March Stephenson

Chapter 85

March Stephenson

Maxieplus

Bobby came across the road with us after the gym, and he got the same treatment. Nobody said anything and everyone was so pleased to see him. He had settled down and that stressed look had left his face. I picked up our dinners and March talked to Mike. After a half an hour my feet were cold and it was time to head home.

"Come on bub, time to go home."

"Okay Mike." I can see Mike was eager to get him home, his shorts were tenting.

I don't know whether Bobby saw it but he was smiling a lot. March drove us home and I stoked the fire.

"Will they make it?"

"Yes, this town will see to that March, have you heard anything from Rachael?"

"Not a word Nicky, I believe she has been shut out of everything to do with her kids. The fact that they are safe and loved now, means a lot to me."

"I know it does, and me too. When will Mike's place be finished?"

"Nudge is sending a team there tomorrow, One loft is done and the other will be done soon."

"It is already looking great, the kitchen is awesome, well spotted March."

"There's not much to do, only the other two bedrooms, and the family bathroom. I believe he's sending Bobby there to do the wiring and the power points."

"Good, he will love that."

"Nicky can we eat soon?"

"Coming up." He was looking through his phone again.

I dished up the food and Mason got his bowl. I watched March's face and asked him what was wrong.

"I feel guilty the kids aren't here with us."

"They are in the best place March, and let's face it, a house full of kids would drive us crazy."

"I get your point, but I can still feel guilty can't I?"

"Of course you can. Look up Minis on marketplace baby." He did that while he ate and I saw a grin appear on his face.

"Did you find one?"

"Yes Nicky it's a beauty, but it's all in pieces, but it would make a great project car for Mike."

"But will he have time to work on it?"

"Of course he will. On his days off."

"He might have other plans for that time."

He looked at me and yes he got my point.

"Maybe a running one then."

"Maybe March."

We put a log in the fire and sat on the sofa, I hope Mase doesn't repeat his mess in the morning. I was reading the comments about potty training, it all looks so easy but I know it's tedious.

His phone rang.

"Bobbins how are you doing?"

"Sure you can. How long for?"

"Okay done. See you at work."

He hung up and started laughing.

"What's up?"

"He wanted to know if he could come and have breakfast with us at the cafe in the morning."

"See he's still your Bobbins March. He's even asking your permission to do stuff."

"I feel better now."

"He will never forget what you did for them baby, in the end, you did very well."

"I'm good with kids." He puffed up.

"And you will be even better potty training our son, it starts after work tomorrow."

"What?"

"Look up potties for sale March."

He started laughing.

"Why the laugh?"

"Easy peasy Nicky. I will have him sitting on it in no time."

"Sure you will." I will ask Julie, she is going through it with her little one.

A nice sunny morning, and two eggs. Mason was wrapped he got a boiled one with soldiers for breakfast. I was happy because because March told me that 'sheep' will give birth soon.

At work, we walked across the road and Mike dad and Bobbins were sitting there waiting.

Mason was pulled onto Mike's lap and I see dad has bought his Capri in today.

"Just giving it a run Nicky."

"Well it looks awesome daddy Wilson, can I have a drive?" Mike asked.

"Sure son, but there are rules."

"No thrashing it and no unmade roads."

"That's it?" He handed the keys over to him.

"I will drop Bobby at home in it, he's working there today."

"Good, then take it out the road and throttle it, that will clean the cobwebs out."

Dad's being very generous, he usually doesn't like others driving his car.

"Breakfast. What are you having March?'

"The usual Nicky thank you."

"Dad?"

"The same."

"Boys?"

"I will help you." Bob got up and we both went in to collect rolls. Mason followed and mum picked him up for cuddles.

"Potty training starts today."

"Have you even got a pot?"

"Yes, when we got him we ended up with three."

"Good luck with that." She grinned.

"I'm not doing it. March is. He said it will be easy."

"He needs all of us doing it Nicky. Any indication that he wants to go, we go into action."

"I have the pots in the back of the car do you want one?"

"If I have to." She giggled.

