The Saddler Boys

by Fiona Palmer

‘Minister, I’ve worked as the registrar for nearly thirty years. I’ve seen my kids and my grandkids through this school and I’d like to see my great-grandkids go here as well. There is so much love in this school and the kids benefit hugely from the smaller classes. They have a great empathy and ability to tolerate and support their fellow class members, whether they are senior room or junior room children. They get to experience things that many other kids don’t, from seeing farm animals in the classrooms to understanding just where their food comes from. I’d hate to see our children suffer the longer hours spent away from home on the buses, or worse – families moving away to another town for school.’ Kath pulled out a tissue and dabbed at her eyes. Nat found herself blinking rapidly.

  ‘It is the heart of our town and community,’ Kath went on. ‘It connects us all because we have all been schooled there. It is a part of us and Lake Biddy. We fight this decision with our whole hearts.’

  The minister nodded his head. ‘I understand and I appreciate the long drive you took to get here today. It has been very useful to hear firsthand from you all. We plan to close the school not just for economic reasons, but also for the best interests of the children. Next year your numbers will be very low and that means less social interaction for the children. It is a big part of learning.’ He adjusted his tie as he looked down at the papers they’d given him. ‘I will seriously look these over and have another think before anything is confirmed.’

  Tuck stepped forward. ‘Thank you, Minister, and thank you for your time.’

  ‘Yes, thank you for listening to us,’ said Lauren.

  Nat could feel the energy leaving the room – they’d come in with so much gusto and now that they’d all had their say, it felt flat. Some looked frustrated, and others looked worried, probably wondering if they’d done enough. Nat felt exhausted. Were their voices loud enough to be heard?

  ‘Thanks, Tuck. We appreciate your help,’ said Lauren, shaking his hand.

  ‘I just hope it works.’ He glanced at his watch. ‘I’ve got to head off for a meeting but please call me if I can help with anything.’

  ‘Will do.’

  ‘Thanks, Tuck,’ they all said as he left, merging with the people on the footpath.

  Like a bunch of tumbleweed sitting in the middle of the road, they huddled together, out of place.

  ‘I need a drink,’ said Ross.

  ‘That minister has already made his mind up,’ said James, who was on the P & C. ‘I doubt anything we said would change his mind.’

  ‘Yeah, he didn’t seem to care about what we had to say,’ said Kath. ‘Tuck did a great job, though.’

  ‘Yep. Nice speech, by the way, Kath,’ added James as he patted her shoulder. ‘But the mallee roots in my woodheap have more emotion than that pollie bastard. How are we supposed to get through to them? They just don’t care. He makes all the right sounds but do you really think he’s going to rethink this? It all comes down to the figures. I wish we could take something away from them, something that would affect their whole way of life,’ grumbled James. ‘Then they might get it.’

  ‘I’m depressed,’ said Grace, ‘I need chocolate.’

  ‘Can we drive the bus through a bottle-o for the way home?’ asked Bob. ‘I could go a cold one or two.’

  ‘Will the bus fit through Hungry Jack’s? I need a Whopper,’ said James.

  Their banter was continuous as they climbed back aboard. An eight-hour round trip, for such a short meeting.

  ‘Do you need a lift, Drew?’ asked Eric, who’d offered to drive the team to Perth, seeing as though it was his bus.

  ‘That’s okay, Eric. I’ll drop them off on my way home,’ said Nat quickly. ‘Jump in, guys,’ she said to Drew and Billy.

  ‘Do you think we made a difference?’ asked Drew as they waved goodbye to the busload of country folk.

  ‘Fingers crossed, I guess. Hard to know. I think if they’ve made their decision for their budget, then nothing we do can change their mind. I hope I’m wrong.’

  ‘So do I, Nat, so do I.’

  Thirty minutes later, after driving through McDonald’s for lunch at Billy’s request, she pulled into Uncle Kent’s driveway. She wasn’t surprised to see his car, as he did most of his work from home.

  ‘Nice place,’ said Drew.

  ‘Wow,’ Billy added.

  Nat hoped they never saw her parents’ place. They’d probably think it was such a waste of money.

  ‘Come on, Uncle Kent’s home. You’ll love him.’

  Nat knocked on the large oak door. It swung open moments later. Uncle Kent stood there in his business suit, minus his jacket, and his blue tie was pulled loose. He was barefoot.

