It Started with a Kiss

by Lisa Heidke

  It wasn’t until the next evening after work that he saw Brad.

  Brad was grinning from ear to ear. ‘Congratulations! You’re back in the saddle. Well done.’

  Liam was still feeling hung-over and tired. ‘Yeah,’ was all he could manage as he slouched down in front of the TV.

  ‘Is that all you’ve got to say? The drought has been broken, bro. You’re free.’

  ‘It’s not that easy.’

  Brad frowned. ‘Whatever you say, but I thought you wanted this. Women. The freedom. And now you’ve got it.’

  It was all bullshit to Liam, but he went along with it. He wasn’t about to confide in his brother that he didn’t screw Anna. Liam would never hear the end of it.

  Liam was still mulling things over at breakfast with Evie and Olivia the following Sunday morning. They were at a fancy cafe just around the corner from Brad’s and eating pancakes, washed down with a couple of very strong long blacks for Liam and banana smoothies for the girls.

  The night before, Liam had taken them to see Legally Blonde, the musical, and they were still on a high.

  ‘How did they train that chihuahua to do all those tricks on stage, in front of us?’ mused Evie. ‘I couldn’t do it.’

  Olivia laughed out loud. ‘OGRG! Of course not, stupid, you’re not a dog.’

  OGRG, Liam repeated in his head. Oh Get Real Girlfriend. Got it.

  ‘He was very clever,’ said Liam. ‘But I thought the bulldog stole the show…’ He trailed off, suddenly distracted. He couldn’t believe it. Just. No. Suddenly, Anna was standing in front of their table.

  ‘Hey, Liam,’ she said, smiling.

  Liam gulped. ‘Anna, I—’

  ‘Remember me?’

  Liam wasn’t happy with her tone. In fact, he wasn’t feeling comfortable at all. His kids were staring at him. She was staring at him.

  ‘And who are these adorable munchkins?’

  ‘My girls, Evie and Olivia,’ he replied, wishing she would leave. But she didn’t. Instead, she kept staring at him with a fixed smile.

  ‘So—’

  ‘Nice seeing you again, Anna,’ Liam said, standing. ‘I’ll let Brad know I saw you.’

  ‘What?’ she started, as Liam took her by the elbow and led her towards the exit. ‘But it’s you…’

  ‘What the hell was that about?’ he said after he’d practically dragged her outside.

  She shook herself free. ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’

  Liam glanced inside to his daughters, who were watching him through the restaurant windows. ‘That!’

  ‘I saw you. It would’ve been rude not to stop and say hello.’

  Liam thought for a moment. He’d heard about women like this. Nutters, who, after a one-night stand entertained deluded notions of happily ever afters. Bunny boilers. He had to set her straight. ‘Look, I’m sorry I didn’t call.’

  ‘Yeah, I get it. You’re mixed up, confused. Need time to sort yourself out.’

  Liam sighed, relieved. Perhaps he had been somewhat melodramatic comparing Anna to Glenn Close’s character in Fatal Attraction. The shock of seeing her again, probably.

  Anna smirked. ‘Listen, Liam, don’t flatter yourself. You’re no different to any other middle-aged guy trying to relive his youth. I’m not interested in you. I just stopped to say hi. End of story. Goodbye.’

  Liam watched as she walked down the road and disappeared around a corner. He strode back inside the cafe.

  Evie pulled a face. ‘You okay, Dad?’

  ‘Fine, honey.’ Anna had only stopped to say hi and Liam was ashamed that he’d overreacted, but he was new to this game, and rattled. He hadn’t thought through the implications of the night they’d spent together.

  ‘Who was that woman?’ asked Olivia.

  ‘Friend of Brad’s.’

  The sisters shared a sneaking glance, before Liv spoke again. ‘Are you sure she’s not your girlfriend? I overheard you and Uncle Brad talking.’

  Liam frowned. ‘What about?’

  ‘About you getting back in the saddle.’

  Liam would murder Brad. That’s all there was to it. He shook his head. ‘You girls.’ He drank a mouthful of cold coffee. ‘How’s your mum doing?’ Where did that come from?

  ‘IMO, she’s good.’ Olivia paused. ‘Happy all the time.’

  ‘Not all the time,’ corrected Evie.

  ‘Maybe not all the time but, in my opinion, mostly,’ said Olivia.