"May, you might want to watch your brother train him, Rosie will need your expertise."

"I trained my brother and sister, it wasn't easy because I wasn't around all the time," Bobby said.

"It must have been hard for you Bobby."

"Someone had to do it. I couldn't let them go feral on me." He smiled. More and more, I see that smile on his face, and I know Mike has a lot to do with it.

"How are the twins coping Bobby?"

"Very well, they are having fun again. I sit in the kitchen and listen to them all giggling, it warms me."

We went back to the table and the rolls were dealt out. Mason had a small one with an egg in it and I fed it to him.

It was a beautiful day and when Bob and Mike drove up the road and dad watched closely.

"I should have gone with them."

"Why?"

"Because the brakes need doing."

"They are nearly new."

"But they might be worn out."

"For God's sake get inside and do some work he's not going to thrash it."

"But he might." He started laughing.

"I will bring the mini in tomorrow, and I know he will thrash that one."

"You trust him?"

"Yes I do, and minis were made to be thrashed that's why they were so popular back then."

"They were also thrashed to their limit, that's why there are so few of them around."

"True." I took the potty's out of the car and placed one in the playpen, any signs of his face going red. I will have to move fast.

March on the other hand said he was going to use the backyard. He will start small and work up to the pot.

Mike came back and dad checked the car out as March and him sniggered.

"Did he cope?"

"Yes Nicky. I was the one that was stressed, and he was laughing when I left. I have so much to thank Nudge's men for."

"They are your friends Mike never forget that. If there's any sign of trouble they will be the first to step in."

"Can we talk for a minute?"

"Yes. What's the problem?"

"I shouldn't be telling you this, but last night we had a really good talk. He said some things I don't want March to know about. I think if you knew then you would be forewarned if anything happens."

"Okay sit here." I patted the chair next to me.

"His mum never bought a house, and she certainly didn't have a good job. She did some cleaning while they were away. He thinks she always planned to come back here and make a play for March. The whole letter thing was full of lies they weren't doing well. She made him leave school early to get a job. At the moment that's it, but please don't tell March he will be so upset."

I shook my head and promised I wouldn't say anything.

"Poor Bobby he's had a shit life," Mike whispered.

"Not anymore Mike, he's got you to amuse him. Just keep your eye on him, as all of us will be doing. Any sign of trouble ring me or your dad, he's done a great thing by taking them in."

"He has Nicky, and I can see he's not even bothered about it. In the past little things would stress him out, he seems to have lost all that."

"It's this town, it's making him question his beliefs. I think your father is trying so hard to change, even Nudge said he's so much better at work now."

"He's a great dad."

"That he is Mike, and so will you be one day."

"I hope so, grans little house arrives soon and dad's going to install the amenities. Bobby will hook it up to the power."

"Do you feel a bit left out Mike?"

"Not at all. I have a bigger bond with dad now, and I am so happy mum and him like Bobby and the kids." My phone went off and I received a message from Brenda.

'Meeting at one.'

'What about?'

'Ladies meeting, we have to decide how we handle depression.'

'I will be there'

I put the phone away and looked at Mike.

"Brenda, another council meeting." He smiled then went back to work.

There were three cars in today, and Mason was helping his dad. I prayed he doesn't have any upsets in his life but I was being too optimistic. every kid has problems it's how we handle them is the question. I started reading about depression and how to handle it, but in reality it's always different for people that go through it. I tried to come up with a solution locally and apart from a kids club I came up with nothing. Brenda's going to be disappointed with me, although I was clued up I had no ideas.

Joel came in to do a workout and I asked him how he handled Bobby's crisis with his kids.

"Nicky, Michelle and I sat them down and told them the truth. We had a good talk to them and they understood that if they feel awkward or left out they are to speak with us. We made them promise us that they won't bottle anything up. They said they learned a bit about being gay at school and they also learned about acceptance. Nick we aren't concerned for them, we just wanted to cement what they already knew."

"You're a good father Joel. Have the others done much the same?"

