Chapter 44
March Stephenson
Maxieplus.
I only bristled for a few minutes then they all packed up and left, the message I got from March was an apology and to remind me to not say anything.
Tom and Hank arrived and ordered coffee, they had a small go at Faith keeping them waiting for the milk.
"We thought we might just come and get it ourselves, Ethan said once you got here you would stay," Hank said.
"I got tied up that's all, you are all grown men and you should be looking after yourselves by now."
"Yes, mum." Hank saluted.
"Good, what do you want to eat?" She answered.
"A pie thanks, Mrs. Wagner."
"Mum will do thank you, Tom."
"A pie thank you, mum." Tom laughed and Hank stared at him.
"What's going on at the clearing Nicky?" Tom asked.
"Just clean up I think." I shut my mouth.
"There's bloody cops everywhere."
"I have no idea."
Faith was watching me but she didn't say anything.
My son finally escaped his aunt's clutches and ran out to see me. I picked him up and looked at May, she did look a little brighter.
"Did you sleep any?"
"A little, and my little friend here had an hour. Did you hear they found a body at the clearing?"
"No," I said.
"It's all over the news stations, I'm amazed no one has said anything."
"Brendas manning the page I could tell she's been deleting stuff," Hank said.
"Any indication of who it is May?"
"Not yet, but they said the investigation unit said it had nothing to do with the main bushfire." I sat quietly because I didn't want to speculate or start any rumors.
"So how was your counter tea?"
"Overseasoned as usual. but the steaks were nice." Tom smiled.
"Were they big?" I winked at him.
"Very." He winked back.
"Oh, was that dirty talk?" Rose appeared, and we all laughed.
Hank was laughing and I could see he was happy he had even whispered something into Toms's ear and he grinned, then blushed. I think we have a lift-off.
A message from Tom later on informed me that Jimmy leaving has taken a load off Hanks's mind and he is now working on being himself again. He also said that his steak was awesomely tasty.
I helped out for the next few hours and Jason made May go to at least try and rest, she looked at Mason so I grabbed him and said we will be heading home soon. The trucks still passed and some locals even ventured out to see that the town had settled, the sightseers and tourists were being blocked and turned around at the bridge, and local traffic only was allowed through. The helicopters could be heard in the distance but there weren't many in the air. I bundled my baby up and placed him and Sunny into the car, said my goodbyes then headed for home, hopefully to nap myself.
I made sure Mase was occupied then I changed our beds. He sat watching tv then he wanted to play in the cubby house. I allowed this because the fires were all out according to the news, but I had to have a good look around the backyard for snakes. They usually try to find water and a safer place to sleep when they are driven off by a fire. Nothing to see here but I will keep my eye out. I sat with yet another coffee and watched them play. I heard the front door and March walked in.
"I'm sorry it was something I overheard earlier and was curious about it."
"It's okay Nicky, is the coffee still hot?" He was exhausted.
"Mase daddy's home." I could hear him screaming as he rushed out the cubby door to greet his dad.
March picked him up and sat with me.
"I'm so tired, can we have a laydown soon?"
"Of course we can, I didn't sleep much last night I was watching the forest."
"Thank you." He whispered.
He played with them both then he went quiet.
"Do you want to talk about it?"
"Yes and no Nicky, I have to go and see May before I get some sleep."
"She was resting when I left."
"The body they found was Jaynes." I was once again struck silent. I looked at his tears, and although they were awful to March he was still their cousin, he would feel it.
"How do they know?"
"It was her car parked in our spot, she had a petrol can near her body and the cops said she had fallen and knocked herself out maybe after she lit the fire. The half-empty bottle of scotch that was found in her car might be a sign she was drunk. The coroner will have more information later this week. For now, I have to tell you and May and that's all. I don't want to have to explain it to everyone I see."
"But why?"
"The only thing I could come up with is she knows it was a special place for me, and she took the opportunity to get some revenge maybe."
"That's a bit radical."
"You didn't know what she was like Nicky, she's a very revengeful woman with a lot of shit in her head she carried around."
"That is so sad March, destroying her life over a car service."
