Chapter 14
March Stephenson
Maxieplus.
My morning was slow, it always is when March is away working. I worry about him getting injured out there and sometimes I ring him three or four times, just to see if he's okay. A customer was looking for him franticly, but I had to tell him no garage today, his car was acting up and he didn't think he would make it home. I knew him from the town so I opened the workshop and he parked it inside, I then lent him my car to use for a few days. He was very grateful because he had urgent things to do. Such is the life of a generous partner.
I received a phone call from the solicitor who informed me that the letters had been posted off and I should not receive any more threats, a copy was also sent to me and dad. I saw March and dad arrive back just in time for lunch, I kissed him then he said the jobs were big but not hard. He had a fat cheque in his hand and I passed the gas guy's name to him and told him about the car in the garage.
"I lent him my car for a few days, he's happy."
"Good thank you I must get onto buying a small lend car for the business, people have important things to do and I get sick of driving customers home."
"Good idea, take mine and I will buy a new one." He stared at me.
"What kind?"
"I don't know a medium-sized one with lots of lights and buttons to push. Can you do a roadworthy on mine and then I can sign it over to your business?"
"No problem, I know it's in good order so it wont be a hard job."
"Good, because I don't want your customers to be driving an old bomb." I giggled.
Dad had started looking at the old car in the workshop so I yelled at him.
"Come on dad, lunchtime."
"Coming son."
March took my hand and walked me across the road.
"What are you having today Nicky?"
"Your awesome dick baby."
"That I will give to you gladly, but what do you want to keep your strength up?"
"Maybe a ham salad roll March."
"I'll have the same then, what are we having for dinner?"
"I think the pub tonight, it's been a while."
"Good thinking."
Mum was busy so we left our orders and said they weren't urgent, she will get around to them. After we ate our lunch March opened the workshop up, both he and dad were looking at the old car and decided a run around the block will tell them what was wrong. Off they went and they only got fifty meters and it conked out.
"March needs a push guys," I yelled out and five guys left to go and help.
He thanked them and I mentioned he had better ring the owner maybe he knows what's wrong with it. Giggling I walked away just as he pulled his phone out. I have no idea why he didn't do that in the first place.
"Would you like a vintage car or a new one Nicky?"
"I think a new one March, there are no creature comforts in the old ones as much as I love them." I smiled.
"Well, we had better start looking then." He opened the laptop.
"Just a secondhand one baby, I don't need new."
"I have a new car and you get one too, I can't have you driving around in an old car, it will look like I don't look after you."
"That one." I pointed.
"Good choice, let's look at the safety features."
We looked at a new medium all-wheel drive car, then decided it was very safe and we will be going into the city to buy one soon.
"It's got all sorts of safety bells and whistles Nicky you will love it."
"I'm sure I will baby, but I still would like to look at a second-hand one or an ex-demo model."
"They will have them too." He kissed me.
Later he was on the phone with someone, he said it was a client. I know he has set me up because that was the only car we looked at. I assumed it will either be delivered tomorrow or the day after and was very excited.
"How much did it cost?"
"Not much Nicky, it's ex-demo hardly any miles on the clock."
"Well the town will know it's my car, the color will see to that." It was a bright gold color and true to my suspicions was delivered to me the next day.
"I will transfer the money."
"It's a getting-together present from me." I won't argue.
"Thank you baby, it is beautiful like you." I kissed him and then he had to have a drive of it. We toured the countryside and when it was my turn to drive he didn't want to hand the wheel over to me.
"But it's my car."
"I need to see that it is safe."
"But again, it's my car," I whined.
"In a minute."
He couldn't stand my pouting so pulled over.
"Now drive carefully Nicky, we don't want any scratches."
I floored it and drove it the way it should be driven, sporty, he screamed and I laughed. He doesn't know how good of a driver I was.
May, mum, and some ladies worked the whole weekend making up bags of tea, I have no idea how many but May's family room was full of them.
