by Bowes, K T
“Gettin’ hisself into trouble,” the child answered and Hana sighed, forced to agree with the juvenile wisdom.
“Logan! This isn’t bloody funny!” Pete yelled into the phone and Hana held her breath. Wiri and Phoe burst into spontaneous laughter as Pete stamped around the edge of the soccer pitch, his shorts riding up and flesh making a reappearance. With a gasp, Hana covered both children’s eyes and they wriggled to free themselves. “Whatever!” Pete screeched. “You just wanna see my man-bits wobbling and I’m not gonna give you the satisfaction! Besides, it hurts when it slaps against my thigh!” He pressed the button to disconnect, fumbling in his irritation and failing. Hana caught the horror in the principal’s voice as she stammered in disgust.
“I beg your pardon? Mr North, get back here right now or you’re fired!”
Pete adjusted his shorts and sauntered across to Hana, peering at his phone in annoyance. He shook it in Hana’s face. “Do ya know what he did? That nasty old woman told him about my Superman pants and he got one of the food tech teachers to ring and pretend there’s a staff meeting.” His bottom lip drooped with petulance. “He thinks he’s so bloody funny!”
Hana swallowed and gnawed on her bottom lip. She opened her mouth to speak but Wiri got there first. “There is a staff meeting. Pa told Ma he’d be late tonight because of it.” The child poked a forefinger up his nose as the words tumbled from his mouth, wreaking havoc. “Yeah. That new lady boss is a bit mean. Pa said she’s got rocks up her ass.”
“Wiremu Du Rose!” Hana covered Phoenix’s ears and glared at the little boy. He shrugged and ate the bogey from his fingertip.
“Well, he did say that. I heard him.”
Phoenix swallowed and shook Hana’s hands away. “Mama. Won’t that hurt if you have stones up yer bum?”
Hana fixed a wooden smile on her face and turned to her daughter. “It would hurt. And that’s why he didn’t mean it.”
“Oh no!” Pete hopped from foot to foot, his shorts flapping in the breeze. “Oh no!”
“Mama!” Phoenix patted Hana’s thigh in panic. “Un-cool Pete’s gonna poop stones! Quick, get the potty!” Anxiety made her grey eyes widen in fear and a sob escaped her rosebud lips.
“You’d better run across the paddock,” Wiri said, his face creasing into a grin. “She’s gonna skin yer alive.”
“Hana! You have to help me!” Pete squealed, his colour ashen. “Say you’re sick and I’m helping you. Say anything. Here, ring her back.” He shoved his phone into her stomach and Hana recoiled.
“No! I’m not lying for you, Pete. Logan rang me because he knew you wouldn’t believe him. We tried to tell you.” Hana pushed the phone away and pointed towards the school building in the distance. “Wiri’s right. You should run.”
“Hurt me!” Pete dropped to his knees. “Break a bone and then call the ambulance. Give me a good excuse. You have to help me.”
“I’m not breaking your bones!” Hana stepped back in horror, mortified to feel Pete’s knotty fingers gripping her jeans. “Get off me.”
“I’ll hurt ya.” Wiri put his rucksack down on the grass and stepped forward. “I’ll kick youse in the head. Let go of my ma or I’ll smash you good.”
Phoenix gave a sharp intake of breath and Hana came to her senses. “This is ridiculous! Wiri, pick up your bag; we’re going back to the house. Pete! Get up. Start taking responsibility for your actions!”
“No! No! You don’t understand!” Pete lurched for her legs and Hana stepped back, clattering Phoenix in her haste. Rage charged through her blood and her temper snapped.
“That’s enough!” She scooped up her daughter and breathed apologies into the side of the downy head, turning on her heel and hurrying towards the house in the distance. “Come on, Wiri!” she urged, glancing over her shoulder.
“Can’t I just give him a little slap?” Wiri protested as Pete hobbled along on his knobby knees, wailing like a sick cow.
“No!” Hana felt her heart rate increase and her breath came in short rasps as anger took hold. “Come here right now!” She balanced Phoenix on her left hip and snatched up Wiri’s wrist with her free hand. The short walk to the house seemed to take an age with the sound of Pete wailing behind her as he thrashed around in the grass. When the noise stopped abruptly, Hana turned and saw him running towards the school building, holding onto the bottom of his shorts with both hands. Wiri let out a snort of laughter which stuck in his throat as Hana glared at him.