"Not only that Nicky, the money from the farm sat heavily on her mind, she felt they had been left out."
"But it wasn't theirs, and that was many years ago."
"As I said she had a lot of shit going on in that head. She was also one of the biggest bullies at school."
"No way."
"Yes she was very capable of doing just about anything to anyone, she was dangerous."
"I can't believe it, she was a bit out there when she came to the cafe but she was pleasant at the restaurant when we all went there."
"That's because you and your parents were there, it was me she hated."
"And that's why you never ate there."
"Yes." He dropped his head.
"Nicky the least I tell people, the least they know about everything that happened to me, I like it that way. When I stopped you from talking about the body, it wasn't because I didn't know there had been one found I just didn't want to be the one to announce to the town what had happened. I stopped you from saying anything because then it drags me into it and I just don't want that sort of life."
"So you want me to be like you, ask the question, but only in the privacy of our home?"
"Yes Nicky, I want us to know things, but I don't want others knowing and asking us questions we can't answer."
"I get it March, and I will pull myself back a bit for both our sakes."
"Thank you."
"Well, it is sad she couldn't be your friend she would have discovered what a beautiful honest man you are."
"I'm no one special Nicky, I just like to keep business to myself."
"You are wrong March Stephenson you're a wonderful man."
He blushed more then he said he had better go and see May.
"Give Jason a call and tell him, let him tell May."
"It is my duty to tell her."
"Please let Jason do it, why don't you go shower and get into bed."
"Thank you Nicky, and Nicky?"
"Yes gorgeous?"
"When the news about Jayne gets out you will probably start hearing some rumors about her, some with me in them some with others. Please do not buy into them, the more they are ignored the faster they leave."
"I understand I won't get into it all March. I have your back." I kissed him.
While he rang Jase I rang mum, she will pick Mason up or stay here and watch him while we both sleep.
After he showered and mum had arrived, I slipped into bed with March, he was almost half asleep as my arm went over him.
"Thank you."
"My pleasure."
We slept for five hours and it was dark when we woke, Mason was in front of the TV with dad, and mum was cooking something for our dinner. I thanked them and then made coffee for the both of us.
"May rang she wanted to come around to talk to March, I told her you were both exhausted and he will talk to her tomorrow."
"Anything about it on the local page mum?" She made a sad face and answered.
"Yes."
Having kissed my son I then took the coffee to the bedroom, he followed and March lifted him and started kissing him. I went into the bathroom and gathered up his filthy uniform, I was going to wash it.
"Leave that Nicky, Rose does the station's washing I only have to drop it back."
"Good, save me bashing it up against some rocks." He sort of laughed.
He played with Mason and I went back out and started looking at the local page, there was no mention of names, just that she was a local woman who got caught up in the fire, at this stage the police aren't treating her death as suspicious, the fire they confirmed was the result of arson.
"It was March's cousin mum."
"What, not that woman that came to the cafe?"
"Yes same one, she's the one that waited our table when we went to their restaurant."
"No wonder May was upset on the phone. Does he know what happened?"
"She was there to start another fire, she knows that is a special place for March, and she wanted to destroy it. It's personal mum, she took advantage of the fire situation to destroy March's quiet place."
"God what a bitch, well she certainly paid the ultimate price, Nicky, what is March going to do?'
"I don't know mum, he is upset but it's really up to her family to handle it all."
"If I know your husband as well as I do he will step back and say nothing."
"Probably mum, at the moment the police think she is a pyro, they haven't connected her appearance as a revenge thing. It was a pretty stupid thing to do, starting another fire four miles from the main one, but it's not unheard of."
"Well there is food in the oven, just a lasagna tonight, do you want salad?"
"No mum just the food will do, I can give that to Mason."
It's as if he can hear through walls, at the mention of food March came out followed by a little boy.
"Do I smell food mum, I'm starving I haven't eaten for ages."
"I will get you some March take a seat."
"Is there much on the local page Nicky?'
"Plenty but no names are mentioned."
"Good."
"Are you going to tell the cops what you think happened?"
"Yes, as the fire chief, I have to Nicky, I will make a trip to the station and tell them all I know when I know it. I don't have to mention the feud it has nothing to do with my job."