  So it wasn’t his imagination. Friday was bright and chirpy and seemingly happy with proceedings. It wasn’t right.

  ‘Anything else?’ Liam ventured.

  ‘She goes out a lot,’ said Evie. ‘With Rosie.’

  ‘To the gym,’ he fished.

  ‘Sometimes, but then sometimes she gets really dressed up and looks so pretty.’

  ‘Yeah,’ Olivia chimed in. ‘She’s made a whole bunch of new friends so she’s going out all the time. And, Dad, if you have a girlfriend, Mum should have a boyfriend. That’s fair.’

  Liam shook his head. ‘I said I don’t have a girlfriend.’

  ‘Have you told Anna that?’

  ‘Olivia.’ He scowled at her. ‘That’s enough. You’re out of line.’

  Olivia turned away from him and stared out the window.

  ‘Evie, does your mum leave you alone at night?’

  ‘Yeah.’ Evie picked at her pancakes, having barely eaten any. ‘I mean, not all the time. It’s cool. Liv and I are doing our own thing anyway.’

  And just like that, Liam realised his babies were growing up. The times he’d seen Olivia wearing makeup, which were becoming more often, she could easily pass for eighteen. She really did look like those girls he’d met recently at pubs. He blinked to try to rid himself of the image. It was far too disturbing.

  Friday wasn’t paying Liv and Evie enough attention. They both needed to keep a closer eye on the girls. Teenagers were vulnerable. They could go off the tracks at any given moment and who would be to blame? As for Friday looking dressed up and pretty? What was that about? Not that he expected her to be in tears every day, but still.

  ‘She dances and sings a lot, too,’ added Liv.

  ‘Where?’

  ‘Around the house. Mostly in the kitchen when she’s cooking.’

  ‘She danced and sang before,’ Liam said.

  ‘I guess,’ agreed Liv. ‘But she does it a lot more now. And she’s much louder.’ Olivia’s eyes were glinting. ‘There is that other thing.’

  ‘And that is?’ asked Liam, nonchalantly.

  ‘Divorce parties or something. Rosie’s idea.’

  ‘Liv!’ Evie shouted. ‘Mum said not to tell Dad about that.’

  ‘Divorce parties?’ said Liam.

  ‘Great,’ said Evie. ‘Now you’ve done it.’

  Liam was still thinking about the morning’s revelations when he dropped off the girls late Sunday afternoon. When Friday bounded up to them in the hallway, he almost felt sick. And she was grinning. Why?

  ‘What’re you so happy about?’ He knew he sounded brittle.

  Friday did a double take. ‘I didn’t know I was, but I guess I’ve had a nice weekend and now I’m excited to have my girls back home safely.’

  ‘What’s that supposed to mean?’

  ‘A figure of speech, Liam. Lighten up.’ She smiled. ‘Did you have a lovely time?’

  ‘I guess. Anything else I should know about, Fri?’ he whispered, while the girls were distracted with the chocolate-covered strawberries Friday had obviously made to bribe them. ‘Seeing anyone?’

  Liam tried his best to sound casual, but his voice was unsteady. If she was, did he really want to know? Friday was shaking her head and her eyes were flickering, but no words were forthcoming. Liam stared, his suspicions growing. He knew her so well. For sure something was up.

  ‘No. Why do you ask?’ Friday said at last. ‘Are you?’

  ‘Of course not.’ Which was the truth. Apart from the night with
Anna, Liam hadn’t seen anyone.

  ‘Thanks, Dad,’ said Olivia, walking back into the conversation and kissing him on the cheek. ‘I loved Legally Blonde.’

  ‘Yeah, thanks, Dad. For a musical, it was okay,’ agreed Evie.

  He turned back to look at Friday. New hair colour? Maybe she’d lost weight? New clothes? There was something different about her. The curve of her neck, her smooth, full cleavage, her pale, delicate skin, and the cute freckle on her right collarbone. Was that new? It had to be. He had never noticed it before.

  ‘What are you staring at?’

  ‘Nothing.’

  ‘Mum looks nice, doesn’t she, Dad?’ said Evie, standing in the kitchen doorway, staring at them both.

  ‘Yes,’ Liam consented, though he looked uncomfortable. ‘You look… nice.’

  He could swear she was blushing. Maybe she did have a new guy in her life. He didn’t know how he’d feel if that was the case. Sad? Betrayed? Angry? He dismissed the idea from his mind.

