“Yeah, thanks, Mum.”
“Is… Amy in there with you? Didn’t get a reply from her and she wasn’t in there when I took a peek.”
“Yeah, she’s here.”
“I’ll have the same, Mum.”
“Okay, should be ready in a few minutes.”
We got out of bed, Amy collecting her clothes before kissing my cheek, walking out to probably get dressed, while I threw on some tracksuit bottoms, a shirt and jumper, as it was winter and houses were bloody cold at this time of year. After putting on some thick socks, I wandered out to join Mum in the kitchen. I gave her a hug, which made her laugh. “Nice to have hugs from my son again,” she said.
Amy joined us just as Mum was placing plates on the table, a coffee each for my sister and I, Mum preferring tea. We ate and sipped at our drinks in silence before the food had been cleared. Only after we’d washed up the plates and re-filled our mugs did Mum clear her throat. “I’m not going to be concerned about my children being close. You’re adults and old enough to make your own decisions.”
“Mum, all we did was sleep together, sleep being the important word,” I said.
“And I like keeping him company. And I’m hoping it will help him feel better,” Amy added.
“That’s it?” Mum asked, aware she could always sniff out a story.
I glanced at Amy. She returned a subtle shrug. I scratched the back of my neck, feeling a little heat in my cheeks. “Well, um… you see, we might have enjoyed the night, and then we might have…” I trailed off as, I’ll admit, it felt awkward.
“We kissed, Mum. Nothing major,” Amy said, feeing her take my hand, “I’m not worried, Mark, and you shouldn’t be either. It felt nice, and I’m sure was another little thing that helped you feel better.”
I figured Mum would perhaps freak out hearing that. Instead, all she did was smile. “Keep looking after each other, okay?”
“Um, sure, Mum. Like always,” I replied.
Sunday was the only day I ever really had to myself, though when I was back with Hayley, I’d still help with chores or do some odd-jobs around the apartment. But being home with Mum, she’d spent the past few years getting the house just so she liked it, and she was used to looking after the house herself, practically shooing me away from anything that needed doing.
So I asked Amy if she wanted to go for a walk towards and then along the Clarence River. She loved that idea, getting into my ute and driving us to a secluded area only a short distance away. It was a picturesque part of the countryside, and once again, it was the silence that we could appreciate. No surprise Amy took my hand within a minute of walking, her fingers resting inside mine. I glanced at her as she smiled at me in return.
No idea how long or how far we walked, only stopping when we reached a point that provided even better views. Wrapping an arm around her, I had to ask, “Amy, is there something possibly going on here? On the verge of starting?”
“How do you mean?”
“I’m thinking about last night and the fact we kissed, and the added fact you didn’t freak the fuck out on me.”
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