Box Set

by Kim Petersen

  Millie stifled a yawn and smiled dreamily. It was way past her bedtime and sleep beckoned her, yet she was determined to stay awake just a little longer. They were snuggled in her bed sipping on hot tea and recouping from a night of intense lovemaking.

  Damon groaned as he reached for an exposed nipple when she placed her mug on the bedside table. She brushed his hand away playfully. ‘I think we’re all caught up for one night, lover,’ she giggled.

  He grinned and eyed her over lazily. ‘We’ll never catch up; in fact I might have to quit my job and dedicate all my time to catching up with you – lover!’ he winked.

  ‘No hurry; we have the rest of our lives,’ she said.

  ‘That’s right,’ he said, pulling her in for a kiss.

  She rested her head on his chest, revelling in the comfort of his arms around her. Oh, how she had missed him! She gave a contented sigh as her head rose and fell with the gentle heave of his breathing. The beat of his heart filled her awareness with the blissful euphoria in which she found herself captive. All was perfect in that moment; they were cocooned in her bed together with the beginnings of another rainfall smattering against the window, and she knew she had discovered a piece of bliss along her path.

  Millie looked at him. ‘I remember the way you made me feel when we were teenagers. It wasn’t like this.’ Her face grew contemplative. ‘It’s different now; we’re different. Oh, I just realised, we’re adults now!’

  He smoothed her hair from her face. ‘Some things have not changed,’ he said.

  ‘Like what?’

  ‘Like the way your eyes flash with gold when you’re angry or passionate, or the way you twirl your hair when you’re unsettled … and mostly; the way you make me feel,’ his eyes held hers. ‘I remember you. I remember everything about you,’ he whispered.

  Millie nibbled on her bottom lip. Her eyes swam with the brim of emotions and she lost herself in the blue lagoon. ‘I love you,’ she said.

  ‘I love you even more,’ Damon murmured.

  They spent the following hour discussing Arella. Damon wanted to know everything about his daughter; from the event of her birth through to the present day. Millie dug out all the photo albums and handcrafted school relics, and proudly presented as much of Arella as she could, careful to not leave out any important details.

  ‘She’s just like you; especially when she can’t get what she wants – she has your droopy-eyed pout!’ Millie laughed.

  ‘Since when do I do a droopy-eyed pout?’ he demanded.

  She threw a pillow at him. ‘Since as long as I’ve known you, mister.’

  He caught the pillow with a pout limping his expression before they both fell into laughter.

  ‘I can’t wait to meet her tomorrow,’ Damon said.

  Her eyes glazed. ‘I need to prepare her first; she has no idea … and she can be very sensitive. Tomorrow I will tell her, and Monday after school we will all have dinner together. How does that sound?’ she said.

  ‘You’re right. I’m just eager to meet her – like yesterday! But I’ll wait till Monday,’ He planted a light kiss on the tip of her nose.

  She smiled hesitantly. Now she just needed to work out how to break the news to her daughter.

  Bella groaned as she hit the wet piece of clay with a balled fist. Her teeth clenched hard as she vented her resentment on the would-be sculpture. When she had given the clay a few good rounds, she fought to gain her breath as the tears rolled over her cheeks. She had arrived home from the hospital feeling the usual spike of grief wrenching through her gut, and although she was always careful not to allow her mother to see how hopeless the situation made her feel, even then she knew she had failed. Her mother was deteriorating before her eyes and she was powerless to do anything about it. Bella noticed the foul stench of sickness clinging to her mother more and more, and she knew it would grow until it claimed her completely.

  She cradled her face in her hands and succumbed to the anguish she fought to contain. She wished for relief with all her heart. A slight shiver ran from her neck down her spine. She shook her head, ignoring the tingling sensation and her angelic visitor.

  ‘Bella,’ a soft voice called.

  Bella shook her again. ‘Go away!’ she shrieked.

  She felt the angel’s presence linger for a moment before finally dissolving and leaving her alone again. She sighed. Great, now I get to feel guilty over that too. She knew her angel wanted to help her but she was so caught up in the despondency of recent events, she could not accept her angel’s aid.

