Fly with Me

by Angela Verdenius

  Mind blank, she finished making the mug of tea and took it out to the veranda. Sitting on the swing chair, she gazed out at the back garden, only then allowing her thoughts to crowd in.

  Okay, so he hadn’t realised the contract hadn’t been signed. As usual, he hadn’t listened to her earlier, just as her mother and father refused to listen to her. But it was done now, they all knew and she wasn’t going to buckle under the pressure. Before when she thought she owed them, yes, but now she knew that in fact, they owed her.

  But she wasn’t going down that pathway of bitterness and self-destruction, lowering her standards to be just like them. She was free of them, finally free to tread her own pathway, wherever it led her.

  It felt good, liberating almost, relief definitely. But there was no real happiness, not when it had ended the way it had, with unpleasantness, threats, nastiness. Not exactly a clean, congenial break between people, two of whom were family.

  Taking a sip of tea, she closed her eyes and took deep, even breaths. It was over. Tomorrow she’d ring Moz. He for one had her back.

  The phone behind her started ringing.

  Okay, not over yet. No doubt that was her mother. Answer it? Don’t answer it? Shit, it was the same dilemma with only one answer - she either answered it now or her mother would keep ringing and Elissa certainly didn’t want to talk to her in front of Ash or Scott. She had no right dragging her bad business into their lives. Ash for sure wouldn’t be happy, she’d be too worried about Elissa, and this should be the happiest time for her.

  With a sigh, Elissa walked back in, placing the mug on the bench as she picked up the receiver and put it to her ear. This time she didn’t say anything.

  It was a surprise to hear her father’s voice. “Elissa?”

  “Dad?”

  “Hi, baby. How are you?”

  “Oh, you know.” She rubbed her finger on the bench, waited.

  “Calum’s been talking to your Mum,” he said. “He’s a little upset, you know.”

  “Oh, I know.”

  “Your Mum’s not too happy, either.”

  “What about you, Dad?” Yeah, Dad, what about you?

  “Now, baby, you know I don’t interfere in your business.”

  Yeah, right. Knowing what was coming, she slipped her fingers through the handle of the mug, welcoming the heat against her skin.

  “But you have to admit, this was sudden.”

  “No, Dad, I told everyone several months ago that this was coming.”

  “Going to Ash’s wedding, yes, but quitting? Deserting us? Baby, that’s not like you. That-”

  “Dad, I want to do my own thing.”

  There was a small pause before he asked quietly, “Your own thing? But singing is your thing.”

  “I like singing, you know that, but you also know I want to do other things with my life. I told you, Dad. I told you so many times.”

  “I thought you were just a little unsettled, that was all.” He sighed. “I’ve let you down.”

  Oh God, she hated this, the change of tact from surprise to guilt. “Yeah, Dad, you did let me down. You let me down when you lied to keep me doing what you and Mum wanted me to do.”

  “Did we push you too hard? Do you just need a little break before you come back?”

  “Are you even listening to me?”

  “So you’re coming back after this little break?” he asked eagerly. “Great! I’ll tell your Mum, tell Calum and-”

  “Dad, no! No, that’s not what I meant.” Her grip tightened on the mug handle. “I’m not coming back to sing and you know why.”

  “But you are coming back.”

  Because then they could all work on her, try to browbeat her, cajole her into signing another contract.

  Lifting the mug, Elissa took a mouthful of hot tea, welcoming the warmth that spread in her belly. Still holding the mug, she watched Tilly waddle in, her little paws planting firmly on the floor as she stood and looked around, surveying her kingdom with a haughty regard.

  You had to love a cat with attitude. Tilly knew exactly what she wanted and she got it. Then again, she also had a hunk of fireman wrapped around her little fat paw, not to mention one of the sweetest women Elissa had ever known wrapped around her other fat little paw. That cat had life sorted.

  “Elissa?” her father probed. “You are coming back?”

  “No, Dad, I’m not.”

  “You’re not - but what are you going to do?”

  “Whatever the hell I want to do.”

