The Red Dirt Road

by Alissa Callen

  ‘I’d love to come. I’ll get changed.’

  ‘No rush. I’ll check the dogs and chooks have water and make a call. We’ve a stop to make on the way.’

  Half an hour later, Fliss emerged from the homestead wearing wedges, black jeans and a simple, fitted black top. She said goodbye to Max, Molly and the pups and brushed off the resulting white dog hair as she walked through the garden to Hewitt’s ute.

  Hewitt slid into the driver’s seat and she examined his profile as the engine roared into life. She hadn’t yet heard if Hewitt had managed to feed Reggie a carrot. All she knew was that the carrot bucket was empty when he and Denham had returned with the hay.

  She still couldn’t believe Cressy had set up the Reggie test for Hewitt. A part of her didn’t want to know whether he’d passed or not. The intensity of her reaction when she’d thought he was leaving this morning didn’t bode well with how she’d cope when the bluestone stables were empty.

  ‘So what is the stop we have to make?’ she asked as they drove away from Bundara.

  ‘I need to pick up a present for Lizzie. It’s something that will appreciate all this forecasted rain.’

  Fliss stared out the window at the knee-high grass rippling and swaying in the paddocks. She hoped there wasn’t much more rain coming. The recent sunshine had lowered the creek and river levels but it wouldn’t take much to raise the water table again. Cressy and the other State Emergency Service volunteers would be back on high flood alert.

  ‘Knowing it’s for Lizzie, it will have to be something cute and adorable. Can I have a clue?’

  ‘It needs a name.’

  ‘Does it waddle?’

  ‘Yes, and I’m hoping it teaches the duck she already has how to be a duck again.’

  Fliss smiled. ‘And what did you get for Quinn?’

  ‘A new tractor cap.’

  ‘He’ll love that.’

  Fliss settled back and enjoyed the drive to Mayfield. The landscape stretched and flattened until the road before them ran ribbon-straight into the horizon. Long-legged emus strolled alongside the train tracks that ran parallel to the bitumen. Even out here where there wasn’t always consistent rain, the crops grew thick and heavy. To their left, a crop-dusting plane swooped and soared as it top-dressed and delivered a burst of fertiliser.

  On the outskirts of a small town adjacent to the main road, Hewitt stopped. The stand out the front of a house selling honey and fresh eggs was a giveaway as to what lay behind the neat front fence. But when Fliss left the ute she saw a shaggy black pony also inhabited the house yard.

  When Lizzie’s new Aylesbury duck, with its snow-white feathers and yellow beak, was safely stowed in its box, Hewitt continued west. Fliss must have dozed. When the ute’s momentum slowed, and train tracks clicked beneath the tyres, she opened her eyes. They’d turned left to drive over the railway line and past a row of mailboxes that made it easier for mail to be delivered to the nearby farms.

  Hewitt cast her a grin. ‘We’re almost there.’

  Fliss returned his smile but inside she silently mourned. Hewitt’s eagerness to see his family turned his eyes a light grey. The grooves beside his mouth had lessened. She didn’t need any further proof how much it meant for him to be connected to the people he loved. People who relied on him.

  This time it was a cattle grid that rattled beneath the ute’s tyres. First a corrugated shearing shed and yards appeared, then an assortment of farm buildings. The main house stood beneath established trees that suggested the large house was far older than its modern brick exterior. To its right was a weatherboard cottage with a pretty garden filled with the soft colour of annuals. Beside the cottage sat a cubbyhouse shaded by a nearby plane tree.

  ‘Hewitt, you have a lovely home.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  She glanced at him. Pain had rasped his words. She reached over to touch his clean-shaven cheek. ‘I can understand why you needed to come to Bundara to heal. It must be hard having memories wherever you look.’

  ‘It is. But it’s not as hard today as it was on the day I left.’

  ‘That’s great to hear.’

  Hewitt didn’t reply. The front door of the cottage had burst open and two small figures raced along the path and out the garden gate.

  Hewitt chuckled. ‘Poor Ava. She really didn’t stand a chance keeping Quinn quiet.’

  Fliss let Hewitt exit the ute first. Quinn and Lizzie flung themselves at him. Just like on the day he’d greeted them with such love at Bundara, Fliss’s emotions swelled. She blinked away the mist in her eyes before she left her seat. Lizzie and Quinn ran over, their little arms hugging her tight.

