Chapter 58
It was a cry for help I hardly heard, and because of my foolish actions, our friend was struggling to stay with us. No matter how many times Kasey told me that day, I knew it was my fault. I should have intervened earlier. I knew he fucked around and I know about humiliation, I have been there several times. Joe arrived at the flat and begged me to let him into Trisha's apartment, he had heard on the grapevine that another tragedy had befallen the salon. He wanted to be with Trish who had set herself up with a bottle of wine on her balcony, connecting to Anne and silently encouraging her to go on and fight. I know this to be true because I did the same and the others will be alone also, no one wanted to party, and no one wanted to talk about it.
I had to pull myself together for Sam's sake he loved his aunty Anne they always had fun when they got together. She taught him how to dance, he taught her how to do it his way which was so much better than hers.
"I have to pick him up Adam, are you going to be okay on your own?'
"Yes baby, I will shower and place drops in my eyes, he is not to know anything, please. We just go on, that's all we can do at the moment. He held me for ages as I pulled myself together.
"Be positive Adam, and pray."
"I will Kase and thank you." He left to go and get Sam, I showered and did the drops so he wouldn't see the redness in my eyes.
Gloria rang while I was making coffee.
"How are you bearing up Adam?"
"As well as could be expected, you?"
"I'm staying positive baby, and I am ringing to let you know I have organised the staff for tomorrow. I don't know your plans but I rang Marko and James they said they would rather be at work keeping busy. I will do the same, so you, Eva, and Trish take as much time as you need " What a God send this woman was.
"My God Gloria I haven't even thought about it yet, are you sure?"
"Yes, I need to be kept busy. I have also spoken to Lynnie she feels the same. I have this end covered Adam."
How do you thank an angel, a simple thank you just doesn't cut it, but that's all I could manage to say.
She also told me Anne's family was with her, and the outlook is very positive, there are good signs she is still with us mentally and hasn't completely shut down.
It made me feel a little better, but I was still expecting the worst.
Kasey returned and I hugged him and Sammy, then I gave him a drink. I listened to his stories about his day then he had business with the tv. I brought Kasey up to date, he had a small parcel with him, he and Sam had bought Eva a teddy for her baby, and Sam had insisted on it. I placed it on the bench and turned to my husband.
"I believe my pent-up emotions need releasing husband, do you think that's something you can help me with?"
"You need a fuck in other words."
"Yes please." I smiled.
It was a good thing for both of us, I know I was much more relaxed.
Trish and Joe arrived, I had no idea where Mick was but I did overhear her saying later on that he was at work. I talked to Trish and told her the good news if I can call it that, and about the salon and what Gloria had done. She said she will probably do the same and go in, keeping busy is a good thing. I will ring Eva and let her know we are all going in, but she doesn't have to if she didn't feel up to it.
Joe was a godsend also, he had organised our dinner from the restaurant downstairs and he even got Sam's favourite meal which he was very happy about.
I opened another bottle of wine and Kasey passed a beer to Joe. He was telling us he had been informed about the mess by the local community page, not his one, our local one. A customer had read the sign we had placed on the window. Closed due to a sudden illness in our salon family.
"You sure do read a lot of local pages, Joe."
"It's the only way to keep up with the trends Kasey. Have you done one for the salon?"
"Not yet, maybe tomorrow." he grinned although that surprised me Kasey usually gets onto these sorts of things straight away.
Eva and Wilson were to appear ten minutes later. Sam fell over himself to give them his baby present and they loved it and him for thinking of Bubba. He proudly sat down again and then played with it. I guess he has never had or seen one where he was from, it amused him most of the night.
"We will go to work tomorrow Eva, but if you don't want to then don't, rest up for the day."
"I want to go and see her Adam, not tonight but in the morning. I will come in but not until lunchtime." She forced her smile.
"Listen up everyone, no more sad faces. The news is encouraging and when she gets out she is going to be pretty embarrassed, and it's up to us to thoroughly rub it in." I laughed, Joe jumped up and found some courage.