  She ambled back from her studio to the house just in time to hear the doorbell chime. She languidly made her way down the hall and opened the door to find Craig clutching grocery bags.

  He grinned. ‘Have you been fighting with your sculptures?’

  ‘Huh?’ she mumbled.

  Craig chuckled. ‘By the looks of it, I’d say the sculptures won.’

  ‘Oh,’ she gasped, realising how she must look after pummelling the clay and smudging it over her face when she cried.

  She began wiping at her face with the backs of her hands, which only served to spread the brown clay further.

  ‘You look like a little puppy dog,’ he said.

  ‘Thanks; what are you doing here anyway,’ she huffed.

  ‘Well, a little birdy told me that a little puppy dog might like some company and a home-cooked meal,’ he said.

  Her eyes narrowed.

  ‘I make a great chicken and leek pie – Arella can verify that. Should we call her before you throw me away?’ he joked.

  She gave a little laugh. ‘Did my mother put you up to this?’ she said.

  Whiskey eyes settled on her. ‘She may have, but I didn’t need much of an excuse. I could really use some company tonight too,’ he said.

  She allowed a smile to break her despondency. ‘I could too,’ she conceded, stepping back to let him inside. ‘You know where the kitchen lives. I’ll just run upstairs for a quick shower.’

  ‘Great! Be prepared for the most delicious pie to ever hit your dinner plate.’

  ‘Can’t wait!’ She was already half way up the flight of stairs. She paused and gazed down at him. ‘Oh Craig, thank you,’ she added.

  ‘My pleasure,’ he said.

  She climbed the rest of the stairs to her bedroom with a small smile lingering on her lips. A little flush of excitement involuntarily sprang and rushed through her; relief was already finding her.

  August 17, 1998

  Dear Journal,

  Oh, how sweet life is when love comes to town!

  Okay, so with all that I’ve experienced, I am completely aware that ultimately, love is found from within; but when love is all and God is love, isn’t it natural that we reach out to give and receive love from one another?

  Let me have this moment of rejoicing! Let me revel in the love from another – and not just any other; my deepest other.

  I feel unity with all of life!

  My body has come alive with the sweetest sensations, and I’m almost feeling like a teenage girl.

  Yesterday, I sat with Arella and told her everything – well almost everything. She didn’t need to know about the sexy car episode or what happened when we got back home, but I did tell her the story of Damon and me. For a 5-year-old, she took it pretty well. Considering the subject hadn’t been discussed at length in the past. Her response? “I know mummy, and I’ve been waiting to meet him.” A typical Arella response.

  I love that girl so much.

  So, today I have a cherub painting to tackle at the studio, and Bella is bringing in some of her sculptures – which I am looking forward to seeing.

  After that, dinner with Arella and Damon. I think I will cook something special; lasagne and passionfruit tart.

  It’s going to be a wonderful day!

  Millie xo

  A loud knock at the door rattled Glen’s senses. He groaned and pulled the pillow over his head. ‘Go away,’ he grumbled.

  Ano
ther blast jolted the door and shattered the last of his slumber. He mumbled under his breath as he dragged his tired body from the bed and shuffled to the front door. Didn’t people know it was rude to knock on doors so early? He had worked a double shift the night before, and wasn’t accustomed to morning house callers.

  He threw the door open and struggled to focus on the two women who had interrupted his sleep. ‘Yeah,’ he said, rubbing his eyes and yawning widely.

  The women were miles apart in age, yet they appeared to be dressed in similar conservative attire. Each held a pamphlet in their hands.

  The older woman smiled. ‘I’m sorry for interrupting you, sir. We are from the United Church and calling for donations. Have you found God in your life?’ she said while offering him a pamphlet.

  Glen frowned and took the brochure. He studied it for a moment before looking back at them, noticing the shocked expression frozen over the younger woman’s face. She couldn’t be more than eighteen, he thought dismissively.

  ‘Umm … look, I just woke up from a late shift. Let me get my wallet and then you’ll let me get some sleep, yeah?’

  The older lady noticed the smirk that had grown over the younger woman’s face. She followed her gaze and gasped when her eyes settled on Glen’s crotch.

