Inbetween Days

by Vikki Wakefield

  I caught them. ‘Well, if only you’d told me that before. You’re letting me drive the Barbie car?’ I wished they would stop looking at each other.

  ‘Nooo,’ Ma said slowly.

  Meredith laughed. ‘Come on. Fair trade.’ She held out her arm and wiggled her fingers.

  Automatically, my hand went to my pocket. The watch wasn’t there.

  ‘Looking for this?’ Ma reached behind her ear and held up Meredith’s watch.

  ‘What, are you a magician now?’ I said.

  Ma sighed. ‘I just do the washing. You should take more care of other people’s things, Jack.’ She handed the watch to Meredith and got up, dusting her backside.

  ‘They’re the keys to Jeremiah’s car,’ Meredith said. ‘And before you get the wrong end of the stick, I’m only asking you to deliver it. What happens after that is up to you.’

  I fell quiet. I shuffled the keys in my hands.

  What do I do? What do I say? What if I get halfway and turn back? Shouldn’t I have the answers before I say yes? What if I make things worse? How do I feel? What do I want? Is there a way of knowing before I get there?

  ‘Come on, Jack. Didn’t you ever just want to get in a car and drive?’ Meredith said.

  What if he rejects me? Can my heart take it? Should I call first? He loved me. He hates me. Do I love him? I miss him.

  ‘Make it up as you go, Jack,’ Ma said softly.

  He deserves better. I am better.

  There was no way of knowing until I got there. That would have to be enough.

  But what if he’s changed? I’ve changed. I haven’t changed enough. I’ve changed too much.

  I was closer now than when I started, whatever that was.

  I’ll see you when I see you.

  Closer.

  There was a battle happening on my face. I could feel it. I screwed my eyes shut and held my breath; I made a wish, nothing fancy.

  I put the keys in my pocket.

  Eventually you have to open your eyes and breathe out.

  I started from there.

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  My books are village-raised and I’m blessed to have stellar human beings in my life. They’re patient people, too. I take the long way around just about everything and they never stop cheering.

  As always, thanks to Penny Hueston for the conversations, countless readings and endless support. Without you there is no book. Thanks to the Text Publishing team, champions of Australian literature, and to W. H. Chong for his sublime cover art.

  Thanks to my agent, Sheila, for giving me wise counsel and peace of mind.

  I’m grateful for the support of the authors, publishers, editors, librarians, bloggers, readers and industry professionals who float this passionate and inclusive YA community. If children’s and YA literature has entered another Golden Age, it’s because of you.

  To Allayne Webster, Bec Burton and Paula Weston, thank you for reading, listening and for being there when the wheels fall off. You inspire me every day.

  Thank you to Liz and Fi for decades of the best kind of friendship. You knew me when and you still hung in there.

  And to Russ, Mia, Roan, Mum, Dad, Michelle and my family and friends, my love and thanks. None of this works without you.