March Stephenson

Chapter 43

March Stephenson

Maxieplus.

March Stephenson was being rather silly today, he planned out his revenge on Aunty Betty which included the words 'piss off', and if I didn't know any better May was plotting with him because there had been a lot of messages going from one phone to the other.

At home time we didn't go to the clearing he wanted to get there early.

He beelined to the storage/ office room and found his shoebox.

"This will entertain her for a few weeks."

"March do you think this is the way to go?"

"Time to weed out the users and bad karma Nicky, first that family of losers and now for mum's sister. Do we have a big envelope?"

"Somewhere, I will go get you one".

"Good thank you."

He sat at the table and started writing a letter of his own, I watched as he scribbled out some of it and then wrote more. Mason was eager to go play in his cubby so I opened the gate on the porch and held his hand while he manoeuvred the two steps down. He then ran off to play with his mate.

I sat and had coffee while March wrote away with a smile on his face, I could hear the kids talking, and then my phone rang.

"Hi Pete how's it all going?"

"Good Nicky, I will come see you before I leave."

"Please do that, I want a proper goodbye."

"Now, to bring you up to date, no I'm not madly in love with Jimmy, at the moment we are just fuck buddies. I won't be moving in with him but if he wants to go clubbing I will make sure he's not alone. I want him to concentrate on his studies and I will be watching. Does that satisfy your curiosity?"

"Yes and thank you, I thought you may be moving in with him that's all."

"No can do Nicky, I respect Hank and wouldn't hurt him like that. The other thing is at the moment I like screwing Jim, but he's not my forever man, never was. You can rely on me to look after him when I can or if he's in trouble, but no I'm not in love with him."

"Okay so long as he knows that Pete."

"He does. his reason for the move is he's bored with farm life, and a little over Hank smothering him. He is young Nick, he wants to live not to be stuck where he was."

"I agree, and yes he was stuck. I think the farm life is more suited to Hank anyway."

"It is, Tom likes him so he says."

"I think he does, now I have something to ask you before you take off. I haven't decided what as yet, but it may involve you going to see an old woman and reading her the riot act."

"Not Annie again?"

"No not this time, a relative of March's"

"I can do that Nicky, just send the address to me."

"I'll pass it on when I see you. And thank you for everything you have done for us."

"It's all been my pleasure, my friend."

We hung up and I will be seeing him in a few days.

My baby is still playing and I can see he's watering his garden now, just the can no water, he is learning to play house very fast. I went back inside and looked over March's shoulder, there were more red lines than actual words on the two pages he had scribbled on. I stood over at the couch and stripped naked.

"I'll be in the tub when you have finished." I scratched my balls and deliberately walked in front of the table so he could have a better look, and then I went around the side to tub it. The reaction I got wasn't what I expected my baby ran around the side of the house and I lifted him over the railing. I took his nappy off and then plonked him in the tub. We played around for at least twenty minutes and no sign of March. I finally gave up and dried Mase and myself then went back inside. I looked in the fridge and pulled out some steaks, I placed an apron on my naked body and lit the barbeque.

By the time dinner was ready, he was now onto his third page, I sat and fed Mason and then I fed myself.

He scribbled some more, then I had had it up to my eyeballs.

"MARCH!" He jumped and finally looked at me.

"Nicky?"

"Your dinners in the oven." He looked at me, then the oven, it won in the end and when he went to get it I took the pages he had written.

'And if you think you are coming to stay here you can think again, you can piss off'

'We don't want you here you old cow, piss off.'

It went on and on always finishing with piss off. I had to have a chuckle as he was filling his mouth.

"March this isn't the way to do it, please let me help."

"I got it Nicky, but for my information what would you do?"

"I have Pete standing by, he will hand deliver a message from you and May

written by you."

"And what would I say in this message?"

"May and March Stephenson request you to kindly Piss off."

He started laughing.

"That is so funny Nicky, but she won't listen."

"She will listen to Pete March." I grinned.

"Oh, OH!" He laughed even more.

"When you calm down I'll be on the couch." I took the apron off and as I grabbed Mason I heard.

"Nicky, we have to tub it first?"

"Already done March, you have been at that letter for the last hour and a half."

He picked it up and then threw it in the garbage.

"I like your idea better."

"And the couch?"

"I like that even more." His clothes flew off and he, Mason, and I sat cuddling on the couch.

