Chapter 2
March Stephenson
Maxieplus.
I was thinking about the small area with the flowers and the river that ambled through it, and I will ask May if she thinks I could take a dip, like, if there are no nasties in the water.
The next day I ran towards town again, I did have some shopping to do after all, veggies, and I wanted to go see May. I liked her.
"How's our patient going?"
"He's very resistant Nick, I try to clean it the best I can, if he can stand still for a moment, but he's always on the go and doesn't have time to look after himself."
"I know the type, I guess he will start crying if it gets infected, God forbid it doesn't, he will go to bed for a month. Is there a doctor around here or do you have to travel?"
"The next town, about a ten-minute drive but most people around here can fix themselves if it's a minor thing."
"Okay, now yesterday I found a nice spot while I was out, a stream, flowers, and vines hanging from the trees a sort of clearing."
"Yes the clearing, I am glad you found it." She sort of smiled.
"So I haven't discovered a secret hideaway then." I giggled.
"Yes, you sort of have Nick, it's beautiful, and not many locals go there. It's a little too far out of town for the kids to walk, and why would they with a local swimming pool just across from the school? The stream is always running so there aren't any crocodiles or nasties just good clean fresh mountain water,"
"I was thinking I might take a dip, and you just answered my next question."
"You will be okay there, just make sure you have your phone with you the signal isn't the best and it can get a bit rough, especially when the wind comes up, you may need to thumb a lift home." She smirked.
"And you said that why?"
"I don't know, but I believe you got a lift home yesterday after being ill by the side of the road."
"I ate too many buns before exercising, people are still leaving them on my doorstep."
"That's the community here Nicky, new people get special treatment until they settle in."
She made us a coffee each and we sat outside. I heard another tirade of abuse coming from across the road.
"Shall we go see if he needs any help?" I looked at her, and I wanted to see him again.
"He's in a mood today, that wasn't his injured cursing, just his fed-up one."
I laughed.
A gorgeous man appeared and looked up and down the street, I could see a small vintage car coming up the road then it parked outside the garage. The driver handed him the keys and then they both jumped into the old ute. March I guess was driving her back home.
"Late service Nicky, he's already got four cars in there he didn't need another one."
"He doesn't have any help?"
"He did have, but the kid got sick of his moods and moved on."
"Oh, I suppose that will do it." I smiled.
The ute came back and gravel surfed out the front, he got out all dirty and greasy today, I could almost smell the odour from where I sat as he said good morning and passed to go get a drink from inside the cafe. I looked sideways, yes he needs to lose the underwear
"Are you busy today?" May asked him with a smirk on her face.
"Yes, for the next week, I think, how are you feeling today Nicky?" He looked at me.
"Fine, I am fine, something was stuck in my stomach yesterday it's all gone now."
"So when are you going for a swim Nicky?" May asked me.
"I thought I might go for a run there tomorrow, it's going to be a nice day I believe."
"Good you will probably have it all to yourself. Maybe March might meet up with you, he loves going there." He turned to her and gave her a glaring look, so I guessed she just let his little secret out.
"It's okay March I'll be there before ten, the rest of the day is yours." I giggled.
"Well, I had better get back to it, too much to do no time for play."
"See you later," I said as I watched his sweet ass walk back across the road.
"He doesn't have to work Nick, our parents saw that we never needed anything and the farm was worth a bomb, it's all tied up in a trust fund. I work because I want to, and he works because he's got nothing better to do."
"I see, so all the anxiety he emits is his own doing."
"Basically yes Nick, he's very lonely, he doesn't want to date any locals, he went to school with most of them and considers them all his family."
"I bet he's number one on all the single ladies list's, he's a handsome devil."
"You are the expert, and yes he does get a lot of cat calls he doesn't realize how sexy he is, especially in those overalls. Of course, a pair of shorts and a tank top sends them into a frenzy too. But he is what he is, a wonderful brother, a kind friend, and a bloody headache sometimes, but I love him to death."
"There's someone for him May, she just hasn't turned up yet."
"Or he." I looked at her and thought she should elaborate.
"He?"
