Chapter 17
SEVENTEEN
Mikeand I hold hands as we make our way up the winding gravel path leading to the main house. Cain and Nate follow closely behind us, their footsteps crunching on the rocky surface. As we walk through the small forest, the air is filled with the soothing sounds of rustling leaves and chirping birds. The scent of pine and fresh earth surrounds us, rejuvenating our senses. As we approach the house, I step forward to push the door open, but it’s already pulled open before I can do so, with Amara standing there. “Miss Tessie!” she exclaims in her thick Greek accent, her face lighting up with joy as she rushes forward to embrace me.
I embrace her tightly, feeling the warmth of her body against mine. Looking at her, I notice she hasn’t aged a day since I last saw her. Her gorgeous, sun-kissed skin glistens in the light and her midnight black hair is elegantly pulled back into a tight bun with many strands of gray peeking through. I’ve always been captivated by how her body curves in all the right places as I hold her.
Amara steps back and looks at me with surprise. “Miss Tessie, it’s been years…” she says, her eyes widening. She then turns to the trio and says, “Oh, you must be the gentlemen. Miss Mavis has told me everything.”
The trio nod their heads and wave.
I interrupt her, saying, “Please, Amara, you don’t have to refer to me as Miss Tessie. I tell you every time.” Amara giggles and gestures towards the kitchen, saying, “Come, come...Miss Mavis has cooked you breakfast.” She leads us into the kitchen where the aroma of freshly cooked food fills the air.
As we walk into the kitchen the aroma of freshly cooked breakfast food fills the air. The island in the center of the room is adorned with a colorful display of ripe fruits, sizzling bacon, spongy pancakes, and perfectly toasted bread. My eyes widen in amazement as I gaze at the magnificent spread of food. I turn my head and notice my nan standing by the stove. “Nan, you’ve cooked everything you’ve got,” I exclaim in awe.
She turns around with a warm smile and replies, “No, dear. This is just breakfast. I didn’t know what the guys like, so I cooked a little bit of everything.”
Mike pulls out a stool and takes a seat by the island. “It looks amazing, Mavis,” he compliments, his eyes scanning the array of food in front of him.
Nate pulls out a stool and takes a seat while saying, “Mavis, you really didn’t have to go through all this trouble.” My grandmother turns around and elegantly places a jug of freshly squeezed orange juice on the kitchen island with a gentle smile. “It’s no trouble at all, dear,” she replies warmly.
Meanwhile, Amara gracefully walks over to Cain and introduces herself. “You must be Mr. Cain. Miss Mavis mentioned you have very distinctive, dark eyes. Would you like a coffee?”
Cain’s eyes shift from side to side nervously before he finally responds, “Uh, yes, please.”
We all gather around the large kitchen island while my nan cooks up something on the stove and Amara prepares coffee.
My nan starts pouring the contents of a pot into a large porcelain jug. “I made hot chocolate, I know it used to be your favorite, Tessie,” she says with a warm smile, placing the jug on the island and sitting on a nearby stool.
The sight of the steaming hot chocolate brings back fond memories of my childhood. “Nan... You didn’t have to,” I say, grateful for her thoughtfulness.
As I turn my attention to the trio, I notice them hungrily devouring the delicious food that my nan has prepared. Their eyes light up with pleasure as they savor each bite.
“Did you sleep okay?” my nan asks, looking around the island with a caring expression.
“Yeah, I slept fine. The bedroom is still cozy as ever.”
“Mike, how did you find the size of the bed being so tall?” my nan asks, sipping her juice.
I pause for a moment, trying to remember the previous night. Mike and Nate slept in separate rooms while Cain and I shared a bed.
“I’m used to bending my legs in bed now,” Mike replies with a chuckle. My nan nods.
“Cain, Nate...How did you find your rooms?”
“Uhh, yeah. My room is lovely, thank you,” Cain says, taking a bite of his toast.
Nate nods in agreement, looking up from his plate of bacon. “Yeah, my room is great, too. The view from the window was amazing.”
“That’s what I like to hear. So tell me a bit about yourself then. What do you do for work, Mike?”
Taking a deep breath he replies, “I am a professor at the local college. I teach sports theory.” My nan seems intrigued by this and turns her attention to Cain. “Oh, interesting. What about you, Cain?” she inquires.