I told him that I thought a letter wouldn't cut it, she had to know face to face she was not welcome here, then I found out she lived in her home unit and she had her own money. I will look for an address when I get the time.

It was still hot outside and it got even hotter inside after we put Mase to bed, now and then he would giggle and say.

"Piss off."

I would groan because he wasn't concentrating on me.

I didn't know what I was going to do, but I couldn't have March sending off a gibberish letter. He was still smiling at breakfast and I had his favourite eggs and bacon on offer. Mason sat in his high chair and had some eggs and Sunny loved his treats that dropped on the floor.

"We will have to start moving things around today, to make more room for the truck."

"Will it be cramped?"

"No I want to make more space, he is going to build a counter so clients can't see in my office."

"You could always clean it out."

"I like it like that Nicky, it's me, so you said."

"It is March, your essence."

"Like the truck."

"Yes and the overalls."

He grinned, I think he was just reaffirming his status in my head.

Ron was hard at it when we got to work, he had the smaller window out and dad was helping him with widening the opening to accommodate an electric glass garage door.

My gym was busy and I settled in to answer some emails, which I did, and then I went to find some coffee. May wasn't feeling the best this morning, she said she had a late night, I told her about March's letter, and she said he was asking her what to say in it. She had told him to leave it to her.

I asked what she had in mind she said she was just going to say 'bugger off'

Okay, I'm over it now, so I told her to leave it all up to me.

"What are you going to do?" She bloody smiled. I think this was all planned to get me off my butt and deal with Aunty Betty for them.

"I have an idea forming but I will need Pete's help this is something I can do myself."

"And?"

"Singing telegram May, I will have Pete deliver it, he has a good voice."

She started laughing so much that Rose came out to see if everything was okay.

"All good Rose, it's just the Stephenson children trying to manipulate me again."

"I see, so March's big smile on his face is mischief, and Mays laughing means she agrees with you or him?"

"Him, I am to do their dirty work for them, again. Let's just say aunty Betty will be hearing from the children in a more childlike way." She sat down.

"Tell me." Then I joined in on Mays laughing.

One thing about our Rosie she does like details and plenty of them.

March came across the road he had been watching us from his doorway.

He had retrieved the letter from the bin at home and handed it to May, which started her off again.

"Mine was the same brother." Rose took it and started reading, she looked at me and said.

"Was he serious?'

"Yes." So we both laughed.

"I thought it was a good letter Rose, there's no need to be laughing."

"March, this is the worst unthought-out letter I have ever seen."

"I am not used to writing letters, I would have cleaned it up a bit."

"Sure you would have." She smirked.

Rose went back to work with a big smile on her face and May went with Mason and Sunny out back. March ordered a pie and sauce and I grabbed a pastie.

"You know you only had to ask me to handle it."

"It's funnier doing it this way Nicky, I had no idea what to do with Betty. Sure she can come here but if she's expecting happy families she would have been disappointed. She has nowhere to live up here and neither of us want her in our houses."

"I know beautiful man, leave it up to me then. But March we can't stop her living here if she needs to. I agree not with us or May, but she may turn up anyway does she own any property here?"

"Not as far as I know Nicky, she took her family's money and moved to the city she hated this town I believe."

"Well I have to think more on it but she will get her answer loud and clear."

"Thank you." He took a bite of his pie.

"You are most welcome."

When I got back to the gym I decided I hadn't been running nearly enough lately so I hit the running machine for a half hour or so. A face appeared in the window to the garage several times, and I thought my husband is now turning into a voyeur as I stuck my ass out a little more. I couldn't entice him to the shed today, he had a mountain of work to do with cars, and Ron's work.

The security boards he had nailed onto the opening had come off and so much more light entered March's space. The lift-up glass door will be arriving tomorrow so he was fixing the opening with a frame to hold it.

I finished my exercises and went to watch them work, March was up a ladder holding the beam and Ron was fixing it into the gap, I could see he has a jock

on today, very impressive Mr. Ron.

May arrived with a moody child and he fell into my arms.

"Have you been telling him ghost stories?"

"Of course not, I have to go help Julie for an hour or two that's all."

"Okay, what do you want to do bubs?" He pointed to the workshop.

"Daddy."

I sat him in his director's high chair and he watched March and Ron go about their business, he clapped when they pounded nails into the wood so he was happy again.