"There was a rumour going around town that he had a boyfriend at school. One of the Atkins boys but I didn't see it, they moved town a few years ago after we all left school, never to be seen again. Nicky, I don't think he is gay but anything is possible with my brother. As I said he has a kind heart and the Atkins boy was one of his closest friends."
"Maybe friends, I doubt it would have been a full-on love affair otherwise he would not have let him go."
"As I said it was just a rumour, and I don't take any heed of them especially around here, another coffee?"
"Yes please, do you know what I can do about the cake tins, they have piled up?"
"Just leave them by the letter box Nick, the ladies will pick them up."
"Fuck fuck shit." I laughed, this is so entertaining.
"He's forgotten something, three two one." He marched out of the workshop into his truck, then sped off.
"Spare parts thirty miles down the road."
"How did he learn his trade?"
"By working at the farm, he was very talented and kept the old machinery going from a very young age, word got around and by the time he was fifteen, he was servicing some of the older vintage cars in this area. Made sense he bought the old garage and got it going again. He needs to buy more stuff because the technology nowadays is huge. I suppose he will get around to buying all the bells and whistles at some stage. For now, he does the older vintage cars and trucks they don't need to be hooked up to a computer and he has a reputation of being the best mechanic around to work on them."
"My dad could help him with that, he's owned garages for years,"
"Really?"
"Yes, but car yards with service departments, he still keeps things going at home although he sold the businesses last year."
"I will tell March to talk to him."
"I can bring my dad in he will be here in a day or two."
"How is your arm feeling?"
"Great I have more feeling in my fingers and my wrist is doing what I tell it to do. Thank you for the tea."
"Do you need any more?"
"Maybe in a few days, I still have plenty."
"Then you are not having enough of it Nicky, what I gave you was for five days, better increase your intake."
"I will, I didn't want to go overboard with it so I have only been having the two a day."
"Four a day, fill a water bottle with it and sip it cold on your runs."
After I had my coffee I thanked her and left with another two bags of tea, I didn't run home just lazily walked. March pulled up across the road and pointed toward my home. I declined the lift offer and anyway he's very busy. He roared off nearly leaving the gearbox on the road, I giggled to myself, he had put a smile on my face today. I made up some tea in a water bottle I can sip on that during the day. I checked the tins were clean and took them out to the front and stacked them by the letterbox.
I then got onto the local page and thanked everyone, announcing where they were for pickup.
I set about making some pasta and went to get the tv out of the cupboard. It was background noise which was much better, I didn't feel so alone. I made up some sauce and sat at the table with the laptop. I was surfing through the pages when I saw Matt Shore's name, he had finished his filming and was having a holiday before making another fourteen chapters to the series he's working on. He looked a little tired, mum said she heard on the grapevine his mum was going to Toronto to see him at some stage. My mind went back to our dead home and how lonely it must feel, it was alive when Matt and I first lived there. He wasn't very good to me but a dream to sleep with, it is what it is. I didn't have to encouraged him to go and do this project and I was glad he did. I couldn't hold him back he would resent me more, so I sent him away. He was happy to get on that plane, much too happy I thought at the time. As I said earlier it caused a small meltdown then my stroke, I was so out of it and my stress levels were through the roof. A knock on the door bought me back and I went to answer it.
"Hi Nick, I was just wondering if you were going for a swim tomorrow or not?"
"Come in March." he did and looked around the old place as we went to the family room, he sat at the table and stared at me.
"Do you know this place?"
"Yes, I did some work here a few years ago."
"I see so you're a jack of all trades then?"
"I suppose so Nicky, I know how to do things, and if I don't, I will by the next day. I removed all the latticework for Gran Wilson, it's stored in the old garage."
"Latticework, yes I remember seeing that?"
"It was a damn shame but she wanted it taken down, too hard to maintain she said."
"I will think about putting it back then." I smiled.
"Good at the moment the cottage looks undressed." Ummm yes and there's something else here I would like to undress.
"Now swimming, I will go around ten and maybe stay until before eleven, what time do you want to go?"
"I usually go at twelve for an hour it's going to be hot tomorrow but I don't want to disturb your peace and quiet."
"You won't be disturbing me March, but it is so nice up there."
"It is." He looked at my screen the pic of Matt was still up.