"I doubt they will connect you to her death and anyway you have loads of witnesses."
"I'm not worried about that Nicky, it's as plain as day what happened to her even the investigation team said so."
There was a knock on the door and Mason ran to try and answer it, I saw May's face she was upset.
"March there's someone here that needs cuddles." She made a beeline to where he sat and I smiled at Jason.
"She's been worried about March, sorry."
"All good."
"I was only worried about you brother, I couldn't care less about that cousin I know what she was like."
"I am fine sis, it was a silly thing for her to do and she paid dearly, but I had nothing to do with her mental state."
"Good so long as you know that and don't hold any regrets, can I smell food?"
I laughed and mum rolled her eyes. She had made two large ones in anticipation of guests thank God, so they both sat with us and ate.
They discussed the fire and May said there were still men calling in and Faith and Rose are working late just to make sure the crews are watered and fed properly.
"They must be exhausted."
"They will take it in turns to nap and are eager to do it."
"I better go and help then," I said.
"Stay here." I looked at March.
"I feel fine March."
"I don't, and I need you here."
"Sorry." I grinned, I think he was slowly getting over the shock and I know we should have a good night's sleep because we both will be busy tomorrow.
I will open the gym, and maybe go help mum and May, she said she will open the wellness center and Julie is eager to get back to normal. The town folk are also happy to restart their everyday lives, people bounce back quickly around this town.
Mum and dad left, then May and Jason, she mentioned she would help Rose and Faith out, and Jason said he would while she slept.
My husband and son got ready for bed and when I went to join them they were both fast asleep, so I crawled in beside them and drifted off myself.
I felt a lot better in the morning, just some clouds over my head with this body business. I bundled his uniform into a garbage bag and placed it by the front door, he said he would be busy at the station all morning but he will try and meet me for lunch. He was taking his son today, he had promised him a ride in the fire truck. We had a piece of leftover lasagna for breakfast then we hit the trail, he went to the fire station and I went to work.
There were four guys in the gym, and I expected more to arrive as the clean-up winds down. Mum was at the cafe and Rose was helping, she said they hadn't been busy last night and they closed at nine so she had a good night's sleep.
"Any news on the body Nicky?" She asked me.
"Not as yet Rose, March is going to the police station after the trucks are cleaned and replenished and he writes out a report."
"Well, I have it on good authority that one of March's family was involved."
"She was Rose, sorry I had been warned to keep it to myself."
"It's okay Jack told me last night, his friend is a local cop. Was it Jayne?"
"Yes, she lit the fire at the clearing then she must have tripped and bumped her head, the word is she was drunk."
"Poor soul, she was one of a kind."
"And I believe very much into a bit of bullying."
"You don't know half of it, Nicky, one day I will tell you."
"Or you can tell me now."
"let's wait for a bit Nicky, let the shock wave leave town first."
Photos of Mason sitting on the fire truck started coming through and it was obvious by the smiles on both their faces that March and him were having a ball. I did notice some other kids in the background, I guess their daddies had the same idea.
Dad toiled away in the workshop and around lunchtime a half dozen kids and parents arrived for some lunch. They were screaming and talking about the fire truck ride then they wanted to play with Sunny who obliged their curiosity, to a point. I watched him lick faces get his pats and scratches, then when he had enough he walked over to me and I picked him up.
"Sorry babies, puppy nap time." Thank god they didn't pile on me in protest, and Sunny licked my hand as a thank-you gesture. My dog is smart, he only babysits for one little tacker, and that is Mason.
March sat with me and Mason crawled up into his lap.
"He looks tired."
"He is, he hasn't stopped all morning."
"Well, we will feed him then take him home."
"Can we just get some takeaway, I am a little bushed myself."
"Done, why don't you head off, is roast okay with you?"
"Yes." he kissed me and said his goodbyes to the men then he left with our son.
I grabbed some food and followed shortly after with Sunny. My day was made when we got in, Mason ran to Sunny and collected his many licks and kisses, then they went into the little tent to play. March headed for the shower and I placed our meals in the oven. I watched the tent go from being pushed and pulled to stillness, I had no idea which family member went to sleep first but I was happy that they finally settled down.