"I would like to take you out for dinner sometime Trish, do you think that's something we can do soon?" Joe had started making plans.
"Yes that would be wonderful Joe, let me know a time and place."
"I will be doing that real soon." He grinned.
"Not, and I repeat not a pub."
"Oh shit, there goes my plans for a cheap night out."
"He blabbed, so you can also cut out the crap. And anyway I prefer to go dutch." Trish looked him in the eye.
"Who blabbed and what did they blab?"
"You're not the farmer who needs a wife, your a corporate manager or something, living somewhere down the road. And Adam blabbed, we tell each other everything." He started laughing and yelled.
"I'm gonna love this ride,"
"Well if you flop it out I can confirm what Trish told me yesterday." He started unzipping his jeans and Trish slapped him.
"One day Adam Sutton I will get you, do not get too comfortable in my presence, ever." I think Trish isn't into sharing. When the guy brought our meals up it looked like a herd of cows were eating, it was too much. But the extra meals were explained when Eva answered our door. Standing there was little Janice and Trev. I nearly fainted when they walked in, Sam ran to greet them and I stood up to hug Janice.
"It's not the time for celebrations just yet Adam, but she's out of danger, they are moving her into a ward tonight." I cried and it upset Sam. Kasey had to tell him I had got some good news and they were happy tears, which was the truth.
Trev and Janice had arrived on an earlier flight, they have been close long-time friends of Annes at the salon, and many nights were spent at the G club together. Anne never left the club she just went on with Marko and James but I think that will change when she's back in our fold.
We put the dinners out and thanked Joe, he grinned and said.
"That's okay, I put it all on your bill."
It was Kasey's turn to laugh and he got Trev and Joe a beer as well as one for himself and Wilson. We talked about the Melbourne salon and how well it was doing. They said they were very happy with the way it all turned out, and loved living there. They did look well and all grown up, even more mature. I felt a loss as I let go of the youthful images of them I had from what seemed so long ago.
They were staying at Eva's and asked Sam if he wanted a sleepover, all he did was shake his head quickly, no.
We talked about Anne an dTrev said to leave it up to them.
"Adam we are going to try and convince Anne to move to Melbourne. Just giving you a heads-up. We know loads of straight guys who would love her in their lives. She can move in with us and we will look out for her. Just talk at the moment, but we want that to happen for her." Trev was giving me a rundown on what they were thinking Anne should do. His reasoning was she would feel embarrassed and humiliated at the same time at work, and the fresh new life they were offering would be the best for her to restart.
"Do you need staff?"
"We do now and she is worth her weight in gold." He grinned.
"I will miss her."
"We will make sure she holidays here with you."
"Okay, we will see what she wants to do then. I won't argue with logic."
"Trust us, Adam. She will have a better life away from all that club business. I believe Mitchell isn't getting an easy time of it, everyone has heard about Anne's misfortune and is shunning him."
"It's not his fault he's a stud, Trev."
"He's far from it, he's an evil little shunt and he's just good looking that's all he has. And that will wear off as he ages. He treats the ladies like they are a conquest, and we have heard some guys have fallen into his trap also. We also heard he's not all that good at it anyway." He grinned.
"So what was Anne's problem?" I asked.
"She fell in love with him, think about it Adam, even if Kasey had a four-inch dick you still would have loved him."
"Yes I would have, but I also would have been pretty annoyed. I'm not annoyed by the way" I grinned at Kasey who puffed up.
"Has Marshall only got four?"
"I believe so Adam, he packs his underwear. At least Kasey and I don't share his problem." He winked at me, Janice nodded, and then Trev puffed up. The night was getting better and we all felt that Trev's idea was ideal but would Anne go along with it. Trish and Joe put Sam to bed and then my home was cleared. Joe wanted to take Trish for a walk to show her his palace, I guess they will stay the night.
"Where did Trish say Mick was?" I asked Kasey when they had all left.
"On an overnight date."
"I see so it's serious then."