  ‘Natty, come in, love.’ Uncle Kent’s eyes glistened with joy. ‘Give me a hug, possum.’

  Embracing her uncle was one of Nat’s greatest pleasures. He was the only one in her family who gave sincere hugs that made her feel loved for who she was.

  ‘Uncle Kent, this is Drew and Billy.’

  Kent and Drew shook hands and Billy stepped forward with his hand held out too. ‘Hello, Uncle Kent,’ he said with gusto.

  Kent laughed and shook his hand. ‘Well, aren’t you just the gentleman? Come in, come in. Have you had something to eat?’

  ‘Yes, thanks,’ said Drew.

  ‘Nat, I’ve got some leftover honey chicken with crispy noodles in the fridge, if you’re peckish?’ said Kent. He glanced at Drew. ‘She tries to eat well but I know her weaknesses and try to make sure she indulges as often as possible,’ he said with a wink. ‘Anyone for a drink?’

  They walked into the kitchen dining area and Drew stopped by the fridge, admiring the faded artwork and old photos on it.

  ‘Is that you, Natty?’ He pointed to a photo of a young girl covered in a dark-brown mess. It was all over her face and hands. ‘And you told me you never got dirty,’ he said when she nodded.

  ‘Hey, it doesn’t count when it’s chocolate cake. Uncle Kent used to let me lick the bowl every time.’ She smiled at her uncle, who was watching Drew with great interest.

  ‘You want to see more, Drew? I have a great collection of Natty,’ said Kent.

  ‘No!’ Nat cried. ‘Don’t you dare . . .’

  Kent laughed before turning to Billy. ‘Can I get you anything, young Billy?’ Billy shook his head. ‘Well, how about you go and look in that oak chest over there and see if anything takes your fancy?’ Kent waved him on and eventually Billy headed to the box and opened up the lid. Inside were a heap of Nat and Jason’s old toys. Kent never let anything go, his excuse being that he had such a big house to fill.

  While Billy entertained himself, they sat around the table, talking softly.

  ‘The kit’s here,’ said Kent. ‘Once it’s done, the results will be emailed in five to seven working days. The signed hard copy will be posted out later.’

  ‘So we’ll know for sure in a week. It’ll be my birthday around then. I hope I get what I wish for,’ said Drew.

  Nat wanted to reach out and grasp his hand but she didn’t. That was something she only did when they were alone, as some people might take it the wrong way.

  ‘Try not to worry. Once we know the outcome, then we can take the next steps needed.’

  ‘Thanks, Kent. I really appreciate everything you’re doing for us.’

  ‘Uncle Kent’s the best. You couldn’t be in better hands,’ said Nat.

  ‘How much do I owe you for sorting this all out?’ Drew asked.

  Kent waved him off. ‘No, I won’t hear of it. You just worry about looking after your boy instead. You are lucky to have him.’

  Her uncle then looked at Nat and she felt his longing to have had kids of his own. He had so much love to give.

  ‘Nat, go show Drew to his room. I’ve got a few depositions to get through, but make yourself at home.’

  ‘I always do, Uncle Kent.’ Nat kissed his check and he sighed happily.

  Nat took Drew through to the guest room. The other spare
room was hers – always was and always would be.

  ‘Wow, this is just too much, Nat,’ said Drew as he dumped their bags. ‘Your uncle is an amazing guy. I don’t know what I was expecting. Someone like Gary, I guess, but Kent is so down to earth. Now I know where you get that from,’ he said with a smile. ‘It all makes sense now.’

  ‘Yeah, he’s a special guy.’ Nat reached out and touched his arm. ‘Whatever the outcome, in your heart Billy is your son and Uncle Kent will make sure it stays that way.’

  Drew swallowed hard and his eyes softened like gems under the water. ‘I hope you’re right, Natty. I really do.’

  Chapter 28

  THEY had been at Kent’s for nearly an hour when he announced he had to head out to meet a client.

  ‘How about we go do something too?’ said Nat. ‘We could go to the zoo?’

  Billy’s head snapped up. ‘The zoo? Can we, Dad, can we?’ he begged. ‘I’ve never been,’ he added to Nat.

  ‘Actually you have,’ chuckled Drew. ‘You were nearly three but I guess it’s time we went back. Are you sure?’ he asked Nat. He didn’t want to put her out.