Cain looks up from his plate of food and responds, “I am a police sergeant.”
Nan raises an eyebrow and remarks, “Oh, really? Bet you have seen some questionable things.”
She then turns to Nate, who has been quietly enjoying his meal. “And what do you do, Nate?” she asks.
“I’m a gas engineer, but I also do odd jobs as a handyman,” Nate responds.
Nan looks around the island, sipping her juice as she does so. “You all have good jobs, then...Tessie, are you still working in customer service, dear?” she asks, a hint of concern in her voice.
I nod and explain that I am working part-time while studying at college. As we chat, Amara walks over to the island, her hands full with a cup of coffee for Cain. “Here you go, Mr. Cain.” she smiles, placing the cup in front of him. Cain thanks her, taking a sip of the freshly brewed coffee.
Suddenly, Amara turns to Nan and asks, “Miss Mavis, did you want me to go shopping for you?”
Nan thinks for a moment before replying, “Oh no, it’s okay, Amara. I will take Tessie with me. Make it a ladies’ day.”
My grandmother redirects her gaze towards me and asks, “So, Tessie, college? Oh wait, did you meet Mike there?” Her tone is playful and a smug expression spreads across her face. I find myself at a loss for words, unsure how to respond to her question.
“Actually, it wasn’t at college where I first saw her,” Mike explains. He then tells a lie. “It was in a crowded club. Amidst the flashing lights and pulsing beats, she stood out like a shining star. I couldn’t take my eyes off her.” As he speaks, I glance over at Cain and he playfully rolls his eyes.
Meanwhile, my nan looks at Mike with warmth and affection. “That’s so sweet,” she exclaims. “What did you do then? Did you ask her to dance?”
Mike grins at the memory. “Yes, I did. And she said yes...”
At this point, Nate decides to interject with a teasing comment. “Don’t let him fool you, Mavis. His dancing skills are rubbish.”
A sudden burst of laughter erupts from our group. Amidst all the jokes and giggles, I feel Cain’s hand on my thigh. I quickly glance at my nan, hoping she doesn’t notice our subtle intimacy.
Suddenly, my nan interrupts our jovial moment, asking Nate for a favor. “Nate, dear,” she calls out, “Could I be cheeky and ask you to look at a leak in my bathroom?” Without hesitation, Nate agrees to help out. “Of course, no problem,” he responds politely. “I will need to run into town and get some bits from the hardware store, though.” Nan thanks him for his kindness and explains that she’ll be taking me out for the day.
“Amara will be here if you need anything. Feel free to play in the game room, help yourself to food, or take a walk on the grounds. We still have the ATVs in the barn, feel free to use them in the forest,” she says.
As soon as my nan mentioned the availability of the ATVs, the expressions on the trio’s faces changed utterly. Their eyes widened excitedly and their lips curled into wide grins. Evidently, the idea of riding ATVs had sparked something in them.
As my nan gets up from the stool, she apologizes, “You will have to forgive me. I need to go and ask Amara something.”
Nate smiles, waits for her to leave the kitchen, and asks me, “So...Tessie. How were cops and robbers last night?”
I can’t help but smirk at Cain and respond, “I enjoyed it…being gagged.”
They all look at each other and snigger.
I ask them if I will be okay going out with my nan. Cain reassures me, “Yeah. We are far away from home. You are safe here.” He then takes a sip of his coffee.
We approach the old, rustic, brown wooden barn. Cain and Nate take hold of the heavy doors and push them open with great effort. The hinges creak in protest as the doors finally give way, revealing a long-neglected interior. Dust and cobwebs cling to every surface like the barn has been abandoned for years. But as our eyes adjust to the dim light, we notice something that catches our attention: three gleaming ATVs parked neatly in a row and bathed in the bright sunlight streaming in from a small gap in the roof.
Nate casually hands his cigarette to Cain as he takes a deep drag. Meanwhile, Nate hops on a sleek, blue ATV and turns it on. “Whoa, I can’t believe they’re starting,” he exclaims with excitement.
Without hesitation, I jump on a vibrant, red ATV, and with one swift kick, it roars to life. Cain finishes the cigarette and crushes it under his boot before hopping on a powerful, black ATV. But it doesn’t start. He tries again, but still, nothing happens. Just as he’s about to give up, the engine suddenly roars to life. “Third time’s a charm,” he says with a grin before riding out of the barn.
