The Long Way Home by Phillip Overton
Chapter 12
November 1983
“Hello.” Rowena answered the phone having run in from the backyard where she had just finished pegging up the washing.
“Hi Rowena, its Gail.”
“Gail, how are you?” Rowena’s voice lit up while she still tried to catch her breath.
“Fine, just thought I’d give a ring to see how you’re going up there.”
“Good,” she lied. “Yeah good, can’t say I have any complaints. I’ve been keeping busy with my job at the supermarket, and then there’s the housework which never seems to end so I really haven’t had the time to get bored.”
“I’m sorry it’s taken a while to catch up with you Rowena, it’s just that we’ve been very busy down here, we simply haven’t been able to find the time.” Gail said before she realised that it had been nearly three months since she had last phoned her sister and immediately felt bad for the fact.
“I know. The year has gone by so quickly. How are Tim and the kids?”
“Yeah they’re all fine. Lynette and Justin are doing well at school. Lynette has just started to learn the flute and Tim wants to sign Justin up to play soccer next year, can you believe that?”
“But Justin’s only six, do they let them play that young?”
“Yeah but next year he’ll be seven and they have an under 8’s team so I guess the other kids will be his age. Besides, I think Tim needs to have that quality time with Justin, it’s not easy juggling his career with being a good father. Did I tell you Tim only recently got a big promotion with his firm? He’s had to spend a bit of time flying to and from Melbourne, they’ve put him in charge of a team handling one of their largest clients, it’s very exciting for him.”
“That’s great.” Rowena replied trying not to sound disheartened at the thought of her sister rubbing her successfully happy family in the face of her own life of a single mother trying to make ends meet.
“So how is Simon? Is he at home with you today?”
“No, Doug has him every Saturday now that I have to work. We decided it was better for the both of us when he moved into the new house with his Dad and his brother earlier this year.”
“Sounds like the two of you have everything worked out.”
“Well I still don’t like the guy. I mean, sure I got custody of Simon along with the house, but I’ve had to work overtime just to keep ahead of all the bills and pay my share of the mortgage.”
“At least he has to pay you child support, that’s got to be a big help, and a sweet reminder to him each fortnight when he has to open his wallet.”
“Yeah, but he seems to be doing okay for himself at his real estate office which only makes me frustrated. I mean, he’s driving around in a brand new car and I often pass a house and see a for sale sign out the front with a picture of him on it. I caught a bus home from work the other day and the back of the bench at the bus stop had a picture of him on it for crying out loud! Meanwhile I’m the one who seems to be struggling to keep my head above water.”
“Forget about him Rowena, just as long as you can work out everything nicely when it comes to Simon. That’s all that matters.”
“I know, but he adores his father and it makes me sick. I can’t measure up to the cool uncle, the grandfather and the one day Dad. I’ve got to take care of Simon the other six days of the week, and if I have to phone Doug to sort something out I always get his Dad because ‘Doug is busy at the office’ or ‘Doug is at the leagues club with a lady friend’.” She mocked.
“Anyway, enough stories about bad men.” Gail changed the subject. “How has Simon been at school?”
“He’s okay I guess.” She replied, struggling to find something positive to say about the boy that didn’t include his father. “Wish I could say he’s been keeping out of trouble at school but that might change next year when he moves up to the senior side of the primary school. Grade two hasn’t been the best for him. I don’t think he’s gone a week without ending up at the headmasters’ office for something. Then again, he is only a seven year old and I have met his teacher, she seems a real crabby old bag if you ask me.”
“I know sometimes a good teacher can make a big difference if you ask me. Maybe you can be thankful that the year is nearly over and just hope that he gets a better teacher next year, one that he likes and one that is prepared to give him a little encouragement. It sounds like that’s all he needs.”
“I know,” replied Rowena. “The last couple of years haven’t been the easiest for him. He just needs a bit of direction in his life, but I couldn’t be bothered putting him into sports or anything like that on the weekends. Besides, I don’t have a car to run him around. His Dad can do all that stuff for him if he’s so cool.”
“You know Rowena, I’ve found Sunday school has been a great influence on my kids…”
“Forget it Gail.” She cut in before her sister had a chance to finish her sentence. “I’ve told you time and time again I couldn’t care less about religion!”
“But haven’t you thought anymore about the night that Simon was saved by an Angel?” Gail tried desperately to soften her sister’s attitude.
“That’s your belief, not mine!” She snapped. “I think I know what’s best for my own son and believe me, he doesn’t need these ideas crammed into his head just because it would make you and Mum happy.”
“I’m sorry Rowena.” Gail apologised. “I didn’t mean to get you upset. How about we just drop it then? You are still coming down to stay for Christmas again aren’t you?”
“Yeah and before you ask, I’ll behave when Mum and Dad come over on Christmas Day.” Rowena smiled as she let a little warmth return to her voice.
“I know they can be a bit judgmental Rowena but it’s the only day they’ll be here. The rest of the week we can hang out together. Simon loves it down here too, it’ll be good for the both of you.”
“I’ll be there Gail,” she tried to laugh.
“Good. Besides, I want you there for my sake. We don’t tend to see much of each other lately, anyone would think we lived on opposite sides of the country.”