I went to the bathroom and March was just finishing up, he was toweling himself down and I leaned against the door jamb and watched. I really don't have a solution for all his problems but I sure can take a leaf out of his book and only tell people what I think is necessary, not what they want to hear. Rose has the same constitution although she indicated there was more to Jaynes's story, she wasn't forthcoming with the news. She only said one day we could talk, and I have to accept that from her, I believe she felt this isn't the right time for it.
He followed me out, I opened the oven and presented the food.
"Are they asleep?"
"Yes March, they finally exhausted themselves, I can feed them later on."
"They had chips at the station, Joel bought them along."
"That was good of him, any news on the truck?"
"Only that it's blue and very shiny." He smiled.
"March do you want to go and see the brothers?"
"No Nicky, can we send a card and flowers or something?"
"We can do that easily."
"Can you say something very simple on the card?"
"You want it all kept to a minimum don't you?"
"Yes, I don't feel very sympathetic Nicky but it's the right thing to do."
"How about, with deepest sympathies from the Stephenson family?"
"That's good Nicky. I don't want it to sound awful, but I don't want it to sound gushy either, she wasn't a very gushy woman."
"She bullied you all the time at school, didn't she?"
"Yes but let's not talk about it, all in the past now but at the time it was so real for me, and a nightmare."
"How old were you?"
"Five to about seven or eight, then Jason, Ron, and Jack they became involved and looked out for me."
"What took them so long?"
"I never said anything until one day they saw it happening, so they stopped it."
"She was older than you wasn't she?"
"Four or five years older Nicky, it was hard to understand why a cousin would do that to one of her own. It wasn't until the boys noticed it all stopped. They did something to her that made her stop hounding me and I am forever grateful to them. The minute she turned fifteen she was out of there and out of my life until I bought the garage. Nicky, she terrified me so much back then."
"Kids are like that sometimes, you wouldn't have seen it back then but her intent was evil March, she got away with it once and continued to get away with it. What the boys did was probably something quite simple but it made her sit up and listen."
"I never found out and I never asked, because whatever they did they made me happy again and I will always treasure their friendships."
"Your roast is getting cold baby, lets eat and go tub it for a while."
"I wanted to sleep."
"You want to miss out on getting some of this?"
I stood up dropped my shorts, then turned around for a greater effect.
He blushed then he shovelled some food into his mouth and dropped his head.
"I love you so much Nicolas Stephenson, and I am not saying that just for sex either, I am saying it because it is true."
"I know March, and I love you my forever man."
"Can you move in a little closer?"
The dishes were left in the sink, and his towel on the kitchen floor as we both went to tub it, I sat in his lap while he put that burning fire out.
Later on, he was sleeping on the sofa with the 'kids'. I wrote out some words to go with the card and ordered the flowers from our local florist to be delivered to the restaurant, only because I didn't know where she lived.
I then perused the local page, there were plenty of sympathy messages for the family, and I found out that the funeral won't be held until after the coroner hands down his report, which could take up to four weeks.
Brenda had pinned a post about the fire and had thanked all the firefighters and volunteers for their bravery and the town folk for their willingness to stay safe and follow the public safety orders. Short of naming names she also announced that there would be a family fun day at the oval in two weeks, and they were to tell their kiddies the fire trucks will be there, plus giveaways, barbeque and drinks provided, and maybe a footy game or run around the oval can be organized.
What a fitting day for our town and getting everyone together once again would be a good encouraging moment for all.
I propped myself up against the couch to watch the news and March played with my hair, that didn't last long because I could hear his light snores moments later.
Mason was stuffed, he had a big day and when I went to feed him his head hit the table and he was going to go into a spin, so I quickly distracted him by taking him to his room to talk to his animals. While he was doing that I stripped him wiped him down and placed him in his bed. Sunny hopped in beside him and both of them went to sleep again before I could say good night. I locked up then helped March into bed then I crawled in next to him.
I didn't wait for him to say good night I just closed my eyes and went off to sleep.