I follow Cain’s lead and speed out of the rustic barn. The adrenaline rush is palpable as I hear Nate’s ATV revving behind us. Our journey takes us deep into the dense forest, with every bump causing my body to jolt up and down. I have to be quick and agile, dodging the branches that loom overhead by quickly ducking at the right moment. As I focus ahead, I can see Cain in the distance, his figure getting closer and closer as he races forward with unmatched speed.
The roaring sound of the ATV engine fills the air as Cain sharply turns to the left. I follow his lead, the wind blowing through my hair. As we speed through the dense forest, Cain slams on the brakes. My heart races in my chest as I try to catch my breath. We all stare in awe at what we see in front of us–a magnificent tree house perched high up in the branches of a towering tree. Its wooden beams and rustic charm make it look like something straight out of a storybook.
Cain eagerly leaps off the ATV and scales the ladder with determined strides as me and Nate watch from below. Nate calls out a warning for Cain to be cautious. Despite the warning, Cain continues his ascent, his grip tight and his eyes fixed on the treehouse. Suddenly, one of the ladder’s steps gives way beneath him, causing Cain to lose his balance and nearly fall. With all his strength, Cain manages to steady himself and pull himself up to the treehouse platform. He pants and he lets out a groan of relief.
Cain eagerly leans over the sturdy, wooden rail of the treehouse, beckoning us up with a spirited wave of his arm. Without hesitation, I take the lead and make my way up the ladder, each rung creaking under my weight. As I reach the top, I’m greeted with a breathtaking view of the surrounding forest and the guesthouse in the distance. The scenery is simply mesmerizing, and for a moment, I’m lost in the beauty of it all. Nate’s voice breaks the spell as he climbs up after me, his eyes widening in awe as he takes in the stunning view. “Nice,” he breathes.
Nate reaches into his pocket and pulls out a pack of cigarettes. The crinkling sound of the plastic wrapper fills the air. “Seriously...All you do is smoke. Why don’t you quit?” I ask, my arms crossed in front of my chest. The smoke from Nate’s cigarette lingers in the air, filling my lungs with a stale smell. “Yeah, Nate. Why don’t you quit…” Cain sarcastically says, a smirk on his face.
I turn to Cain, scowling. “You can shut up,” I snap jokily, my eyes narrowing at him.
Cain pushes open the door to the treehouse and it emits a loud creak that echoes through the silent forest. The interior of the treehouse is dark and gloomy; we can barely see anything inside. I push Cain ahead of me and follow him inside, our eyes slowly adjusting to the dim light. As we look around, we notice a small bed tucked away in the corner of the treehouse, covered with a thin blanket and some old cushions. Curiously, I ask Cain, “Do you think Tessie used to play in here when she was younger?” Cain shrugs his shoulders and sits on the old, rusted metal bed as it lets out a loud, high-pitched squeak. Suddenly, my attention is drawn towards something lying near his foot. “What’s that near your foot?” I ask, pointing toward an old notebook that seems to be sticking out from underneath the bed. Cain picks up the notebook and begins to flip through its pages, reading its contents intently. Intrigued, I join him on the bed, hoping to glimpse what’s written inside.
Cain is deeply engrossed in reading the notebook. He mumbles something under his breath and I can’t help but ask him what he’s reading. “Oh...Tessie,” he replies, still scanning the contents of the page. I try to peek over his shoulder to catch a glimpse of what’s written in the diary, but he seems guarded.
“What?” I prod him, curious to know more.
“It’s Tessie’s diary. Guess what...She lost her virginity in this treehouse,” Cain says with a mischievous glint in his eye. I can’t believe what I’m hearing and let out a chuckle. Just then, Nate walks in and inquires about what’s going on.
Cain shares, “She lost it on this bed. She says how it hurt and only lasted two minutes.”
“Ah man, that’s kinda cute, dude,” I express.
Cain passes the notebook to Nate, reads it, and chuckles, “Well...Well…”
Nate leisurely flips through the pages of a small notebook, his lips curling up into a smirk. After a few moments, he hands the notebook to Cain and places it on the bed. The room falls silent. Cain breaks the silence by asking Nate directly, “Did you really tell her you loved her?” Nate nods with a closed smile, indicating that it is true. Cain’s eyes squint slightly as he fires another question, “Did she say it back?” Nate nods. “She did,” he said, the weight of his confession hanging heavy in the air.
