A sequel to ‘At the Turning’

Published: 18 Oct 2018

The letter box to Wayne’s unit was jammed full of advertising flyers, two bills and a letter from his Mareeba agent declaring that one of his tenants had done a midnight flit leaving the property in a state of disorder and the agent had been unable to contact by telephone also Wayne had not answered a number of emails. “I better attend to that.” Wayne mumbled while discarding the advertising flyers.

Opening the door to the unit he found a neatly folded note on pink paper pushed under the gap.

“Who is it from?” Ralph enquired following close behind.

“By the perfume I guess Louise.”

“Oh.” Ralph exclaimed disappointingly.

“She’s been around.” Wayne quoted the obvious.

“What does she say?” Ralph asked.

“Hang on I haven’t read it yet.” Wayne unfolded the note, releasing the scent of Louise’s favourite perfume. It was pungent bringing back negativity about her instead of the good time but did smell of sex as Louise bathed in the stuff before retiring to bed. This memory did arouse. It was also disturbing as mild fear gripped, while unsure what would come next.

Lover,

What are you up to I have been trying to telephone you for an age but your mobile is never on, could we get together for a talk, maybe a meal. Dad is still mad as hell but I’m sure we can work around that.

Love – Louise.

‘Short,’ he thought, ‘and as usual to the point.’

‘What could she want?’

‘I guess I know what she wants.’

‘But do we both want the same thing?”

Wayne refolded the note placing it into the back pocket of his jeans.

“She has been trying to contact me and wants to meet up.” Wayne answered as he scanned his apartment, half expecting to find Louise had visited but of course she had returned her key and removed her belongings, that if nothing else could be considered permanent, so why start over. Besides his mindset had moved on and no longer wished for clubs, bars and social evening with her so called beautiful people with their sarcasm and negativity.

“Are you going to meet her?”

“I suppose I should.” Wayne sighed as if doing so would be a ponderous task and one he could do without.

“Yes I think you should but if she asks you will you go back with her?” Ralph’s voice was slow and calculated.

“No that chapter is closed; I do miss the sex and if I could have that without her – well? No not ever then, over is over eh?”

As Wayne collected clothing from his bedroom Ralph came to the door. “Your telephone answering machine light is flashing.”

“So it is, probably Louise, she did write she had tried to telephone.” He finished collecting what was needed and pressed the play button.

“You have six new messages.” The mechanical voice advised.

A male voice came from the small black box – “Mister Jenkins, it is Mal Lawson here from Lawson Real Estate in Mareeba, could you contact me urgently.”

The second message was also from Mal Lawson, as was the third but the fourth and fifth were Louise and sounding somewhat pissed off. It was the last message that gave him heart.

“Hey wakka, it’s Mick Grogan, you know that kid with the sign sitting on the Esplanade you put me on to,” Wayne immediately thought the worse, “yea Mark Fleming that’s him,” Grogan continued, “he’s a bloody marvel and smart. I’ve already made him section foreman. Give me a call when you’re back in town. By way, saw Louise the other night, she’s kicking around with that Port Douglas crowd again – see ya.”

Wayne cleared the messages.

“Well Ralph you did a good deed there my boy.”

“I’m happy for him; I could tell he was alright.” Ralph smiled broadly with pride.

“Come on let’s get out of here, I’ve got all I need.”

At the turn off for Federation Bay Wayne slowed the vehicle and asked if Ralph would like his first driving lesson and laughed again at his friend’s predictable negative response.

“Do we need anything?” Wayne asked while parking outside Biff’s.

“Milk, bread that’s about it,”

“Ralph change the radio station, I’ve had enough country for one day.” Wayne complained then jumped to the footpath. Ralph turned the radio off.

“Hey Biff got some fresh bread?” Wayne called from the confectionery counter as he selected some chocolate for Ralph.

“Did you take Ralph’s cousin home?” Biff questioned while placing a packaged loaf of sliced bread onto the counter top, “anything else?”

“Milk – yes he has to start his new work in a few days and his mother hadn’t been well.”

“You know he was a worried boy when you were away.” Biff alleged.

“In what way Biff?”

“Mostly your car, he was frightened to damage it and parked in the back streets to avoid the angle parking out the front, especially since Jim Ross had the rear of his tray truck wiped out by a passing cattle transport.”

“The car was fine, when did the accident happen?”

“The week you left, I supposed you will be wanting this back now eh?” Biff placed the wrapped package containing Lachlan’s journal next to the bread.

“Yes, Stephen wanted to read it but I couldn’t let him until I had finished.”

“Did you discover much about the family from the journal?” Biff asked.

“It is quite interesting but mostly mundane routine business, although by Lachlan’s account he did have a most dysfunctional family.” Wayne paid for his groceries.

“How did young Ralph get along with his cousin?” Biff asked.