"Hopefully we won't need any for a long time Nicky, but I will do some more before she comes back."
"And the pies?"
"I will get them delivered." She grinned.
"How is your new car?"
"I don't know I only got to drive it for four miles, and now March has gone off in it again, to test more of the safety features he argued." I laughed.
"You will be driving him to work in it every day."
"Hopefully not, he's got a new car anyway, he needs that because of his work."
"Don't underestimate him Nicky, did he pay for it?"
"Yes mum."
"Then he has the right to drive it." She laughed.
"Okay, then he can drive it."
When it was time to go home, I kissed him and said.
"I'm running home,"
"But what about the car." He meant his.
"It can stay here as far as I'm concerned."
I smiled and then I started running home. He knows enough about me to realize I was pissed off with him. He slowly followed me and honked the horn.
"Come on Nicky, I'll drive you home."
"No thanks I don't like that car either, I will be buying my own tomorrow."
"You don't have to do that, I already bought you a car."
"You took it back, and in my book, that's just the lowest gift anyone can buy someone."
"I only wanted to get familiar with it."
"Well you can make love to it all you want from now on, I'm giving it back."
"Awww Nicky don't be like that."
I ducked into a paddock and started running through it, I can get home from here and I hope there are no bulls.
I could see him driving around the perimeter so I sat down in the middle, the tall grass hid me and after a half hour I looked up, he was nowhere to be seen.
When I finally got back home I saw his truck and my car parked together, he must have grabbed dad to help him.
There is always safety in numbers and mum and dad were there having coffee, I stripped and showered. I put on some jeans and a t-shirt and then went to greet them.
"Where did you go Nicky?" He asked me.
"For a run March, I told you that."
"Oh, where did you run to?"
"I was heading for the local car yard, but I can do that tomorrow."
Mum giggled because March's face went quite pink.
"Are we having Chinese tonight mum?"
"Yes son, I will order it if you would like to pick it up."
"Cant mum, I don't have a car."
"Yes you do Nicky, stop being so awful to me."
"I don't think I am March, but you can pick dinner up in that snazzy little golden car you bought a few days ago."
"It's your car I was just having some fun with you."
"I see, so when your finished having some fun with me you can go and pick dinner up."
"I will do that Nicky anyway."
"Good because it needs another run." I looked at my watch.
"It hasn't been driven for at least two hours it must be very lonely out there."
"Nicky it was a joke."
"So are you sleeping in it tonight, how many blankets do you want?"
He couldn't help himself he grabbed me and kissed me deeply then looked into my eyes and said.
"I'm sorry."
"That's better now hand over the spare key." He picked them up and almost ran out the back with them but I was too quick, I grabbed his crotch and started squeezing.
"Give." I held my hand out while he yelped, and the keys dropped into my hand.
I let go and gave them to mum.
"Under no circumstances are those keys be given to March Stephenson."
"Got it, son."
"Thank you March I love my present very much." He straightened up and smiled like I had scratched behind his ears.
"Now Chinese."
"You will have to pick it up Nicky,"
"Why?"
"Because mum has my keys and I can't go anywhere without them. The truck key is on the ring too."
"Oh, well you had better hand them back to him mum, and don't take my car I am trying to keep the mileage down on it." I laughed.
"Yes sir." He saluted me. The car fiasco was just an annoyance, I get that he likes cars, and I get he has driven most models, but I have to get used to it too.
Dinner was delicious as usual, mum and dad even had some take home tonight, much to March's dismay. There was still plenty left for him for breakfast and lunch tomorrow. We missed out on our hot tub tonight because dad wanted to talk about the house. We told him we saw the agent and she will make sure it's rented out when the time comes. We also talked about May's trip and how we all are going to miss her, and Jason of course. March was quiet he is going to miss her the most. He said he had flown before he had to go to Sydney to work on a Rolls Royce, no tools they were all supplied. He loved flying but didn't like the turbulence it had encountered on the way. He laughed when he told us he was looking at the wings flapping up and down as it hit, his stomach nearly emptied itself.