"Yes. We put the word out that everyone should be doing the same with their kids. Nudge spoke to his men and Michelle spoke at the school's mothers club meeting yesterday. I doubt there isn't a kid in town that hasn't been spoken to. If there is then we will find out, and the kids have been told to talk to other kids so the message will get out."

"So do you know what the meeting is all about, it seems that everyone has everything covered."

"Michelle said it's a get-together, cake and coffee type of thing. They only want to talk about where they are positioned at the moment."

"Okay you have been a big help, thank you."

"Anytime Nicky."

"March, dad, Mike, Mason, 'hank', Sunny, lunch time."

"Coming."

May was coming to the meeting, we had our lunches and she went to change.

She didn't drive us to the chambers she bypassed it and we ended up at the high school.

"It's here today, there is a big group of ladies coming."

"Am I the only man invited"

"That's debatable, but yes you are. You should feel special."

"I do May." I rolled my eyes.

About thirty women were sitting in the big assembly hall, I was welcomed and handed coffee and cake, it was delicious.

Jan and Michelle, along with Ellen were there and I talked to Julie about the potty training. She had some good ideas so I started writing them in my phone notes.

"Welcome ladies, we all know why we are here. We are not here to talk about individual people just here to toss around ideas on how we can be involved with mainly, the teens in this town." Brenda started the meeting.

"How is he?" One mother asked.

"He's doing very well Alice, a bit of a road to travel yet, but he is going to be just fine," Ellen replied.

"Thank you Ellen, is there anything you need?"

"Not at the moment Brenda, if I need your help I will ask." That gave me a light bulb moment, two actually.

They talked more about the importance of talking to the kids. Jan said they can get pretty bored of it after a while.

"It becomes everyday mundane information to them, we need something that doesn't browbeat them, but is also hard-hitting. Any ideas along that line ladies, and one gent." She looked at me and smiled. I slowly raised my hand.

"We recognise Nicholas Stephenson, you have the floor our friend," Brenda said. She also muttered.

"This should be good."

"I heard that, and no I don't have the answer. I doubt anyone in this room has, let alone the surrounding communities. That includes the city folks. No one can know what goes on in their kid's head. I am going to single out Ellen's comment thought. She said. If I need your help, I will ask."

They all looked at Ellen she went red.

"I am sorry my good lady, but you did say it, and it's a great slogan. I propose we commission our local artist Barry to do a painting with that slogan on it. We can make up posters and place them all over town. Instead of constantly brow-beating the kids, it will be right in front of them. He can toy with the subject matter and have free range to make a bold statement. But nothing too scary, like suicide. Now comes the tricky part, communication. We will have to place names of a community member or two on it. Someone that the kids love and respect, so they can go and seek guidance when needed. Maybe three locals they see every day. I am not talking about the school principal, or the local cop, or their teachers. They are too authoritarian for them. Local ladies like Ellen, May, Jan, Michelle, Julie, and every other woman in this room. You are all capable ladies I am sure of that. Your kids all play together, they know you all like they know their own folks." I paused for effect.

"If I need help I will ask."

"If you need help who will you ask?"

They were stunned and I sat down. I had no idea if they were going to clap or laugh. The clapping arrived moments later. Brenda sat back and smiled.

"Well done Mr Stephenson." I heard May say.

"I think you should go on that list." She moaned a bit but I think she would be a great friend for the kids to confide in. They will have to throw their names in a hat and then Brenda can draw out three or even four.

More coffee and some more of that delicious cake, so much back slapping and hugging, and a lot of quiet conversations were happening in the background.

"Ladies we need volunteers, please write your names and addresses on the paper provided and we will select four names. But I have a suggestion on who I would pick, if you would indulge me."

"Be our guest Brenda," May said.

"The teens know all these locals, and I can be confident in saying that they all would look to them for advice. Jason Nicky March Michelle and Rose."

"Perfect." One woman yelled out. Jason will be ideal for that job, he did so well with March. But I know March won't be involved in it. I put my hand up again.

"Yes?" Brenda lifted her eyebrows.

