Page 21 of In the Long Run
Gen chews slowly.‘That says more about him than you.’
‘I’ve been saying that for years.’Eugene’s voice is still thick with sleep as he wheels himself into the lounge room.He still prefers the wheelchair even though he’s been cleared for the knee scooter.‘How’s it going, Genevieve?’
He can pretend that’s a general, polite question but I know better.I don’t need to see his face to know he’s trying to figure out how much I’ve told her.About Alizée’s and everything else.
‘I’m good, thanks, Eugene.Sorry to hear about your accident.’Gen stands and rounds the counter, sliding past me and opening cupboard doors until she finds glasses.She fills one with water and takes it over to the couch for Eugene.
Eugene makes a noise of assent and I guess that’s my cue.‘Gen and I have been going through Alizée’s paperwork.’
‘It’s a mess,’ he says quietly, eyes focused on the glass in his hand.‘But Knox said if anyone could help, it’d be you, Genevieve.’
‘It’s tough out there for businesses right now,’ Gen says kindly, and I try to convey my gratitude through my eyes.‘My sister and her husband are constantly pivoting and trying to find new ways to attract clients to their gym.’
‘I’ve got a new client for you.’Eugene points at me.‘Sign this guy up so he’s not trapped in the house with me every day.He’s a day or two away from alphabetising my bookshelves and CDs.’
Gen brushes at a few stray hairs that have escaped her bun.‘I’m sure Mere would do you a deal on a temporary membership until you have to go back to work.’There’s something about the way she says temporary that annoys me when it shouldn’t, because Gen’s right.My being here is temporary.My whole life has been crafted to avoid anything permanent.That’s why the Army has been perfect, and why my recent feelings of restlessness have been so terrifying.It’s my plan for the next ten years; my days of taking risks are long gone.
‘Does anyone want anything else to drink?’I ask.Eugene’s not drinking alcohol at the moment, but that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t offer Gen something other than water.
‘No, thanks.Meredith’s roped me into going to parkrun tomorrow to advertise her new run club – another thing they’re doing to try to boost client numbers, actually – and she signed me up for Brigitte’s Run.You know, the marathon that goes around the bay in September?’
Eugene shifts and sits up even taller.‘Knox likes running.’
Gen’s smoky grey eyes settle on me.‘Do you want to come along tomorrow?’
‘He does.’Eugene answers before I get a chance.
‘Then I’ll meet you out front in the morning.The walk over can be our warm-up.’
‘It’s a date,’ Eugene says.
Gen flushes, a pink tinge skating up her neck and blossoming across her cheeks.‘No,’ she says to Eugene, but her eyes never leave my face.‘Knox knows my heart belongs to your opera cake.’
‘That was my Alizée’s favourite too.We had it at our wedding,’ Eugene says, clearing his throat.‘I better wash my hands before dinner.’
But instead of heading for the kitchen, Eugene turns the wheelchair and heads back to his room.
‘Is he okay?’Gen asks.
I answer honestly.‘I don’t know.’
Then she says something that makes my chest ache.Makes this place feel a bit more like home and makes me want the things I stopped considering I could have a long time ago.
‘It’ll be okay, Knox.We’ll figure this out together.’
It’s later when I’m helping Eugene into bed that I find the courage to raise the topic I know neither of us want to discuss.
He sighs.
‘You don’t know what I was going to say.’
He leans forward and pulls out one of his pillows, thumping a hand into it until it’s the shape he wants.‘But I do.’
‘I spoke to Gen about Alizée’s some more.’
We’d taken the girls out for their night-time toilet trip and brainstormed a few different ideas to try to raise Alizée’s profile.Things like reducing the number of items on the menu and streamlining our ordering process to take advantage of bulk prices.Offering discounts to emergency services and military members.Setting up a buy ten, get one free coffee or croissant club.It had become clearer to me how important it is to not have secrets between Eugene and me.
‘I have some savings.’
