Page 104 of Summer, in Between
WEpull into the car park at Rip Bay.We’re the only car here and as Paul kills the ignition we sink into darkness.The ocean is black before us, and the lights of Batter’s Cove seem impossibly far away.The horizon is the faintest sliver of light and the stars fan over us.
‘I’ve been thinking,’ I say.‘You know when you look straight out to sea and the horizon looks flat?You can kind of understand why people thought the world was flat.But when you look up at the stars, see them curving up and around, it’s like, of course, the planet’s a globe, yeah?And yet there’s those people out there who still believe the world’s flat and that billionaires want to insert a freakin’ computer chip into humans for better phone reception.People really freak me out.’
‘People are the worst.’Paul unclicks his seatbelt and turns to face me, leaning against his door.‘That’s what you’ve been thinking?That the world isn’t flat?’
‘I’m also thinking it’s cold tonight,’ I hold out an arm.‘Look, goosebumps.Do you have one of your giant hoodies?’
‘For some strange reason they keep disappearing.Now, there’s a conspiracy for you.Come here, I’ve got you.’I nestle against him like a baby koala.He’s like the world’s best hot water bottle.
‘Question,’ I say against his chest, his heartbeat thrumming in my ear.
‘Here we go.’His lips graze the top of my head.
‘Do you not want your family to know about me?’
‘What are you talking about?You met them when we went to get your books.’
‘Yeah, but that was in the context of working for my dad.’
‘You know that driving Miss Caterina isn’t part of my job description, don’t you?I did that because I had a massive crush on the boss’ daughter and wanted to get you alone in my car for four hours.’He gently tickles my ribs and I squirm closer into him.
‘Why didn’t you want to take me to your house tonight?Are you embarrassed about me?’
‘Cat, no, why would you even think that?In what universe would I be embarrassed?’
‘Maybe I’m overthinking it, but it feels like whenever I mention your family you just shut it down.’I’m so glad it’s dark because I can feel my cheeks heat.‘Did your mum not like me?Is it the whole jailbait thing?’
‘Fuck, I’d hoped you’d forgotten about that,’ he chuckles softly and rubs his head.‘Of course she liked you, who wouldn’t?She was just a bit shocked.I walked in the house with a beautiful girl and threw her for a bit of a six.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘You know the other day, when you were saying you never have time for yourself, that there’s always people at your house?’
I grimace, picturing myself in full tantrum-mode.
‘Your house is a place where people like hanging out,’ he continues.‘Your brothers’ mates are in and out.The way JB turned up was like he lived there.I know this summer’s a bit weird with your friends away, but Mick’s told me that most weekends you have friends staying over.’
‘That’s true,’ I say.‘Especially Em.’I tell Paul about Em’s father, always travelling for work for a company that’s a mix between the government, a bank and the church.‘Her parents aren’t together,’ I say.‘Her mum lives on a farm on the other side of the city but Em wanted to stay down here with her dad, even though he’s never home.They have this amazing beach house.Bliss, yeah?’
‘Sounds awesome.’
‘According to Em, it’s lonely and boring.She hates it, but the rest of us love it.She used to have a live-in nanny but her dad got rid of her once Em turned 16.She has no one to answer to, she can come and go as she likes.The only place she wants to come and go to is our house.’
‘I get it,’ he says.‘That’s my place.I’d rather be anywhere than my house.’
‘So where do you go with your friends?’
‘Surfing.The pub.Sadie’s.’
‘But, why?’I’m truly flummoxed.
‘You were there, Cat.The creepy fucking dolls, my old man in the recliner talking non-stop about nothing, Mum cleaning all the time.Don’t get me wrong, they love me, I know that.It’s just different since...well, since we lost Pete.’
‘What was he like?’
‘He was much older than me.There was him and then Michael, he’s the smartarse prick that lives in Melbourne, and then six years later there’s me.Surprise!So, there were eight years between us.Michael treated me like shit, but Pete wasn’t like that.He was funny, everyone loved him.He’d walk into the room, and we’d all be laughing over nothing.It was just good being around him, you know?’
‘When did you say that he died?’I can barely get the words out.