  Friday laughed. ‘I washed my hair.’

  ‘Mum,’ said Evie, ‘what was that song you and Dad sang together the night you met?’

  ‘I don’t quite remember. There were a few.’

  ‘“Sweet Caroline”,’ Liam chimed in. ‘I wonder if that karaoke bar is still there?’

  ‘That’s it,’ shouted Evie.

  ‘My boyfriend at the time wasn’t impressed when I started dueting with your dad,’ Friday said, looking at Evie.

  ‘But we were in the mood to sing as I recall,’ added Liam.

  Friday smiled. ‘And so we did. You were a pretty good singer back in the day.’

  ‘You told me I was better than Neil Diamond.’

  She shrugged. ‘I might’ve had an ulterior motive. These days you’d probably prefer singing “Solitary Man”.’

  Evie looked puzzled. Liam didn’t comment.

  ‘Anyway,’ Friday continued. ‘It’s been a long time since I’ve done karaoke.’

  ‘We sing on Wii all the time,’ said Evie.

  Friday glanced at her before turning her attention to stacking the dishwasher. ‘It’s not the same.’

  ‘Remember, I pulled you aside at the end of the night and asked for your number?’

  ‘I didn’t think you’d call.’

  ‘There was never any doubt.’

  ‘And then Dad sang at your wedding,’ Evie chimed in. ‘I hope my boyfriend sings at our wedding.’

  ‘I thought you were a lesbian,’ said Olivia, who’d walked back in the room, unnoticed.

  Evie glared at her. ‘Girlfriend, then. My girlfriend will sing at our wedding.’

  Olivia glared back. ‘Loser.’

  ‘Hey,’ Friday said, pointing a cup in Olivia’s direction.

  ‘What? Boy or girl, she’s a total loser if she wants to get married. It’s oppression, pure and simple.’

  Liam looked on, amused, as Friday returned her attention to the never-ending pile of dirty dishes.

  ‘They must’ve heard that story fifty times,’ said Liam after Evie and Liv had bowled out of the kitchen, still sniping at each other. ‘The girls mentioned you’re running divorce parties with Rosie. That must be fun.’

  Friday sighed. ‘Just helping out.’

  Liam shifted uncomfortably on his feet. ‘Sounds a bit silly, don’t you think?’

  ‘What? You don’t know anything about them.’

  ‘I’ve googled. They’re all about strippers and getting drunk and commemorating divorce.’

  ‘Ah, well, I guess some people feel relieved when their divorce comes through and they want to celebrate. It’s a bit of fun.’

  Liam rolled his eyes. ‘More like a joke.’

  ‘Well, you’re the comedian. Besides, the cheques Rosie’s handing me aren’t.’

  ‘Friday, think about the message you’re sending the girls.’

  ‘And what message would that be?’

  ‘You’re trivialising marital breakdown.’

  ‘Careful, Liam. You’re the one who left our marriage.’

  ‘What I did has nothing to do with this conversation.’

  ‘Pardon? How can you separate yourself from the topic of this conversation? From putting yourself in the picture?’

  ‘I’m just saying I don’t like the idea of you being involved with Rosie’s harebrained schemes.’

  ‘They’re only harebrained because you don’t approve, Liam.’

  ‘And on that note,’ Liam made a point of checking his watch, ‘it’s getting late. I should go.’

  ‘That’s right. Do what you always do, Liam. Run away.’

  ‘I don’t want to argue, Fri.’

  ‘Why does it have to be an argument? Why can’t we discuss issues like normal grown-ups?’

  ‘There! You’re doing it again, patronising me.’ Liam was tired and not up for a confrontation. Arguing with Friday brought back all his nervous anxiety about feeling trapped and unhappy.

  ‘I’m sorry. I don’t mean to belittle you, I just want answers, Liam.’

  They stood awkwardly in the hallway a moment before Friday spoke again. ‘Talk to me.’ She reached out to take his hand.

  He pulled away. ‘I don’t have anything to say.’

  ‘Yeah. Story of your life. Anyway, thanks for having the girls.’

  ‘What? Sure, yeah. Anytime. I miss them.’ Liam walked out the door, then stopped and turned back to Friday. ‘If this goes on for much longer, I’m going to have to find a place of my own—an apartment where the girls will feel more comfortable staying.’

  ‘You’re not happy at Brad’s?’