"That's my old boyfriend, he's making it big in Canada at the moment."
"I see, you were with him then?"
"Yes, we bought a home and set it up, he got a call and then he left, that was six months ago. I took too many sleeping pills, not intentionally I can assure you, I just lost count. I had a meltdown then the stroke topped it off, so here I am."
"That is so sad Nicky, are you still together?"
"I doubt it, I haven't heard from him in five months he's working on that new Netflix show the name of it is there somewhere. No, I am not even contemplating going back, at all."
"I see, is the tea working?"
"Very well March, I have some movement back but it could be the exercise or the tea I don't know." I showed him my moves.
"It's the tea."
"Why do you say that?"
"My sister is a witch, she conjures a lot of potions up, and they all seem to work, which is surprising." He laughed.
I offered coffee but he had to go, he got up and I walked him to the front door.
"Well, I may see you up at the swimming hole if not, enjoy yourself. It is nice to see the old place again and thank you." He waved and looked through the tins by the gate, He took two of them and threw them into his truck. When he left I thought about Matt, he was the complete opposite of March, but he had the same awesome build. I had to surf the net then and find my porn movie with a Matt look alike on it, then I whipped it out.
I cleaned up and did the dishes, then I watched a little tv, then I lit the fire. It is cool up here at night and the sofa was looking very inviting as I settled into it, one night I will use a bed, but not yet. I was looking forward to going to the river, and all sorts of scenarios were running through my brain, what If he swims naked, that would be awesome. I could hide and watch him strip, now that would be so fine. I shook my head and told myself to keep it real, he wouldn't be interested in me anyway I'm not quite right, and I am still trying hard to let go of Matt's hold over me.
I put on my old black shorts that had a rip up one side, I call them my pick-up shorts, and with a jock underneath they do turn heads. I grabbed a small backpack and threw in a towel and clean shorts, some sunscreen and I was off before ten-thirty. It took me some time to find it again, I had only happened across it the other day but I remembered the walking track. I was all alone and placed my towel on the warm rocks then plunged in, it was cold but so revitalising. I dipped under the water and my brown messy hair was drenched, that certainly woke me up.
After splashing around for a half hour I started getting out and guess who was watching me, March Stephenson. He was sitting on a rock dressed in the same outfit, black worn shorts, and a big smile on his face.
"You came early."
"I didn't want you to think I was trying to avoid you."
"I didn't think that. I just thought you wanted privacy that's all." I said.
"Well I came early because I'm busy at the garage, sometimes that happens"
I laughed, if he was that busy he should have stayed away. He stood up and my god those legs were magnificent and that chest was an award-winning verandah, he jumped in and did a Mr. Darcy, the water dribbled down his face and he shook his head, my dirty mind was already licking droplets off his ample body parts.
Being saturated his package was a lot bigger than I imagined and nicely tucked away but I could see his knob he is cut and not shy. I averted my eyes it was all getting too much for me, so I did what any blue-blooded boy would do I got right back in with him.
"It's beautiful here March, I bet you had a great childhood full of discoveries."
"I did, but the problem back then was all my mates discovered these places with me, and it was hard to find time to be on my own. I come here to think and regroup when my days have been hard."
I didn't know what to think, I was intruding in his space maybe. I got out and dried off then turned my back and dropped my wet shorts, a good showing of my ass cheeks in the jock, I then put my dry ones on. When I looked around he was staring at me so I laughed and grabbed the backpack and said.
"Well it's all yours again March, enjoy yourself, and be happy."
I sort of got the message he likes to be alone up here. And the fact he was here early he wasn't going to let me fall in love with the area, because he wanted it all to himself, which I can understand. I allowed myself to feel a little pity then I did what I have been doing for the past few months. I shook it off and thought I would find my very own swimming hole, one I can have all to myself, and I will never let anyone else make me feel unwanted.
I opened the front door and went down to the family room where I stoked the fire and put the kettle on, then I rinsed my shorts out. After locking the door I then went for a shower. I messed my hair up with a bit of gel, I liked that messy look, then I dressed in sweatpants and drank coffee along with some more tea. I wanted to get on the net but pulled back and switched the tv on. After watching a games show I sat through a house renovation show, then I grabbed the laptop and sat on the sofa to surf the web. I must buy an iPad next time I am in the city they are much more practical.
