Moon over Moo-tel
Feeling better with the day’s grime washed away, Ava wondered why she hadn’t planned her arrival at Ivy-May after a good night’s sleep.
‘You know why,’ she murmured. There would’ve been no sleep tonight had you not got that initial meeting out of the way! She filled the kettle in the bathroom, switched it on and made a cup of tea.
She thought about when Nina and Tony had left the nest almost simultaneously, as twins often do. Ava’s zest for life had been sucked right out of her. Not long afterwards, doctors had discovered the damage to her body. The pain she’d been experiencing wasn’t over the children leaving but an insidious and rare virus attacking her heart.
‘It’s strong for now,’ the doctor had explained. ‘But take things easy. Maybe it’s time to give up work, relax and make the most of life. And, Ava, try not to worry so much.’
Not worry? She had a ticking time bomb counting down to an indeterminate detonation!
Ava dimmed the lights and turned on the TV, muting the sound. She settled on the bed, wedged three saggy pillows behind her back and tried to relax, but the strobe effect of colourful commercials conjured a memory: John, the Basmorra fair, fingers sticky with candy floss, and Sideshow Alley’s Wheel of Fortune. She’d only thrown the stuffed toy away after that doctor’s appointment when she’d packed up her life to move into a smaller place.
Suddenly her daughter’s ringtone was sounding from the phone at the foot of the bed. ‘Hello, darling.’
‘Mum, where on earth are you? You missed a specialist’s appointment today.’
‘Did I? Good heavens, I’d completely forgotten. Where are you calling from, Nina?’
‘Your front door. You haven’t left a note. You haven’t brought in your paper. Mrs Hense said you drove out of the driveway at some ridiculously early hour.’
‘Mrs Hense doesn’t miss much and nosy neighbours like her usually have a tendency to exaggerate. I’m going to be away for a few days.’
‘Away where?’
‘Did I not mention the health retreat?’ Ava choked on the lie she’d prepared. ‘I decided a few days relaxation might be nice.’
‘On your own? If you’d told me I might’ve arranged to come with you to share the driving, except I have the franchisee conference to organise. You could have waited a week.’
‘Driving isn’t a problem and I’m quite enjoying the change of scenery.’
‘Mum, where are you exactly? Where is this health retreat? And why didn’t you discuss it with me? Does Tony know? Are you still driving and talking on the phone? How many times have you lectured Tony and me?’ With each question the pitch in her daughter’s voice crept closer to tantrum tone, a trait that hadn’t changed since Nina was five years old and begging for answers with successive ‘buy whys’.
‘It’s late, darling, let’s talk tomorrow.’
‘Is this retreat on the doctor’s advice, Mum? What are they doing for you? Have you—’
‘Hello? Hello, Nina, are you there? Can you hear me, sweetheart? Hello?’
‘Please don’t pretend the reception’s no good. I’ve pulled that one myself a million times. I’m genuinely concerned.’
‘Why, darling? What’s making you so clingy all of a sudden?’
‘I’m not being clingy.’ The growl of frustration was a warning Ava recognised. ‘If you’d bothered to reply to one of the dozen texts I’ve sent you’d know Tony’s been wanting to tell you all is good with Mariska and the baby. You said you wanted to hear the ultrasound results as soon as they were in.’
When Ava glanced at the phone she noticed, for the first time, the flashing message indicator. ‘Oh, I see them now,’ she said guiltily. ‘It’s this new phone. Perhaps I need to check the settings. Mind you, in a motel built like a concrete cell block the reception might be a bit tricky.’
‘Motel? I thought it was a fancy health retreat.’
‘Yes, Nina, that’s right, and they’re calling me for tea. They have this herbal sleepy time blend. Very relaxing, I’m told. As for Tony, I’ll call him. And, Nina, there’s no need to worry about me. I love you. Talk soon.’
Ava pushed the end-call button. She also pushed away the guilt that accompanied lying to her daughter – a rare occurrence, but necessary under the circumstances. Perhaps she would explain this trip to Nina one day. Or not. Some things a daughter never needs to know.
With her tea now cold, Ava switched off the television, dragged the quilt over her and rolled onto one side to stare out of the window. With no visible clouds the giant pewter-coloured moon was putting on quite a show with a chorus line of stars. How many nights had she sat on the porch of her little cottage watching the sky as she waited for John?
The years might have changed John Tate – the paint-spattered tracksuit pants and mismatched rubber clogs in place of jeans and riding boots clear enough – but she’d also changed. Ava Marchette was no longer easily turned away or discouraged. She had nothing to lose now but time, and time was the one thing she planned to make the most of.
Tonight she’d check in with her son and his wife. Tomorrow would be a new day and she’d wake up refreshed and glad to be back. Time to embrace her purpose and focus on the sights, sounds and smells of the Candlebark Creek countryside. She would return to Ivy-May tomorrow and try again.
And don’t give up so easily this time!