Page 7 of Meet You in the Waves
We exchanged gifts after lunch but I found my eyes drifting back to Ajay as he sat amongst us but not quite part of us. It twisted a little something-something in my gut, knowing he was feeling a little out of sorts away from his family. Mum, bless her soul, had rushed into town yesterday afternoon, battling Christmas Eve traffic in order to buy a box of chocolate macadamia nuts, fruit jelly candies and a music book for Ajay. He had seemed inordinately pleased by her thoughtfulness even though he’d arrived with a bottle of gin for the both of them too.
I had bought a pair of matching gift hampers for Rob and Mateo that I’d intended on giving them later on and I stared at the hampers as they sat untouched where the tree should have been. I ended up raiding them and stole a pair of blue socks andsome extra chocolate to give Ajay just to see if I could get that smile back on his face. It worked, his big brown eyes lighting up even though he guessed I’d just pulled the gifts out of nowhere.
“Not true,” I returned. “I gave that gift much time and thought.”
“I kind of hope that’s not true seeing as I didn’t bring you anything,” he’d returned.
“I guess you’ll never know,” I hummed, trying to be all cryptic and mysterious but probably failing. But he smiled and I even got a little laugh out of him so I guess you could say it was completely worth it.
Mum found me later that afternoon as I washed the dishes at the kitchen sink. She sent me that smile of hers before picking up a towel and getting to work beside me. We’d always been like this, her and me, our own little silent communication.
Ajay and Dane had their guitars back out in the open plan living room, the acoustic sounds of Jack Johnson filling the air. I was listening in with more attention than I was letting on as I scrubbed at the pots and pans.
“He’s good, isn’t he?” Mum said, a knowing smile on her face.
“Who?” I replied, pretending I didn’t know exactly who she meant.
“Ajay,” she returned, bumping me with her hip. “Cute too.” I flicked a few drops of dishwater her way and she swatted me with her tea towel with a laugh.
“Is he? I hadn’t noticed.”
“Sure you hadn’t.” We worked in silence a while longer, my eyes constantly drawn Ajay’s way. I wasn’t sure if he noticed my attention but I did see that flush of pink on his cheeks a couple of times and couldn’t help wishing they were for me.
“How’s everything with Mateo?” Mum asked at length, a flicker of concern in her voice.
“We’re okay,” I told her with half a smile. “Just focusing on getting the friendship back on track. In fact, he’s gone and found himself a girlfriend.”
“Oh Mateo,” Mum sighed. Because she knew. Just like I did. “Poor kid.”
“Yeah. I know.”
I knew I was one of the lucky ones. My parents had always been my biggest supporters and it was hard for me to fathom how scared Mateo was of having his parents find out his sexuality. Mum had always tried to make our home as welcoming as she could for him and it was one of the main reasons why Mateo had always loved hanging out here where he could be more like himself.
“We’ll be off tomorrow morning before you even get up for your surf,” Mum continued, interjecting my thoughts.
“I’m sure you’ll have a great time,” I returned, smiling at my mum. “Don’t miss us too much.”
“Keep an eye out on the younger boys for me, yeah?” Mum said, knocking her head in the direction of Dane and Ajay.
“You really think Dane will do a single thing I tell him?” I scoffed.
“I know better than to hope for such miracles,” she returned with a wry grin. “I just mean make sure they don’t get themselves into too much trouble.”
“I love how much confidence you have in me,” I couldn’t help laughing.
“Yes, well that’s the thing about you, my darling. You know how to have fun with the best of them but you know where to draw the line too,” she said. “And I do mean it. Make sure you have fun. Live a little and enjoy the long, hot days. Maybe even enjoy the company,” she added, knocking her head Ajay’s way with a glint in her eye. “And try not to smoke too much weed?”
“Ah, Mum,” I grinned, stepping into the hug awaiting me. “Sometimes you know me too well.”
“Never change, Nick,” she said, a little humour and a bit of softness in her words as she squeezed me tight.
I couldn’t help glancing over at Ajay, catching his eye for the hundredth time of the day. I was pretty sure enjoying his company would be the easiest part of Mum’s parting words. I didn’t expect anything else from having him here in my little part of the world but I would certainly try to enjoy him. It was the least I could do.
CHAPTER 4
AJay
It was late on Christmas day when my phone finally rang with the call I’d been waiting for. I ducked out onto the deck to answer it, inhaling the salty sea air in the last light of the day. The sky was that deep navy blue colour that heralded the coming night and there was already a dusting of stars in the sky. I could still see the waves from the deck, now a calmer quicksilver with a mist of sea spray scenting the air.