  There was silence again, she could almost see his brain ticking.

  Sure enough, he came back with what she’d expected. “You’re breaking our hearts, baby. After everything your Mum has done for you, everything we’ve put on hold for you, you’re throwing it all away?”

  “Dad, everything I’ve done is because you and Mum wanted it. You never once asked me. You both manipulated me.”

  “Because we wanted what was best for you.”

  “For us.”

  “What?”

  “Maybe that should be what was best for you and Mum.” Her throat tightened but she swallowed the lump down, kept her voice steady. “Look, Dad, I’ve made up my mind. You can tell Mum not to bother calling me, I’m not changing my mind. This is it. No more.”

  “How about I put your Mum on to talk to you?” There was a definite edge of panic in his voice.

  “No. I’ll be in touch.” She hung up the phone, then stared at it, counting the seconds.

  This time when it rang she couldn’t do it, couldn’t go through it all again. Watching the phone, she drank the last of the tea, counting the number of times it rang. When it rang out, it started again.

  Tilly stalked from the room, obviously irritated by the ringing.

  Good example. Elissa decided to follow it. Getting her bag from the bedroom, she locked the back and front door and walked out to the road, turning to start striding along the edge of it.

  A myriad of feelings tumbled around inside her - relief, fear and anger. But it was the anger that ate at her, the fact that her father was more concerned about her mother’s feelings than her own. No big surprise there, he’d always taken her side. Hell, Calum rode her, accused her, her mother did the same, and her father tried to run the guilt trip on her. Everyone wanting a Goddamn piece of her, telling her what to do, what she should do, not caring what she wanted. They all wanted to run her life for their benefit. Well, it was finished.

  “I’m glad I quit,” she muttered, kicking a small pebble out of the way, something she’d never actually done before.

  Surprised, she stopped. Holy crap, she’d never kicked a pebble in her life. Never walked along swinging off her mother’s hand, never made mud cakes at home because her pretty dresses would get dirty. Roller skating had been done in secret with Moz and Ash, because it had been forbidden in case she fell and grazed her face and messed up yet another audition. Always had to be perfect and neat. Cripes, she remembered Moz getting into trouble so many times for taking her out and letting her run wild with him and his mates, but he’d been only a kid, an older brother who had to do what his parents said, but when out with her - she smiled. Moz had been a great brother, he’d let her do what she wanted then try to tidy her up before they went home.

  If it hadn’t of been for Moz, she hated to think what would have happened to her. He’d approve of this decision, she knew it. Maybe she’d ring him when she got home, let him know what had happened, though no doubt her mother was on the phone to him right now, trying to get hold of him. That’d be a waste of time. He’d take one look at the Caller ID and wouldn’t bother to pick up.

  Good old Moz.

  Feeling a little better, she resumed walking. Okay, it had all been unpleasant but she’d set her path. She just had to keep her goal in sight…if she had a clear-cut one.

  Okay, she kind of did - no, she did. She knew what she wanted, she just had to step out and do it. A job, then her own little place, be her own boss for on
ce. Make her own decisions based on what she wanted, not what everyone else wanted. It was also a little overwhelming.

  Tiny steps, Lis, tiny steps.

  Expecting a dingy shop, the supermarket was surprisingly modern. The window had the usual posters displaying specials, and inside was bright and airy. She’d half expected barrels and jars full of goods and a counter with one person behind it to serve the town. Talk about expectations being really wrong.

  Picking up a basket, she wandered around the aisles, checking out what was available. Like any supermarket, pretty much everything.

  Not sure exactly what everyone would like, Elissa loaded up the basket with four bags of chips, two bags of coloured popcorn, several bags of lollies, two family size bars of chocolate and a big bag of salted peanuts.

  Turning, she ran smack into a lean figure standing right behind her.

  “Oh, I’m so sorry.” She looked up into the narrowed eyes of a lean man in his early twenties, his black hair shaggy and needing a trim. His t-shirt was oil-stained, his jeans not much better, a rip in the knee that looked to be from an accident rather than fashion. Heavy boots on his feet.