"No a new one, the old one wouldn't come out of the closet and he wasn't prepared to go back in." He laughed. We put Sam to bed and he grabbed his stuffed lion and hugged him, I will get him a teddy bear sometime very soon.
Kasey and I showered then we walked around naked to shut the place up, he couldn't stand that, so he ordered me to the bedroom to wait for him. I waited with great expectations for ages then I decided he had opened his laptop again.
"Where have you been?'
"Opening a community page for you baby."
"That quick?"
"Yes, it's easy."
"I see."
"Move over here and bring your ass with you."
I couldn't stop laughing, it was unbelievable how my mood swung today, I was miserable, sad, and worried. But now in Kasey's arms, I was in raptures. How that man keeps it up is beyond me, but he did for quite some time tonight because love was in the air again.
In the morning Kase and I walked Sam to kindy then he walked me into work, he's watching me again. Trev and Janice called in early for a chat with the staff.
They were off to the hospital with Eva, I will try and go when it all settles down again. Trish and Joe had also arrived he had walked her to work, I think she stayed at his place for the night because when I checked his local community page, he had posted late in the night.
"We definitely have lift off."
The comments were bordering on filth, and you know how I love a little filth in my life. I read all of them and plenty of people were so happy for him.
He was walking on cloud nine this morning, and already planning to have lunch with my Trish. Kasey told him not between twelve and twelve forty-five that was his time with me. He once again laughed and Trish told him one was fine with her.
There were some awesome smiley faces around the salon, my smells were still there and Joe was givingTrish a lingering farewell kiss then he left just after the others did.
"Love at first sight baby?"
"You better believe it."
"What's his apartment like?"
"One bedder up the road and around the corner. It's nice but small, I was thinking in the future Mick might love it."
"Are you kicking him out?"
"No Adam, it's near the gay clubs, well suited for his nightly romps. That's if he was thinking about it of course. But then again Marko and James might like it. One way or the other Joe moves in with me full stop."
"That good is it?"
"You know what I'm feeling Adam, he's only been gone ten minutes and I need to hold him again."
"You didn't say fuck."
"That too, he's bloody awesome."
"Well, I am pleased as punch. Did you see his post on the community page?"
"No, I didn't even know he did one."
"Late last night, I reckon you got to sleep around one, he posted at one o five." I giggled.
"Is it wrong to lust after a man?"
"You are asking me? silly girl."
She walked off to the tea room with her phone out, I think she's going to read some of the comments. She isn't a part of the community but they have welcomed her with open arms, well most of them, there are still some bitches out there but thank God very few of them.
My next problem is my relationship with Mitchell, I can't blame him for being immature but to be frank, I don't want him in my salon anymore, he's too toxic. It was fun when he was younger but now things are getting serious and what the hell do I do?
I pondered this question for ages, I can't ban him from the salon, and Anne should have known better than to get mixed up with him, but love is love. Maybe someday when Mitchell matures and falls in love someone will make him feel the same as Anne does at the moment. I went to butter a bun and sit with my special family, we didn't hold hands we just talked about positive things, mainly Evas pending baby, and who do we replace Anne with if she left for Melbourne. These things can be done, later on, for now, we have a salon to run. I thanked Gloria for rallying the troops and then went to grab my first client. A wonderful lady who has been coming here since we opened. Yes she wants the same hairdo, yes her family expects her to look the same and yes, she has a special night tonight and the whole family will be there.
She will be cooking up a storm this afternoon with her daughters so she must look her best. My heart went out to her and I was so jealous of the comforting simple life she lead.
My next client was a lieutenant colonel who wanted a shave today. His son had told him to call in and have one, and to see if his daddy is all right again, so he has his orders. He sat at my station and slid down as his legs opened. I didn't say much to him but I did give him `The Look' as I sharpened my cutthroat razor. I can do this at home, but sometimes he likes me to do him in the salon especially when he thinks I am upset and need his company.
"I have been thinking Adam."
"Sounds very unlike you Kasey." I almost laughed.
