LAUNDRY
“I know what you mean, Dave,” I said as I picked up my phone. It was Chris wanting me to start early.
“Who was that on the phone, Mum?”
“It is Chris my boss wanting me to start early. Do you want the keys to the cabin,” I said.
“Sure, we are going to do a bit of laundry and take care of a few last minute things,” said Jenny.
“Okay,” and I bid the kids goodbye and went to catch the bus.
Chris greeted me. “May I commend you on your punctuality? I’ll show you your locker and your uniform is already inside. Now here is what you have to do: clean the tables, empty bins and keep the floor clean,” he said.
“Of course. No worries,” I said.
Soon, I settled into wiping tables till they shone like diamonds, cleaning bins and clearing wrappers of the floor. It wasn't fun, but it kept my mind busy. It wasn’t until Chris said, “Tam you can have a break now,” that I realized I had completed several hours. “Tam, food is on the house today, but you can only take a burger, fries and a drink,” said Chris seriously.
I ordered and sat down, relaxing for a bit.
When it was finally time to go home, it was afternoon and I arrived at the cabin feeling exhausted but happy. The kids were not there, as they had gone to the movies. At ten, my phone rang. I answered the phone and it was Mum. “Hi Tam, it is Mum,” she said, sounding as if she was on drugs or off the planet.
Mum was the last person I really wanted to talk to, but I thought I would be polite so I asked, “Now what is cooking?”
“Not much, but I thought I would let you know that I won’t be spending Christmas with you or the grandchildren,” she said.
“What the hell in that in aid off,” I said.
“Well Tam, you have brought that on yourself as you have been such a hard case throughout the whole move and we don’t want your hostility with those friends down in Sydney hat Dan has,” said Mum flatly, stating her case.
“Oh is that so? Well, I can come up for the day with the kids and we can stay in a cheap hostel…you just have to let us know what day you are leaving” I said.
“No Tam, you and the kids are excluded,” Mum said, “but you can come with me to coffee tomorrow.”
“Okay, but it will be after work,” I said.
“Since when have you started work here,” asked Mum.
“Well if you kept in contact instead of taking too much notice of Dan and Meryl you might know these things,” I snapped.
“Oh well, good bye,” and the phone went dead. That was like the last kick in the guts that I needed. I just broke down on the floor and cried in rivulets.
A while later, there was a knock on the door and I opened it. “Hi Mum, sorry we are late, but we have been at the movies,” said David. “Mum are you alright?”
“Yes, it is just a little hay fever,” I sniffed, trying to stop myself from crumpling into a heap on the floor.
“Bulldust Mum,” said David “You have been crying.”
“Yes Mum, what happened? Spill,” said Jenny curiously and looking at me with those big blue eyes.
“Well, Dan and Meryl have organized that Oma goes to Sydney and we are excluded kids,” I said.
“What? Has Oma lost her marbles,” said Jenny.
“I am going to ring them,” said David, picking up my iPhone and ringing them up. “There was no answer, but I did hear the phone click.”
“Never mind,” I said. “How about a simple beach Christmas?” I smiled through my tears. “Jen, what do you say about staying here with, Mum,” said David seriously.
“No kids don’t disrupt yourself. I have my work and I will be seeing Oma tomorrow,” I said. “I seriously never thought that Oma would ever do things like this,” said Jenny.
“Neither did I,” I faltered, trying to avoid breaking down again.
“How about we enjoy a BBQ Mum,” said David, carrying the ingredients he and Jenny just purchased.
“Yes okay,” I said feeling a little better.
The next day, the kids had their final breakfast with me and then they were off to university. “Look after yourself and we will be back at Christmas, Mum,” said David and Jenny as they went on the bus and waved goodbye through the bus windows.
I felt alone as I caught the bus to work. Trying to avoid being upset, I tidied up and had the restaurant cleaned like a whistle. I did not realize the time till Chris said, “It is lunchtime, Tam. And would you like to learn how to do cappuccino’s next week,” he asked.
“Oh okay, no worries,” I said.
“That’s the spirit,” he smiled. “Now, instead of doing an extra hour today, would you be able to come here for breakfast at around 6a.m.? You have twelve hours tomorrow, Tam,” said Chris.”
“Thanks Chris,” I said.
“That is okay, Tam,” said Chris as I took my lunch and went to wait for the bus.