I let March and dad know he was there just in case things went flying then I went to talk to my clients. No one was in a talkative mood today so I sat and played games. My phone call from Tom was welcomed, he was telling me that everything was okay he had the business running very smoothly and not taking on any more clients. He told me to believe Pete when he said he wasn't moving in with Jimmy, and he had told Hank the same thing yesterday.

He has a date with Hank tonight at the local pub and he's hoping he can entice him to invite him back to the farm. I told him it was too early but he insisted he had it all in hand, there will be no sex just talking for the first few dates. He was well aware that Hank would be on the rebound.

I was happy to get that call and watched Devon do some push-ups, my god that ass is mint.

March poked his head in and called out.

"Lunch time."

The puppy was passed to me and Mason got a shoulder ride across the road, his giggling made me feel so good inside. Faith was sitting outside and having a coffee she wasn't busy today.

"The curried sausages look good March." He went to order our lunch and I winked at Faith.

"Everything is okay, Jimmy won't have a flatmate and Pete will be keeping his eyes on him, I believe Hank and Tom are having a countermeal tonight and if you see a strange car outside, Tom said they will only be talking. He understands that Hank is on the rebound and he wants any relationship with Hank to develop naturally, not just a one-night stand."

"Thank you, my friend, that is good news, Ethan is worried that Jimmy will lead Hank on for a few months like keeping his options open."

"He may, but I think Hank is intelligent enough to see through all that."

"He is."

"March was saying that Ethan wants to get back to fishing again, do you mind if Mase and I come out to the farm on those days?"

"Not at all, you know I love your company Nicky, and Mason's."

She finished up and went back inside I think she will feel a lot better now, all she has to concentrate on is Jimmy's city life and his studies.

March had come back and dad came across the road, he took bubs and they talked about replacing a battery.

"Big?"

"Yes a big one bubs, I will show you."

"Oh?"

May arrived and was stretching her back, she's only showing a bit but she said she is getting back aches. I offered a massage but she said Jason would be here soon and he would do it. The food was wonderful as usual, and mum took the opportunity to have a grandma cuddle. March smiled as he ate he was thinking about something and probably up to no good again, he sat back and stretched his back.

"He's back May."

"Whose back?"

"March, he just stretched his back so the connection has returned."

"I was just stretching because I have been under a car most of the morning."

"Okay, so it's not the connection." I nudged May because he had started rubbing his tummy. She laughed and he stared at her.

"Tummy a bit unsettled dear brother?"

"A little, I feel a bit cramped."

I guess that smiling he did before wasn't nothing to do with the pregnancy either. Jason drove up and greeted us then ordered some lunch.

"I will get you to give me a back rub before we start Jase. Julie is there at the moment but she has to leave early so I will take over."

"You rest, I will do the class." He offered.

When we went back to work, March headed for the workshop, and dad and Mason started changing a battery. I was into my fourth game on the laptop when he marched in and said.

"Nicky can you give me a back rub, it's driving me crazy."

"Walk this way handsome." he blushed because the guys had heard me. He took his overalls off then his t-shirt and laid his belly down on the table. The moaning was heard by everyone, and if I didn't know better they were all waiting their turn for a good rub.

"Is March okay?" Nudge asked.

"Yes he's feeling May's pregnancy, she has a sore back he gets one, she has cramps he gets them it happens."

"That's fascinating Nicky, does he get her feelings all the time?"

"No only when she's stressed or in pain, funny enough she didn't feel him when he was in the hospital though."

"Could be the pregnancy Nicky maybe it settled in now."

"No shit Sherlock." I laughed. March stood up and dressed himself, he thanked me and said he felt a lot better then he kissed me and went back to work.

I could hear Mason squealing and Sunny barking so I went to see if I was needed. He was let loose and both dad and March were chasing him up and down the workshop, that will tire him out, and he will nap well this afternoon.

The next thing that happened in our small town was a brush fire out by the airport, Mason had gone to sleep, as I predicted, and March set off the fire alarm. Everyone was on the page and people were asking the relevant questions.

'I heard a plane take off, maybe it set the fire off'

'I heard the crash' I sat heavily and held back the tears as you know I get pretty emotional about my town, and this didn't look right to me.

'Please do not talk about the accident until we have the full facts ladies and gentlemen' Written in caps by Brenda.

The postings slowed down, with just a few stragglers wanting information. I asked my ladies to keep an eye on Mason because most of the guys had gone to fight the fire.

