February Or Forever (25 page)

‘No, not at all!' Chrissie chucked the carton in the recycling bin and grasped her son's arms. ‘You'll be fine. I think it only went off in the last couple of minutes. Sometimes milk, um, does that.' Oh dear. Lying to her son? All in the name of keeping Drew's visit private.
Drew!

She dashed upstairs. ‘Sorry! My friend, Melinda has gone to pick up some milk. So…'

‘So I better skedaddle before she comes back?'

Chrissie bit the corner of her lip. ‘I'm sorry, I mean, you
can
stay, I just didn't know if you wanted anyone else to know you're here.'

‘It's totally fine. I'll head back and leave you girls to have a catch up. I'd love to meet your friend, but I really need to lay low right now.'

‘Of course, I understand. And sorry to cut short our time together.'

Drew wrapped her in his arms. ‘No more apologies. No expectations. Go with the flow, remember? And I'll…' he pulled back from the embrace, ‘
flow
on outta here.' He made a flowing movement with his hand and offered a small smile.

‘Thanks again for your help. Especially with Kai.' She placed her hand on his cheek and he took hold of it, kissing her palm.

‘It was nice to do something else with you, apart from yoga.'

‘It was.' She wished she could do more things with him this month. Go for walks and out to dinner, visit art galleries and have picnic lunches in Miracle Park. But those things weren't allowed. Everything had to stay behind closed doors, or in a secluded part of the outdoors. Her sadness at their limited time was overtaken by a thrill at the fact that she, reliable and honest Chrissie Burns, actually had a secret lover. It was kind of exciting, having to keep secrets and pretend and make up excuses. Not that he was
completely
her lover; their affections hadn't gone beyond delicious kisses and tender touches, and maybe it wouldn't. That would probably be a bad idea and make their inevitable separation even harder. Not to mention the fact that her job could be in jeopardy by breaking the rules.
Oh God. What am I doing?

Before she had time to agonise over the situation, Drew spoke again. ‘So you're off to the markets tomorrow with my sister and Sam, I hear?'

‘Yes, I'm looking forward to it.'

‘Maybe I'll give you a call afterwards.' He took her hands in his.

‘That would be nice. Only if you want to, of course.'

He leaned close to her. ‘I want to.' He kissed her softly on the lips. ‘I
really
want to.' He kissed her again, firmer this time, with the urgency of an unfulfilled need. Was he talking about calling, or something else? Whatever it was, she
really
wanted it too.

Kai ran his hand through the water of the Wishing Fountain in Miracle Park as they walked around it, ripples spreading outwards.

‘Kai, don't put your hand in there, please,' Chrissie said.

‘It feels nice,' he replied. ‘When am I allowed to do swimming lessons?'

Familiar guilt and fear simmered inside her belly. ‘I thought you didn't want to do them?'

‘But Sam does them and he can do a roly-poly under the water. I want to do a roly-poly under the water too.'

Chrissie swallowed. ‘When I'm not so busy I'll have a look at the lessons and see what we can do, okay? Maybe in the school holidays.'

‘When are the holidays?'

‘Um, about five or six weeks time, I think.'

‘And how long till Christmas?'

‘Christmas? Kai, that's a long way off. We only just had one!'

‘But I love it. And maybe you and Dad and me will have Christmas dinner together like we used to.'

Chrissie sighed, stopped, and turned to Kai. ‘Honey, I know you miss your dad, and I know things are different now, but we both love you very much. And I promise, our next Christmas is going to be the best one ever.' She rubbed his back.

‘Can we have turkey
and
ham?'

‘Yes, we can have both. I might even get a gingerbread house, what do you think of that?'

‘A gingerbread house to actually eat?' His eyes bulged.

‘Yep. You can start with the front door, and I'll have one of the windows.'

‘Can I eat the whole roof off?' He laughed and snorted. ‘Imagine living in a house with no roof!' He laughed some more. She'd have to teach him about homelessness and Third World countries sometime and how lucky they were here in Australia. There was a lot she had to teach him. Sometimes the responsibility of what lay ahead for years to come overwhelmed her. Parents not only had to be caretakers, but teachers as well.

‘Actually,' Kai said. ‘I think I'll let Dad eat half the roof and I'll eat the other half.'

