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| The big whit gum, part 11 |
Around 1:00pm Dom filled his tank and had a pastie and coke. He was surprised how sunburnt his right arm was heck; the sun had been on that side all day. He headed out of the sleepy little town but found the signage confusing and soon found the road dwindling into a bush track. Wrong way! Back tracking he found the police station and went in to request directions to Perth. It was ill lit and the front office empty. He rang the chrome bell on the desk after a few minutes a sleepy looking middle aged police sergeant appeared. He eyed Dom suspiciously and after listening to him, seemingly reluctant, he told Dom where he had gone wrong. He watched Dom drive away and then returned to his siesta. Finding the correct turning, Dom wasted no more time in Northam. What did his sister say? Great Northern highway, Great Eastern, over the Causeway, Riverside drive and onto freeway north. Take the Cedric St. off ramp, left onto Odin Rd, left at the end, right onto Scarborough beach road and…. Dom gave up trying to drive and read the scawled directions. He would go to Odin road and stop for a look. Dom cursed the busy streets of Perth, when the hell is all these people going he asked himself angrily! The “big smoke” was getting to him already. Little did he know that on a Saturday afternoon the traffic was very light! Little did he know what it would be like through the week! After asking for directions twice he found MirMar Street and cruised slowly along it looking for number eight. Parked on the verge a hundred feet away was the unmistakable powder blue two door Monroe belonging to his sister. He pulled into the drive next to it and stepped out of the car. He recognized the place now. How could he forget that plumbago hedge? His mother, his sister, Sarah with her flame red hair and the cocker spaniel, Angus came out together to greet him. He smiled as he remembered picking a six week old Angus up from the airport and taking him to his parents, happy days. Doms heart went out to his mum, she looked drawn and haggard, she and his dad had been so close.
“Hello mum”, he said giving her a hug and looking over her head at Sarah “Oh Dom, you didn’t have to come, I can manage,” she greeted him tearfully.”but I am so glad you did.” “Hi Dom” smiled Sarah. “Hello Sarah!” “I was worried about you Dom!” said his mother.” “Why is that mum, you know I…” “Sarah told me you went to live with that Lydia!” his mother gushed! Glaring at Sarah Dom explained that it was actually her fathers idea, there was no trouble but it was just not working out, so “I left, went and stayed in the “Whyalla” for a bit he ended lamely. Smiling warmly his mother hooked her arm through his possessively and moved toward the house.”Come on Dom, I’ll show you your room.” “OK mum, I’ll unpack later.” “Its great we are together again “ called Sarah happily,”look! Even Angus is glad you are here!” “Yeah,” smiled Dom but he was thinking to himself, “just great, thirty and I am living with my mother and my sister!” “Hey mum, the boys said to say they love you and even evil Susie is asking for you” “Dom you shouldn’t talk about your ex wife like that, I liked her!” “yeah mum, so did I once!” anyway, she has agreed to let the boys come over here for the long school break,so you’ll see your grandkids soon.”
Sarah got Dom an interview where she worked. The Shipton Para – Quad center. It was a job and Dom started that week. The care was a little different from what Dom was used to but he adapted quickly, the staff were friendly and mostly young. He found himself paired with a girl of about twenty five. She reminded him of Lydia.In general terms. Same height, same color hair, same green eyes. Her name was Linda, sounds similar to Lydia Dom told himself with a secret grin. One day as they were walking to the staff room together, Linda reached out and Dom found himself walking hand in hand with her. Dom didn’t know what to make of it. Didn’t know what to do. He was not ready for another relationship. Not yet. Even so Dom was starting to like her. It was only about a week later that Linda told his she was leaving. Her father had died in Darwin and she was going home to live with her mother. Dom gave his condolences and let her know that he understood her leaving. Linda said maybe they would meet up again sometime and Dome agreed. Their parting was surprisingly awkward considering they had not become lovers. Had not even gone on a single date! Dom missed her in the coming weeks and wondered if it was because she had reminded him of Lydia. Dom was a bit depressed and he thought it was because Linda was not there. So he quit! And he got himself a return ticket to Port Augusta on the Indian Pacific, and once in Port Augusta he boarded the next Stateliner to Whyalla, his mother was not happy but he promised to be back in a week. After he checked into the Hotel Whyalla, he went and sat in the left-hand bar. After all, that was Lydia’s favorite haunt! He did not come to Whyalla to see her! NO, he came to see the kids. Yes, the kids. Tomorrow he would go see them. Tonight he would just sit here in the bar. God! Listen! Above the hubbub of the bar he could hear Terry Jack singing “seasons in the sun,” Lydia always called that “their”song! And it was certainly true that wherever they went it played.”Lydia, Lydia, you are no good, so why do I miss you so much? Lydia…where are you?
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Posted by rupert777 on 2009-05-16 10:54:54 | Rating: | Views: 42
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