Page 51 of Blackout

‘Thank you for everything you have done. You rescued Mum, Addison and me from a black hole, but we can stand on our own two feet now. This is how Dad wanted everything to be.’ I told my grandparents, glad that everyone was on the same page. ‘You don’t need my help with Addison, Grandpa, just don’t be as harsh on her as you were with me. She’ll make a good baker if you let her.’

‘We don’t want to lose you out of our lives, Harley.’

‘You won’t,’ I told them as they left my house. I would make the time to call them and catch up whenever I was in Melbourne. I hoped one day my grandparents would also visit me.

When I walked back down the hallway, I realised Addison was still here, seated on my lounge. Maybe she just wanted to talk. Just her and I. Sister to sister. Maybe I needed to talk to Addison too.

Before Addison could say what she needed to say, I made my way closer to her and said, ‘The last ten years of our lives may not have turned out the way that we wanted, but we have this opportunity to change how the next ten years of our lives turn out.’ I reached for Addison’s hands to squeeze them. When I let go of them, I told her, ‘I may never come back to live in this house or Melbourne, and rather than leave it empty, I’d like you to turn this house into a home for yourself and that niece or nephew of mine.’

‘I know I haven’t always been there for you.’ Addison’s words had caught me off guard. With tears in her eyes, she continued. ‘As your sister or friend or when you really needed me. You held us all together while you fell apart. I never knew. Never wanted to know. I’m sorry we fell apart. I’m sorry we grew distant. I’m sorry our dares spiralled out of control. But after that night at Jam, you stopped visiting me at work, and we didn’t sing karaoke anymore. I thought if I dared you to sing, you would reach out again. Thank you for the house. As for taking over your job at the bakery, I will never be as qualified as you to run the family business. But at least now working with Mum and Grandpa, I can try as per Dad’s wishes.’

‘I threw myself into work after that night at Jam, and it took a long time to work up the courage to go out just to sing karaoke myself.’ I confessed to Addison. ‘Your dare, though, may have just saved my life. I got to reconnect with Zach for the second time since the accident.’ A blissful sensation filled me as I thought about Zach and the time we had spent together recently. I couldn’t wait to see him again.

‘What?’ Addison mouthed, and her mouth hung open, stunned.

‘Yeah, that night at Jam,’ I told her. ‘He picked me up off the stage floor and took me to his apartment. Only I didn’t know it was him until recently. When I walked out the next morning, his apartment was empty. I never remembered his face that night, as Jam was dark, and I was not in a good place.’ I was glad Addison and I got to have this moment. This might be the moment we got to reconnect.

‘Oh my God. That night. I was so selfish, all I cared about was me. Sure, I wanted to check out the new karaoke club and get up and sing. I didn’t know “Flame Trees” would do that to you. In the commotion of you collapsing on the floor, Marcus pulled me from the stage to calm me down, then he took me home. I didn’t even see you leave. Marcus told me that you were safe, that one of the owners was looking after you. I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you.’ Addison’s words came out in a rush. Her ramble sounded exactly like mine. She was even breathless like me too.

‘We’re okay, Addison.’ I reached out and offered my affection. ‘As long as there will be no more dares between us.’

‘No more dares, I promise.’ Then Addison pointed to my chest. ‘You found your necklace?’

‘How did you know I lost it?’ Maybe there were times my sister did pay attention.

‘You always wore it, never took it off.’ Addison reached out to touch the chain. She spoke of the time we still lived at our grandparents and had seen each other every day.

‘I lost it that night we went to Jam,’ I admitted to her. ‘I found it though at Zach’s. He’d had it this whole time. I found it hung up on the wall in his bedroom.’

‘I know how much that necklace means to you. I’m glad you have it back.’ I could see Addison reminisce about the way it was before everything changed.

‘I’m glad too.’

When I heard a knock at the front door, I knew Lex was here to collect me. I let Lex inside and we exchanged our hellos. Seeing my sister, she then screeched, ‘Addison! How long has it been?’

‘Forever and a day,’ Addison replied.

‘You’re not wrong.’ Lex’s voice had returned to normal.

‘I’m going to be an aunt, can you believe it,’ I told Lex, sharing my sister’s news.

‘Congrats to both of you. That’s so exciting.’ Lex leaned in to give her old friend a hug.

‘Thanks,’ both my sister and I said simultaneously.

‘So, who’s the lucky man in your life?’ Lex sure did know how to grill people, my sister included.

‘No one special.’

I didn’t miss the shiver that ran through my sister.

‘Addison you’re having a baby. You’re going to be a mum.’

‘A single mum.’

‘You won’t be alone. Mum and I will help you whenever and wherever we can. Grandma James will help you too if you need her,’ I reassured.

Addison didn’t reply. There was more to my sister’s pregnancy than she wanted to let on. Maybe one day she would be brave enough to tell me her story. ‘If you ever want to talk, I’m here.’ I pulled my sister into my hug before I said, ‘I really am happy for you, Addison.’