I look at Cain with a curious expression and ask, “Do you love her?” Cain stands up from the bed, puts his hands in his pocket, and shrugs. His face is tense and his eyes avoid Nate’s gaze.
“The last woman I thought loved me put me in foster care,” he mutters, the pain still fresh in his mind.
Nate doesn’t let it go and insists, “You didn’t answer the question, Cain…” Cain takes a deep breath and huffs, “Listen, love is uhh…a strong word. Alright?” he says, his voice trailing off as he disappears outside.
Nate and I exchange a knowing glance, the corners of our lips tugging upward in a smirk. It was evident that he held a deep affection for her, perhaps even love, but his fear of vulnerability prevented him from expressing his emotions. It’s not hard to see that Cain has a history of being guarded when it comes to emotions, especially when it involves women. I can’t help but sympathize with him.
I step outside and make my way to the wooden rail where he is leaning. His back is against the rail and he stands there with his arms crossed. He looks at me and says, “You’ve never admitted if you love her…” I avoid direct eye contact and shift my gaze from side to side, searching for an answer.
After a moment, I reply, “I’ve only ever loved my family and one other person. I’d die for her. I think that says a lot.”
We both stand there, facing the treehouse in front of us. Cain seems to be momentarily lost in thought, trying to process what I had just said. “One other person?” he asks, clearly confused. I look at him with a tear in my eye, and without saying anything, he places his hand on my shoulder.
“Rhett…” he guesses correctly.
I quickly wipe away the tears and look down at the ground. After a moment of silence, I utter a quiet yeah and finally look up to meet Cain’s gaze. I feel vulnerable and exposed, hoping that he doesn’t judge me. He gives me a gentle pat, but I shrug him off, not wanting to show any weakness. “It’s fine,” I reassure him, my voice shaky.
Suddenly, Nate emerges from the treehouse holding a dark green bear. “Look! I think I found Tessie’s bear,” he exclaims, holding it up for us to see. Cain and I can’t help but laugh at the sight of it. “We have to tease her about that,” Cain says, taking the bear from Nate.
Nate interrupts our laughter. “Come on guys, let’s get outta here,” he says.
Nan and I are sitting in the cozy coffee shop which has remained unchanged since childhood. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee fills the air and the interior, though old and worn out, exudes a certain charm. The walls are painted in shades of brown, giving the place a warm and inviting feel. Despite the lack of customers, the place is bustling with activity, with the sound of coffee machines and muffled chatter providing a comforting background noise.
I sink my teeth into the rich chocolate cake that Nan has bought for me. She speaks up, her coffee cup held firmly in her hands.
“Mike is a lovely boy. How long have you two been together?” she asks, sipping her coffee. My mind races as I try to come up with an answer. I take a deep breath and lie, “A couple of months.”
Nan smiles at me, her eyes softening. “He loves you, I can tell,” she says tenderly. I smile back at her, feeling a lump form in my throat. I take another bite of the decadent chocolate cake, savoring the bittersweet flavor on my tongue.
“That Cain has intense eyes, doesn’t he?” she remarks, her gaze lost in thought. I nod in agreement, spearing a piece of cake with my fork.
Nan gently places her cup on the table and reaches across to take hold of my hands. I can feel the warmth of her touch as she holds them firmly on the table. She looks directly into my eyes with a look of concern etched on her face. “Tessie, dear. Is everything okay? Are you in some kind of trouble? Do you need any help or money?” she asks in a soft and caring voice.
I take a deep breath and try to reassure her, “Nan, everything is fine. I am not in any trouble and I do not need any money. We are just here to take a break from our routine.”
After holding my hands for a moment, she looks at me with a thoughtful expression and then slowly releases them. “If you ever need someone to talk to, I’m here,” she says kindly. I feel a warm gratitude towards her for offering to lend an ear.
My nan asks me if the boys will enjoy eating steak and chips for dinner. I reassure her that they are not picky eaters and will enjoy whatever meal she prepares for them.