“No worries and has agreed to meet the rest of the tribe but I don’t think I’m too interested myself, I don’t even mix with my lot,” Wayne admitted, “but I haven’t got him to take driving lessons yet,” he once again stated, his gaze through the shop door to Ralph quietly seated in the passenger seat.

“That’s becoming somewhat an epic, leave the poor boy alone.”

“I guess I am already resigned to the fact, it’s more a joke now.”

Living at the farm Wayne had taken to leaving his mobile telephone switched off and only turning it on whenever he wished to make a call, which he mostly did on the land line. He found since his break up with Louise he wasn’t receiving enough calls to warrant powering it all the time and seeing the land line had a number unknown to Louise, she couldn’t call him there.

After tea that night he mentally reached for the telephone a good many times but could not build the courage to contact her, until at last Ralph declared that if he didn’t make the call, he would do it for him.

Wayne punched in the number letting it ring for some time. As he prepared to cut the call it answered.

“Hello Louise speaking,” she answered in her over confident sing song voice, not knowing who to expect as the landline number wasn’t entered into her mobile telephone.

“Louise I got your note.” Wayne declared his voice cracking under a bout of nerves. Why he felt so he couldn’t say but he felt more as if asking for his first date than talking to someone he almost married.

“Lover, where are you? I didn’t recognise the number.” Louise questioned her voice register becoming animated.

“I only received your note today.” Wayne declared without disclosing his whereabouts while realising he should have used the mobile instead of the land line, now she would have the number.

“I’ve been trying to contact you but your mobile is always turned off.” Louise said, her voice showing strains of impatience.

“I’ve been out of town and I forgot to take my mobile with me.” Wayne lied.

“Hey lover, can we meet?” She asked softly. There were voices in the back ground. A male voice that sounded like her father then Wayne distinctively heard Jack Miller ask who was on the telephone.

“Just a friend, I won’t be a minute.” Louise returned to the call. “Can we meet, maybe over a meal?” Another background voice, it was Fay. Wayne could not make out her conversation but by the tone she was a most unhappy woman and for once Jack appeared to be on the receiving end of a sharp tongue.

“Everything appears the same in the Miller house.” Wayne said.

“Meaning?”

Without expanding Wayne released a sigh of relief to be away from it all. “Alright, I’ll meet you at the House on the Hill restaurant Wednesday night around seven, is that okay?”

“Could you make it Thursday?” Louise begged.

“Alright I’ll meet you Thursday.”

“Sure – miss you.”

“I’ll see you then,” Wayne concluded without acknowledging Louise’s sentiment.

“How did that go?” Ralph asked on returning from the kitchen to find Wayne clutching the telephone and appearing to be in a state of shock. He cradled the receiver and released a slight groan, “to tell you the truth it was as if we had never split up, even as far as her old man loitering in the background directing traffic and her mother screeching like some harpy.”

“And?” Ralph said. His head leaning to one side and his brow wrinkled.

“When you do that thing with eyebrows it makes me want to laugh.”

“Do what?”

“That with your head and eyebrows.”

“What about Louise?” Ralph obviously wasn’t letting go of the situation.

“I am to have a meal with her on Thursday night. I think she wants to start it all up again.”

“What do you want?”

“I guess it’s finished with us so there isn’t any use pretending otherwise and I will be telling her so.”

The House on the Hill restaurant was somewhat quiet even for a mid week night. Wayne was met at the door by the waiter who showed him to his usual table, as if he and Louise had ownership to one corner of a very public venue.

“You are looking fit and healthy Mister Jenkins, have you been on holidays?” Jeremiah asked while supplying the menu.

“No, I’ve been living down the coast, on a farm.” Wayne admitted; “and again Jeremiah, it is Wayne.”

“Management would never allow me to be so informal with their diners but obviously country living is doing you good.”

Looking around the restraint Wayne perceived it to be the same crowd. It was a Thursday night crowd different than Wednesday, or Saturday or any other night. There appeared to be a routine, an enduring right to dine, being most improper to invade the night of another. Wayne then realised this night it was the Miller’s crowd, their associates, Jack and Fay’s, while Louise was part of the whole ridiculous game, a game he no longer wished to be part of. ‘I bet Louise choose tonight as it would be her regular crowd,’ Wayne supposed.

“Will Mister Jenkins be eating alone or is he expecting a lady friend?” The waiter enquired while placing the wine list on the table, bringing Wayne back from his apprehension.

“I am expecting company,” Wayne answered and ordered a bottle of their usual without referring to the wine list.

“I suppose you are married by now.” Jeremiah enquired while opening the wine.

“She jilted me Jeremiah, or to the point her father jilted me. Louise is meeting me here tonight, so pretend you didn’t hear that.” Wayne quickly withdrew his confession.