  ‘I wouldn’t have mentioned it otherwise.’ She gave him a teasing smile. ‘Come on, we can spend the whole afternoon there. Uncle Kent always took me. I think it’s time I went back too.’

  Drew shrugged. ‘Fine by me. What do you think, Billy?’

  Billy jumped up in the air as if auditioning for a Toyota ad.

  ‘Great. Have fun,’ said Kent. ‘I’ll see you for dinner. I have stuff in the fridge for your favourite seafood pasta dish, Natty. If I beat you home, I’ll cook. If you beat me home, I will be forever grateful.’ Kent kissed her forehead and then left.

  After collecting their bits and pieces, they left too, with Nat at the wheel.

  ‘This is going to be so cool. I hope we can see the giraffes. Do you think they’ll let us feed them, Natty? Or the elephants. Do you think they have baby ones? What are your favourites?’ Billy’s hands waved around as he fired questions to Nat from the back seat. His eyes sparkled brightly and the smile only left his face when he rattled off more excited questions, sometimes not even waiting for her answers.

  At the zoo Billy grabbed onto both of their hands and they walked as fast as his little legs would go. The tiny penguins and the big crocodile had him in awe and made Drew wish he’d done this sooner. When he went to the city it was for a purpose – shopping, picking up parts, appointments. They got in and they got out. Staying longer meant more money for accommodation and food, so doing things like this seemed to go on the backburner. Yet it was making some awesome memories. Memories he may need to cling on to, depending on the outcome of this test tomorrow and how it all ended up in the courts. God, he didn’t want to think about the worst-case scenario but it kept creeping into his mind.

  ‘Drew?’ said Natalie softly, nudging his shoulder. ‘Drew.’

  Straight away he picked up her worried tone. He met her eyes while Billy was busy watching the orangutans. ‘Is it that obvious?’

  Nat smiled, but he could tell she was concerned. ‘A little. You’re getting that worry line.’ She pressed her thumb against his forehead and gave it a gentle rub.

  Drew instantly felt his body relax. Just being beside Natalie made him happy: to see her smile, hear her voice, and watch the way she moved. He was happy with just that, or so he told himself, but then she would touch him. Oh, it did things to his body that he couldn’t control. Made him feel alive, soaring high in the sky like a bird on the breeze and made parts of him wake from their deep slumber. How had he lived this long without feeling this excitement, desire and longing?

  She’d probably stop if she knew, but he didn’t want her to stop. Each bit of contact, be it a brush as she walked past or a touch of her hand when she passed a plate, every single time he felt it and cherished it. He craved to reach out now and brush her hair back, to run his fingers through its silkiness and then caress her skin. He knew how damn soft it was too. And he knew just how perfect her lips were. And how amazing she tasted. He felt his desire build like a steam engine, except there was no release.

  Drew gritted his teeth and almost shook his head to clear his mind. He resisted the urge to curse from his frustration. It was okay to manage being around Natalie, until he began torturing himself like this. Wanting her so much. Some days it grew and grew until he was crazy with want. His body burnt with the ache. Then some days his heart felt so heavy and lonely.

  She can only be a friend. Words he muttered often to keep himself in check.

  He’d come to the conclusion, after many, many nights of thinking, that he’d rather have Nat in his life as a friend than not at all. He would suffer the pain of not being able to hold her or kiss her again, just to be able to stand near her and be there for every smile and every glance from those teal eyes that cut straight to his soul. Some pain was worth enduring.

  ‘I’m sorry,’ he whispered. He knew he had to push all that, as well as tomorrow’s test, from his mind.

  ‘I know it’s hard but now’s a time to forget and enjoy.’ Nat glanced at Billy and smiled in such a tender way it made his throat constrict. Her unspoken words echoed inside his head.

  God almighty, she was an angel, he thought. How did such a beautiful creature end up in his life? And how did she understand him so well?

  He realised that Natalie and Billy were his ticket to forgetting his worries. And as they walked around the zoo, his mood improved tenfold.

  ‘Dad, look at that one, the one scratching his butt,’ said Billy, laughing.

  The rest of their time at the zoo passed in a blur of animals. Drew took many photos with his phone, but every one of them had either Billy or Nat in it. No fancy animals could compare with the amazing humans by his side. He walked around the zoo feeling ten feet tall, and every time Nat smiled at him adrenaline shot around his body.

