AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Me:you’re welcome, Jet *smiley face emoji*
Jet: bushfire is out in time for Christmas. Hope Santa finds you tonight
Jet: Wish there was a way for me to give you something for Xmas
Me: your thank you is all I need
Jet:I’m listening to the shell right now imagining I’m there
Me: can I call you tomorrow? After your family thing?
Jet: I’ll make it happen
10
Jet
What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?
“Hi Mum, Dad. Merry Christmas. Come in.”
We all hugged in the entryway, and Mum slowly made her way down the hall, looking into the bedrooms, the lounge and the kitchen.
The house was just five rooms: a tiny cottage with two bedrooms at the front overlooking a small veranda, a kitchen and lounge at the back and a small bathroom wedged between the kitchen and the second bedroom, and a laundry under a roof out the back door.
“Place is looking very nice, Jethro,” Mum said with a glowing smile.
I’d hastily cut a small white cedar sapling that had the shape of a Christmas tree and had it in a bucket with rocks beside the fireplace. Grandad had very old tinsel garlands and decorations in a box high up in the main bedroom’s wardrobes, and the tree was cheerful in gold and sparkling red.
“Could be better but I’ve been helping the rural fire brigade with the bushfires this week.”
My parents noticed my firefighter jacket and go-to backpack with a helmet on a peg near the backdoor, ready for a callout. Their faces were a mix of fear and awe.
Joining a fire brigade was setting down roots, as was buying livestock and fixing fences.
“I’m so glad we got through on the highway today to see you and the old place.” Mum looked about, touching pictures still on the walls where my grandfather had hung them. “You’re taking care of it really well.”
“Still needs lots of work.” I was momentarily derailed by her compliment. “I’ll get a power point installed outside for the caravan so you can plug in when you visit.”
“We’re off-grid,” Dad said dismissively, but Mum gave him a pointed look. “I mean, that would be very good, son.”
“How’s fruit picking going?”
“Did capsicums around Bundaberg and tomatoes at a farm we know well. Heading to Coffs Harbour for the blueberry season after New Year’s.”
“Good money in capsicums,” Mum added. “Will help pay for a new awning on the van.”
“What’s wrong with it?”
“Oh, a support is bent after a big storm.” She adjusted a mango that was just ripe in the fruit bowl. “I remember this bowl. Didn’t think my dad still had it.”
“Do you want it?”
“No, dear, it’s fine. Nowhere to put it in the van.”
To say we were not a sentimental family was an understatement.
Mum headed to the lounge and noticed Ari’s shell on the fireplace mantle. “Oh, this is pretty. I don’t recall Dad owningany shells before. Where did you get this?” Mum held it to her ear, and Ari’s small card fell to the floor.