‘That's kind of you.' They walked towards the assortment of market stalls scattered throughout the park and spilling over onto the stretch of grass alongside the harbour.

‘I can't wait to show Sam my yo-yo tricks,' Kai said, pulling the yo-yo from his pocket and turning it around in his hand.

‘He'll be very impressed, like I was.'

‘Mum, is the painting man coming over again? I want to learn more tricks.'

The painting man. Chrissie chuckled, then realised she should have thought things through when she'd agreed for him to visit yesterday. She needed to be more careful who she allowed into their lives. She didn't want Kai to get hurt by someone leaving again.

‘Um, I'm not sure sweetie. He might not be staying in town much longer. But I'll do my best to learn some tricks and help you with them.'

‘Oh, but I like the painting man. He's awesomely cool.'

Chrissie smiled. ‘Yes, he is definitely awesomely cool,' she said softly.

Chrissie kept an eye out for Sarah's jewellery stall; she'd said it was near the bottom of the park where it merged with the side of the harbour. She passed an enticing-looking stall called Homemade for You, with various gourmet relishes, sauces, and spices, packed into cute little jars. Nearby was a stall with pictures of the human body, various health books, and an iridology camera. She'd seen one at Serendipity, in the naturopathic section. The man behind the table peered into it, then a moment later a close-up image of someone's eyes appeared on a monitor. Fascinating. She'd have to give it a go sometime. A few people were lining up for their turn.
Mark Bastian, naturopath and acupuncturist, Tarrin's Bay Medical Clinic
was written on a sign attached to the stall. It was good to see doctor's surgeries embracing complementary therapies. She'd have to remember his name. Maybe she could take Kai to him to make sure he was getting all the nutrition he needed. Sure, she could make use of the practitioners at Serendipity, but would prefer someone outside of her work environment.

She was about to walk past when she noticed his business cards on the side of the table. She leaned in and took one, and he looked over at her and smiled appreciatively. He certainly looked healthy; his coffee-coloured skin was clear and smooth, and he had no bags whatsoever under his eyes.

‘Oh look, here we are.' Chrissie pointed to the jewellery stall where Sarah was finishing up early so she could spend time with her and their kids. Her daughter, Gemma, had agreed to watch over the stall along with the help of a friend.

‘Chrissie, you found me,' Sarah smiled. ‘Hi, Kai.'

Kai waved and immediately joined Sam at the side of the stall, showing him his yo-yo.

‘Wow, you've got some beautiful things.' Chrissie scanned the array of bracelets, earrings, necklaces, rings, and accessories, shining and glittering in the sunlight. A girl came up to the table from behind the stall, her wavy dark hair parted down the middle and earrings swinging below her ears.

‘You must be Gemma?' Chrissie asked.

‘Hi. Nice to meet you.' She held out her hand and Chrissie shook it. ‘You have beautiful hair, such a gorgeous shade of blonde.'

Chrissie patted her hair. ‘Oh, thank you. That's nice to say. I was just admiring yours!'

Gemma smiled. ‘So you're a yoga teacher?'

Chrissie nodded.

‘That's so cool. I'll have to try it.'

‘I highly recommend it.' Chrissie eyed the jewellery again, and a unique ring caught her eye. It had three different coloured stones in an asymmetrical abstract arrangement. She picked it up. ‘This is nice.'

‘Only ten bucks too.'

‘Gemma, don't do the hard sell on Chrissie, I don't want her to feel obligated to buy something,' Sarah said.

‘But I'm just saying it's a bargain, Mum.'

‘I'll take it,' Chrissie said, taking ten dollars from her purse and handing it to Gemma.

‘Cool, thanks. My first sale.' She held the note up in her hands and did a happy dance.

‘Now, any problems, you call me, okay?' Sarah glanced at Gemma first and then her teenage friend, who was sitting on a chair to the side.

‘We'll be fine. Might even sell more than you did in the morning.'

‘I'll see you back here at three o'clock.'

Chrissie walked away from the stall with Sarah, Sam, and Kai, Kai with a smug look on his face having showed Sam his yo-yo trick.

‘Mum, can I buy a yo-yo?' Sam asked.

‘If we find one.'

Chrissie smiled at Sarah. ‘It's good he's asking for a good old-fashioned toy. I've heard when boys get older it's all expensive video games.'

