Fran realised she was driving home from The Captain’s at ten km an hour, and that she was afraid. The Boarder was coming to Ash Mountain. She hadn’t seen him for nearly thirty years. She had hoped to not see him for another thirty.
Nurse Jen’s car was still in the driveway, but Vincent’s ute was gone. She checked her phone – and Vincent had texted:
Heading off F Face – your dad seems settled w the nurse. Remind V to confirm her bus time tomorrow. See you Friday and ring any time, here for you xx
Fran drove on fifty metres and turned right into Dante’s. She knew she shouldn’t rely on her son’s friendship so much, but she did. He was the only person she felt no shame with. ‘The Boarder’s getting married up the road next Monday,’ she said as soon as he opened the door.
His apron was covered in tomato. ‘I’ll settle the sugo,’ he said, ‘you pour the wine.’
A minute or two later they were in the back garden, although ‘garden’ might have been too strong a word. The half-acre was filled with her son’s enthusiasm for new projects and his lack of interest in old ones. ‘I’m an ideas man,’ he said if ever asked. ‘I’m not supposed to follow things through.’ This year was all about lettuces, pottery, chooks, and tomatoes. He was also drawing up plans to turn the rusty old water tank into a treehouse; part of a long-term mission to make his property an artist’s retreat and outdoor gallery. 50
Fran lit one of the cigarettes she’d hidden in Dante’s shed.
‘Why would he be doing it here, in Ryan’s Lane?’ he said.
‘He might want to see his bastard son, show off or something, make amends, the prodigal father.’
‘Or he might want to see his slutty ex-girlfriend,’ Dante said.
‘I was never his girlfriend.’ She was slutty though. ‘Hey, guess where Vonny’s going tonight – the Blue Light Disco.’
‘She’s unlikely to get knocked up, at least.’
‘She’s going with Rosie Ryan.’
‘Is Rosie gay?’
‘Dunno. Be great if Von’s got a weekend pal here. So, do you want to see your long-lost father or what?’
‘No.’
‘We could hide behind a tree and watch them come out of the church.’
‘Not a good plan. He won’t have given us a second thought; honestly, Mum, there’s nothing to see and nothing to worry about. I’ll stay out of his way, but if I bump into him I’ll stay calm.’
‘I won’t manage that.’
‘No,’ said Dante. ‘You should stay well away. You should go to Bali.’
‘I’m never going to go to Bali.’ She’d never go anywhere ever again.
‘Shut up, yes you will.’
‘Is it seven already? Promised I’d take Gramps to mass. By the way, no more dealing to your grandfather.’ Fran butted her fag and headed inside to the bathroom, where she had her own toothbrush. ‘The Boarder probably assumes there’s no way I’d still be in this dump,’ she said.
‘I like this dump,’ said Dante. 51
Fran spat out toothpaste, wiped her mouth, and kissed her son’s forehead. ‘Yeah, but you’re a dickhead.’