May was my first port of call she only knew what I knew. It was Jack that came up to the table to tell us. There was a plane crash at the airport that started the fire. Thank god the pilot only had a broken leg.

"How the hell do you know that Jack?"

"The airport is up the end of our road, I just heard from Lena she walked up to have a look. The ambulance was there and Ken's plane had overrun the runway and crashed. She said he was in a splint but nothing else and the trainee pilot walked away from it. The fire is starting to attach itself to the forest, if it gets in there then we have a major problem."

"Bloody hell he's lucky he wasn't killed," I said.

"Internals Nicky, he may have internal injuries."

I had been thinking that and had better keep my ear to the ground on his recovery.

I heard the ambulance screaming up the far street heading for the hospital, and when I looked into the sky it was full of smoke.

"May can you look again?"

"On it Nicky, it's spreading."

"Do we need to be concerned?"

"Not at the moment, it's moving east towards the gullies that run behind the shops."

I resisted the urge to get in the car and go to look at it, the local page had lit up again and photos were being posted.

I had better lock up it looks like my clients are leaving for home anyway. I went to get Mason and Sunny and to tell dad he should shut up for the day. I locked the gym and sent Brenda's son Brian a message to tell him no work today.

Mum made me a coffee then she and Faith started packing up, they will serve rolls and coffee for the stragglers when needed.

They sat with us and Rose looked a little concerned, she knows Ken and she was also on the local page.

I got a message from March of all people.

'Nicky go home and ready yourself to evacuate'

'How bad is it?'

'Not contained moving around the back of town, don't leave it too late'

'Keep safe' That was all I could say then I told the ladies what he had said. May and I walked out the back of her shop we could see smoke billowing out from the thick bush to our left.

"Okay, thats it, meet me at the lake. May get Jason over here and go to his place, Rose I will take you home to get your emergency box. Faith head for the farm please."

We kissed each other and when Jason came over he took Mays's plastic containers with her precious photos in them and readied her to leave.

I had just loaded up my car with March and my mementos and looked around the house.

"Keep it safe gran," I whispered. Rose and I drove along with a dozen other cars to the lake next to the football ground. The announcement on the local page was precise and to the point.

'Evacuate now, do not start loading cars up with furniture, make sure your neighbors and the elderly have transport and go calmly to the lake. This is just a precaution please do not panic the fire brigade is doing everything it can to contain the fire.'

To my surprise May and Jason hadn't gone back to his town, they were waiting for us at the footy oval which is next to the lake. Cars lined up as the town folk arrived.

"I can't let my friends go through this on their own Nicky."

"Do we have an emergency plan May?"

"Yes they are opening the football clubrooms as a command center the ladies will have coffee and sandwiches on offer."

"What ladies?"

"Mum and Rose, and the footy club ladies auxiliary."

Dad came over and he said he had made sure there was no one left in town, he said he did a drive up and down the streets and it all seemed quiet. If there was anyone still there he didn't notice. Brenda had taken over the organizing, she was spouting orders out from the megaphone she held.

The local page informed me the fire had been stopped from going into the housing estate and had been finally diverted into the gully that went behind all the shops on Mays's side of the street. I looked at her and asked the question.

"How do you feel?" She looked at me and said.

"Confident."

"Good."

The organization was brilliant at the oval, food had been produced and tables and chairs for the town folk by the state emergency people that turned up one hour after we did. I took the opportunity to feed Mason and to check in on March, no answer but I did see his truck arrive minutes later along with two more fire trucks, the kids went crazy but had to be held back. I had to contain myself from throwing my body at him, he nodded and then had to go set up his command post.

I heard him speaking on the megaphone.

'We have steered it into the gully, and my men are opening the lock at the lake to try and flood it, no houses lost as yet and the state emergency people are patrolling the streets, any wildlife you see steer them south, thank you for listening."

He dashed towards the fire truck and grabbed his cap, I think it was Nudge or maybe Joel that made him put his smoke mask on.

I took a coffee then I went to change Mason, I had set a bed up for him on my back seat, the smoke wasn't coming our way thank God, but I could hear the rush of water running down the gully. Five more trucks arrived and hoses were attached as the men quenched the residual fire. They closed the lock and then the fire siren went.

The fire had moved east towards town again. it was then we heard the water helicopters they started filling up from the lake and Mason screamed and clapped like most of the kids were doing.