The slapping woke me and then the licks, they both decided to lick me I think Sunnys was the gentlest, so I got them both into bed with March, and went to make coffee. The morning, even though early, had started warming up so I opened up the doors and a slight waft of fresh air drifted through the house.
I then started cooking breakfast, recent happenings had upset my routine but I am at least attempting to get back on track. The eggs and toast with heaps of bacon and mushrooms were piled up onto a serving plate, I took some coffee into March who was playing and giggling with his two mates.
"Do I smell breakfast, Nicky?"
"Stacks March in the oven." The sheet was thrown back, I grabbed Mason and we followed March to the family room.
I placed the big plate on the table and after I grabbed some for Mason and myself he got the go-ahead to destroy what was left, some of which landed on the floor for Sunny.
"What have you got on for today March?"
"I need to do one more sweep of the gully and the clearing, then go visit Brenda and sign off on the episode, she will hand it to the cops so I don't have to face them."
"So we sit and wait for the next one then?"
"Yes, if you want to put it that way. We can never be complacent about it Nicky, it will always be in our lives as long as we live in these hills."
"Okay, can I join the volunteer firefighters?"
"No."
I opened my mouth to protest but he placed his hand over it and said.
"We have enough Nicky and I much prefer if you looked after our family and friends while I am away."
"I suppose so, but I have to know what you know, reading the weather, what to look out for, how to handle a fire situation. The knowledge that you and your men have locked in your heads, that maybe the local townies should be aware of."
"Yes, I suppose we would have something to part with. But most people know what to do anyway. Nicky, there are brochures in every shop in town they tell you what to do."
"Whose idea was it to put a working lock on the lake so it floods the gulley that surrounds half the town?"
"That was done many years ago, and you are right Nicky that particular firefighting idea came from a local lady who had a farm on the other side of the lake. She said she planned it all out from her back porch, she could see it all in her mind."
"Cool woman March."
"I don't think anything else would help Nicky."
"Run a competition, if you get one idea, it would be worth a prize or two. I mean there are plenty of men and ladies that sit on their front and back porches." I know nothing probably won't come of this, but at least I have distracted his mind for maybe an hour or so.
My phone announced a message so I put more coffee on as I read it.
'Tell that gorgeous hunk of yours to bring Mason when he comes in with his final report, I need an aunty hug.' It was from Brenda, I made up another mug of coffee and told March he had to take his son into the council chambers.
"I will pick him up around eleven Nicky, I might walk him up there." I lifted my foot and parted his knees, then I planted it fair and square on his lumps, which will also distract him some more.
I had plenty of clients in today, dad had three cars in that weren't urgent, and March was heading towards the hot spots for his final check. He will come back here and sit in his office to do his report. I sat across the road because he told me not to disturb him when he got back. May was as bright as a button and many shoppers had springs in their steps, but I could tell a lot of them still had their eyes everywhere. I flicked through the safety brochures that were on offer and thought they needed an update, the best person to talk to about all this is Rose, she was also born here and would know just about everything that goes on.
March arrived around ten, he had his backpack with him and he ordered coffee.
"How was it?"
"Okay Nicky, the clearing is destroyed but as I said it will come back, the gulley is drying up again and I couldn't see any hidden dangers."
"And your parents?" He dropped his head and said.
"You know me so well."
"I know you were desperate to go there on your own, do you have an update or are you going to handle it?"
"No Nicky, I just have to find the words."
"Just tell me." I held his hand.
"The jars were broken but I managed to wrap them in plastic and the plaque was made of bronze it's still intact."
"So do you want my idea or have you one of your own?"
"Can I hear yours first?"
"Discard the jars and mix the ashes, then separate them into two jars, one for us and one for May, then we can put yours in the contemplation garden at home, and Jason can build May one here. We can buy two nice jars and get another plaque done. That way May will be included finally."
"Can May and I go and pick our jars?"
"March, of course, you both can try that ceramics shop up the road she has some wonderful handmade jars that are perfect for the job."
"Thank you." He kissed me and my hand slipped into his and I squeezed it.
"Are they in your backpack?"
"Yes Nicky, have you seen May?"