  “In a bit of a hurry?” he asked sardonically.

  “I wasn’t looking where I was going.” She stepped to the side. “Sorry.”

  He matched her step, his thumbs hooking in his pockets. “New girl, huh?”

  Not wanting to cause a scene, she stood still and looked at him. “I’m visiting Ash and Scott.”

  “Ah.” His lip curled a little. “Them.”

  Okay, he could think what he liked about her, but leave her friends alone. “Yeah,” she cut back, “them. My friends.”

  He looked her up and down slowly, from the top of her head to the tips of her sneakers and back. Deliberately his gaze lingered on her hips and breasts, making her squirm inwardly with distaste while outwardly maintaining coolness.

  When he finally met her gaze, she asked calmly, “So, do I pass inspection?”

  That took him aback for a few seconds, he actually blinked before he grinned. “Yeah, actually, you do. I’m not into big sheilas, but I reckon I could shag you without a problem.”

  Talk about being forward and rude to boot. “Is that so?” One brow arched in disdain, she looked him up and down just as slowly before saying with disinterest, “You, however, I wouldn’t shag if someone paid me a million dollars. The dregs of society are something I can do without.” Oops, those last words were definitely her mother’s.

  Rather than anger him, her attitude had the reverse effect. Moving forward, he looked down at her. Oh ho, there was flicker of anger in his eyes all right, but there was also something more - holy cow, was that seriously lust?

  “Got a bit of a mouth on you, girl,” he said.

  Refusing to back down, she met his gaze unflinchingly. “Only to those who deserve it.”

  “You wouldn’t be so mouthy if I tamed you.”

  “Taming, Mr-?”

  “Dawson. But you can call me Brand.”

  “Mr Dawson. Taming me is something that won’t happen with you. It’d take a much bigger man to do that. Now, I must be off.” She stepped to the side again.

  He blocked her way once more, but there was definite anger in his eyes now. “Bigger? You don’t think I’m big enough to handle you?”

  Shit, she’d poked the drongo a little too much. “I’m saying, Mr Dawson, that I’m not interested in you that way.”

  “That way, huh?”

  “Excuse me.” This time she managed to get right past him, only to have his hand grip her upper arm. Frostily, she looked from his hand to his darkening face. “Let go.”

  “Maybe you need to find out what a real man can do to you,” he said softly.

  “If you don’t let me go, I’ll not hesitate in going to the Police and laying charges of assault and harassment.”

  He dropped his hand, but not before waiting several seconds to make his point. He looked her up and down once more before leaning forward and leering. “You ever want a real man, girlie, you just come looking for me.”

  “Hey.”

  They both looked towards the man approaching. An older man, his face was wrinkled and leathered by sun, time and experience. Dressed in oil-stained grey pants and button-up shirt, even his hands had oil stains.

  He strode right up to them both, aligning himself with Elissa. Looking directly into Brand’s face, he asked quietly, “Got a problem here?”

  Brand stepped back, his lip curling more as he looked from the older man to Elissa. “Nah, no problem. But you remember what I said, new girl.” With that, he turned on his heel and strode off.

  The older man looked at Elissa. “You all right, Miss?”

  “Fine, thanks.”

  “You want to watch out for that bloke, he’s bad news.”

  “I kind of got that idea.”

  He nodded shortly. “Good. Just steer clear of him.”

  “Right.”

  “You must be Elissa.” He smiled slightly. “I’m Ben, I run the Auto Repair shop in town.”

  “Ah, Ash’s boss. Pleased to meet you.” Elissa stuck her hand out.

  Ben looked from her palm to his stained one. “No offence, I’m pleased to meet you but I won’t shake your hand.”

  “Understood.”

  “Need a lift home?” He eyed the basket in her hands.

  “I think I’ll be fine.”

  “I’m going past Ash’s house, it’d be no problem to drop you off.”

  “I appreciate it, but this is all really light stuff. Besides, I’m popping in to the newsagent to pick up some magazines.”