I looked at the local page and now my car has been named by many. The golden snitch was seen cruising around town but Nicky wasn't driving it.
'Maybe there's something wrong with it and March was fixing it'
'Maybe Nicky can't drive it'
'Maybe Nicky couldn't get to drive it because his beast of a boyfriend claimed it for himself. But Nicky fixed him right up, it's now back in my hands.' I wrote. Many laughs and sniggers and some love hearts appeared on my post.
May will have a great time, Jason will see to that because he has traveled many times before, and the day she left we had tears. We didn't go to the airport and Jason had organized a Uber to take them in. They left four hours before the flight because he wanted her to relax and take it all in. I caught March in his shed leaning up against the wall, yes there were more tears.
"This is the second time we have been parted Nicky, the first time was when I spent a week in Sydney."
"Well it's only for four weeks March, she will be fine and she did say she would email us or ring when the opportunity comes up."
"I will still miss her."
"We all will baby, now, while you are having a pity party can you drop your overalls, there's something I would like to do, it will make you feel a little better." He did just that and I placed that smile back on his face.
He had to go to a dairy farm tomorrow and asked me if he could take snitch for a run. I agreed but he's to watch flying stones from the cars ahead of him. He thought about it and said he would take his truck. I told him the old one hadn't been driven for ages he had better take it for a run.
I moped around the next morning and dad was in the workshop doing two cars, I popped across the road and mum had a nice woman helping her.
"Nicky this is Rose she's going to help me this week."
"Hi, Rose."
"Hi, Nicky pleased to meet you at long last, how's the snitch going?" I laughed.
"They could have come up with a better name, but it is what it is."
"A lot of Harry Potter fans in town Nicky. I guess they haven't heard of the golden ticket or the golden Demon." She smiled.
"I will have to come up with a better name.
"How about Goldie?" Mum said.
I looked at her and decided that would be her name, Goldie.
"Coffee Nicky?" Rose smiled.
"Yes please." I sat at the usual table and was almost instantly face-to-face with Brenda.
"How is my son doing Nicky?"
"Very well Brenda, he has your organizational skills."
"Good, I'm grooming him to work with the council."
"Not a gym junkie or personal trainer?"
"No, my boy's school report says something different. He's nearly top of the class he needs a more challenging job." I think Brenda wants him to walk in her shoes and there's nothing wrong with that at all, the kid has brains.
I got a message from May she had landed in Thailand and is at the hotel, she's loving the vibe. Hugs to March mum dad and me, email to come. Mum came out and started talking to Brenda then Rose arrived, she wanted to know how March and I were going, I told her the truth that we couldn't have been happier and March is everything I deemed him to be. I was watching dad he was talking to a customer and pumping gas, this job has done him the world of good. He was rushing about and doing what he liked to do the best.
That night there was a very long email from May, I didn't read it until March had finished, he had to read it twice. She went into every detail of the flight and their hotel. They had been for dinner and a long walk around the area, it was like a short story. I got it in one read, she was telling March she was okay and having a wonderful time. He was a little quiet but I fixed that up with the roast chicken I had in the oven, store-bought. There were two of them he had to have some for lunch and maybe breakfast tomorrow.
"Do you think she's having a good time Nicky?"
"For sure March, I can see the excitement in her words."
"She never wanted to travel before."
"She's got Jason now, and you have me if you want to do it. We should go and meet them in Cambodia, surprise them."
"No Nicky once was enough, I guess I have to accept that she's a worldly woman now."
"March can I ask you something?'
"Of course, you can."
"When May is feeling down in the dumps do you feel the same?"
"I don't know Nicky, but I know what you are on about. When dad was so sick I felt May all the time, she was just as upset as me but she held me together somehow. The farm was another thing, I was compelled to sell it in the end and May was in my thoughts all the time. I sort of felt her pain but this time it wasn't for dad it was for me. When I worked that out I told her to sell it. I didn't want her to feel my pain it was awful."