"She's with Mason out the back, resting."
He stood up, drank the last of his coffee then he winked at me. He went to find his sister, and I got a visitor.
"The ashes?"
"Yes Rose, they will share them now, all they have to do is buy some nice jars."
"It's about time, I always thought him a bit mean not giving May any but I guess he had his reasons."
"She understood Rose, he wanted to be the one to look after them. I think it was his way to help with the healing process."
"We all do it differently Nicky," I took her hand and kissed it, then I said.
"So we should Rose, we do what we feel, not what society dictates." She smiled.
It was twenty minutes later that May and March came out, my son beelined to me and I placed him on my lap for a cuddle and a tickle. May sat and winked at me, that woman has some smarts, and from what I know this will be the last thing they will do for their loving parents. The next family thing will be the celebration of another family member being born.
March had to go to the council chambers and May asked him to message her when he was leaving, so they could meet halfway. Mason was readied and I watched March walk up the street, a proud daddy with a loving son riding on his shoulders. Sunny was tied up tightly, and he was a good boy because he laid down and watched the end of the street waiting for Mason's reappearance.
"I'll be back in ten minutes Nicky," May said.
"Where are you off to?"
"The ceramic shop, I want to look first."
"Then tell him what to buy?" She looked at me.
"Maybe not Nicky, sorry I do get ahead of myself sometimes."
"That's better. Look May I know he almost banned you from the clearing and maybe he will badger you into buying the wrong jars, but he knew what he was doing."
"I know, I have my memories, and quite frankly Nicky if I had my way they would have been buried at the farm, and that's somewhere I wouldn't have been going to anyway. Doing it this way was easier on March but I am happy to have them with me again, now that the bubs is coming I want to show off a bit. And don't think for one minute I missed out. Many sometimes went to the clearing when I wanted to talk to them, March doesn't know that"
"They will be very happy May."
"I know, I try to give March as much leeway as possible, it hit him hard Nicky he took it all on himself."
"May, let's just see what happens, he may surprise you and let you pick the urns, if he does then we know mentally he has turned a page on his life."
"More coffee?"
"Only if you're making it," I smirked.
An hour late Sunny started getting agitated, I looked up the road and March and Mason were walking up the footpath. I smiled because they were being stopped at every step by folks wanting to say hello.
Mason ran the last few yards screaming, but he wasn't doing that for me, it was Sunny he missed the most today. He sat under the table and they licked and played with each other, March sat with me and I asked him how he was doing.
"Okay Nicky, she put the report in with the police one, and then she will wait for the coroner."
"Was anything said about family feuds?"
"No Nicky, I doubt that it has anything to do with her actual death, she was just plain stupid."
"I sent the flowers, is there any cleaning up to do at the clearing?"
"All done Nicky, it looks awful but it will bounce back."
"Good, now when you go pick the urns can you let May choose her own?"
"Of course Nicky, she should be doing that anyway do you want to come with us?"
"No March, keep it between the two of you." May arrived and picked Mason up, he resisted and Sunny won his cuddles back again.
"Come on sis let's get this out of the way." March stood up and took May's arm, then he walked her up to the ceramic shop.
"Did they decide on what kind Nicky?" Rose sat with her coffee.
"Not yet Rose, I doubt whether it will be a wooden box, maybe a few nice Chinese-type ginger jar ones."
"The day of their dad's funeral, that family had papers served to March at the church. That's how evil they are Nicky?" My stomach fell.
"What were they for?"
"They were suing him for money they thought they were owed. A simple solicitors letter stopped them from following through."
"And let me guess it was instigated by Jayne."
"Correct, just one of the many things she has done to that family over the years. Now you must keep this to yourself, but the rumor years ago was Jayne wasn't even a Stephenson she had been adopted as a baby by the other side of the family."
"I know March said she was older than the boys."
"She was about five years older I think. But you know how rumors get around they sometimes are just the result of vicious gossip. The word around town is no one is going to go to her funeral, that would be the town sticking up for March." She smiled.
"Good, neither are we." She took my hand and squeezed it. I hadn't gotten that far with March, but now I know something solid I can work on him.
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