"Well, I don't think we will do the extra room, hear me out first."
"And what are your plans for it my awesome friend?"
"Well I was looking at it last night, and although it would look great, I thought Sam might like a games room so he can play in it."
"You want to buy a billiard table and maybe a dart board, put in the fire so you can camp out sometimes, am I close?"
"Yes." He giggled.
"Okay by me."
"What?"
"Do what you want Kase, it's your home too, and if you want a games room go ahead and make one."
"You don't mind, I thought you would go ballistic." I pulled the stool over and looked at him face to face.
"Sam loves camping out, I also like him sitting on the sofa so I can see him from the kitchen. You need a distraction from work and that space is huge, so do what you want with it. A bigger tv would be nice also. We will go look at a more comfortable sofa and my old one can park itself out there, let's make the apartment a little more people-friendly."
He pulled me in by the neck and kissed me.
"Thank you."
"Dad wants you to keep the area clear doesn't he?"
He laughed and answered
"Yes, only because you never answer the door."
"Well, hopefully, those days are over for us. I don't mind Kase it means the barbeque and washing line can stay there. I was very uncertain about disturbing it anyway."
"Great now I can replan the room, we have to go shopping soon Adam." He all of a sudden got very excited.
I finished him off and he said he would be back at lunchtime, he had to go and talk to the general. My next client wanted a short back and sides and when I looked over at Trish she again had a visitor, Joe was having a shoulder massage.
I am so happy for her, and he seems pretty eager to be in her company. I also wondered why was he so perfect, there has got to be something wrong with him but I can't see any faults at the moment.
Mick arrived just before lunchtime, he said he had stayed at a friend's place last night. He wanted to give Trish some space, so now he's here for a Kasey trim and a catch-up with my husband, he has some work for him to do.
"Is it serious with the new guy?"
"Yes, she's hooked, been a long time Mick."
"I guess I will be in the way then. I had better look for some new digs, I love living there but I also love Trish and I want her to be happy."
"No need Mick, Joe has a lovely one bedder behind the clubs that may be going begging soon or when they decide to set up home."
"Has he? That is just great it's so central there."
"Well you didn't hear it from me, but there may be a flat going soon."
"Does he own it?"
"I have no idea, leave it to me I will get you the information you need. It will be good for you and you could display your granny's treasures better." He roared laughing.
Kasey arrived back and I told the ladies I was going to lunch, I gave Lynnie an extra special hug when she handed it to me, Mick missed out but he grabbed a bun saying he will get something on his way back to work.
"I have quite a bit for you to do and I want to revise those chapters that were mucked up."
"Already in your inbox Kasey, they aren't really bad, it's just that the wording seems wrong."
"Good pick up mate, Adam what are you doing after work I mean are you going to see Anne?"
"No, I will catch up with her tomorrow from what I am hearing she may even be coming home tonight now the worst is over."
"Well I got Sam to pick up then I have to go to my eye specialist and get my eyes checked."
"Is there any cloudiness?"
"No, in fact, I can see better than ever, everything is so clear and I can read the small print."
"Well let's not get ahead of ourselves, you still may need glasses."
"I understand, but I doubt it."
"We will come with you and Sam can play in the kid's room for a bit."
Mick said his goodbyes and left, Kasey took the opportunity to kiss me deeply and I took the chance of giving his ass a good squeeze.
He almost had my clothes off by the time Joe poked his head in.
"You two finished or should I come back?'
"We are finished."
"Good, guys you can set up here."
Two guys came in with picnic baskets in hand, I stood there open-mouthed as they placed two candle holders and a cloth on the table then proceeded to set it. Food came from everywhere as Joe grinned.
"What are you up to Mr. Joe?"
"Having a simple picnic in the tea room." He giggled, this was no ordinary picnic it was a full-on waiter service silver plate luncheon. I giggled at Trisha's face when she walked in.
"What the f...?"
"Picnic, something simple isn't that what you wanted?"
"No Joe I wanted a chicken sandwich."
