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14
Idrove back into my home town late in the night, and it was hard to believe two months had already passed since my last visit. The weather was noticeably warmer and the streets were now decorated for the Christmas season.
It was about 1am and the lights were still on at Easton’s Tavern as I drove past. Either Luke was waiting for his last customer to leave, or he was cleaning up. Either way I sped past so he wouldn’t see me. It had been a long trip home, and I was too exhausted to think about how I was going to tell him.
To my relief, Nate’s car was missing when I arrived at my parents’ house. He must have been spending the night at Amanda’s.
As I rolled to a stop outside and parked my car, a light flickered on inside and Mum peeked out her bedroom window. Realising she would have no idea who was approaching in the dark, I turned off the headlights and got out so she could see it was me. She exhaled in relief, tightened her nightgown and disappeared from sight.
“Natalie!” she cried, opening the front door and rushing towards me. She wrapped me in a tight embrace before I had a chance to respond.
“Hey, Mum,” I choked, before bursting into tears.
“Oh, darling.” She put her arm around my shoulders. “Come inside. I’ll put the kettle on.”
Mum ushered me into the living room and patted the couch for me to sit down. She left the room and promptly returned with a crocheted blanket and a box of tissues, whilst the water boiled in the kitchen. I dried my eyes as I attempted to compose myself.
“We’ve been so worried Natalie. We saw you collapse on the news.” Her face was wrought with concern.
I winced. “I’m sorry, I should’ve called you. I just haven’t been thinking straight.”
Her forehead creased. “Is it true what they’re saying? Do you have a drinking problem?”
“What do you think?”
My mum crossed her arms over her chest. “I think they have their facts wrong,” she replied with conviction.
I nodded with a half-smile.
Mum left to make our tea and returned a short time later with two steaming cups and some homemade shortbread.
She peered into my eyes, as she placed the saucer in my hands. “You look like you haven’t had a decent night’s sleep in months.”
“No, I haven’t really,” I sighed, taking a sip of my tea. I lifted a biscuit to my mouth and nibbled, not knowing how my body would react.
“Not hungry? You used to devour those,” she said, observing my unusual behaviour.
I placed the saucer onto the coffee table. “I’m just too tired to eat.”
“Well, your bed is freshly made, so why don’t you go straight up and get some shut eye?”
I drew my brows together. “You knew I was coming?”
Mum chuckled. “No, sweetie. I always make your bed,” she said, taping my leg. “Just in case.” She winked and my heart flip-flopped.
I rose from the lounge, shaking my head in disbelief. Mum had been making my bed for nine years and not once had I ever slept in it. What sort of daughter was I?
I approached the staircase and turned back with a sigh. My lower lip trembled, but I kept the tears at bay. “Thanks, Mum…for everything.”
She gently took my face in her hands, and stroked my hair. “Don’t thank me, it’s what I’m here for. I’m just relieved you’re home. Whatever it is, we’ll get through it, okay?”
I smiled sadly and nodded, before retreating up the stairs.
* * *
I awoke the next morning to someone jumping up and down on my bed. I squinted up through puffy eyes and found Nate bouncing excitedly beside me, like he did when we were kids. His smile brightened my mood instantly and I giggled.
“Hey, kiddo,” he said, dropping down to sit next to where I lay.