“I’m very sorry to her so Mister Jenkins.” The water sympathised while pouring the wine.

“Don’t be, how is your relationship?” Wayne asked diverting the subject away from Louise.

“Relationship?” The waiter repeated curiously.

“Yes the last time I was here you hinted that you were in a relationship he couldn’t tell his father about. How is he?” Wayne had become most bold since living with Ralph, once he would never have thought of asking such a personal question but it was obvious that Jeremiah was gay.

Jeremiah paused pouring the wine. He continued, “Rodney is well and unfortunately the father did find out and kicked him out of home, threatened to set the Mafia onto me.”

“That’s a shame.” Wayne condoled as he saw Louise arrive.

“Heavens no Mister Jenkins, it was for the best, Rodney is now living with me.”

Wayne stood and guided Louise to her chair while performing the usual verbal courtesies, declaring he had already ordered mud crab and hoped she didn’t mind him doing so. Louise agreed and accepted an offered glass of wine.

“How have you been then?” She asked at last.

“Fine but as I said on the telephone, I’ve been living out of town.” Wayne answered as the mud crab arrived.

“Up at Mareeba?” Louise asked.

“No.” Wayne answered, “How is your father?” He continued.

“He hasn’t got over you not selling the land to Verrocchi.” Louise advised.

“The land has gone back to its rightful owner.”

“I guess you’ve shacked up with someone.” Louise suggested bluntly.

“What about you are you seeing anyone?” Wayne asked and as he did so, realised he couldn’t care if she was or not.

“No but I was hoping that we could.” She paused, “I guess start over again; maybe leave out the wedding for now until dad comes around but possibly as it was before.” As she spoke Louise had slipped out of her shoe placing her foot onto Wayne’s crotch, her movement had the desired effect. She inwardly smiled, once again acknowledging the way to a man’s heart was through his crotch.

“I’ve been down at the Federation Bay farm.” Wayne cut in while attempting to ignore the massaging foot.

“Oh then I suppose you have heard that Verrocchi is in the Cairns Hospital and not expected to live.” Louise declared.

“I did hear an Ambulance one night but didn’t know it was for Verrocchi.” Wayne instead of feeling empathy felt relief from the Italian’s misfortune.

“I thought you sold the farm?” Louise asked.

“I did and as I said I sold it to a descendent of the original owner.”

“How come you are staying there?” Louise asked.

“Just a loose agreement for a few weeks, besides I am growing accustomed to country life, no plastic people around down there.” Wayne released a bold chuckle, “Except for Verrocchi and as you said he’s not there at the moment. How is Fay?” Wayne enquired after Louise’s mother.

“She had had woman’s troubles but is coming good.” Louise removed her foot.

“I’m sorry to hear.”

“Wayne do you really care, you never liked my mother.” Louise snapped.

“I would say Fay didn’t like me.”

“Anyway I was up at Port Douglas with Peter and Stella last weekend and they asked after you.” Louise diverted from discussion on her mother.

“So they are back from their trip?”

“And ready to travel again, Peter was asking when you were going to visit.”

“They were never my friends Louise.” Wayne abruptly answered.

“That’s you all over Wayne, you can’t commit to anything.”

“I wasn’t the one who ended it.” Wayne snapped.

“Nor I, it was supposed to be a cooling for a while until dad came around.”

“Has he?”

“No but I’m sure we could work around that. We wouldn’t have to tell him.”

“Wouldn’t that be deceitful?” Wayne questioned.

With the meal finished Wayne called for the bill. The conversation had been in the main civil even if a little cold but Wayne had not yet answered Louise’s question on their reunion. He knew he would have to but put it off to the last possible moment.

“Then what do you think Wayne should we try again?” Louise asked.

Wayne remained silent he returned his credit card back to his wallet and thanked the water, placing a fifty dollar note on his tray.

“That is to take out that friend of yours and don’t let anyone talk you out of it. Wayne turned to Louise, “I’ll show you to your car.” He offered.

“You didn’t answer my question.” Louise demanded abruptly.

“I did, by not answering but if you must have it Louise, the answer is no. You were right the first time, it would never work and as for your father, sooner or later one of us would murder the other.” Wayne remained calm and re-offered to escort Louise to her vehicle but instead she pulled away, told him to fuck off and left.

“Well that finishes that chapter.” Wayne rhetorically muttered then after giving Louise enough time, he returned to his car to find a large key scratch across the passenger side door. “Bitch!” He declared loudly while across the car park spied Louise speeding away in her mother’s Mercedes. “Still I think I’ve got out of it cheaply,” he assured himself as he drove off in the opposite direction away from Cairns, south towards Federation Bay and the serenity of Ralph’s farm. “Yes cheaply, I’ve still got my balls.” He smirked as the night’s air laced with country aroma drifted through the cabin of the vehicle.