She inquires about the well-being of my mother and brother. I can’t help but feel a bit uneasy as my nan and mom haven’t spoken to each other for years now; it’s still a touchy subject. Nevertheless, I try to answer her question as honestly as I can. I explain that my brother is going down a dark path, and unfortunately, he doesn’t seem interested in changing his ways.
I take the last bite of my cake. I turn to Nan and sincerely apologize for my mother’s lack of communication over the past few years. I feel terrible that we missed her recent birthday and share with her how guilty I feel about not trying to stay in touch with her since moving out of my mother’s house.
“I don’t understand why your mother wants nothing to do with me, Tessie,” she says, her eyes filled with tears. I reach out for her hand.
“She always told me it was because you didn’t help us when we were struggling financially,” I reply.
Before I can say anything else, my nan interrupts me and says, “I didn’t help? That’s not true! I’ve been sending money every month for you and Timmy since you were babies, and I still do.”
I’m confused and taken aback by her revelation. “Wait, what?” I say, trying to make sense of it all.
My nan nods in affirmation.
“I know Grandad helped me when I had to move out,” I say.
“Dear, me and grandad always helped. Your mother said to us she always took you on holidays abroad with the money.”
My brother and I only went on one holiday with my mom to a caravan park when I was young. It hits me. The money my nan sent my mom was used on her boyfriends and jet set lifestyle. It’s hard to believe what I’m hearing. My mother has been lying to me all these years. This whole time, my nan has been silently supporting me and my brother without us even knowing it.
During my childhood, I spent my summer vacations at my grandmother’s place with my cousin, Florence. However, there was a strange pattern to these visits. My mother would always instruct me to lie to my grandmother by telling her we had been on a foreign holiday. At the time, I was young and I didn’t understand the reason for this deception. I thought perhaps my mother was trying to impress my grandmother by making it seem like she was taking us on exotic trips and had money. My mother stopped me from going to my grandmother’s when I was fifteen. I always thought it was because she might have found out I lost my virginity in the tree house. However, it makes sense now my mother knew I would have caught on to her lies.
Looking back at my grandfather’s funeral, my mother seemed to be on high alert and hardly allowed me to converse with Nan. She constantly kept an eye on me as if I was about to do something wrong.
My mother has fed me so many lies over the years about my nan and grandad refusing to help that she made me hate them. She said Nan and Grandad only helped once with my moving costs because she begged them. However, looking back now, I think it’s because I picked up the phone to Grandad by chance before my mother could.
How naive and dumb was I not to see something was going on with my mother’s lies? I am so angry with her.
“I am deeply sorry, Nan,” I say as I tightly hold her hands. I explain to my grandmother that neither my brother nor I ever saw any money. I explain that my mother likely spent it on her boyfriends, weddings, and lifestyle.
Nan rubs her fingers over my hand, saying, “It’s not your fault. Knowing this explains a lot of things now, though.” Her comforting touch and words ease some of the weight off of my shoulders. She adds, “What matters most is that we have the opportunity to spend time together now.” The warmth in her voice makes me feel grateful for her presence in my life.
She rises from the chair, looks at me, and says, “Come on, let’s cheer up and go clothes shopping. My treat.” Her hand reaches for her bag and I can see the excitement in her eyes. It seems like she has been waiting for this moment for a long time, and now that it’s finally here, she can’t wait to get going.
I wipe my damp palms on a blue cloth, slinging it over my shoulder before entering the game room. The sound of an old record player fills the air with classic tunes as I spot Mike and Cain engrossed in a game of pool. Cain stands with a cue in his hand, his eyes focused on the table. Mike leans over the table, calculating his next shot. Walking towards them, I inform them, “The tap had come loose and just needed tightening back up.”
Cain glances over and asks, “All fixed?”
“Yeah,” I reply.
Mike confidently takes his shot and puts the eight ball in the corner pocket, losing the game.
“Fuck!” Mike swears under his breath. Cain smirks and says, “I knew you would fuck up. You owe me twenty dollars.”
I can’t help but chuckle at their banter. Mike pulls cash from his pocket and throws it on the pool table.
Tessie strides into the game room, her face beaming with joy. As she approaches Mike, she leans in and plants a tender kiss on his lips. He reciprocates by wrapping his arm around her waist and pulling her close. Meanwhile, Cain busies himself with racking up the pool balls, his movements quick and deft. Suddenly, Mavis hobbles into the room, her weathered face creased with a wry smile. “Surprised the record player still works,” she quips, her voice raspy and dry.