  “Okay, then.” Ben nodded. “You can always drop the stuff off at the Auto Shop and Ash can take it home.”

  “I won’t break, Ben,” Elissa pointed out with a slightly wry twist of her lips.

  He looked her right in the eyes. “Didn’t say you would.”

  That direct look and unexpectedly blunt statement had her a little flustered. “Oh, um…” She cleared her throat. “Thanks for helping with that man.”

  “No worries.”

  “I really could have handled him, you know.”

  That direct gaze grew sharper. “That right?”

  Cripes, she’d looked down furious gazes, snide gazes, drunken rage gazes, pretty much a lot of gazes, but that simple, direct gaze of the older man had her biting her lip. Geez. “Uh huh.”

  Ben’s eyes didn’t waver, but he didn’t say a word, just waited for her.

  “I…um… Look, I didn’t mean to offend you,” Elissa said in a rush, feeling like she’d just smacked a loyal old dog. “I just - I’m not totally helpless. I’ve dealt with jerks like him before.”

  Ben just continued to watch her.

  Great.

  Clearing her throat, she looked down at the basket then back up to him. “Thanks. Really.”

  “Really.”

  “Yes.”

  “You think you’re handling this on your own?”

  Her shoulders straightened. “Yes.”

  Surprisingly, a faint hint of humour had his mouth twitch. “I think you’re in for a surprise, Elissa.”

  “Huh?” Confused, she raised her eyebrows.

  “You’ll see.” With a sudden bark of laughter, Ben walked away, leaving her staring at his back.

  What the hell was that about? Bewildered, she continued to watch until he disappeared around the end of the aisles. Only then did she slowly make her way to the checkout.

  A grey-haired, rotund man with a name plate pinned to his pocket declaring him to be ‘Will’ started putting the groceries over the scanner. Concern was evident on his pleasant face. “You all right?”

  “What?” That seemed to be the word of the day in this supermarket.

  “Saw Dawson giving you a hard time. I was about to come over and sort him out but Ben got there first.” Will shook his head. “That boy is bad news. Steer clear of him.”

  “I wasn’t planning on marrying h
im.” Okay, going by the way Will gaped at her, that sardonic comeback probably wasn’t the wisest choice. Elissa softened it with a smile. “I won’t be seeking him out, I assure you.”

  “Good girl.” Will grinned. “Near on gave me a heart attack then.”

  “He’s that bad?”

  “Nasty piece of work, let me give you the tip. He comes near you again, you call for one of us.”

  The idea of the short, rotund supermarket man fronting up the lean, hard-eyed Brand Dawson was a little ludicrous, but the seriousness in his eyes was no joke.

  That sobered Elissa. “I can handle him.”

  “No lady should have to.” Shaking his head, Will rang up the total cost.

  Not about to argue that and risk putting him offside, she handed over the money.

  Giving her the change, Will gathered up the handles of the plastic bags and handed them to her as well. “Simon’ll sort him out, don’t you worry.”

  “What?” There was that bloody word again, only this time she accompanied it with a gape of her own.

  “Simon,” he stated with great satisfaction. “He won’t be happy to hear that Brand laid hands on you.”

  “What’s Simon got to do with it?”

  Now it was Will’s turn to look confused. “Your boyfriend?”

  “My boyfriend?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Uh - no.” Confounded, Elissa shook her head.

  “Huh.” Will stroked his chin thoughtfully, cast her an assessing glance before raising his eyebrows. “Well.”

  When he didn’t elaborate, she probed, “Well?”

  “Don’t worry.” His smile was a full-on, unexpected beam of happiness. “The other blokes will sort him out as well.”

  “Other blokes?” Jesus, what was going on? “How many boyfriends do you think I have here?”

  “Oh, not boyfriends. Except for, you know…” He winked, tapped the side of his nose.

  “No, I don’t know.” I really don’t.

  “Sure.” He winked again.

  Totally at a loss, Elissa tightened her hold on the bags and decided to beat a retreat. “Okay, thanks, Will. I’ll catch you later.”