  A bony hand clasped at her chest while the other snatched the pamphlet from Glen’s hand. ‘That won’t be necessary!’ she snapped.

  She grappled for the younger woman’s arm and tugged her forcefully away as they made for the porch steps. ‘You … you pervert!’ she hissed, pointing a crooked finger at him.

  The young woman turned and flashed him a wide grin before she was whisked away down the street with her companion ranting beside her.

  Glen watched them for a perplexed moment. He knew he didn’t look his best, but what could they expect when calling on people on the early hours of a Monday morning? He shook his head and closed the door. It was then he glanced down and saw his morning glory protruding like a gallant sword through the slip in his pyjama pants.

  He rubbed a hand over his spiky hair with a half chuckle. ‘Oh well, I guess that takes care of that,’ he shrugged, then headed for the bathroom.

  He had just finished splashing cold water over his face when he heard another knock on the door. He grabbed for the towel and buried his face against the stiff starchy fabric, Argh! She’s comes back for a second round; what is it with these church people? he grumbled silently as the second knock rattled louder through the hall.

  ‘I’m coming, I’m coming,’ he sang out, heading for the front door and taking a quick peek downward to be sure there would be no inordinate display this time.

  However, when he opened the door for the second time, his jaw dropped and his eyes stretched. It wasn’t the church women calling to hurl abuse at him but his son. A wary smile erupted on his face.

  Ace grinned broadly. ‘Hi dad!’ he exclaimed with a sweeping movement of his arms. He chuckled. ‘Bet you weren’t expecting to see me this morning.’

  Glen recovered quickly. ‘Good to see you, Ace,’ he said, then turned to eye the redhead next to him. ‘And which lovely lady have you brought home to meet your old man?’

  Ace encircled an arm around Madison’s waist. ‘Meet Madison; the apple of my eye,’ he said.

  She burst into laughter. ‘Oh, you are so sweet my Ace of games,’ she gushed with the flutter of long lashes.

  Glen and Madison exchanged polite greetings before all three fell into an awkward silence. He watched her as she clasped onto his son’s arm possessively and pressed her bosom against him. He tried to ignore the slight alarm that stirred in him; he never had a thing for redheads.

  Ace extracted himself from Madison’s hold and leaned in to grasp Glen in a bear hug. ‘It’s good to see you, dad,’ he mumbled in his ear.

  Glen slapped Ace’s back affectionately, and returned the hug. It was then he spotted the green stone that hung between Madison’s plunging V-neck sweater. He shuddered and felt himself go rigid as Ace stood back and looked at him.

  ‘Everything okay, pop?’ Ace asked.

  Glen nodded. ‘Sure, come in,’ he said. He forced a smile and glimpsed the grin that spread over Madison’s face as they entered his house.

  It was rare to feel uncomfortable around another person, yet as much as Glen tried to shake off the unsettling feeling that Madison evoked in him, he couldn’t. He fiddled about in the kitchen making coffee and eggs while she and Ace canoodled. He stole a glance at them and frowned. She was tracing a finger over Ace’s thigh while whispering something in his ear that provoked a sly grin over his son’s face. Trouble, he thought, turning back to the eggs. He didn’t know what she was up to yet, but even before he had spotted that green stone, he knew her intentions were not sincere.

  She saddled up next to him. ‘Hey Mr Anderson, would you like some help?’ she said sweetly.

  A shot of pain sliced through his head and he looked at her coldly. ‘I got it, thanks,’ he mumbled.

  She reached over him and picked up a hot mug of coffee, brushing her breasts against his arm as she did so. She paused and searched his eyes with her own. ‘Are you sure?’ she teased.

  His eyes dropped to the cold green stone pressing on his arm, and it took all his strength to contain the impulse to push her away. Preferably out the front door. He stepped away. ‘Positive,’ he said.

  She smiled and cocked her head to one side. ‘You know him well, don’t you?’ she said.

  Glen eyes hardened. ‘Not anymore,’ he said.

  ‘Well, okay,’ she chimed, and sashayed back to the table.

  They ate breakfast while Ace spoke about the land he had been working up north.