  ‘Dad, can we come back again one day?’ Billy begged at closing time.

  ‘I’m sure your dad will bring you back,’ said Nat, giving Billy a wink.

  If Drew got to keep his son, then he’d bring him back every bloody year. Hell, he’d do it every month if it would help the universe make Billy his forever.

  Back at Kent’s, Drew got Billy started in the shower.

  ‘You can swing ten cats in here, Dad!’ Billy exclaimed.

  Then Drew joined Nat in the kitchen. ‘Can I help you with the pasta?’

  ‘Sure, can you stir this?’

  Drew reached for the wooden spoon, his hand brushing her fingers. Then her hands caressed his hips as she moved him to the side so she could get into the pot cupboard. Yep, helping her cook was much more fun than watching from the table.

  ‘Thanks.’

  ‘You look like a chook scratching around down there,’ he said teasingly.

  Nat grunted as she dived to the back of the cupboard again, metal pots clanging loudly. ‘You would too. Uncle Kent has no order,’ she said with a laugh before standing up with the pot she was after. ‘Bingo.’ Nat filled it with water, added a touch of oil and salt. ‘Jason and I used to love coming here. We were allowed to pull out the pots and turn them into drum sets. Uncle Kent would get down on the floor with us for hours and play. Sometimes we’d turn up and he’d have a treasure hunt set up for us, and one time he turned the backyard into a camping oasis. He would take us to the beach, teach us to boogie board and how to make the best sandcastles.’

  ‘It sounds like a great childhood,’ said Drew as Nat added salt and pepper to the bacon that he was stirring.

  ‘Oh, it was. I’d hate to think of what I’d be like without him. Uncle Kent showed us real life. He took us to zoos and parks, and also to the seedy parts of town. He pointed out that life was hard for some. We learnt a lot of lessons from him and he did it in a way that stayed with us.’

  ‘Like what?’

  ‘Well, this one time he stopped and sat with this homeless guy who was always on this street corner not far from his favou
rite coffee shop. Uncle Kent would buy him a coffee and muffin each time he went there, and sit with Bert – that was his name. Jason used to call him a bum and a hobo, but not after we met Bert and learnt about his amazing life and the family he’d lost. Made us less judgemental. Bert passed away a year ago and Uncle Kent paid for his funeral.’

  Drew had stopped stirring, so moved by Nat’s story.

  ‘Well, something smells amazing,’ said Kent, coming through the door. He put his briefcase down, threw his jacket aside and pulled off his tie.

  ‘It’s nearly ready. You have time to wash up,’ said Nat.

  ‘Great.’ Kent headed off to his room.

  Drew handed over the spoon so Nat could add the cream and mix the pasta through. ‘I’ll set the table.’ Drew found the utensils and Nat helped him with the rest.

  They were just setting the bowls down on the table when Kent reappeared with trackpants and a Kiss T-shirt on.

  ‘Billy, come and eat, please,’ said Drew, pulling out his chair for him. Billy left the Lego truck he was making and joined them.

  ‘I love pasta,’ said Billy, reaching for his fork and stabbing a big noodle.

  ‘Me too, Billy,’ said Kent. He winked at Nat. ‘I told her, Drew, that she needs to ditch that man she’s engaged to and live her life, or live with me so I can come home to cooked meals.’ He gave Nat a wink. ‘Thanks, possum. It looks amazing.’ He picked up his fork and shovelled in a mouthful like he hadn’t eaten all day.

  Nat started up a conversation about the zoo but Drew was still clinging to Kent’s words about Gary. Kent just got better and better, in his book. If worst came to worst and Nat didn’t get out of the relationship, then Drew would have an ally in Kent, someone to go to. Already his chest felt lighter, knowing he had another course of action. The banter around the table as they ate made Drew feel a part of a family he’d been missing. The smile on Billy’s face and the ease he felt with both Nat and Kent just made this more enticing. How would he cope when she left at the end of the year? Would they still stay in touch? Would Gary allow him and Billy to visit? Would Nat still be with Gary then? Could Gary change? Drew gritted his teeth; he disliked where his train of thought was going. He shook it off and tried to stay in this moment, this perfect family moment.