Chapter 14
FOURTEEN
Kelsey ends up crashing at my place, and when we wake up on Tuesday morning, I make her avocado on toast for breakfast.
“Will your mum be upset you didn’t sleep at her house?” I ask.
Kelsey shakes her head. “Nah. She likes to see me for a couple of hours, but she’s not one of those parents who has to spend every spare second with their child when they catch up. After we had dinner last night, she was happy to go and do her own thing.”
“I just want to make sure I wasn’t interrupting family time.”
She smiles. “I’m not part of a typical family, as you already know. I count you and Anna as my closest chosen family.”
“Aw, that’s lovely. I consider you like a sister too. I’m so glad we’ve been able to rebuild this connection as adults.”
I serve the food on two plates and sit next to her at the kitchen counter. “How’s Joe these days?”
Joe is Kelsey’s partner, and our old chemistry teacher from high school. Which sounds kind of creepy, but they didn’t get together until well over twenty years after she graduated—and they didn’t see each other in the meantime. That has to count for something.
“He’s good. But he’s been working for the state education department and seems to keep getting roped into doing more and more stuff—even though he’d like to cut back.”
“Oh. Is he just wanting a bit more time to himself?”
“Sort of. Last year we were looking into fostering, but the idea had to be put on hold. Now, I wonder if Joe still wants to. The other night he joked he’d be mistaken for the kids’ grandfather if we were looking after a younger child, and it would shatter his ego.”
“Are you okay with perhaps not fostering?”
“I’m not sure. I definitely had my fill of kids when I was a teacher, but I think having one to look after could be rewarding. I might talk to Joe later in the year and see how he’s feeling then.”
“I always wondered how my life would be different if I had children.”
“Do you want them?”
“I don’t think so. Sometimes I like the idea, but I don’t think the reality would be the same.
And realistically, I’d have to get pregnant in the next few years for it to even be viable.
” I suddenly remember what Anna said the other day.
“But it seems our bestie will be taking advantage of that window herself.”
Kelsey’s eyes widen. “Is Anna pregnant?”
“She was speculating the other day, but I haven’t heard anything since. Did you know she went into the future and found out she has children?”
Kelsey looks away. “Sort of. Sorry. I couldn’t say anything because I thought it was her secret to share.”
“That’s okay. I wouldn’t have believed her anyway. I guess that means I’ll be an honorary aunt. What do you call a cousin’s child?”
“First cousin once removed?”
I wrinkle my nose. “I don’t like that. I’m just going to say aunt instead.”
“That’s fair enough. You’re just as close to Kurt as you are with Chris.”
“Exactly. And I don’t think Chris is going to have any kids. He still acts like a child himself.”
We eat for a few moments in silence, and I consider how I should handle the situation with Frankie and Jarvis.
“I think I’m going to follow your advice regarding Scotland. I’ll avoid Jarvis as much as possible and just do the bare minimum. He said he’ll sort out the disclaimer if I go, so hopefully that means he’ll get closure on this whole thing and leave me alone after that.”
“I think you should take your share of the inheritance, but I understand if the implications are too much for you.”
I check my watch. “Speaking of implications, I’ll be in trouble if I don’t arrive at the gallery on time. I’m going to shower and get ready for work, but feel free to stay as long as you need. Just lock up on your way out.”
“I’ll head out soon too. But I’m glad I got to see you. Keep me posted on the saga that is your life right now.”
I sigh. “Will do.”
Saga is right.
I’m not sure I’m ready for the next instalment.
***
My day drags, and I find myself constantly distracted with thoughts of how to handle Frankie and Jarvis. My decision on what to do in the immediate future hasn’t changed, but I play dozens of imaginary conversations over and over in my head, trying to formulate the right words.
When I finally get home after five, I’m fairly confident of what I’ll say to Frankie to defer him until I get back from Scotland.
But I’m too jittery to sit on the couch and talk, so I dial his number while tidying up the house. I have a few dishes left over from me and Kelsey that need loading into the dishwasher, and I have a bunch of towels and linen to put in the washing machine.
I dial Frankie’s number as I carry the bath towels to the laundry. I’m measuring out the detergent one-handed when he answers.
“Hey, gorgeous.”
The detergent goes everywhere. Is he trying to give me a heart attack?
“Uh, hi.”
He laughs. “Sorry. Was that a bit much?”
“A little. It’s just, we haven’t spoken in person for so long, and it feels strange to hear you call me that.”
“I was just so happy to see you again yesterday. But I promise to rein in my enthusiasm until you feel more comfortable.”
“I’d appreciate that.”
I turn the washing machine on and go out to the kitchen. The Youth Compound is sitting in its box on the counter next to my handbag. I need to put it somewhere where I’m not tempted to use it. I pick it up and balance it awkwardly as I contemplate where to store it.
“Did you know it’s been 8285 days since we first met?” he says.
I drop the box. I probably should stop trying to do anything while talking to Frankie. “What? How did you even work that out?”
“I calculated it while I was waiting for you to arrive at the restaurant yesterday.”
I bend down to pick up all the jars scattered on the ground. Thankfully, none of them broke on the timber floors. “Why were you calculating the days?”
“I don’t know. I first calculated the years, which was twenty-two, plus an additional eight months. And then I worked out the days, and I realised how much of that time I spent without you. Of those 8285, we were together for only around 365 of them.”
Well, whose fault is that? I want to say. I pick up the re-packed box and carry it to the kitchen, reaching up to the cupboard above the fridge and sliding it in there. I very rarely use that space because it’s hard to access.
Frankie continues talking. “Anyway, I was thinking I don’t want to waste any more days not seeing you, so I was thinking of moving back up to Shell Beach.”
My stomach drops. And not in a good way.
“Uh, I wouldn’t want you to do anything hasty.
For a start, the reason I’m calling is because I have to go on a business trip.
” I figure that’s easier than telling Frankie about Jarvis and the inheritance.
“I’ll be busy for the rest of this week at the gallery, and then I’ll be away for about a week after that. ”
“Oh. That’s okay. I’m happy to wait. And I can start browsing real estate while you’re away.”
“Frankie, please don’t move back to Shell Beach just for me. It would put too much pressure on us. And didn’t you just say you’d rein in your enthusiasm?”
“Don’t worry. It’s not only because of you. I’ve missed living near the beach, and I’m sure there are just as many landscaping opportunities up there as there are in Brisbane.”
“Can we maybe talk about it a bit more when I get back? My head isn’t really in the right space to have this discussion tonight.”
“Of course, of course. I just wanted you to know that I’m thinking seriously about our future.”
I’m not sure I want him to think this seriously.
“Okay. I’ll call you when I get back.”
“I’ll be waiting for you.”
“Thanks.”
I hang up, feeling completely wrong.
That was weird, wasn’t it? You don’t meet up with someone you haven’t seen in over twenty years and then decide to uproot your entire life for them the next day, do you?
I’m glad I have the excuse of Scotland to get some physical distance.
Because I think I’m going to need it.