"I see, so you do have a connection, that's awesome baby"
"Not so awesome Nicky, I have only felt bad things from her, like urgent things."
"Do you feel anything now?"
"No, I guess she's happy."
"Then you must be happy too, she will be okay."
"I miss her Nicky."
"We all do, she's a very important piece of our lives."
"Do you want to tub it tonight?"
"No baby, but I do want to go horse riding, come on."
I lead him to the bedroom.
She didn't give up on her emails, and I read every one every other day, she even sent awesome photos. This lady should be a travel writer. March read them sometimes three times and I copied one to the local page it was so good, I felt like I was there. All the comments were very positive.
It had started to rain and turn cool before they left and everyone had breathed a sigh of relief, summer had almost come to an end and Autumn is arriving. Cooler days and the trees were showing us all their glorious colors as they dropped their leaves on the ground.
We didn't light the fire we turned up the tub heating, March said the water in the river will be freezing soon and the level would drop because up the mountain everything will be turning to ice and snow. Hopefully, it will snow and I can go to our river and take some photos. I have never seen snow we don't get it in the city and it should be starting soon because in the hills it's much colder.
He had checked I had spare warm clothes in Goldie and a few blankets, just in case I slip down a ravine and was not found until spring. Of course, there are no ravines on my way to work or home but that didn't deter him.
May and Jason had told us that they are extending their holiday they were having so much fun. March was in a mood when he read that email.
"She should be coming home."
"She is having fun baby,"
"But her home is here, she can have fun in it."
"Not the same March, she will be back here in no time don't stress."
It was two days later I got a mail from her at work, asking me if March was feeling okay. She got the impression from his last mail he was getting depressed and she was also feeling it through his words.
I wrote back and told her he was depressed, he missed her very much. I also said I had this, and mostly he was very happy. I then told her about the weather turning, and that they should stay there in the sun for as long as they could. I didn't tell her I missed her badly also, I have become very fond of my sister-in-law.
"It's two weeks extra Nicky, man up and maybe take March to a hotel in the city where he can see how the other half live," Mum said. Now that's a thought, he's never really done anything like that before. I went about asking around about city hotels, then booked one overlooking a city park for the night. I only did the one night because I know my March he will be hanging out to go home. I packed an overnight bag and told him we had to go into the city to see the estate agent. To my surprise he let me drive because he doesn't like to drive in traffic. I pulled into the hotel and the attendant took Goldie while March protested.
"Why the hell are we here Nicky?"
"My getting-together present baby, a night at a swanky city hotel."
"Why?"
"Because you deserve a mini holiday."
I checked us both in and his eyes were everywhere, there was no need for a bellboy, we only had one bag. Up in the lift we went and we found our room, he was everywhere, the view was awesome and we had a separate bedroom, he screamed as he ran into the main room.
"We have a hot tub."
"A spa baby, and yes the water will be hot just like you."
"Look at all this free stuff Nicky, pity I don't drink." He laughed.
"They charge you for it, baby it's not free,"
"Oh."
His nose was up against the window I could see him trying to look down to the street, he looked so sexy because his hips were up against the window also.
"Come on big boy, things to do, bring your phone."
"Where are we going?"
"To the roof garden, you can take some photos to send to May that will make her happy."
"Cool, hurry up."
The lift was slow and we stepped out to a roof garden that was a restaurant bar, he moved to the edge and had a much better view. The waiter smiled and showed me to a table where we could have an unhindered view of the city.
"Nicky, where did you go, come here and look at this." I looked at the waiter and said.
"His first holiday away from the farm." He giggled and replied.
"Well we will make sure he has a good holiday then, will you be eating or just drink's?"
"I think drinks first thank you, two large orange juices."
"Coming up. But tell your friend the view is the best over here." He winked.
