The freedom we’ve had the past seven months since Malcolm died is nothing compared to being on the road with all the car windows open. I close my eyes and take a deep breath of the fresh country air as we make our way toward Picton and the ferry.
Two and a half hours later, we make it to Kaikoura. We could get to Picton in a day, but the whole drive is long for a family who’ve never travelled a great distance. Plus, the motel I booked for tonight is right near the beach.
While we’ve been to the beach before, it was a rare treat considering how close we lived. This is our last chance to do this in the South Island before we move north.
Besides, there’s also a chance we’ll see whales from the shore here.
Once we’re booked into the motel, we walk the short distance to the shore.
The stones crunch under our feet—it’s not sandy, but the fresh sea breeze is soothing and calming.
It’s another thing that makes Napier so attractive. We’ll be able to visit the beach whenever we want.
“Did you grab the binoculars from the car?” I ask Noah.
He nods.
“Mum! What’s that?” Jason yells.
Noah looks through the binoculars in the direction Jason’s pointing.
He motions for Jason to join him.
It takes a while for him to get him looking in the right direction.
“There they are,” he yells.
“What is it?”
“Orcas.” Noah grins.
“Let me see,” Bailey says.
They take turns, one by one. It’s hit and miss with them not always pointing the binoculars in the right way, but we all get a view of the orcas in the ocean.
They make my heart sing.
They’re free too.
It feels somewhat symbolic for our situation—to be trapped all our lives and now the world is just out there.
Maybe it’s a sign of what’s to come for all of us.
My family will thrive now. The further we get from our past, the better.
“Can we get fish and chips? There’s a shop just over there.” Kiera points.
“We’ll have to get something. Why don’t we get them and eat on the beach?” I run my gaze over the excited faces in front of me.
“We can do that?” Jason asks.
“I’m pretty sure we can do almost anything now.” I grin, and he beams back. God, how I love this kid.
“Yes.” He punches the air and we all laugh.
As if on cue, my stomach grumbles. It’s been a wonderful day, and the sea air will help us all sleep tonight.
It’s a long road to recovery from what we’ve all been through, but I’m glad we’re taking in the sights on this trip and didn’t fly.
