Chapter 3 - Ready Set GO! Almost
I walked into the laundry room, slipping off my Chucks. I was about to pull off my socks but stopped, the voice of previous lectures delivered by Mom ringing in my head.
"James Spence. Take those socks off. I have a mop for cleaning my floors, not your gym socks."
Oh god forbid, walking around the house in white socks. But I've got flowers, so this will hopefully buy me credits for a while, hopefully.
Walking into the family room, I came face to face with Steph and Dad having a heated discussion about me. Clearly, Stephanie had heard about Simon Kelsy and the shit he was trying to pull at work. She was throwing everything at Dad. He was just sitting at the kitchen counter, listening, showing little emotion. That was setting Steph off even more.
"Jesus, Dad, you were in the job for 20 years. You've got contacts up and down the chain of command there."
Steph turned away from Dad, swiping her hand down her face. Then spinning around with a look on her face that would freeze the sun, "But you won't lift a finger to help your youngest son out. Really, Robert Spence! I am sure that if it was Mason, you'd be right in Simons' face."
Well that did it. The expression on Dad's face changed. For a second, I saw a flash of color in his face. Dad shifted in his chair a little, turning to focus on Steph.
Steph has always had a way of pissing dad off. Nine out of ten times she wins too. Guess that's why she's going so well in defence - my sister just doesn't take any crap. Plus, she still thinks that her little brother needs looking after. I can blame Mom for that - she would always tell Steph when we were growing up that she had to keep an eye on her younger brothers and sister. Little did Mom know that Steph had put Mason on the wrong bus and train so many times the local bus driver just dropped him home. Those memories always gives me a laugh - she hates Mason more than all of us...
"Hi everyone."
No response -- it was like they couldn't hear me. Well, they couldn't, I guess. The open brawl going on between them now was... full on.
"Steph... STEPHANIE!" I said a little louder the second time.
I need to put the brakes on this now.
"Hi!"
"Oh, hi, Jamie. You ok? I was just talking with Dad about Simon Kelsy and the crap he's pulling with your career."
"Um, yeah, Steph. The whole block knows, right. Where's Mom?" I asked looking straight at dad. "Obviously not here?"
"No Son, she's out with some of her friends," Dad replied, "at the movies. Your mother needs cheering up because her youngest son is running away, apparently..."
Oh, Jeez, really, Dad.
"Ok, you two. I need to say this, so please let me get this out, ok?"
I gave them my steely-eyed look, the one reserved for work normally.
"Firstly, I am not running away. I'm taking a holiday. I haven't had one for years and it's long overdue."
"That's not--"
I cut Dad off with an 'oh come on,' glare. He relaxed and waved me on.
"Second, I've spoken to HR, and also to OO Raine Wilmer. It's all sorted. Well, the wheels are turning at least. The bosses are looking at Simon. I'm going on holidays. They can duke it out and I won't be around to get caught up in it."
Dad rolled his eyes at me. Clearly, he didn't have much faith in what was going on or what I'd arranged with HR, but, for fuck sake, this is my career, and I need to start to take ownership of this problem.
"What would you have me do, Dad? Just say nothing like always, or finally stand my ground?" With my fists clenched beside me, it was all I could do to stop hitting the wall, and solid brick, I'd lose that one...tried and failed as a kid.
"So, can we all please chill out? This is my circus, my monkeys, my fix."
A smile wrapped across Steph's face. She walked over and hugged me.
"Ah, who's trying to be all grown up now?" she said proudly.
Her hug resembled a boa constrictor trying to squeeze the life out of me, which is funny, because I've got six inches and forty pounds on her
.
"Steph," I gasped for air, "you're only five years older than me, right. I'm 30 years old."
"Yes, Jamie, but you're still my baby brother."
We both laughed with that. I saw Dad was smirking too.
"Ok, everything is sorted here? I'm going out drinking."
As I started to walk out of the kitchen, I remembered I had Mom's flowers in my hand. Quickly I grabbed a vase from the cupboard, placed them in some water, and placed them on the countertop.
"Dad, you can take the credit for these, ok?" I said with a smile.
"Thanks, son. I might get lucky."
Yuck Dad
.
After almost puking in the kitchen, I went to my room, grabbed my cell and placed a call to Dave. Oh shit! No drinking - forty-four hours to go. Damn! That stupid rule of mine!