"I would be honoured to do it, but you and I know March won't. May I suggest Ellen for his position? This is only for the poster, we can place the council's website address on it, and feature a link to a list of locals they can seek help from. No one should be left out, and we let the kids decide who they would feel more comfortable talking to."

More clapping because I know all the ladies want to be involved, including May.

The names were collected and will be added to the website. Brenda will talk to Barry and the word will be spread throughout the town. I didn't want to be on it but for Mike and Bobbys sakes, I will be on board.

Barry will be told what is required no suicide or scary pictures just help and confidential advice. May drove us back to the cafe and the boys were sitting out the front having afternoon tea. I grabbed another coffee and sat with them. May went to talk to Jason and to cuddle Rosie.

"How did it go?" March asked.

"Good, I think it was all sorted out, everyone left with smiles on their faces."

"Did you star again?"

"No Ellen did, she gave me the idea and I pitched it." I then told them what was going to happen.

"No March your name won't be on the poster, but it will be mentioned on the website."

"Good because I won't be any good at it." I looked him up and down and laughed.

"Keep telling yourself that March."

"I will Nicky, I haven't been through any lasting depression. They need people who understand what pain is, what it feels like. I have never been through it." I understood where he was coming from. March Stephenson has led a somewhat simple life and apart from a few downers, he's managed to avoid any real depression.

Rose had been at the meeting but she didn't comment, and she didn't hang around either. As usual, Tink was by her side and he wasn't allowed to be passed around. I know she is going through something after Lenny's comments at the hospital, and I should be by her side. It's no good saying she will bounce back, and she probably will, then her life will go on. But I think she could do with a friend at the moment. I will try to visit her very soon to see if she wants to talk it out.

If I was to go one further, underneath all that bravado she would be terrified of history repeating itself. I also know that Bobby's crisis has brought on bad memories for a few people around here, including me.

After we had our coffee and some more cake, Bobby was dropped off. He said his hellos and told us he was halfway through rewiring the schoolhouse.

"Are you ready?" Mike said.

"Yes Mike, this has to be done."

"I will see you all tomorrow." He smiled and took Bob's hand and they walked up the street and into the laneway that joined up with the gully.

"What are they up to March?"

"I was talking to Mike this morning, he was asking about you. He wanted to know what I did after you were caught in the snow, so I told him."

"And what did you say March?"

"I said I took you back to the clearing and sat holding you while you cried your heart out. I told him you had confronted your demons as best you could. Then I changed it back into a happy place by making love to you. A new memory of a beautiful place. I know it was only a small thing Nicky, and I also know you went there several times without me."

"So that's what is happening now then?"

"Yes Nicky, keep up."

"And you don't think you would be any good at fixing people?"

"That's what I told you isn't it?"

"Yes March." I smiled.

"And don't think for one minute we are going down there to join them."

"I wasn't thinking that March."

"Yes you were." He grinned. He knows me so well.

I grabbed something for dinner and collected my precious belongings and then we headed home.

"March can you do without me for an hour or so?"

"I will miss you, but firstly where are you going?"

"To Rose's. I have a feeling she needs a friend at the moment, and the sooner the better."

"Is she feeling down?"

"Yes, how did you guess?"

"I thought she took Lenny's comments too lightly last week."

"Me also, so I am going to talk to her."

"I will wait for you then."

"You can eat anytime, you don't need me to watch you."

"Okay." He headed for the oven and I went to my car.

I pulled up outside Rose's place and then walked up to her front door.

She answered it with Tink in her arms.

"Hi Nicky come in."

"Coffee Rose?"

"Yes please." I turned her kettle on and sat waiting for it to boil. I watched her kiss Tink's head and smile.

"He's not Daniel Rose."

"What?"

"He's not Daniel, he's a healthy bub with heaps of aunties and uncles around him."

"I know that, what the hell are you on about?"

"If you need help who will you ask?"

She almost glared at me, and then she broke.

The tissues were out and she stuttered and said.

"I would ask you."

"What's the matter Rose, you seem so down?"

