It’s dark by the time we reach this farm Dev told me about. He doesn’t seem to know too much about it and we miss the gate the first time. A farm sounds kind of boring. If I can’t get to the sea and drop in a line I’m sure I’ll frizzle up like a landed fish.
Even though it’s late, a man comes out as the engine dies. Dev’s Harley is loud enough to wake the dead. The man looks about the same age as Dev, bit taller and heavier, but also supple, as though he could move fast. I know it’s dark and there’s only a porch light on but Dev says, ‘Max, is it?’ Wouldn’t he know?
‘Sure is, Dev. And this is Joel?’ I’m still taking my helmet off, but I shake his hand. Then we’re taken in for coffee and cake. The house is so old they still have an outdoor dunny. They use it too, though it does flush, Max says. Our place is old as well, but Gran made Grandad do up the bathroom before we moved into town from the farm. I guess in a way, this is not strange territory for me. But I don’t know about Max. He looks serious and so does Dev, not like it’s a holiday at all. I thought Dev must know him since we’ve come to his farm but they don’t talk about old times. Maybe Max was a biker too. You’d think they’d mention it if they hadn’t seen each other for ages.
I’m tired so I go to bed. My room’s small but that’s okay. The paint’s peeling off near the bottom of the wall. Farmers don’t have time to decorate, Grandad always said. I’m just settling in, trying to pull the blinds down on my mind when I feel the bed buzz. It gives me a fright at first and then I realise it’s the phone under my pillow. Good old Mei.
hi. howz things? where r u?
It takes me a minute to work out what she’s written. I grin. It’s like the way I used to spell. I send one back.
near beachport i think
Quit thinking about going to sleep. This is fun and no one knows. It will be cool to keep this our secret.
u r so far away. do u like it there?
not sure its a bit weird
glad u r ok. c ya l8ter. mei
U 2.
I smile at that. U2 is Dev’s favourite band. I put the phone under the pillow again so I can feel it buzz if she sends another message. I lie there thinking of Mei and what a good mate she is. There are so many things I’m not afraid to do, like riding a trail bike down Killer’s Gully, or diving where there might be sharks. So why didn’t I chase after Mei to kiss her before I left?