Page 139 of In Sheets of Rain

55

I Was

My mother stood at the door to Michael’s and my home. My father stood behind her. She opened her arms, and I went into them. She hugged me hard.

“It’s so good to see you, darling,” she said.

“You too,” I replied.

“Have you put on weight again?” she asked. My face flamed brightly.

Dad stepped forward. I hugged him. His hug was longer and harder. A bear hug. He whispered in my ear that he had missed me.

Michael stood farther down the hall and smiled tightly.

My mother stepped forward and hugged him. Michael looked at me, surprised. I widened my eyes but didn’t say anything.

I led them all into the lounge. Mum waxed lyrical about the decor. Dad told me about his latest Clive Cussler. I offered to make coffee. Mum followed me into the kitchen to help.

“It’s rather grand, isn’t it?” she said quietly.

“What is?” I asked.

“This. This house. His flash car. Is he made of money?”

I shook my head. “This is Auckland,” I said as if that was enough of a reply.

“Well, he’s nothing like Sean, is he?”

I stared down at the coffee mug in my hand and stifled a sigh.

Mum got busy over at the sink. It took me a moment to realise she was cleaning it. Scrubbing brush in one hand, bleach in the other, arms and elbows jerking around manically.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

“You’ve got coffee stains around the plughole. I’m just getting rid of them.”

“Leave them, they’re fine.”

“It’s easy enough to do, Kylee. It just takes a little elbow grease.”

“It’s not important.”

“I’m almost done. I’m sure you wouldn’t have ever got around to it, so you can thank me later.”

I stared at her back and said nothing. And then took the tray of coffee and cake into the lounge. I caught the last of what my father was saying to Michael.

“No matter what’s said here today, I want to thank you for looking after my daughter.”

I looked at Michael. His face was a mask of nothing. He just nodded his head to my dad and then looked up at me and smiled. I wasn’t sure the smile reached his eyes.

I sat down next to him on the two-seater. Mum and Dad sat on the larger couch. Michael gripped my hand as soon as I was settled and didn’t let it go when I reached for a cup of coffee.

“When are you coming down to visit again?” Dad asked.

“I’m not sure,” I said. “Work’s been really busy lately.”

“Your nephew and niece miss you,” Mum said.

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