"Nicky!"
"Coming."
His excitement was infectious and his arm went over my shoulder as he kissed my cheek. I made him do the selfies, then he did the restaurant and then the views again. I coaxed him back to the table and we sat, our drinks had arrived and he got his phone out again.
"This is amazing Nicky, free drinks awwwesome."
I didn't have the heart to tell him they will be on our room account.
"Do you want to eat?"
"Food too, well this is a wonderful hotel, I certainly will be coming back here."
He was given a menu I told him to have anything he wanted, he picked the roast lamb with veggies, and I ordered the same."
"Those prices are big Nicky."
"The meal comes with the room baby, the prices are for non-guests."
I lied because he was having such a good time.
After many photos were taken and a great meal provided I signed the bill and we retired to our room for a bit of fun. The spa was filled and we languished in it, nothing like our one at home but it did the job.
He spent the rest of the afternoon making love to me and watching out the window, and as dusk arrived we had a small nap.
I asked him if he wanted to go out for dinner he said no, we should stay here. I handed him the room service menu and he picked you guessed it, roast lamb again. I took the same and then added drinks and dessert. I only know how hotels work from the many times Matt had dragged me to Sydney. I didn't like staying in them but March was a different hotel partner and whatever he wants he gets.
"I can't wait to tell May, she will be so jealous can I write to her tonight?"
"Knock yourself out, baby." He grabbed my iPad and started writing up a storm.
He was happy again and giggled while he wrote. Unfortunately, the time was moving fast, so I lay on the bed after stripping and then went to sleep. I have no idea when he crawled in but it was late, he kissed me and then kissed certain parts of my body, and the next thing I heard was his light snore. In the morning we showered and readied ourselves for breakfast, this was included in our stay and the big table had everything he loved on it. I have never seen anyone eat so much toast bacon and eggs in my life, he doesn't eat that much at home. I drew the line when he started wrapping up some items to eat on the way home.
"We can stop if you get hungry."
"But this is free."
"It's not the done thing honey, leave it there or eat it." He ate it.
We then took our full bellies back to the room, the bed had been made and the bathroom and dishes were cleaned up, by ten we were checking out and he said we will be back, he loved their hotel very much. The car was bought around and I drove home while he slept.
"How was your holiday March?" Mum asked.
He proceeded to tell her all about it and he even had pictures. She was very diplomatic because she realises he has never really been out of this area.
"So we had a beautiful meal in our room, the waiter served us then he left us alone. I can't believe I went there it's like a good memory." He was smiling for miles then he kissed me and ordered a pie.
Dad hadn't been busy and he had swept the floor, March didn't notice but I winked at dad and whispered.
"Good job dad." He laughed.
I looked into the office and decided one day I will clean it up, but when dad went to get some lunch March dropped his overalls.
"It would go better if we had more room."
"I like it like this Nicky." My maid services ended right then, there won't be any cleaning up done in this office.
May's next email was full of wonderful news, she was happy we had a holiday and felt better about staying longer. They had booked their return flight and will land in ten days, March marked it on the calendar so he doesn't forget.
Mum was busy and she was amazed at how much money May did take each day, she told me she must be rolling in dough. I do see a lot of cars calling in especially on the weekends during the tourist season which is over now. It rained for the next three days, March and I tubbed it, he was very happy again and probably counting down the days.
Not a word from Annie or Matt and mum hasn't rung her contact friend for ages. It was the news that told us what he had been up to, on a rare occasion I had the tv on and his face appeared on the screen, he's been arrested again and had been sent to a clinic to dry out. I couldn't help him and I didn't care by this stage, I was over it all.
Dad had told me her solicitor never responded to her claims after our letter was sent so I deemed her safe for now.
Mum eventually did ring her mutual friend and she had news for me one day.
"He's in a clinic Nicky, the judge was going to place him in jail but he sent him there instead. He got a good talking to, opportunities lost, and things like that. His mum thinks he will pull himself together and get on with his career. Wishful thinking on her part I think Nick."