"I know I am clingy, it's someone I didn't want to be. But Lenny drove it home last week and I can't get that image out of my head."

"What image?"

"Me walking around town like a zombie, the depressed feelings I had, and I had contemplated suicide at one stage."

"You never told me that."

"I was too ashamed to say anything, when you were taken I thought you were the bravest person I knew. I watched you bounce back and felt so guilty because it took me such a long time to accept his death. The guilt I felt when Lenny said something was for me contemplating suicide. He didn't know, nobody knew. But how could I do that to my friends? So it's been on my mind a lot lately. Especially after Bobby's incident"

"You know what your problem is Rose?"

"What?"

"This little one." I touched Tink's blue blanket.

"He's no trouble."

"He is, you haven't left his side for weeks now. Rose it's not what Lenny said that upset you, yes he may have brought back a few sad memories. But that's not the problem. Before you had nowhere to turn, no one to trust. You hung onto Daniel until you almost broke, and then you made your way back. You're doing the same with Tink, it is Tink who is troubling you now, I can see it as plain as day."

"Maybe you're right."

"My cure for your clinginess, which is unfounded, is to get back to work full-time. Find a babysitter and let your friends help you with him, try to cut the cord. You can't do it all on your own, that's impossible."

"I would worry myself sick with him not being with me."

"You can't protect him twenty-four seven Rose, that's madness."

"I know, and it's driving me insane just thinking about it. This is not who I wanted to be."

"How about we do it this way. I have a playpen just a few doors down from where you work. How about I babysit for a few hours a day, and you know he would be perfectly safe with me. We will try it each day, stretching the time out by fifteen minutes. When you're feeling comfortable, we will get Ellen to look after him, stretching the time out some more. Then we get Faith to do it. Each time he will be extremely well looked after as he is taken further away from your sight. By the time you're doing a full day's work, he will have bonded with many of your friends and you will feel like his mum again not his keeper."

"I don't know Nicky it all sounds a little cold to me."

"You're missing the point, it's not you that controls him, it's him that controls you. I see the way he looks for you when he can't hear your voice, he gets antsy, and you panic because you think you have let him down. It's a cycle that has to be broken."

"I know what you're talking about Nicky. Where do I start, this is going to be so painful."

"You start by dropping him off to me in the morning. I will take him for an hour or two, if you feel okay about it, then maybe three hours. He will have Mason to look after him also, and if he shows any signs of stress I will bring him straight up to you."

"Okay. We will try it." She relaxed.

"It's like they have a sixth sense Rose, sometimes you have to lock them in a room and turn the music up because your life is not your own.

"I did that with Daniel." She smiled.

"Then why are you being different with Tink? Today you wouldn't even let the ladies nurse him. That's got to tell you something is not quite right?"

"I'm scared." She admitted.

"And there's your problem. Scared of what? That he is going to go out and drive a car? He is going to get a deadly disease? These things can happen to anyone. His life is only just starting, and what you teach him now goes a long way to helping him make decisions for the future. At the moment he will learn tiny things, like not to be such a bloody sook."

"I know all that. I do know some things Nicholas Stephenson." She almost yelled at me.

"And just like that, our Rose is back. Can I make that coffee now?" I sat back and smiled.

She took my hands and thanked me for being her friend, all she needed was someone to talk to. She just didn't know how to go about it, but I have placed an idea in her head. I'm certain I will get Tink to myself in the morning. Along with a page of instructions.

I stayed another hour, even changed him and put him to bed, she let me do it because it was the right thing to do.

I was mentally exhausted by the time I arrived home, March took my dinner out of the oven and smiled at me.

"What's up?' I asked.

"I was hoping I wouldn't have to deadbolt the doors Nicky." I burst out laughing. God bless March Stephenson, his heart is always in the right place.

As I ate I told him what was said but not about Rose's need to end her life. He agreed with me he hardly gets a nurse of his nephew. He promised he would help me tomorrow and if Tink gets upset he will show him how to change the oil.

I slept soundly, and March held me while I dropped off. In the morning he was up and talking to Mason, he had him sitting on his potty laughing his head off, Sunny was barking at him.

