I put my head in my hands. “Jesus Christ, I’ve been nothing but… what to you?”
“You fucking slut,” Cathy shouted, hearing the entire place go silent, “To think I used to think the world of you, but you’re nothing but a common whore. This man has worked his arse off to provide for you, I’ve seen the love he’s had for you since you were both 16, yet this is how you repay him?”
“I didn’t want to go through life only being with him.”
“You could have had at least had the decency to break up with him if you wanted to fucking whore around, Hayley,” Cathy growled, “Whore Around Hayley, that’s your name from now on.” I actually took her hand in mine as she was almost shaking with rage, but I saw her eyes, the shimmer of unshed tears. Her heart broke for me, but it was the anger at seeing her friend just… ruin everything that hurt most.
“I’m so fucking done,” I stated, squeezing Cathy’s hand, “Cathy, Chris, we’re going.” She stood up to let me out. Stopping next to Hayley, I just looked down at her. She didn’t dare look up and meet my eyes this time. I could have let rip but it would have been pointless. Might have made me feel better, but they would have been empty words in the end. I was leaving, that was all that mattered. I simply walked out of the shop, got into the car with Chris and Cathy, and they drove us back to their place.
Soon as I got home, I called my sister, letting her know I was now one hundred percent committed to leaving. Once she agreed again, I called Mum and let her know we’d be on our way the next Saturday. I drove to collect her on Friday, putting all her belongings into the rear of my vehicle, making sure it was covered before parking it up for the night.
Waking early the next morning, as it was going to be a long drive, I packed the rest of our stuff before Chris and Cathy wished us both goodbye, promises to keep in touch. We’d been friends for years so I knew, while there might be distance, this wasn’t the end of our friendship. I made them laugh, making them promise to let me know when they were ready to birth their first child.
Before joining the highway north, we stopped for breakfast at Macca’s, then a petrol station to buy some snacks to keep us going, before we joined the Pacific Highway just south of Hornsby, and from there, it was the same road for around six hours. My sister and I chatted away, conversation always easy between the pair of us. She thankfully avoided anything to do with my separation and eventual divorce.
The city of Grafton lies 640 kilometres north of Sydney, 345 kilometres south of Brisbane. Officially named in 1851, it was proclaimed a city by 1885. The city is known and promoted across Australia as the ‘Jacaranda City’ as most of the streets in Grafton are lined by the gorgeous flowers. When they’re in full bloom, there are few more beautiful sights. Upon arriving on the edge of the city after a long drive, stopping only the once for a toilet break, my sister took out her phone, connected it to the Bluetooth, and played the song we always did upon arriving in the city. The chorus is always the one we sing very badly along too.
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