  ‘I have work lined up when I return to Queensland. They have offered a good wage and the farmer’s wife can cook real well,’ he said.

  He looked at Glen thoughtfully as he munched the last of his toast. ‘Plus, they’re easy to work with up there; they’re all a few cards short of a deck, if you know what I mean.’

  Madison laughed and started to stroke his hair. ‘They’re not as clever as my Ace of games … not once have I seen a worthy poker-face in that crowd!’ she winked.

  Ace grinned and pecked her nose with his lips.

  Glen glanced away before his appetite was ruined.

  Ace chuckled and gestured around the kitchen. ‘Dad, when are you going to sell up and get yourself something better than this old dump?’

  He noticed the garish expression over Glen’s face and grew silent.

  ‘Never. I won’t leave them,’ he grunted.

  ‘Leave who?’ Madison piped.

  He gave her a condescending glance as he stuffed more eggs in his mouth. ‘My mother and my first wife,’ he said.

  ‘Millie’s mother?’ she said.

  Glen ignored her and looked at Ace. ‘When are you going to patch things up with Millie?’

  His eyes softened. ‘Please dad, I need some time. I’m trying to do the right thing here … I’m working and getting myself together.’ He gave Madison’s hand a squeeze. ‘And I have a good woman beside me now.’

  Glen scowled. ‘Ace, we need to talk privately,’ he said.

  Ace nodded. ‘Okay, we can do that. Madi can go out for a walk around town for a while,’ he said, turning to her. ‘Would you mind? There is a great ice-cream shop by the bay. I know how you love ice-cream even when it’s cold out,’ he teased. ‘Besides, maybe you can find us a suitable car to drive back in?’

  Madison sighed. ‘Sure. I’ll have peek around town.’ She grinned as she glanced at Glen. ‘Ice-cream is always best eaten when it’s cold out,’ she said.

  ‘I bet you couldn’t melt ice-cream even on the hottest of days,’ Glen mocked.

  Bella’s blonde locks swayed with the beat of the radio as she sang along with Lenny Kravitz. She was on her way to the gallery with a few carefully wrapped sculptures she had stowed in the back seat, and to her surprise she was feeling more upbeat than she had for a whil
e. Her green eyes crinkled at the corners as a smile swept over her face. It hadn’t gone unnoticed that her spirits seemed to lift whenever she saw Craig. A tingle of delight shimmied through her as her thoughts turned to Saturday night.

  By the time she had showered and dressed, a delicious smell wafted through the townhouse and lured her to the kitchen. The combined odour of bacon, garlic and leeks tantalised her tastebuds as it sizzled in a pan on the stove. She noticed Craig about to add the chicken to the mixture, and rushed over to stop him.

  ‘Wait!’ she demanded, then reached in to pluck out a few crispy pieces of bacon.

  Craig watched her with amusement as she devoured the bacon and flashed him a grin. He went to add the chicken again, and this time she grabbed his arm.

  ‘Wait! Just one more bit,’ she said.

  ‘Aww, c’mon!’ he groaned, ‘there will be none left for my pie.’

  Bella shrugged as she stuffed more of the bacon mixture into her mouth. ‘You still have the chicken,’ she said. The last piece of bacon missed her mouth, and fell down her top.

  Craig burst into laughter when her face screwed up as she looked down her blouse.

  ‘Need some help?’ he teased.

  She fished out the piece of bacon. ‘Nope, got it,’ she grinned.

  Craig turned to the chicken and continued cooking. ‘Wait till you see what we have for dessert,’ he said.

  Bella’s face lit up. ‘Oh, chocolate?’

  He nodded. ‘Not just any old chocolate; triple chocolate layered mousse cake,’ he said.

  She groaned in delight and poured them each a glass of wine. ‘Why are you so good to me?’ she said playfully.

  He left the pie mixture to simmer and edged near her. ‘Because you remind me of colour, and I like you,’ he said, reaching for the wine.

  She gestured with a tilt of her glass. ‘Well, here’s to liking colour and people,’ she said. Her expression grew thoughtful. ‘What colour do I remind you of?’

  He gave her an enigmatic smile as he studied her. ‘A lovely pink-rose colour,’ he said.