"Coming up madam, will you have that before or after your caviar?" Joe screamed with laughter as I pushed Kasey out of the room, she is going to hit the roof.
The smile on Trisha's face didn't leave for the rest of the day and Gloria, I think, has the hots for her Joe by the way she was looking at him. I couldn't stop laughing when Kasey came back, we walked up to the kindy to grab our son. I was telling him that after Trish told him off they settled in to have a great feed, and lady muck has arrived.
Sam was as always happy to see us, and he was concerned his papa had to go to the doctor, I explained to him it was just for a check-up for his eyes. He understood but didn't go to the playroom he wanted to sit with me and wait.
They did all the tests on him and he was deemed fit for duty, some more drops, and a good bill of health and we all sighed in relief.
We walked back to our apartment calling into a Tv store on the way. Kasey just wanted to see what was available that's all. Sam watched the cartoons on a huge screen and Kasey organised the delivery and set up of said huge tv. I wasn't at all unhappy about him doing this, as I said he is my family and this is his home.
He and Sam were out on the old balcony, now the games room, discussing what they would like to have in it. He made Sam make a list as he walked around, I organised a stew for dinner, then rang Anne. She is coming home tonight, and yes there will be a farewell party in two nights' time at Eva's place, she will go and stay in Melbourne for a while. I don't think she wanted to go home to her parents, she needed a complete change of scenery.
When Kase and Sam came back the tv was all forgotten, they sat at the table to make a list.
"And something for daddy also son, you can decide."
"I don't know what daddy wants papa, maybe we can ask him."
I placed their drinks on the table and sat down.
"Daddy would like the biggest plushiest softest sofa you can find, one that he can lay down on with plenty of room for his son and husband to join him on it. It must be very soft because daddy is getting old and need more comfort."
"See poppa, daddy needs a couch because he's old."
"We will get him the best one we can find then." He kissed me. It would be nice to have a new one, the old set is big and clunky, it was purchased to suit the apartment, not for comfort, but it doesn't fit into our lifestyle now, and I kind of fancy slipping Kasey a length on a big soft couch.
Trish arrived and of course Joe, he had picked her up from work, she had the biggest grin on her face and I did notice these past days she hadn't braided her hair she was going natural.
Kasey turned his computer around to show me the community page he had made. It was perfect and we already had some booking requests. He had used a photo of the cabin, and a few of the salon inside and out and placed its opening times on the main page.
I also noticed a few questions about Joe and Trish, so I wrote down the password and handed it to her.
"You are the booking lady, you can run this site if you don't mind."
She was eager to help and she was very good at coordinating bookings also, and unbeknown to her she can answer any inquiry about her love life.
I passed the laptop back to Kasey and he closed it up. He started telling Joe what he was going to do with the balcony, Joe agreed that a man has to have his space. Trish whispered to me.
"There goes any spare time we both have." I looked at her and groaned when I realised the boys will be in that room loads.
"I saw a beautiful billiard table a few months ago at a homewares fair I went to, it was thirties deco style and would suit this place like a glove. I think I still have the booklet, if you like I will fish it out for you Kasey."
"That would be great Joe, I haven't thought of any style yet just some games room stuff."
"Or if you want there's a fantastic bespoke one just sitting in the storage room up in Adele's museum." I grinned.
"I forgot about that one, do you think Jimmy would mind?"
"I don't think so Kasey, it has no permanent home at the moment." I smiled and went on.
"If it was me I would make it like a speakeasy, old-fashioned bar sofa dim lighting, then it wouldn't detract from the décor in here."
"Umm." Kasey smiled at me.
"And that's okay with you?"
"Do what you want, not what you think I want Kasey, this is your project. Get the men in to move the table down here and see what you think, but I would do something with the floor first, and maybe a camping heater although the overhead one will be enough. But flames are good for boys who like to camp." He nodded basically to himself, now he has loads to think about.
"I would like to go to see it sometime," Joe said, I got up and gave Trish the key and said.
"Off you go, don't forget to reset the alarm system."
