Hunter
I’m not prepared for the train wreck of emotions that hits when Annie returns to Brisbane. I feel her absence all the time, but especially at night. I miss the feel of her curled against me, her scent, and the way she always starts a fresh conversation just as I’m falling asleep.
Annie’s gone.
Dad’s gone.
The loneliness never leaves.
Running the farm is a lot of work for one person, but it’s a great way to pass time. Rise early, work hard all day, sleep. No time for self-pity.
On the weekends, I visit Dad, and it’s surreal, and hard, and sad. I know he’s responsible for Maggie’s death, but it still feels like he shouldn’t be in there. This man raised me solo through my teen years. He taught me how to drive. Now he’s locked up for culpable driving causing death.
I guess if I just keep showing up every morning for work and showing up at the prison on weekends that this will eventually feel like my life instead of someone else’s.
A month into this new existence, Sammy shows up at my door carrying a duffel bag similar to the one I left home with. I can tell by his face that all is not well.
‘What’s going on?’ I ask, gesturing to the spare seat on the veranda. Tess is off the chain and jumping all over him.
‘I dropped out of uni.’
I wasn’t expecting that. ‘Why?’
‘Turns out it’s not for me.’
I frown. ‘The degree or uni?’
He leans back, continuing to rub Tess’s head. ‘Both.’
Sammy got his first preference at the best university in Melbourne. His parents were so proud, and he was happy. That’s life for you.
‘I need a place to stay away from the disappointed stares of my parents. Need some time to regroup.’
‘Then I guess you came to the right place.’
He looks down. ‘My Centrelink payments have stopped, so I have no money coming in right now.’
I laugh through my nose. ‘I don’t need your money. I need your labour.’
He angles his head at me. ‘My dad’s a dentist. You know I know nothing about farming.’
‘Well, hunger’s a great motivator.’
So he moves in, and it all feels a little easier with him there. Not just the work but the meals and idle moments. Amazing how having someone else in the room while you stare silently at the television in the evenings equates to company. I’m not one to verbally express my appreciation, so I show him by stocking up on his favourite foods and beer when I head into town instead.
‘One day at a time’ is our motto right now.
I give Annie some time to settle back into Brisbane life before texting her to check in. The last thing I want is to disrupt her while she’s finding her feet.
Me: Learned anything useful yet?
Annie: Yes. There’s a second-hand bookshop in the city where you can buy textbooks at half the price.
Me: Did you find that out before or after buying your textbooks?
Annie: After.
Me: Ouch.