  A woman with shoulder-length silver hair, wearing a blue fitted dress, walked over with Ava. Fliss could see where Hewitt had got his grey eyes and cheekbones. Even with age and grief etched into her face, his mother was a beautiful woman.

  Ava hugged Fliss while Hewitt wrapped his arms around his mother. He then made the introductions. Fliss was surprised when Vernette, instead of speaking, stepped forwards to embrace her. It was only when she pulled away that the older woman spoke.

  ‘Welcome to Mayfield, Fliss. I’m so thrilled you could make it.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  A quack from inside the box on the trayback stopped all further conversation. Lizzie’s eyes widened and she stayed still as though not sure about what she’d heard. Quinn had no such doubts.

  ‘Careful,’ Ava said as Quinn used the ute tyre to clamber into the ute.

  Quinn peered into the holes in the top of the cardboard box and then waved for his twin to join him. Hewitt helped by using his good arm to lift Lizzie. She peeked into the box.

  Face beaming, she straightened to hug Hewitt. ‘Thank you, Uncle Hewy. Jemima was so lonely.’

  ‘I thought she might be.’

  Lizzie again looked through the box holes. ‘I wonder what we should call her?’

  Hewitt moved to collect Quinn’s tractor cap from inside the ute and settled it on his head. He then lifted the twins down. Ava took their hands and together they followed Hewitt as he carried the box over to where a duck sat with two fluffy silkie hens. The curtains in the nearby cottage moved before a white kitten jumped onto the window ledge to watch Jemima meet her new friend. As the two white ducks got to know each other, loud quacking sounded.

  Vernette turned to Fliss. ‘I’m sorry Wade hasn’t come out to greet you. He cut his foot and it must have been deeper than we thought as it’s taking a long time to heal.’

  ‘I hope his foot feels better soon. I’m looking forward to meeting him.’

  Vernette hesitated. ‘Apart from Wade hobbling around, he isn’t quite himself at the moment.’

  ‘That’s more than okay. I understand.’

  Relief relaxed Vernette’s smile. ‘Thank you. From what Hewitt has told me I knew you would.’

  Fliss glanced up as Lizzie waved to her from the front door of the main house.

  Vernette laughed quietly. ‘Lizzie has baked you vanilla fairy cupcakes and is desperate for you to try one.’

  ‘I could easily fit one in before lunch.’

  After two cupcakes Fliss found herself seated at a long dining table with Lizzie on one side and Quinn on the other. Hewitt, Ava and Vernette took their seats, leaving a single place empty at the head of the table.

  Hewitt poured the adults a glass of wine. He looked across at his mother as he pushed back his chair. She gave a small shake of her head.

  ‘Just give him five more minutes, dear. I told him lunch was ready. He’s very slow at the moment with that bad foot of his.’

  Hewitt nodded and remained seated.

  Vernette passed Fliss a large bowl of pumpkin and feta salad. ‘Let’s start. Wade won’t mind.’

  Her light words were at odds with the tension that bracketed Hewitt’s mouth.

  Fliss took hold of the salad. ‘Thank you. This looks delicious.’

  Beside her, Quinn fidgeted. Every so often he gl
anced towards the closed door.

  She turned to him with a smile. ‘Salad?’

  He stiffened before pulling a horrified face.

  ‘The only green things he likes are lollies,’ Lizzie said in a conspiratorial whisper.

  Fliss winked at Quinn. ‘Which leaves more for me.’

  As she’d hoped, Vernette and Ava smiled. Quinn’s grimace eased as she piled pumpkin salad onto her plate.

  She passed the salad to Lizzie and selected a slice of creamy quiche. The aromas filling the dining room made her mouth water. Vernette loved to cook and Fliss could see why it had been important to Hewitt that he learn his mother’s family recipes. She snuck a sideways glance at him. Even though he joked with Quinn while he helped him put a piece of quiche on his plate, the line of his shoulders remained rigid.

  Cutlery clinked as everyone ate. The hum of conversation filled the dining room.

  The door swung open and Wade slowly walked through. He didn’t acknowledge anyone as he limped to his chair. His clothes hung loose on his angular frame and his weathered skin was ashen. Vernette reached for the jug of water and placed it next to his water glass. When he was seated, she introduced Fliss.

