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“Are you okay?” Samuel sits on the bed. Rose is curled into his chest still half-asleep.
“I finished her journal,” I murmur. “I’m still mulling over it all. Everything makes sense why Gran behaved the way she did when Dad was young and why Pop became an alcoholic. He was proud. I only wished he understood Gran better and shared some of that pride her way.”
Samuel takes my hand and squeezes it. “Is it appropriate if I also read it?”
“I’d like you to as there are topics I need to discuss. And you can offer support when my family also reads it.”
“Do you want me to read both before offering them to your family?”
“I think that’s a good idea. And so you know, we’re leaving for our holiday up north in a couple of weeks.”
Samuel’s expression softens as though he knows better than to argue with me.
He’s not the only one desperate to reconnect with the rainforest. It’s a place where I can feel closer to Gran.
* * *
Two days later, Samuel comes with me to say goodbye to Will. It feels strange ascending the stairs of our apartment complex when I used to do this several times a day.
“Do you mind if I stay for a bit, then leave?” Samuel asks before we enter the front door. “Michael messaged and wants to catch up since Yasmine is back at work.”
“Sure. We’re only going to hang out here for a few hours until it’s time for Will to leave for the airport.”
We open the door to cheering. Will runs to us, being chased by Faith’s kids. “Look, it’s Mowgli and Shanti.” He points to Samuel and me. Faith’s kids stop chasing him and stare at us.
“No, it’s not. It’s Aunty Eden and Sam,” Sebastian corrects him. He continues to chase Will with James following and copying everything Seb does.
Rose squirms in Samuel’s arms. “Did I hear him right?” he asks while lowering Rose to the floor so she can chase after them.
“Yep.” I shake my head at Will.
“Stop.” Will holds his arms out straight at Faith’s boys. “We need to wait for King Louie.” Rose tootles after them.
“Will,” Samuel warns in a low deep voice.
“Just kidding, mate.” Will chuckles, then jab steps and sidesteps away from the kids as though he’s on the football field.
Samuel and I sit with the family at the dining table. “Morning.”
We join in the conversation about the upcoming Autralian Football League season. I don’t add much, considering I haven’t paid attention for years, and Samuel is clueless, still he listens attentively. “We need to go to a game,” I whisper to him.
“We should all travel to Melbourne for a game,” Dad adds. “And Will could come along.”
Will pulls a seat up at the table.
“Enough,” Faith says firmly when her boys jump on Will. “Excuse me. I’ll amuse them for a bit so we can talk.” Faith switches on the television, and the three kids sit in front of it, ready to watchPokémon. Rose isn’t familiar with it, yet she’ll copy whatever her cousins do.
Faith takes her seat again. “When are you two heading to Cairns because I seriously want to come?”
Jake chuckles beside her. “With us or on your own?”
She rolls her eyes. “Do I need to answer that?”
I laugh at my sister. “In two weeks. I’ve booked the flights, and we’re staying in a hotel for a few days, then with Dana in her holiday home near the rainforest.” I glance at Samuel and smile. “It will be good for all of us.”
“Exactly. It’s why I want to come in your suitcase.”
“We can go another time,” Jake adds. “I know we haven’t been on a family holiday for some time, so maybe it’s something we could plan.”
