"Hi, it's me," said the female voice into my ear.
Standing beside a large bay window I rubbed the palm of my hand across the smudged glass and stared out at the dreary Melbourne morning. The landscape was misty and dew covered with droplets of moisture like a tiara.
Pushing the Galaxy into my shoulder I turned away from the tree line, trying to focus my thoughts.
"Did you arrive safely?" I asked into the phone.
"Yes," the woman replied. "Everything worked out like you said it would. There was a bit of early morning fog in Sydney, but nothing else."
A strange relief washed over me. "Well, that is good then, I shall look forward to seeing you today."
There was a slight pause. I could almost hear the wheels turning; an undercurrent of mirth clouded her reply. "Yes, I am sure you will, Jason."
I grinned broadly and went along with her lead. "Are you wearing anything special for me?"
"Tssh, handsome brother- all good things to those who wait."
"Oh, that is not fair! You know that I cannot handle surprises."
She laughed. "This surprise will have to wait until you see me."
I licked my lips. "Mmm, I like the sound of that."
"Oh, now who is being the rude boy?"
I feigned ignorance. "What do you mean, sis?"
She sighed and the line went quiet.
I waited a few moments. "Jenna...?"
Her voice was slightly husky when it returned. "Jason, I need to see you too."
"I know that. I feel the same way."
"Good."
I cleared my voice and wondered why I needed to do that. "What time is the booking?"
"One o'clock. Don't forget to bring Mum." She laughed.
"No problem, Jenna. One o'clock it is. Love you. Bye."
***
Dry autumn leaves whirred across my path as I moved along Lygon Street and towards the Italian restaurant. My hands were bunched deep in the pockets of my coat and my boots beat a steady cadence on the worn pavement.
My thoughts were as clouded as the weather above as I wondered what might transpire today.
Jenna had made the booking online from up in Sydney several weeks ago but I was still surprised to even have the chance to see her at all. Last minute plans with her job meant that it was doubtful that she would make it down to Melbourne this year, but I did have my fingers crossed that things would work out nevertheless. I was also glad that she made the effort. I was hopeless went it came to matters of technology and online bookings.
The clatter of a tram crossing sounded off to the side as I held the door open for my Mother.
"Thanks," she said and stepped into the darkened interior.
The door swung shut and I waited a moment for my eyes to readjust. Gradually the room appeared before my vision, like the deep sea diver who returns to the air breathing world. Taking in a deep breath I looked around the tables.
My sister was nowhere in sight, but that did not cause me any alarm. The small tables with their close set chairs and green, white and red table cloths did not suit my sister's style. She was loud and boisterous and the small enclosed space would not have suited her needs.
I smiled and took my mother by the arm. "Jenna is bound to be this way."
"Yes," she nodded and let my lead her over to the white side door with glass panes.
The outdoor area of the restaurant replaced the interior sound with the hum of traffic down Lygon Street again. The lunchtime shopping crowd was lingering and could be seen over the wall and the threat of dark clouds swelled to the south-west. Several small tables sat against the exterior balcony beneath an overhanging canopy.
The door clicked behind me and the woman leaning against the railing turned around.
"Mum! Jason!"
My Mother smiled and headed across to embrace her daughter.
I hanged back slightly and stared at her.
I had not seen my sibling for over a year since she had moved to Sydney for her career. At 25 years of age she was in her peak age bracket and was striking while the iron was hot. Modelling had passed her by and she had now moved into freelance online journalism and blogging. The last year had seen her build up her contacts in the harbor city. Jenna had spent most of her early years hoping to be a clothes model, but a bevy of taller girls had quickly put pay to that. At just over 5 feet 2 Jenna was always going to hit a hurdle in that industry.
The first thing I noticed was that my sister had put on weight in the last twelve months. To most people it would hardly be noticeable, yet to my trained eye it was as obvious as a fly in milk. She wore a dark flower-patterned dress and shiny black tights. The material caught slightly at arms, hips and calves in a manner that I had not seen before. My tongue clucked at the roof of my mouth as I stared in awe. She had rubenesque curves beneath that dress that really suited the burgundy tresses that bounced over her shoulders.
My kid sister had now developed into a lovely looking, independent woman.
"Hi, Jenna," I said when she turned.
A set of ankle-cut boots carried her across to me.
"Jason," she smiled and embraced me.
I breathed in the sweet fragrance of her perfume and felt dizzy as the world spun around me. I could hear her soft, female giggle play in my ears and I felt a kiss touch me dangerously close to my mouth.
"Wow," I exclaimed and held her at arm's reach. "You look fantastic."
She glowered under my praise. "Thanks, Jason."
I stared down at her womanly curves. "You really do! That dress looks great! What have you done?"
She smiled and stared down at herself. "It is just the Sydney lifestyle, Jason- restaurants, ice-cream on the beach and coffee in the cafes, late start and even later finish."
I laughed. "Good to see a return on the expense."
She punched me playfully in the arm. "Oww."
"That is for picking on your kid sister."
I massaged the wound as if it was shrapnel from the war.
Jenna took me by the hand. "Come, Jason, time for your surprise."