An old instructor I had when I was in recruits warned us all about the challenging things we would see over our time in the service. A senior instructor had told him the same. When you're involved in something that is troubling or involves loss of life, serious injury, stay off the booze for forty-eight hours. It will save you from years of pain, and your liver, kidneys and loved ones will thank you. So, I do. I follow that advice - it has been hard at times, but it's good
.
Hmm, no booze. Ok, I have another idea. I flicked thru my recent contacts. Ah, there we go.
"Oh, hey Sam, its Jamie..."
"Yeah, it all worked out on Sunday. I am sorry about that."
"Got called out ... sorry I had to run off."
"Ty said he had explained everything. Hope it was ok?"
I am so going to burn for that one.
God, Ty is good. Clearly, he had sold it well. Sam was cool about it.
"So, Sam. Can I make up for running out the other morning, please? Maybe a movie and late supper?"
The conversation flicked back and forth for the next few moments. I didn't even realise that I'd stopped half way down the hallway from my bedroom outside Mason's old room.
"Great! I'll pick you up soon. Can you text me your address, please?"
Ding went my cell. One message received.
That was fast.
"See you in twenty."
Shoving my cell into my pocket, I realised that I was already changed and showered. I didn't need to do anything.
"Ready to go,"
I thought to myself.
Turning around, I headed back toward the kitchen and hopefully out the door.
When I walked thru the kitchen, Steph and Dad just looked up at me. It was as if nothing had been going on between those two not five minutes ago. They had sorted each other out now, sitting at the counter eating dinner, chatting happily.
Yum! Dad made Thai Green Curry - will have to snack on that a little later.
Steph piped up, "Hot date Jamie?"
"Yep!"
Dad joined in, "Who with?"
"Sam," I replied.
"Does she live nearby son?"
"No Dad,
he
, doesn't. It's only a short drive through."
No more questions please.
"Ok, then you boys have fun then," Dad replied without even blinking.
Steph gave me a shit-eating grin.
"Dad, I'm sure they will," she replied for me.
I just smiled and headed out the door. The warm air of the night washed over me. Nice night to be out I think - maybe the drive-in movies would be fun, haven't done that for years.
I jumped into my truck and headed to Sam's place. It was so nice outdoors, not a normal May evening at all. Might as well enjoy it while I can. So, windows down, I turned up my Spotify playlist.
"Hmmm, Vance Joy, nice."
Pulling to the curb out front of Sam's, I slipped the truck into park. Ahh, should I just text or go in? Unsure, I did a bit of both. I climbed out, fishing my cell out of my jeans, whilst walking towards Sam's front door, calling him. By the time I'd covered half of the front lawn, he was coming out the front door.
"Oh hey, Sam."
He was wearing a light blue tee, which accented his sexy swimmer's body hiding under all those clothes, snug fitting jeans, and Nikes. "You look nice."
"Aww, thanks, Jamie," he said as he walked up giving me a peck on the lips. "That your truck? The one you want to marry, right?"
I blushed on the spot. Oh my God, did I tell him about that? Jeez, what else did it say that night?
"Yeah, this my F-truck," I replied as we walked toward it.
I stepped forward, opening the passenger door for him, "Welcome..."
He smiled back at me, climbing in.
"Jamie, you are full of surprises."
'You only know the half,'
I thought to myself as I walked around the front and got in.
"Well, on that surprise thing...I was thinking that its' such a nice night out, would you like to go to the drive-in? I've got a few blankets and pillows in the back here. We can get comfortable in the rear tub if you like."
"Really...Drive-ins," Sam said pensively, "Yeah, why not? I haven't been for years. Sure!"
While I drove, we chatted about what music we liked, some interests he had. Sam explained that he is doing some postgraduate study to be a civil engineer. Also, he has been driving across the state looking at old grain towers that local artists have painted with significant local or historical events on them. I had heard about it. He opened an album on his phone and showed me a few photos he had when we stopped at the next traffic lights.
Wow, not just a pretty face, but smart too!! I was impressed. I was starting to become conscious that I had been an ass the other day to him. He didn't deserve it. Ok, big boy pants time.
"Hey Sam, I've got to apologize again for the other morning. There was a lot happening, and I just got caught up. I'm sorry," I said, feeling a bit of guilt creeping in.
"All good Jamie. The look on your and your Mom's faces when she came into your bedroom was enough payback for me. Your boys hanging out in full view was a bonus," he smiled.
I was so glad it was dark in the truck. My face felt like it was on fire with my neck not far behind.
Sam let out a chuckle. "I can see you face glowing from here in the dash lights, Jamie."
I looked at him in shock, then both started to laugh, breaking up the tension.