"He was well and truly hooked by the time he left Australia, how he got through that series still confuses me."
"Me also."
"Is that all?"
"Yes Nicky, nothing to write home about."
"Good."
The cold was coming and we lit the fire, a few nights we slept on the big sofa we had bought and once again I was sleeping like a baby. I cooked stews and pot roasts on it and the hot tub was only used on special occasions, like the weekend. He came into the gym one day and said.
"Nicky, have you got the time?"
"Time for what March?" Surely it wasn't for sex, he's had enough this morning.
"Come with me I want to check the river out." I was off that chair and looked around the gym.
"Kevin, can you watch the door for me?"
"Yes boss, have a good time." He smiled, they have all got dirty minds.
He drove me to the parking spot, I had washed all his winter clothes and now we are in windcheaters and track pants, nothing very sexy about them except he still didn't wear any underwear with them. I didn't mimic him, one of us has to have some self-respect.
The river had stopped flowing, it was iced over and looked so sad. The vines had died and there was a muddy smell in the clearing. He sat me on the big rock and explained everything to me, it will come back in the spring.
"No snow here yet Nicky, but it's on the mountain if you want to go for a drive one day."
"No this is good March, it's good to see how nature all works and I am sure we will get some snow here."
"We will Nicky." He placed his arm around me and pulled me in to keep me warm, my head landed on his shoulder and we watched nothing really because nothing was flowing and the birds had left long ago.
"It looks dead March."
"That's nature Nicky, can you slip your hands down my trackies?"
"Yes sir." So he hadn't had enough this morning, the crisp air must be turning him on.
The day May was to fly in he had me up early, he had to get to the airport to pick them up. We had four hours to get there so I tried to slow him up. By nine he was sitting in the car waiting for me and by ten we were pulling into the airport car park. The wait was another two hours but he wanted to look around and go watch the planes land. Another exciting outing for him and after our third coffee her flight was announced.
He was nervous and kept shifting from foot to foot as he tried to look over the disembarking travelers.
"There she is. May, May over here." He waved as he moved forward. I smiled at his boyish antics, she was the same she almost ran to hug him and I looked at Jason and did a bad thing and hugged him having a good feel as I did.
"Nicky." She came up behind me and grabbed me we hugged also and then it was March's turn to hug Jason.
The chatter started then, I looked at their bags, they had more than they left with. Jason rolled his eyes and told me they were full of presents for all of us. I had to drive and they sat in the back while Jason and I laughed, it was nonstop chatter. May asked him how his holiday went so he prattled on and I looked at Jase and said.
"It was one night, how the hell could he call that a holiday?"
"To him it was Nick, he never took time off and certainly never took a holiday."
I heard all about their trip and more, it was when she said they will be doing it again next year March went quiet, he didn't bank on her going again. Back at the cafe, we sat with mum and dad out the front, the passer byes chatted with May a lot and she looked tired.
"What did you bring me?' March said.
"Lots of things brother, it's all in the suitcases."
He smiled because he loves presents.
"Not now March let me relax, Jase where are we staying here or at our place?"
"I think we will be staying at March and Nicky's place baby."
"Yes come and stay, I will help you unpack."
I looked at mum and said.
"You get the chickens I will do the veggies." I laughed.
Jason was happy for May to tell their stories, he's done trips like this before, and he is like me, he wants May and March to experience new horizons together. Many questions were asked then I gave May my keys and she and Jase drove home. I think they will be sound asleep by the time we get there, no, that's not the case because March got in the back seat.
"See you all at home." He waved.
It was what I expected, Jase had gone to nap and May and March were surrounded by open suitcases and he had quite a stack of novelties around him. Then the 'look at this Nicky' started as soon as I opened the front door. May was happy March was happy and I received some very nice trinkets, they were nice because May had bought them for me.
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