  ‘Yeah, but he’s single. I can’t tell him what to do or how to behave when the girls come over. I’m only a house guest.’

  Friday clicked her tongue. ‘Of course.’

  He hurried to his car. He’d blown his opportunity to discuss their situation, but he hadn’t been up to it. It just would have resulted in more bickering. She hadn’t changed. She was the same old Friday. Man, she could be a hard arse.

  Then his level-headed brain kicked in again. The part that berated him for leaving Friday. ‘Why did you do it, Liam? She loves you.’ ‘Liam, she’s a good-looking woman. She won’t wait forever.’ ‘Liam, you can’t be serious. Tell me you’re not serious.’

  He couldn’t shut off the voices. Leaving Friday had been inconvenient, tiring and was potentially messy. It irked him that she hadn’t seemed concerned when she’d dropped off the girls this weekend. In fact, she looked like she was in a hurry to go somewhere, like she always did. He’d wanted to ask the girls, to find out if they knew where she was going, but he didn’t want to appear… what was the right word? Concerned? Worried? Eager? He knew she didn’t have a man. How could she? They’d barely separated. Besides, she’d told him she didn’t. But, then, she looked good. Sometimes she even looked hot. And she looked in control. That was the most worrying aspect of all.

  19

  ‘Girls, thanks for telling Dad about Rosie’s divorce-party business. Your father loves the idea as I knew he would.’ I was being snarky but couldn’t help myself. I didn’t need Liam adding his two cents’ worth to every move I made. Imagine the reaction if I’d said to him, You think organising divorce parties is appalling, you should hear about my time on KissMeCupid.

  ‘Don’t look at me,’ said Evie. ‘I didn’t tell him.’

  Olivia shrugged. ‘He would’ve found out anyway.’

  I walked over to where Liv was sitting by the window and crouched down beside her. ‘I realise that, honey, but you don’t need to go stirring the pot, all right?’

  She wrinkled her nose and quickly buried her head in her iPad.

  You don’t dismiss this that easily, I thought, as I continued talking. ‘So, other than being cranky about divorce parties, how is your dad?’

  Olivia looked up and smiled. ‘Dad and Uncle Brad are having so much fun, though Dad seems really tired because he and Brad are out every night.’

  ‘I’m sure it
’s not every night, Liv.’

  She shrugged. ‘Yeah, I think he stays in most Mondays to catch up on sleep. But he’s bought all these great new clothes and got this wild haircut.’

  I’d just seen Liam’s hair. It always looked dishevelled. I let the comment slide.

  ‘Yeah, and Brad’s introduced him to heaps of his friends. Dad might even have a girlfriend.’

  I took a moment before answering, my brain finally catching up with what my mother’s intuition thought Liv was trying to do. ‘I guess,’ I said cautiously. ‘Though it’s early days, don’t you think?’

  ‘Aren’t you and Rosie always saying men can’t live alone? That they need a woman to take care of them?’

  Perhaps I’d said that in the past, but I certainly wasn’t going to agree with that statement now. ‘Your dad’s not like that. Besides, it was Rosie who said that, not me.’

  ‘But you agreed with her.’ Olivia smiled triumphantly and went back to tapping on her iPad.

  My lips were twitching to open, but I decided against it and walked into the kitchen to prepare dinner. I thought back to the conversation Liam and I had had earlier. I was shocked he’d asked if I was seeing someone. When I asked him the same question, his denial sounded genuine.

  A few minutes later, I heard raised voices and went to break up the fight. As I neared the doorway, I stopped and listened.

  ‘What do you mean, what was that about?’ I heard Liv saying.

  ‘That stuff about Dad just now?’

  ‘You’re a baby, you wouldn’t understand.’

  ‘Stop calling me that or—’

  ‘Or what?’

  Liv’s superior tone was unmistakable. I was just about to walk in when she started up again. ‘When parents split up, you get double the presents, double the money. Double everything. They’ll do anything to keep the kids happy and I’m going for it.’

  ‘That’s horrible, Liv.’

  ‘If it gets me what I want, I don’t care. I want them to hate each other. When that happens, they’ll never speak to each other again and I’ll get everything I want, like letting Brodie sleep over because they’ll feel so guilty.’

  So that was Olivia’s plan? Divide and conquer. If Liam and I stay apart, she thinks she can manipulate us more easily. The girl had street smarts and her plan had merit, I’d give her that much. From now on, I’d be watching her more closely.