  Wade gave her a curt nod, his pale blue eyes shrewd and assessing. Fliss had no doubt that though his physical strength had diminished, his force of character remained formidable. Wade’s eyes softened as he looked at the twins before he spoke in a low tone to Vernette. His wife patted his hand and offered him the pumpkin salad. Cutlery again clinked and the chatter resumed.

  Hewitt started a conversation about the winter oats crop and cattle prices. Wade contributed before his attention focused on Fliss. ‘How are those border collie puppies?’

  ‘As fluffy as they are mischievous.’ Not knowing if Hewitt was saving the new puppy as a surprise, she didn’t mention Wade now being Poppy’s owner. ‘They’ve chewed through two pairs of gumboots, ripped up three tea towels and buried my dustpan brush in the garden.’

  Lizzie giggled.

  Amusement sparked in Wade’s eyes and then faded. ‘They’re good dogs those border collies.’

  ‘They are.’

  ‘So when do you think this hard-headed son of mine will be right to come home?’

  Fliss didn’t let Wade’s abrupt tone fool her. She’d seen genuine concern when he’d glanced at Hewitt.

  ‘Two to three weeks. I’ll make sure the hospital does another scan so there’s no doubt his shoulder fracture has fully healed.’

  Vernette looked across at Hewitt. ‘That sounds like a sensible idea, doesn’t it, dear?’

  From across the table Ava masked a smile as Hewitt sighed. His family knew full well he’d had no plans to check the progress of his injury. ‘I guess so.’

  Wade poured himself a second glass of water. Fliss’s fork paused halfway to her mouth as a suspicion formed. There could be far more to why his foot hadn’t healed than his wound being deep.

  She needed to talk to Hewitt the first chance she could get.

  After Hewitt helped clear lunch from the dining table and Fliss had followed the twins outside, he took the opportunity to see his father.

  He walked into the living room that had become his father’s haven. Here he could sit in his leather recliner and watch the news, read a book from the library along the back wall or use the computer Hewitt had set up on a side desk. The oversized window overlooked the shed and paddocks, enabling his father to see what was happening on the farm. Dean continued to help out and to manage Mayfield until Hewitt’s return.

  Hewitt didn’t glance at the family photos covering the walls. He might be better able to cope with the memories woven into the fabric of his home but his conscience wouldn’t allow him to look into the face of his twin. Brody’s laughter would have echoed over the dining room table at lunch if Hewitt hadn’t let him down.

  He took a seat beside his father’s recliner.

  ‘Came to see Quinn, did you?’ His father spoke without making eye contact. ‘Those stitches haven’t slowed him down.’

  ‘I didn’t think they would. I also came to see you.’

  His father scowled. ‘As you can see, I’m fine.’

  ‘No, you’re not.’

  Hewitt readied himself for his father’s irritation. Since losing Brody, his fuse had shortened. But instead of the expected gruff retort, his father studied him.

  ‘You know Fliss will make sure that you have that x-ray.’

  ‘I know.’

  ‘And you’ll do it.’

  ‘Yes. Dr Fliss isn’t to be messed with.’

  A shadow of a smile shaped his father’s lips. ‘That’s what I thought. Ava’s like a daughter to us, but she was so young when she married Brody. He needed someone like Fliss to pull him into line.’

  Hewitt stared at his father’s rugged features. This was one of the few occasions when he’d mentioned Brody’s name, and the first time in a long time he’d said a bad word about him.

  Hewitt rubbed his chin. ‘Was I the only one who didn’t know he needed to be pulled into line?’

  ‘Brody was very good at telling people what they wanted to hear. Your mother suspected he was shirking his family responsibilities but didn’t know for sure. It’s no secret Brody and I weren’t getting along, but it wasn’t the farm we were arguing over. I knew he was never at home. We also had a pretty heated blue about him bull riding again.’

  Hewitt touched his father’s arm. He’d had no idea their strong, unemotional father was racked with guilt. As much as he loved his twin, Brody’s actions had caused so much pain and heartache.

  ‘Dad, it’s not your fault. Ava and I feel responsible for him being on that bull as well.’ He clenched his jaw before glancing at the photo of Brody on the wall. ‘But at the end of the day, the only person really responsible is Brody.’

