders bunched and my throat emitted a grunt when I saw who Granny was heading for. Brad’s Gran was waiting on the bench seat in the back garden.
“Hello, Martha,” Granny offered in greeting.
“You two know each other?”
“Of course. We used to play Mahjong.” She eased herself into the space beside her departed friend.
Oh, here we go. This was exactly what I was worried about. I positioned myself to the side in an attempt to transform my body into a screen. I hoped he’d heard my car and gone to unlock the front door. If he was standing at the kitchen window, it might look like I was showing Granny the garden, and she’d needed a rest. I crossed my fingers.
“Keep your voice down.”
“Relax. He’s out front, wandering around. He can’t hear us.” She flapped her hand at me.
“You look well, Amelia.”
“Thank you, my dear. I assume you’re staying to make sure young Bradlee is taken care of?”
Martha smiled, dipping her head at Granny before looking at me. “I’m very pleased to see you again.” Her pronunciation was like polished silver. This was a classy lady.
“I didn’t have much choice, at the time.”
“Psh. We always have a choice. This was the best one. Meant to be.” Granny’s self-assured smile did nothing to appease me, before she dropped a bombshell. “Didn’t I tell you all those years ago, Amelia?”
“Wait, what?” I set my hands on my hips, frowning.
“There you are!” Brad came around the side of the house.
I was too confused to