My email pinged and there was an email from Matt, the first in months. He told me he missed me and his mum is coming to see him, and I should come with her. He said he made more money doing the series than he ever had, and he also told me he was thinking of selling the house we bought together and wanted my thoughts on the subject. Matt was in the same mind as me, he knew he probably wont come home, and to be honest I don't see myself living in that house ever again. I started writing bits and pieces then told him that maybe it would be best if we did sell, the house would deteriorate without anyone living in it, and we had spent a small fortune getting it into shape. I agreed we should sell and divide the money up equally. It was hard and I shed more than a few tears as I wrote it. I told him I was doing well and expected a full recovery within the year. He didn't ask me how I was but I told him anyway, that is the nature of being so selfish and arrogant in the business he was into. Nothing else had to be related, the estate agent will look after the sale and he can deal directly with them.
The knock on the door was unexpected and when I opened it March was standing there. I still had my sweatpants on, and no top, my well-muscled body was on show again.
"Are you okay Nicky?" My eyes were red.
"Yeah sure, just some old family business to deal with, that's all."
"Okay then I came by to apologise, I think I gave you the wrong impression at the river earlier. I didn't mean I wanted it all to myself I just meant that it was years ago when I discovered it, it was hard to get any peaceful time to myself there, back then. I wanted you to stay and talk to me and I am sorry."
"It doesn't matter March, don't sweat it. I am sorry mate got to go. I have something unexpected to deal with, but thanks for dropping by, all is good with us and we will meet up again."
I almost shut the door in his face, I don't need him turning up here when I am trying to have a mini breakdown, he can deal with his shit, and I will deal with mine. Unfortunately, I had a nightmare kind of night and at two in the morning, I was sitting on the porch sipping tea and crying into the pillow I was holding, not because I had missed Matt, it was because it's finally over. I was tired in the morning and quite snappy because I yelled at a bird that was singing the same song over and over, it annoyed me.
I showered then ate breakfast, and thought I won't leave this place today. I'm staying home, and anyway mum and dad are coming to visit. I did some exercises and lifted my arm almost halfway up, that tea is a miracle drug. I opened the local page, there weren't any sightings thank god, maybe it will settle down now. There was a message from Jason, he wanted to know if I liked March Stephenson because I have been hanging around with him. I wrote back and said March is a local identity everyone knows him and his sister. He is awesome to look at but I doubt he had it in him to become my lover, he was too straight, and maybe a bit clueless on gay matters. He was online but I said my goodbyes to him because I heard cars pulling up out the front.
Mum and Dad looked wonderful I hugged them both and proudly showed them my arm and started telling them about Mays herbal tea. Mum was very interested and I will take them into town for a coffee and she can talk to May. I thanked them for bringing my car and more clothes, then I said I had almost decided to live here permanently.
"Well it is your house Nick, we want you to have it eventually so it makes sense, have you any thoughts on what you will do here?" Dad asked.
"I think I will go see the doctor in the next town, maybe do some district nursing when my arm gets better."
"Sounds like a plan kiddo, this place agrees with you."
"I haven't slept in the bed yet just on the couch, it's so comfortable."
"Mum did the same Nicky, that's why she had the back door made bigger so she could look out."
"I am going to have the lattice work put back I think the cottage needs it."
"Have you still got it?'
"I believe it's still in the garage."
"It will look amazing son."
"Can I take you into town I want to introduce you to someone?"
"March?" Mum said I stared at her, she's fallen into the local pages like a pro.
"His twin May, and dad if you want to take a look at the garage across the street maybe some tips would be good, he's working his ass off and has very little modern stuff to help."
"Old school Nicky, maybe he doesn't understand the bells and whistles but I can have a look, these country garages are fascinating, they take me back."
"Thanks, dad."
We drove into town and parked outside Mays cafe, she was all smiles as I introduced my parents and she even sat with us and had a coffee.
They talked about the tea and whatever else May had in her range and mum bought three packs, it's for her arthritis she said. Dad was looking at the garage and shaking his head, I asked him what was wrong.
