I give her shoulder an affectionate squeeze.
“Heading out west to meet Marco's mum. But his dad's an asshole, so we need somewhere to sleep.”
“If this is the alternative accommodation, I'm guessing you mean waywayout west?”
“Couple of days drive, yeah. No phone signal. No footpaths for two hundred k’s.”
“Shit.”
“Uh huh. Worth it though.”
Vonnie disappears for a moment.
She drags the heavy tent bag slowly across the floor.
I lift it with ease and sling it over my shoulder.
“Show off,” she grins. “Take a selfie when you get there, will ya? I've never seen you out in the wild.”
Carrying the bag toward my truck, I load it into the tray.
She follows me barefoot, squinting in the bright morning sun.
“You must love the fuck out of that man.”
Her tone is sincere.
For once she’s not mocking me.
“More every day,” I confess.
A gentle smile forms on my lips.
“And have you toldhimthat?”
I fidget with the zipper on the bag, avoiding her stare.
“I whisper it to him when he's asleep most nights.”
She melts.
“But... are you gonna tell him, for real?”
“Of course I will.”
It’s only a matter of time.
“When?” she demands.
I shoot her a look.
“It’s not something to be rushed.”
Marco scares easily.
He’s been through a tonne.
And I can’t lose him.