“Nonie’s gone out,” Phoenix announced as they crossed the driveway. Hana fumbled in her pocket for the door key.
“How do you know?” She set the child down on the porch.
“Pa’s ute’s gone.” Wiri put his hands on his hips and raised an eyebrow. “Om. That’s naughty.”
“Yes, it is.” Hana fitted the key into the aged lock, hissing with annoyance as it wouldn’t turn.
“It’s unlocked.” Wiri stepped up and pushed the front door open. Hana’s blood ran cold at the sight of the unwelcome visitor standing in the hallway.
Chapter 35
Unwelcome
“Hey, bro!” The grey-eyed man turned as Wiri ran into his legs, hoisting him up into his muscular arms with ease. “Have you missed me?”
“Yes!” Wiri buried his face into his brother’s neck and Hana fought to keep the grimace from her face. “I thought you didn’t love me anymore.” The child’s voice sounded muffled against Asher’s sweater and his tiny knuckles showed white as he gripped around his neck.
“Egg!” Asher exclaimed. “You moved away from me, remember. I’m still where I always was.”
“Where’s the whānau?” Wiri asked, referring to his birth mother and father. “Did they come for me?”
Hana bit her lip and turned her face away from the child’s agony. She excused herself and carried Phoenix through to the kitchen. Caleb shifted out of her way on his crutches, something like guilt in his eyes. Hana gave him a filthy look and passed him, setting Phoenix on a kitchen chair. “Where’s Macky?” the little girl asked, pointing to the crumb littered high chair.
“With Nonie, hopefully,” Hana said, reaching for the kettle and filling it with cold water. “Would you like some afternoon tea?”
“No, Mama! I had pie, member?” Phoenix covered her mouth with a tiny hand and giggled at her mother’s error.
“Oh, yeah.” Hana forced a smile onto her face. Her phone buzzed in her pocket and she pulled it out and removed the screen lock. She winced at Logan’s unrepeatable text message, a litany of swear words punctuated by perfect grammar and punctuation. “I think Uncle Pete made it to the meeting,” she muttered and Phoenix nodded with fake understanding.
“I tired,” she said, yawning and rubbing her eyes. “Wanna go sleepies.”
Hana moved to soothe her daughter. “But you won’t sleep tonight,” she crooned, stroking the dark curls.
“I will. Wanna go bed.” Phoenix’s face creased and she squeezed her eyes closed. “Promise. I just tired.”
“Okay. Let’s lie on my bed,” Hana suggested. “We’ll cuddle for a while and I’ll wake you up for Dad coming home.”
Phoenix nodded and allowed Hana to pick her up. Her body felt like a dead weight as the busy day at kindy caught her up and stripped her of all remaining energy. Hana went out into the hallway and caught the tail end of a conversation. Asher balanced Wiri on his hip and stared at Caleb, his expression worried. “Where is it?” he asked and Caleb closed his mouth as Hana passed carrying her daughter.
“Excuse me,” she said with forced politeness, working her way between the teenagers. Asher watched her struggle, making no attempt to move and Hana gritted her teeth and resisted the urge to hurt him. Her skin prickled at his nearness, his sabotage of her home and business still uppermost in her mind.
“I’m hungry, Hana.” Wiri’s words cut deep and she steadied her breathing, his abandonment of her as a mother figure jarring and painful.
“You just had a pie,” she said
, keeping her voice quiet. Without looking back, she crested the stairs and carried her daughter along the landing, closing the bedroom door with her foot. The upstairs of the old house felt like a silent graveyard and Hana shivered and laid Phoenix on the bed, pulling a woollen shawl around them both. The little girl snuggled into Hana and wrapped her tiny arms around her mother’s waist, providing comfort without meaning to.
Hana didn’t intend to fall asleep. The threat of Asher Du Rose in her home should have been enough of an impetus to remain alert. She woke with a start as darkness pushed into the bedroom, extracting herself from Phoenix’s arms. The scream escaped her lungs before she properly woke and Leslie jumped backwards, clutching Mac. “Nice!” Leslie snapped. “I’m not so ugly, am I?”