  His father grunted. ‘Your mother and I didn’t raise him to be selfish. But even as a kid he could be stubborn and not see sense. I’d like to think that one day he’d have grown up.’

  ‘Has Ava … spoken to you?’

  ‘Yes.’ His father’s voice softened. ‘I know she was worried about what we would think but we’re very happy for her and Dean. The twins like him. He doesn’t rush them and they enjoy his company.’ His father paused and his stare hardened. ‘As different as you are to Brody, you’ll have no sense either if you don’t start looking after yourself as well as you look after us.’

  Hewitt shrugged. ‘I’m fine. My shoulder’s almost healed.’

  ‘That’s not what I’m talking about and you know it.’ His father used the remote control to turn on the television. ‘I’m sure you’ve better things to do than sit here with me. You have a guest to entertain. I’ll see what the weather’s doing and take my nap.’

  Hewitt came to his feet. It wasn’t belligerence roughening his father’s words and shaking his hands but emotion. Hewitt clasped his thin shoulder. ‘I’ll come back later.’

  Hewitt quit the room. He hadn’t deliberately misunderstood what his father had said about looking after himself, he’d just been floored. Over the years his father hadn’t ever meddled in any of his or Brody’s relationships, even when they’d brought home girlfriends that were unsuitable. But he’d just made it clear that Hewitt needed someone in his life. As brief as the note of warmth had been when he’d mentioned Fliss’s name, it was enough to tell him his father was impressed.

  Shoulders rigid, he headed out to where Fliss was pushing Lizzie on a swing with Quinn playing in the sandpit next to them. He didn’t need to be told that Fliss wasn’t a woman to let get away. In a perfect world he’d hold on tight and never let go. But it was a far from perfect world and, even now Dean was on the scene, Hewitt’s commitment to his family couldn’t waver.

  Fliss greeted him with a warm smile as Ava’s voice sounded from over at the cottage.

  ‘Coming, Mamma,’ Lizzie called, using her feet to slow the swing. ‘Mum wants us inside, Quinn.’

  Her twin frowned bu
t shook his tractor free of sand. He flashed Hewitt and Fliss a grin and raced off after his sister.

  Fliss came to Hewitt’s side before turning to wave at the twins who’d lifted the curtain in the cottage window to watch them. Snowball jumped onto the window ledge beside them. ‘Is there somewhere … quiet we can talk?’

  ‘Yes, my place. Dad’s having a rest and I suspect Mum is as well. I can pick up my suit for the ball while we’re there.’

  ‘Sounds great.’

  They walked side by side towards his ute.

  ‘Jemima and Puddles are already best friends,’ Fliss said as the two white ducks swam by on the dam beside them.

  ‘The dogs will be pleased.’ Over near the stables the dog kennels stood empty. Dean would have the two liver-coloured farm kelpies out working stock. ‘They can have their water bowls back. As big as Jemima is, she still manages to swim in them.’

  After Fliss slid into the passenger seat, he started the engine. Once over the cattle grid, he turned left. Red dust rose in a vivid plume behind them. After the wet back roads around Bundara, it was a novelty to see dust again.

  He hoped what Fliss needed to talk about wasn’t Quinn’s chin. Now he’d received stitches once, he wouldn’t be so cooperative next time. ‘Is Quinn’s chin healing okay? It looks a little red.’

  ‘It’s fine. The stitches will be right to come out in another two days.’

  ‘Those two days won’t be able to pass quick enough for Ava.’ He glanced at Fliss. Her expression remained preoccupied. ‘Sorry if lunch wasn’t very … relaxed.’

  ‘You don’t need to apologise. You never met my grandfather. He didn’t suffer fools gladly and over the years we had some awkward and memorable meals when we had people over. I don’t want to pry, but is it all right if I clarify a few things about your father?’

  ‘Sure.’

  ‘He’s very thin now, but I’m guessing he was a bigger man once?’

  ‘He’s always been strong and solid but after we lost Brody the weight fell off him.’

  ‘Has he had a medical recently?’

  ‘I wish. You think I’m a bad patient; try getting my father to even walk past a hospital.’

  ‘So he didn’t see anyone about his foot?’