"Now fart then poop." He said.

"March that's not the way to do it, you got to show him."

"No way is he coming into the toilet with me."

"Come on Mase daddies got to take a leak." He followed me into the bathroom and watched me have one. He will get the idea when I buy a stool for him to stand on and we can pee together. March was already doing that behind the garage, he think's it is a great old joke.

"I know you were talking about the number twos."

"Yes I was Nicky keep up."

"Let's just get the number ones sorted first. I have to buy him a stool to stand on."

"Or you can put his potty next to our toilet." He smirked. I sniffed and answered.

"I will leave it up to you then."

"That's better. Now what's for breakfast?"

"Poo on toast."

"Yum."

He was scrolling again, and I wondered what amazing things he would find on marketplace today. He hasn't bought anything except the kitchen, but he likes to window shop.

"How did you go Mike?" He asked him when we had breakfast.

"He cried a bit, then he said he has put it all behind him. He wants a future with me and is looking forward to having the best life he can, with me." Mike smiled.

"Did you make love?" I asked.

"Nicky!"

"Oops sorry March."

"We did it was awesome, and by the time we got back home he was laughing again."

"You will get there Mike, it all takes time."

"I know I had a good talk to mum last night, she told me that one day he will have to confront his mum. I am dreading it because I won't have him hurt again."

He was getting very protective of Bobby, not such a bad thing in this current climate.

My dear friend arrived with her pram and precious cargo. The instruction sheet wasn't that big as she cuddled and kissed him, May had come across with little Rosie and it looks like I get three kids today.

"You're doing the right thing Rose." May said.

"I know but it's still hard, how did you cope?"

"I didn't, but I had Jason. He will be fine with us, don't let it control your day." May kissed her cheek.

"You won't forget to sing to him Nicky, he loves that."

"You're full of bull Rose, and I will have you know I have a great singing voice."

She laughed as she left.

The messages started twenty minutes later but I coped with them. There was a small upset but that had nothing to do with his mum. It was when we went across the road for morning tea. May took Rosie out the back to change her, he couldn't see the other bubs, so his lip dropped this is one clingy baby. March finally had him to himself and talked away with him for ages. I watched Mason, and my jaw dropped as he stood on the gutter edge and dropped his nappy. Pee went everywhere but at least he is getting the idea.

"Well done bubs, now point it out next time, like you are putting oil in the car" March said then he grinned at me.

"Point taken." I sulked and Mason giggled as I picked him up to wipe him down.

At lunch time Rose joined us, he was a very happy bub when she appeared.

"How is it going Nicky?"

""Excellent Rose, why, were you worried?"

"You wouldn't believe how much."

"Then don't be he's fine, he's had a lot of fun with his cousins and uncles."

"I will take him with me now, but thank you Nicky."

"Do you want me to have him tomorrow?"

"Yes if you don't mind otherwise Ellen said she would have him."

"Are you happy for her to look after him?"

"Yes Nicky, maybe you are right, but I have decided one thing, it's not him it's me that has to change."

"Maybe Rose, take him to Ellens and see what happens. She has workmen there the extra noise will entertain him."

"I will. Bobby said he can show him how to wire a power point." She finally laughed. As I said before Rose has the ability to bounce back from her problems, and in the big scheme of things this little problem is minor.

We ended up in the shed after lunch March was missing me and the cars were already being picked up.

Barry came in for a workout and I had a good talk to him about his painting. He said Brenda had been on the phone last night but he's still working on the background.

"Can I suggest a forest scene?"

"I was thinking more of a few teens hanging around the streets."

"Yes, it's up to you anyway."

"Why a forest scene."

"They are a calming serene place, a location to feel safe in. All the kids play within them, they relate to them as being a happy place."

"Okay. I will add that to my list, maybe a collage of different safe spaces."

"Maybe, I do know whatever you come up with will be beautiful."

"Thanks Nicky."

"Your very welcome Michelangelo."

Barry went about his business and I went to visit Ellen. I wanted to see how Bobby was.

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