“Sorry, sorry!” Hana sat up and Phoenix uncurled from her ball, stretching and smiling at her grandmother. “You scared me. Why did you push your face into mine?”
“Macky gave you a kiss,” Leslie grumbled. “I thought I’d give you one too, but my bottom teeth kinda popped out at the last minute. We were looking for them.”
Hana turned sideways and saw Leslie’s bottom plate sitting on Logan’s pillow. She shrieked and moved away. Mac flapped his arms and giggled. Phoenix leaned over her mother and made a grab for them, almost succeeding as Hana batted her hands away.
“Is this a private orgy, or can anyone join?” Logan sounded tired and summoned up a wink for Phoenix as she reached out to him.
“Cuddles Papa.” She sat up and stretched her arms, squeezing her eyes closed in enjoyment as he reached down to hoist her up and onto his hip. Logan’s face creased into a look of disgust as Leslie grappled around on his pillowcase for her teeth. She shoved them back into her mouth and stood up with a smile. Mac giggled and reached out to put his finger in her mouth. Hana shook her head and watched Logan grow pale.
“Grab Mac.” His eyes widened and Hana opened her arms to her son, who plunged forward into her chest.
“He’s fine,” she whispered under her breath, turning and setting her feet on the floor. Leslie spun on her heel, yanking her underwear out of her bottom.
“Do you have to?” Logan bit, his expression threatening. “You chuck your choppers on my pillow and then dance around with your fingers up your...”
“Logan!” Hana’s voice held a warning and Phoenix pushed her thumb between her lips. “Not in front of the children.”
“I’ll make dinner.” Leslie shimmied from the room with her fingers seeking the source of the discomfort. Logan shoved the door closed behind her with the heel of his cowboy boot.
“Look at my pillow!” he groaned, pointing to the wet patch in the centre where his head usually rested. “Why’s she here, anyway?”
“What’s wrong, Logan?” Hana stood, cuddling Mac into her shoulder. He rubbed his nose against her neck and settled with his face tucked into her hair.
“I don’t want that kid here.” Logan stood in front of the window and stared into the darkening sky. Phoenix sucked her thumb and twirled a lock of her father’s dark hair. “I’ve got a bad feeling about him.”
Hana swallowed. “Sorry,” she conceded. “I jumped in with both feet and I made a mistake. I agree with you, but don’t know how to fix it. I can’t throw him out on the street with a broken leg, but I don’t want him here either.”
Logan turned to face her, his brow knitted in surprise. The scar beneath his right eye seemed to pulse in line with his heartbeat. “Did you just defer to me, Mrs Du Rose?” A smirk lit his mouth, tugging it upwards on one side. His teeth grazed his lower lip and he looked away.
“I know you’re laughing at me.” Hana pouted, tossing her red hair in defiance. Mac giggled as the fiery tresses stroked his face. “I can’t put my finger on it but he’s up to something.”
Logan nodded, his expression tired. “With Asher. I saw the loser drive away as I walked across the soccer pitch.” He turned to face her, eyes narrowed in suspicion. “Why did you park the truck, so it blocked the road? The principal bawled me out on the phone. She left before the faculty meetings started and complained because she needed to mount the curb to drive through the gate.”
“I didn’t,” Hana began, the realisation crossing her face as her sentence ended. “Leslie used it. I walked to get the children from school and when I got back, she’d taken Macky out somewhere.”
Logan sighed. “I wish you’d done it. Leslie won’t listen to a word I say.” He laid his daughter on the bed and tickled her tummy, resorting to baby-talk for his next statement. “Now all we need to do is get rid of our unwanted house guests and life can go back to normal.”
Chapter 36
Problem Children
“Wiri, no!” Hana caught sight of the small boy hovering in the doorway, his tiny fingers clasping the frame. He moved fast and her heart sank as she shoved the baby towards her husband. “Logan didn’t mean you, Wiri!” She ran after him, intercepting his skinny body at the top of the stairs and scooping him up.
“Get off me!” he shouted, flailing with his arms and catching Hana on the collarbone in a direct hit. The pacemaker beneath took the force, bruising the tender skin above it and dragging an agonised groan from between Hana’s lips. An old fear overtook her and she bent double, feeling the blood rush to her head as she waited for it to administer the electric shock she’d spent the last two years expecting.
