Black Opal by Jimmy Brook - HTML preview

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CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR

The flight was reasonable. They went to Hawaii in about four hours or just less. He had to change planes but had no time to leave the airport. Then he was winging it across the Pacific, home. Way down below, was the ocean but it was dark. Every now and again a twinkle of and then just as quickly, it was gone. He sat and thought about the last week or two. It was memorable. Not withstanding that he was nearly killed two or three times. He had met characters he would like to forget and a few he would like to have known longer. And there was Cora. It was morning when they landed in Sydney. The city and harbour were breathtaking. It was good to be home, back in Australia. Em was there to meet him. He had phoned her from Honolulu. She gave him a big hug. At her place he kicked off his shoes and had a long sleep. Afterwards they ate lunch and talked. He gave her his small gift he had purchased in Las Vegas. She was thrilled, and he again wondered about the kiss he got as thanks.

She asked for all the details and when he hinted about a good time in Las Vegas, she was onto him. He told her about Cora. Not the intimate details and not to brag. Em was a friend and she was out of reach, married to Darin, so he could talk about other women without causing pain. That was his theory but he had never asked if it was true. "By the way," said Em at a break in the conversation. "I just remembered when you were going on about your romances in tinsel town...”

"I wasn't going on," he interjected.

"She put up her arms in defence. "As I was saying, playing Rudolph Valentino out on the sand hills, a phone message for you.”

"Not Darius. Not yet I hope. Unless it's Tania. No, not even her.”

Em dug on the fridge top amongst the various papers and junk, and came back with a slip of paper for him. "Nice voice as I remember. Seemed pleased you were coming back soon and be sure to pass on the message." She shook her head. "You men.”

He took the offered paper and read it. 'Still having trouble with eating peas. Hope you could have time. I'm getting hungry.' Then a Sydney phone number. He felt quite lost for words, and then elated. "May I?", pointing to the phone.

"Go for it. I'll look for the postman. Or the milkman or who ever is out there." Then she laughed and gave him a pat on the arm.

He rang the number. It rang for about six times and he was thinking about trying later, when it was picked up. A voice he knew that was familiar.

"Hello.”

"Penny. This is Rory Mason. I just flew in from the States.”

"Hello again. I'm glad you rang. Sort of hoping you would.”

He was conjuring up visions of her face as she talked. "Oh, I'd like to. You're in Sydney then?”

"Yes," she replied, "staying at a friends house. Actually minding it whilst she is away. In Ashfield.”

He had a vague idea where that was. "Time for a drink or a meal sometime? Could help with the peas.”

"I'd love to. About the Gold Coast, he's long gone.”

"And your husband?”

She hesitated slightly. "Ex husband. I haven't seen him and don't want to. The divorce should be final in a few weeks. Dinner tonight?”

He thought. "I can't tonight." He thought of Em and Darin and the kids. "There is a commitment I can't break tonight," he replied. "That's OK.”

"No it isn't," said Rory. " I want to see you but this is family. Bugger it. Sorry, I didn't mean to say that. Come for dinner. I can't wait.”

"But your friends?”

"Em and Darin won't mind. they would be delighted. Pick you up when?”

"No. I'm going into the city shortly, to return a handbag I don't like. I'll get a taxi. I could be early?”

"Not a problem." He gave her the address and said goodbye.

Em put on her mock act about having nothing to eat then started to sing and busy herself. "Anything special for dinner?”

Rory thought for a second. "As long as it includes peas.”

"I think you may not be staying long with us this trip, somehow.”

He smiled and went off to see what gear he had that needed attending to. The kids were staying out for a birthday party of a friend and wouldn't be back until after six. Just before five he heard a car pull up and then drive off. He was beaten to the door by Em.

"My house. You go back onto the back patio. And fix your hair, you grot.”

Rory waited on the patio. He heard voices and presently there she was being introduced by Em. They didn't shake hands, rather just held them.

"And she brought her own fork, Mr. Mason. Tells me it's a special pea picking up fork. Think I'll go and look at the dinner.”

"What happened to the postman?" he jibed as she turned to go.

"Comedian." Then she was gone, shutting the sliding door.  They stood there looking at each other, still holding hands. For all that happened to Rory in the last few weeks, and the relationships he had encountered, he suddenly just knew. Reflected in the glass door behind Penny, he saw a face. Not Em's

but his late wife's. She seemed to be smiling, them she faded. It may have been his imagination but he took it as a sign. Life was taking a new turn. He leaned forward and kissed her.

The End.

Jimmy Brooks