On returning to the farm Wayne found Ralph had already retired. Still somewhat hyped over his meeting with Louise Wayne wasn’t ready to sleep so he took himself onto the verandah with Lachlan’s journal and a beer but found that he couldn’t find interest in either.

For some time Wayne quietly sat expecting a visit from Lachlan. While thinking of ways to conjure his appearance but he remained alone in the night with only the dull yellow glow of the verandah light and bugs for company. Placing the journal back on the kitchen table he checked on Ralph, quietly he opened the door to find him on his bed and curled in his usual style. Wayne smiled and retired to his bed.

“How did everything go with Louise?” Ralph asked over breakfast but by Wayne’s expression it wasn’t a wise question.

Wayne sighed deeply while attempting to shake away his despondency, “she wants us to start up again.”

“I know it isn’t any of my business but are you going to?”

“Nope – and to boot I feel really free for the first time in quite a while. As if by magic Wayne’s attitude brightened. “Besides I don’t think I could cope being around or owing to her old man.”

Wayne cupped his hands behind his head, stretched his legs under the table and stared at the ceiling, “Needs painting.” He declared.

“What does?”

“The ceiling it’s flaking,” Wayne laughed, “So Ralph it looks like I may by your guest for a while yet eh? So what would you like to do today? Driving lessons?” he continued.

“That is wearing a bit thin Wayne but I do have a supply of vegies to take into the retirement home if you don’t mind – and.” Ralph paused, smiling he continued, “I would like to thank you for looking after my cousin and taking me to Hawaii, I never believed I would ever go anywhere further than Cairns or Townsville.”

“Tell you what if you are a good boy; I may take you to Europe in their spring.” Wayne promised with a smirk.

“What time did you get in last night?” Ralph ignored the offer.

“Late around one thirty, I checked in on you but you were asleep.”

On their way into town and just past the cross road Ralph somewhat urgently asked to have the car stopped.

“What’s wrong?” Wayne gasped thinking he may have hit something on the road.

“You win.” Ralph declared.

“What would that be?”

“Come on give me my first driving lesson; that is if you want your car crashed.” Wayne didn’t believe his ears and he didn’t even have to ask or browbeat Ralph into the driver’s seat.

They swapped positions. “How did you get that scratch on the door?” Ralph asked as they changed about.

“Louise I reckon, most likely a parting gift.”

“Oh I was making sure I didn’t get the blame.” Oddly behind the wheel Ralph didn’t appear to be in the least nervous, while appearing to familiarise with the dials and controls

After a lengthy pause Wayne spoke, “firstly we will go through starting the motor and where the controls are.” Now it was Wayne who appeared nervous as he had never taught anyone to drive and didn’t really know where to commence.

“Automatic isn’t it?” Ralph asked.

“Yes.”

“Right, firstly turn on the ignition, place it in drive, release the hand break, lift your foot off the foot break and guess what we are away,” Ralph re-sited as he started the car and commenced along the road, with the vehicle, even if slowly, travelled as smoothly as one who had driven for years.

“You can drive?” Wayne was astounded.

“Sort of but I learnt in a manual not automatic and in something twice as big as this.”

“Since when?” Wayne was laughing loudly and shaking his head with wonder.

“I guess teaching me to drive was the only good thing that my mother’s bastard bloke did for me. He taught me when I was around eleven and I had to drive him home after a boozy night at the pub but after I cleared out I swore because of him I would never drive again, the rest I picked up by watching you.” Ralph pulled to the side of the road and turned off the engine. “Sorry Wayne I didn’t mean to deceive you,” but with his apology came the biggest smirk the lad had ever produced.

“I understand, keep going.” Wayne pointed to the road ahead but Ralph said that he should obtain a permit to learn first. To which Wayne called him a law obeying little bugger.

“I don’t believe it, wait until I tell Biff but why didn’t you tell me?”

“I guess at first I simply didn’t wish to start driving again but with you continuously pushing for me to do so, it not only became a joke to you but amusement to me as well – sorry Wayne.”

“No don’t be, I believe the joke is on me and I’m thrilled, but your stepfather being a cop and all, how?”

“I should think his mates at the station knew about me driving but turned a blind eye to it, I do remember on the occasion the local patrol pulled up beside at an intersection, while the officer laughed and sped away without pulling me over. Bob was drunk and unconscious in the seat beside me.”

“You were lucky not to be charged.” Wayne admitted.

“Not lucky, I wished they would have stopped me, it would have got him into a lot of trouble but I guess that was one police station where most of the eggs were bad.”

Once in town Wayne parked in front of Biff’s shop. “I have to tell Biff.”

Let Gary Know that you are reading and what you think of his story. Drop an email to him: Gary dot Conder at CastleRoland dot Net.

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