‘Yeah, I'm trying to delay that as much as possible. He plays Liam's Xbox sometimes, but most games are violent so he's not allowed near it when Daddy's playing.'

‘Yeah, so much violence. Why can't they all just hug and smile and be happy in games?'

‘Now there's an idea. Instead of seeing how many baddies you can shoot, see how many people you can hug. Much better.' Sarah smiled, then rubbed her shoulders like they were sore or she was fatigued.

They walked down to the harbour, and Chrissie veered to the grassy side of the stalls instead of the water side. Crowds of people weaved around them, the pace was slow and breezy, the smell of sausages sizzling hung in the air, and seagulls squawked and swooped down at people throwing bread crumbs on the grass.

‘Can we buy something, Mum?' Kai asked, peering at the stalls as they passed by each one.

‘Depends what we find.' She glanced around. ‘Oh look, there's a bookstall, why don't you go and choose a book?'

‘Okay, Sam you help me choose.' He tugged his friend's sleeve and they busied themselves amongst the display of children's books.

‘How's the house coming along?' Sarah asked. ‘Managed to do any renovations yet?'

‘A few small things. Got some painting done yesterday, which was good.' She almost said ‘with Drew', but thought better of it. No need to suggest there was anything going on between them, she didn't want to affect her growing friendship with Sarah by saying, ‘Oh and by the way, I'm totally hot for your brother and we can't keep our hands off each other.'

‘It all takes time, doesn't it?'

‘Yes, slowly but surely I'll get things finished. If I didn't have a full-time job I'd get a lot more done.'

‘I bet. How is work going? Is my brother becoming a yoga expert?' She smiled.

‘He's quite good, actually. Bit of a chatterbox though.' She chuckled.

‘Oh yes, Drew's always up for a conversation.'

And other stuff, but I won't tell you about that.

‘Found one, Mum.' Kai held up a book and Chrissie inspected it.

‘Looks good to me. How about you, Sam, would you like a book?'

‘This one looks good.' He held up a small chapter book.

‘Two books coming up.' Chrissie got out her purse.

‘Oh, you don't have to do that, Chrissie. I'll pay for it.' Sarah got out her purse.

‘No, seriously, I'd like to. They don't cost much.' She paid the stallholder who put each book in a paper bag, which the kids tucked under their arms.

Wandering along, Chrissie's stomach grumbled at the array of food stalls and tempting smells wafting nearby. ‘I might grab a bite to eat, you want anything?' Chrissie asked Sarah. ‘Corn on the cob?' She eyed the golden yellow corn being barbequed, brown flecks searing the edges of the kernels.

‘Looks good,' she said. ‘Want some, kids?'

They nodded and each bought a couple of cobs on sticks. The buttery flavour satisfied Chrissie's stomach, and they had to stand still to eat as Kai kept dropping his book. When they finished, the boys stood near a magician showing some tricks, wonder and smiles on their faces. Sarah covered her mouth, and her face went pale.

‘Are you okay?' Chrissie placed her hand on Sarah's arm.

‘Just a bit light-headed. Been on my feet all day.' She sat on the concrete wall separating the footpath from the harbour. It was a little too close to the water for Chrissie's liking, but she couldn't do anything about that right now.

Sarah's stomach heaved forward and she covered her mouth again.

‘Oh no, was it the corn? Not agreeing with you?'

‘Something like that.' She took a sip of water from the bottle in her bag.

‘Is there anything I can do, or get for you?'

‘No, not to worry. I'll be fine in a minute.' She clamped her lips together in a brave smile, then looked at Sam and Kai enjoying the magic show, and her eyes welled up.

‘What is it, Sarah?'

Sarah turned to face Chrissie. ‘I'm pregnant.' She held up her hands in resignation.

The thought had crossed Chrissie's mind but she hadn't wanted to ask about it. ‘Oh my God, that's fantastic. Congratulations!' She placed a hand on Sarah's back.

Sarah leaned closer to Chrissie. ‘Shh, no one knows yet.'

‘What about Liam?'

She shook her head.

‘Why not?'

‘I only found out this morning. He rushed off to the gym just after I got out of bed, and I had to get things ready for my jewellery stall. I wasn't even going to do the test yet, but I had it in my drawer and had a few minutes alone so I thought, “What the heck”.'