The upbeat melody of Runaround Sue by Dion fills the room and Mavis can’t help but sway to the rhythm, her body moving slowly on the spot. A smile spreads across her face as the music takes hold of her. We all share a chuckle at her joyous display.
“Go on, Nan,” Tessie laughs, encouraging Mavis to let loose.
Mike, feeling the infectious energy in the air, walks over to Mavis and extends his hand towards her. “My lady,” he says with a grin. Mavis takes his hand, her eyes shining with happiness, and they dance together.
Tessie begins to dance in place, moving to the rhythm. Cain and I nod to the old music, enjoying the upbeat tempo. Cain then extends his hand to Tessie and they sway together. The lively song spreads joy throughout the room. Left without a dance partner, I observed everyone’s moves while rhythmically snapping my fingers.
Mike and Mavis are spinning slowly and Mavis can’t help but let out a joyous laugh as she twirls around. I notice Cain and Tessie’s bodies getting closer as they dance. The passion between them was evident as their eyes locked in together. Their heads touching, nearly kissing. Mavis catches on and watches them momentarily, taking in the intensity of their gaze towards each other. She then looks back at Mike and attempts to dance again, but her eyes wander over to Cain and Tessie. It is clear that they have forgotten for a moment that they were not meant to be together. I knew I had to do something.
I notice Tessie’s hand on Cain’s shoulders. I quickly rush over to them, gently take her hand off, and pull her towards me. I start dancing in a lighthearted and playful manner. Tessie starts giggling and soon joins in the dance with enthusiasm. I also notice Mavis chuckling, although she seems a bit perplexed by what is happening. Nonetheless, she continues dancing with Mike, and we all enjoy the fun and joyful atmosphere of the moment.
The room is filled with the sound of music as we dance to the beat. The song slowly comes to an end and we all stop dancing. Mavis breathes heavily and says, “Oh, it’s been years since I’ve danced like that. Thank you, Mike.” She then looks at her watch, realizing the time, and exclaims, “Is that the time? I’m going to be late for bingo.”
Tessie offers to drop Mavis off. However, Mavis declines the offer, saying, “It’s okay, dear. I’ll take my car. I’ll be back in about two hours and then start dinner.” She leaves the room and we all wave goodbye.
We gather around the pool table, our faces illuminated by the soft glow of the overhead light.
“You two were showing a bit too much affection in front of Mavis then...” I state.
“Think she caught on?” Tessie asks.
I shrug my shoulders.
The conversation then shifts to the day’s adventures. We recount how we took the ATVs into the forest and discovered a hidden treehouse. Suddenly, Cain leaves the room and returns with a dark green teddy bear. Tessie’s eyes light up as she grabs the bear off him. “Spinach!” she exclaims, hugging the stuffed animal tightly.
We all look at each other in amusement.
“You called the bear Spinach?” Mike asks. Cain’s faint scoff is heard in the background.
“Yes, I called the bear Spinach, because he is green.”
We can’t help but laugh at her. A moment of silence follows and then Cain breaks it by explaining how we stumbled upon the notebook she used as a diary. Cain reveals that he knows how she lost her virginity.
Tessie’s cheeks turn rosy as she places the teddy bear on the pool table. “That’s so embarrassing,” she mutters.
“Two minutes, huh?” Cain says with a sly grin.
We listen as she recounts the story of how she had lost her virginity to someone named Brayden.
“Anyway, enough about that. It’s awkward, haha,” Tessie says, shrugging it off.
She then proceeded to share some information she had learned that day. She reveals that her mother has been deceiving her for years and her grandmother has been silently supporting them.
Mike tenderly wraps his arm around her shoulder, offering comfort as she begins to speak. With a hint of sadness in her voice, she confesses how foolish she feels for having missed out on so many years with her beloved nan. She explains how her mother had poisoned her mind against her grandmother, causing her to hate her and avoid her at all costs. Holding onto Mike’s hand, she looks up at him with tearful eyes, hoping for solace. With a reassuring smile, Mike nods in understanding and compassionately replies, “Hey, all that matters is that you know the truth now and are spending time with her now. That’s all that counts.”