Page 47 of Blackout

H: I don’t have many friends, and I would like it if we could be.

L: OMG, I was just about to text you. Zach is having an event this weekend at his bar and I’m going to show my support. Would you like me to give you a lift?

H: I would love a lift, but I have a family meeting tomorrow.

L: I have to work until four, and I want to leave Melbourne around five. Does that work for you?

H: That would be perfect.

L: Okay. See you then.

H: See you then.

I put my phone down and took a deep breath. I smiled a big grin, even if it was only to myself. I couldn’t believe this really was about to happen. I was about to walk away. From my family to a man who had single-handedly stopped my unhealthy lifestyle and helped me see the light at the end of the tunnel of my Groundhog Days.

I would give everything up for the boy I’d crushed on in high school, who also happened to be my neighbour before my father had died. The boy I’d kissed all those years ago and never saw again, until just over a month ago when my life changed for the better.

I pinched myself. Yep. I needed to get a grip. I needed to get off the lounge and go pack. I just wished the time would pass quicker than this.

Twenty-four

Another restless night. Sleep for most of the night escaped me. I knew it wasn’t the insomnia as my sleep had been better this past couple of weeks. Last night was nerves and excitement. My time in Melbourne was almost over, and I could finally get out of here. I was ready. My one suitcase was packed and under my bed. My one box of treasures was packed and stowed right next to my suitcase. Today was the day I had asked my family to meet me. The countdown was on until everyone got here.

The time passed slowly. Either that or I got out of bed way too early. Now that I was ready, I wore holes in the floorboards of my house. The house was already tidy, and I was already packed. There were no other jobs to pass the time. I could make something, a batch of biscuits I thought to myself, but I didn’t want to get my family’s hopes up.

It had been over four weeks since I had been anywhere near dough of any type, and I liked that I wasn’t under the pump. That there wasn’t any pressure. So, I didn’t make the biscuits. Instead, I walked the two blocks from my house in George Street, Fitzroy, to Smith Street to get morning tea for my family. After Addison had revealed that she was pregnant at our last family meeting, I wanted morning tea to be a celebration of my sister’s news, not just from me but from my mum and grandparents.

Somewhere close to the time I said we should all meet, I heard the doorbell ring for what would be the first time of many until my family were all here. I opened the door to my mum, and we exchanged hellos.

Mum dropped her handbag onto the lounge and when she turned to face me, she said, ‘Harley, what is this all about? This meeting?’ The look on my mother’s face said she was a little worried. There was nothing to worry about, but I couldn’t tell her that. We had to wait for everyone to get here. It was only fair.

‘All in good time, Mum. How’s the bakery?’ I was curious how the bakery was going without me.

‘The bakery is running well. There are a lot of things I remember how to do and a lot of new things I’m still trying to get the hang of.’

I could tell things with my mum were good because she looked healthy and vibrant.

I was so pleased my mother was back to the way I remembered her when my dad was still around, now that she was on her feet.

The doorbell rang again. This time it was Addison. After more hellos, Addison walked down to my kitchen and greeted our mother.

‘How’s work at the bakery?’ I was also interested as to what her answer would be. Addison wasn’t allowed in the factory and had been relegated to shifts across the bakery’s three shops.

‘Great.’ It was a sarcastic answer, but I’d take a short answer over the silent treatment any day.

‘I purchased morning tea for you.’ I waited for Addison to make eye contact before I continued. ‘To congratulate you on your pregnancy.’

‘Thank you.’ Addison’s reached for one of the biscuits I’d purchased, sarcasm still present as she spoke.

Our sisterly love may never be the same again, but I was okay with that, for now anyway. Addison made her way over to the lounge and plopped herself down into the cushions.

‘How far along are you, Addison?’ I wanted to know.

‘Almost twelve weeks.’

My sister hadn’t started to show yet, but that didn’t stop her from rubbing her hand over her belly. I poured my mother and sister glasses of water and sat them down on the coffee table in front of the lounge.

‘Again, I can’t believe you’re going to be a mum and I’m going to be a grandma.’ I watched as my mother leaned in to hug my sister.