“Sorry! Sorry!” Wiri screamed and stepped backwards the moment his feet touched the floor. “I didn’t mean it. It was an accident.” His voice caught and he almost tumbled down the split-level staircase, stopping himself with scrabbling fingers on the bannister rail. His eyes widened to the size of gold coins as Logan’s powerful frame loomed in his vision.
“What the hell happened?” Logan seized Hana’s shoulders and held her still. His presence offered comfort and she felt her raging pulse slow. Her chest eased and her fingers fluttered against the painful flesh beneath her collar bone. In her peripheral vision she watched Wiri’s socks disappear down the stairs, his little legs pumping beneath him. Caleb’s crutches scraped on the tiles in the downstairs hallway and Leslie grumbled and complained as she hauled herself from the kitchen.
“Phoe, keep Macky in the bedroom please baby.” Logan dropped to his haunches as Hana slid down the wall. “What can I do?” he whispered. “Do you need an ambulance?”
“No.” Hana gasped out the word. She laid her head back against the plaster and closed her eyes, hissing out shallow breaths through pursed lips. “He lashed out and caught me here.” Her fingers fluttered against the metal shape under the porcelain skin and Logan unbuttoned her blouse to look at the damage. Then he snorted like a bull.
“Bloody hell, Hana. It’s made a blue line around two sides of it. I’ll fricken kill him.”
“He’s upset.” The words escaped with a sob. “He thinks you want rid of him too.” She lowered her voice. “He heard what you said.”
Logan winced. “Sorry. But he’s hurt you, Hana.” He shook his head. “Can you stand?”
“Just leave me here for a minute.” Hana rolled her neck, willing the sickness away from her soul. “I’ll be fine.” Her complexion looked pinched and grey. “The pacemaker didn’t go off. Do you think mine’s a broken one?”
Logan stood and shook his head. “You’ve got this idea that it’ll throw you across a room, Hana. I’ve told you heaps of times; your heart rate gets too low and that’s when it shocks you. There are parameters it operates within, but it goes off when your heart rate drops, not spikes.” He opened his mouth to speak and then closed it again.
“What’s going on?” Leslie demanded from the middle of the staircase, peering around the corner with concern etched into her features. “What happened?”
A squeal from Phoenix drew their attention towards the bedroom, Leslie craning her neck around the newel post. “Mama, look! Mac’s coming a see youse!”
Hana’s eyes widened as her son rocked on all fours, determination creating hard lines in his bab
y face. Backwards and forwards he swayed, his bottom touching his heels and then lurching again. His weight shifted and a hand edged forward, then another. Left knee, right knee and then he got it, the rhythmic movements of a crawl. “Mama!” Phoenix bounced next to the baby, her excitement feverish and at the same time afraid. “He’s walkin’ Mama! He’s rescue youse.”
Logan watched his son with pride and gave Mac a thumbs up. Leslie clutched her ample bosoms and beamed at Hana. “See, kōtiro, my mokopuna’s good in every other way.”
Hana swallowed at the backhanded compliment, recognising in Leslie’s rumpled face the doubt created by a legacy of wives’ tales. She bit back the urge to scream at her that deaf didn’t mean disabled in everything, the pressure of Logan’s hand on her shoulder providing fortification. “She guessed,” he whispered. “But she means well.”
Mac plummeted onto his face, rocking on his rounded tummy and wailing with rage at the abrupt end to his victory. Phoenix squatted next to him and patted his wriggling back, murmuring encouragements which his useless eardrums wasted. Her voice soothed and cajoled and Logan strode across to retrieve Mac from the floorboards, touching Phoenix’s hair in approval. He whispered something to her in Māori and her face opened into a beam of pride. Leslie nodded.
“Yeah, she’s a good big sister,” she translated with affection and Hana felt the doors of their shared language bang closed in her face for the millionth time in her marriage. She shut her eyes against her own inability to learn their beautiful dialect, with its lilting inflections and taste of bubbling rivers and mountain air. Hauling herself to a standing position using the bannister rail and Leslie’s outstretched arm, Hana placed her fingers over the tender spot on her chest and remembered Wiri.
“Find Wiri for me,” she asked Leslie. “We need to talk about this whole mess.”