"Everything Nick, it's so old school I doubt it can be rescued but I do see a complete redo, but he has to leave it authentic it has so much charm. Do you think he will let me look through it?"
"I will take you over Lance, he may bark if you go it alone." May offered.
They walked across the road and dad poked his head in, March went up to him and they did shake hands, he let dad look through the place, which was nice he also waved at me which was even nicer. About twenty minutes later he came back with a big smile on his face.
"He's sitting on a goldmine Nick and he doesn't know it. The fittings and stuff he's shoved into the corners and side room are worth big money, not to mention the stack of old signage tell me why is he struggling to do cars?"
"It's in his blood, he knows a lot of things about older cars and farm implements Lance, it fascinates him," May said.
"Well, he should clean the bloody place up first then see what he's got to work with."
"Try and tell him that and you will get a boot in the bum out the door. Normally he takes on the older cars if they are newer and need diagnostics he sends them on to the next town. But his passion is the tractors and farm machinery." She smiled.
We had a pie each for lunch and March didn't join us, so we said our goodbyes and they drove me back home then they left to go back to the city. The day had become hotter and I looked at my watch as they left. I still had time it was two, and the sun was hot. I decided to go for a swim and packed my backpack then ran up the road. I did think about taking my car but I hadn't seen a car park anywhere.
It was deserted so I stripped off and plunged in naked leaving my shorts on a nearby rock for easy access. I swam around and then sat in the shallows and I almost went to sleep as the water lapped over me. One hour and I was ready to go back home, it will start to get chilly soon.
I dried off then dressed grabbed my bag and started walking back home, I didn't run because I had followed the river down across the road that had a bridge, maybe I will go and investigate it more when I find the time.
When I got back home I had a small email from Matt, he only said he wants to sell, I wrote back and told him I will organise it. This was the final cord that held us together, breaking it will sever any hope of going back, I felt sadness but at last, relieved. It was a restless night and again I was sitting on the back porch at five in the morning.
It all got the better of me the next day and I jumped into my car and drove the seventy miles into town, where I checked on the house. It was still the same as when I left it, a bit sad and a lot more beautiful, my heart fell and I decided it was too soon and too much for me to deal with but if I must, I must.
I went to the local estate agent to inquire about placing it on the market, she said it will sell quickly and I also told her I will sell it furnished. There was nothing I wanted from the house except the big tv which I had packed up and shoved into my car. I also packed some personal items and more clothes and will come back in a week or so to do the rest of my things. Matt's mum can do all his stuff she will need plenty of empty cartons because the house was littered with his old awards and photos, and there was hardly any of me.
On my way back I bought an iPad, then headed home to my peaceful place. I will eventually over the next three weeks, go there two or three times a week to clean it out I even started packing his stuff so his mum doesn't have to do it all. I stacked the cartons in the garage I don't want her to be helping herself to any of the furniture, and it took its toll on me. Mum and dad helped me sometimes but it was another terrible time in my life. I would find myself laying on our bed crying I could still smell his smells and it felt like the same old hurt was back. Some nights I would stay at mums place because she was only down the road, but on those nights I missed my couch. I didn't run or go to the river, I only went into town once to get some more tea and wasn't expecting May's reaction but when I think about it I had been missing in action for some time.
"What has happened Nicky?"
"What do you mean May?"
"I haven't seen you for a few weeks, and neither have the locals, they are worried."
"Nothing to be worried about, your tea is working," I smiled and lifted my arm, I had a lot more feeling in it and it tingled all the time.
"That's great, the exercise helps, but what happened, what happened between you and March? He's been in the dull drums for ages and won't speak to anyone, and no one has seen you around at all. I didn't ask you the last time if you had a falling out because your parents were here Nicky, that's the last I saw of you." Time had passed quickly and I hadn't noticed.
"Nothing May, I saw him at the river as planned, once, he arrived early. He also came by and apologised for disturbing my peace, and he thought he had upset me by saying he loved being there on his own. I am letting him have his swimming hole and will be looking for one of my own. The last thing I want to do is upset anyone. The other thing that might explain his mood is dad looking through his garage. I didn't detect any anger, it's just that dad was in the business for years and he wanted to sticky beak. Maybe he is upset about that." I smiled as she made us coffee.
