Marco shakes his head.
“Pay the penalty,” he whispers.
“Which is?”
“Saddle up, cowboy.”
???
Navigating along Eagle Street is surreal.
Seeing places he mentioned during our lake conversation makes it sink deeper.
This is the road Marco walked along the day he ran away from home.
This is the town where he met Beth.
“There's the library,” he says. “I still have the card in my wallet.”
We turn down a side street.
“See that water tower over there? This is the park I tried to sleep in on my first night here. And this is where I got on the bus.”
He says it so casually, but there’s a tinge of melancholy in his voice.
We pull over next to a motel.
“And this is the restaurant where Beth works. Where I used to work. She doesn't know we're coming. Wanted to surprise her.”
“Does Longreach look any different from last time you were here?”
“Not really. Same cosy vibes. Maybe one or two stores with new owners.”
I hold his hand as we approach the front door.
No need to hide my affection for the man I love just because we’re in a small town.
“Oh bugger…” Marco sighs. “Closed on a Wednesday afternoon? That's not like her. Hope she's okay.”
I can hear the disappointment in his voice.
Marco yanks the phone from his pocket.
That reminds me, I’d better check my messages before we lose coverage.
I’ve got one from Mum and one from Vonnie, both asking how the trip is going.
I reply with emojis.
Heart + thumbs up for my mother.
Tent + eggplant + water droplets for Vonnie.
Marco switches his call to speakerphone.
“My favourite trouble maker,” Beth answers. “How's my boy?”
“Guess who’s passing through town to surprise you?” Marco grins. “You okay? I’m standing next to the closed sign.”
