Page 1 of Kali

Kali

I wince as I try to keep my balance on the bench aboard the ferry. The weather is rough, and I was lucky to catch the last boat across the choppy water. Despite the ache in my ribs and the uncomfortable pull at my wounded flesh, all I feel is relieved. Never in a million years did I think I would find myself leaving the city that I loved. Never believed there would be a reason to run from my life there. But here I am, headed to the last place I thought I’d ever return to.

Rugged Island.

All it had taken was one call to my childhood friend, Lora, and everything was set in motion.

The boat pulls into the dock, and I stand up slowly, every bit of me hurting, reminding me of why I’m here. Lifting my rucksack onto my good shoulder has me releasing a sharp breath. I should still be in the hospital. I know I should.

But I wasn’t safe there.

Slowly placing one foot in front of the other, I make my way off the ferry, carefully watching where I place my feet.

I hear Lora before I see her, the gasp as she sees me for the first time in a decade. I must look horrendous, and my eyes fill with tears of sadness, anger and relief.

I’m with Lora now, she will keep me safe.

Her arms wrap gently around me as we stand silently. We don’t need words, although I’m sure there will be plenty shared later. Her hug says it all.

I’ve got you.

She pulls back and gently smears the pad of her thumb over my cheek, wiping a tear away, before taking my rucksack and leading me to her car.

‘It won’t take long to get to mine, Kali, you can stay as long as you need to,’ she says in a light but serious tone as she opens the car door and waits for me to manoeuvre myself into the passenger seat. She helps me to buckle the seatbelt before closing the door and rounding the back of the car. I lay my head back in relief, allowing the tension to release a little with every slow exhale.

I know she is driving as steadily as possible, but I feel every bump as she takes the coastal road towards the main town. It’s been so long, and I wonder if all the places we used to visit are still here.

‘I moved into the old Richardson place.’ I know my face must register the surprise. That place was empty for years. Big and imposing, but completely derelict. ‘I’ve been doing it up slowly between work and looking after mum. The spare room has only just been completed.’

I offer a weak smile, ‘thanks for this, Lo.’

‘Don’t mention it. I’m so glad to finally see you again, I just wish it was under happier circumstances.’ She gives the bruise on the side of my face another worried glance before returning her eyes to the road.

From what I’ve seen so far, Rugged Island hasn’t changed much. The sky is blue, the ground is a mix of silver stone, gold sand and green coastal grasses. The only change is that the cliffs seem a lot closer, likely from erosion. I wonder how far the cliffs will come in over time, and whether the island will one day be obliterated by an angry sea. It all seems so possible as the waves crash below, battering the edge of the land with frothy spray.

Lora slows down and I look across to see her turning the bend to the old Richardson place.

‘What made you buy it?’ I ask, still finding it almost obscene that she would want the derelict wreck.

‘It was an absolute steal,’ she replies, and I see the light that appears in her face as her eyes land on it.

It’s not the same old run-down mess it used to be. The outside has been fixed up, painted in fresh white, and it looks like new windows are sparkling from where jagged glass once jutted from the frames. The front garden has been taken to and tidied up, all the rubbish that had been dumped, removed.

‘Lo, it looks amazing.’

She blushes slightly as she parks the car and unclips her seatbelt. ‘Thanks.’

Following her into the house, the smell of new plaster and fresh paint hits me.

‘I’ll show you to your room, and then we are going to talk.’ She gives me the no-nonsense look that means I have no choice in the matter, and I wonder how we have been apart for ten years and yet it feels like nothing has changed. Like I could have only seen her yesterday. Like no time has passed at all and yet somehow a lifetime happened.

I nod my head and follow her as she leads me up the varnished stairs and across the bright landing. She pushes open a door to reveal a cosy single bedroom decorated in pastels and whites. Dropping my bag onto the bed she gives me a weak smile.

‘There’s a shower and toilet just through that door,’ she points to the side of the bed, ‘I know it’s not much…’

I cut her off. ‘It’s perfect,’ I say. Because this is what safe looks like.

---