They moved to go upstairs and I asked them what they wanted for dinner, Joe said they were going out.
Kasey suddenly had a thought and followed them, I think he wanted to measure the table up.
I fixed something to eat and Sam and I sat watching the game show he was interested in, he didn't know any answers but he liked the lights and sounds, maybe a pinball machine in Kasey's new room.
Two nights later I waited until Sam and Kase were ready then pushed the down button, we are going to Eva's place to see Anne. The second I saw her I was in her arms and we both had tears, she kept apologising I was ignoring her. It all could have been a different scenario and I thanked God she wasn't damaged too badly. She let me go and picked Sam up and hugged him, then Kasey.
Everyone was there to say farewell to her, and it's not that she was leaving the company shes only transferring to a different arm in a faraway city.
I was so proud of Trev and Janice, they had convinced her it was for the best, they rather liked Anne and took over her recovery in a practical way.
There was no talk of Mitchell and the clubs tonight, and I think James and Marco are going to settle down on them, the one thing Marco said they didn't want Lynnie to suffer the same fate. They didn't mind either, they had become firm lovers and liked their lives together, and they were quite happy to stay at home sometimes.
It was a hard night for me I wanted Anne to stay and not let some brat push her away from her hometown, but it is what it is. Brisbane will always hold sad memories for her. Tonight was about our family, Trish looked wonderful as she introduce Joe around to those that didn't know him. Gloria outshone everyone, there has been no sign of Admiral Peters in the salon or around the fed building, I think he's keeping a low profile.
Anne and Sam danced up a storm, he will miss her but he understood when we told him that she has a job to do in Melbourne and will come back to see him occasionally.
Kasey and I slow danced and ate sandwiches, and Wilson Joe and Mick talked about billiard nights, I will have a talk with Kase about these nights. I am not a games lover so he needs partners to play, but not every night and not late either. I know how these things get out of hand, the commander, dad with Tim will all join his group and I will never get them to go home.
The party finished with her opening some small gifts and then I had to take Sam home, he was slowing down. I kissed her and told her to ring me anytime she wanted to talk, that's about all I could do for her is listen. We took the lift upstairs and put our son into his bed.
Kasey was on to me within moments, but before he did he had to check his emails. No glasses and I smiled as his bright eyes looked at me and he winked, he knows I have the devil in me tonight.
We had a meeting with Jimmy the next day and he had no qualms about us taking the table, he said that room was for storage and agreed there wasn't a big enough space for it out in the apartment.
He said he will take a drive up to the cabin on the weekend, he won't stay but he has heard good things about the renovations.
He also handed Kasey paperwork and the museum is raking it in, my book sales were through the roof and it was into its second print. All that money goes back into the museum and he also told me that he and I should work on a second book with those invitations and contracts in it. I agreed that I will sit with him and go through them again. He got up and went to his bedroom and got a package, then he gave it to Sam who opened it and pulled out a big pale blue teddy bear.
"WOW!" I think he was pleased.
I had asked Jimmy to buy him one, that's what uncles are for.
When we arrived home it sat on the coffee table and he talked away to it, he called it Buddy, a name he had heard at kindy.
It was two days later when I arrived home the tilers had been in. A deco pattern light grey tile was being laid on the balcony. Once again my apartment looked like a building site, but I must say the tilers were very good. I had let Kasey choose it because I would have probably chosen a bolder one. I have to say at this moment it was perfect and when it is finished it will blend in nicely. My beautiful sliding doors and green glass sides will be staying and I was informed that the fire had been chosen and will be hooked up after the floor is finished. The big tv will arrive after that and two big toy boxes with padded tops will come here also, for Sam to stand on and look out the windows. I will make sure they are locked tightly when he wants to do that.
"Anything else Kase?"
"We have to go shopping on the weekend to get you a big soft sofa for your aches and pains." He laughed.
I slapped him he looked at me.
"Not my words Adam, Sam's. I already know how athletic you can be in the bedroom, not old at all, what are you doing now by the way?"
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