"I see, so you didn't have a fight or anything because I will tell you, he's pretty upset about something."
"I was put out at the time, it wasn't my fault he thinks it's all his, and he can have it back when I find my very own swimming hole, but for now I have bigger things to contend with."
"So it's not my brother being selfish?"
"No of course not, and he's not being selfish, I should have realized it was his quiet space and I was disturbing it. My ex is wanting to sell our house in town and I have been going there to clean it up for the sale and grabbing my things while putting his stuff away for his mum to collect. It has done my head in so badly, and I am a bit out of wack. I have been staying with my parents some nights but I have missed this place, and you."
"So you have been busy."
"Yes May, it's no small feat clearing a house on your own, especially one the size of ours. I am going to leave the furniture in it, it's almost brand new, but I can't use it up here it's too modern, so it can be sold with the house."
"You should have asked March to help you, he's got a truck, and a big shed out the back of that garage."
"If I store it, it will only deteriorate, best it goes with the home."
"As long as you won't regret it, Nicky. Some things are for life, some things are for a short time."
"Well, the furniture was only for a short time. I can get my own anyway, if I need it, I already took a piece, the big tv, and I have been taking the appliances and china I will need it up here." I started feeling low again.
"So you and March are good then?"
"Yes May, I have been busy that's all, May can I ask you something?"
"Of course anything."
"Why isn't he married, like he's the perfect man, he's got the body and the looks of a runway model. I would have thought he would have been married long ago with a few kids and all."
"He's waiting for miss right Nicky, she hasn't come by yet, so he sits and waits."
I groaned and that's not an answer, well not the one I wanted anyway. Sits and waits for what, a stray piece of lady ass to come into town. He should be scouring the countryside not waiting for it to come to him.
"I guess he's shy then."
"Not particularly Nicky, I haven't had a good conversation with him about it, he seems happy with what he's doing though, he's still got time to do the family bit."
"I guess some guys just don't get it, my ex was into everything that made his career and ego better, he did a lot of modeling then stage plays now he's on Netflix."
"What show?"
"The beast from down under."
"I have seen some of that but not my style what's his name?"
"Matt Shore."
"Is he good?"
"Yes very good, and he has the Hollywood ego to match, when he broke all ties with me I was a car crash for months. Up here it's different I don't have to compete with a supermodel. May, when March told me he loved the river and he claimed it a lot when he was a kid. I got the feeling I wasn't welcome there, and going on my past experiences I decided he can have it. I am not going to fight over it, even though I know it's probably public land, it's for everybody but I get it."
"I don't think he meant it that way Nicky, I think it was his way of welcoming you to his private little world. I know he goes there when things get too much for him and I think a friend being there with him would be a damn good thing." I stared at her, maybe she is right maybe my walls are still up and I am very sensitive to being just pushed aside.
"Well it's not important at the moment, how is his finger?"
"Healed Nick, good as gold."
"I am pleased, let's hope there isn't a repeat performance." I giggled as she made more coffee. I needed something for dinner and her pies were the best in the area so I will grab a couple of them. When she went inside March came out of the garage and I waved, I got a half-hearted wave back as he grabbed something from the back of the truck and went back inside, he must be busy, or he's avoiding me.
To tell the truth, although March was an absolute hunk I will place him on the back burner. I didn't know who he was or where the land lay with him, he was someone I didnt want to contend with just now. I was also trying to cope with being pushed back into Matt's life. It may be different when the house sells, that was the only thing tying us together, and a few days after my first trip into town the gossip news announced he was engaged to a very pretty Canadian starlet. I had to deal with that crap also. I didn't believe it for one minute, but he didn't warn me, he always used to warn me about any impending gossip. I couldn't understand how someone who professed their love for me would ignore me when I was in trouble and not even think I was important. I also was back to looking at his photos and wanking over them again. And no, I wasn't important to Matt and shouldn't have stayed with him for the time I did.
March Stephenson is adorable, but I am not here to fix his life I am here for me, just me. My tears ran down my face and I made some lame excuse to leave. I ran so fast I was almost tripping over my own feet, was I running away from Matt or March I didn't know.
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