I didn't know what to do except make sure our older folk had water and food and were comfortable, some were talking and some were playing cards, the panic that everyone had felt had died down, well my panic had.

"Nicky you and mum and dad can go home, the fire is almost contained. But be vigilant and if it appears again get back here or go to the farm."

"Are you okay March?"

"Yes Nicky, nothing to see here."

"I might stay another hour just to make sure."

"Please do that, but the town is safe, it's the spotfires to worry about now,

there are tents available if you want to set one up."

"Not just yet baby, everyone has settled down and some are moving back to town. I will go home when I feel I'm ready."

It was an hour later I drove Rose home, her home was untouched. Jack and Corey were out the front watching the road and I kissed Rose and headed for home.

It was when I was turning into our untouched home I saw it, the panic was back and I backed out to look. When I got close to the clearing I pulled my phone out to ring March.

"March the clearing is on fire." Two seconds later the siren went again. Mum and dad were not far behind me and we watched the fire take. there was a car parked outside on the road and when I looked inside it, it was empty.

We drove back to the house when the trucks arrived. I could see March giving orders, they don't want this to get into the logging acreage it would be disastrous.

Mum put the kettle on while I checked Mason out, then I gave Sunny some water and they wanted to play in the cubby. I didn't want him out of my sight so I turned the TV on, and him and dad watched the news featuring the fire.

The aerial views told the story, it was much worse than what we thought.

There were two fires, one at the airport which had been turned towards the gully and the other was March's clearing which looked much worse than what I had initially thought. The helicopters flew overhead and the footage on TV was relayed live. I took my coffee and went to stand out the front, I could see the fire trucks on the side of the road, but the smoke had died down. Mum and dad left to go check their house and I said I would see them later on.

It took hours for March to come home, and he said he would be out again in a few hours. I held him tightly and the smell of smoke was still thick on his uniform.

He was drained and when he undressed he placed Mason who had started crying on the bed and they both cuddled up. I closed the bedroom door and sat out the back on my own, I won't sleep tonight, I will watch.

The page was lit up with comments and around one I went back out the front to look towards the clearing, the sky was full of stars and the moon lit the area up but I didn't see any fires, just a truck with men standing around it.

Around two I got a message from Faith asking if everything was okay there, I answered with a positive, yes. I then went out the back and rang her. There were no fires at the farm and the boys and Ethan were patrolling the property, she hadn't slept and was keeping the food and coffee up.

I told her March was sleeping but would be up soon to get back to work. She also said that the car I mentioned was parked in her driveway and Tom was helping the boys patrol, I smiled. March walked out a half hour later.

"Did you sleep?" He kissed me.

"No, I watched. There's still a truck at the clearing but no smoke to see."

"Good, don't worry about the clearing Nicky it will all grow back."

"I wasn't March, I was more worried about you and the guys."

He made a coffee and took a sandwich, then he told me he was being picked up soon, to go and patrol the airport to the oval.

He sat and looked at his phone then rang someone.

"I will be ready in ten minutes Joel, what was that?"

"No, we didn't see anything."

"Okay, we will head there first."

"What's up?"

"The town fire was set off by the crash, the clearing was deliberate."

I got angry and stood up.

"Why would anyone want to start a fire deliberately?"

"Nut cases Nicky, they all come out of the woodwork when theres a crisis happening."

"Do they know who?"

"Not yet, but I aim to find out, these people should be jailed."

I sat down again and he started dressing, I then checked on Mason he was safe with Sunny by his side so I kissed him then March did the same until Joel arrived to whisk him away.

I was knackered when I woke, I only had a two-hour nap and most of that I had one eye open, the traffic outside didn't die down and I assumed it was the men checking on everything. Mason woke up looking for his daddy but I reassured him he was just at work. I showered and then bundled him into the car, I will have coffee and breakfast at the cafe.

The town was empty apart from the men driving around and I doubted that anyone got a good night's sleep. I parked outside the gym but didn't open it, no one will be using it today. The cafe was open and Rose was there manning the coffee machine, she said she had come back to open it because she couldn't sleep. It was a good decision because people were calling in for coffee even though there was the emergency cafe at the oval, her coffee was better.

"The guys were telling me that Ken is okay just a fractured leg, so that's one good thing."

"March said the clearing fire was deliberately lit, who in their right mind would do something like that?"

"It takes all types Nicky, some people just can't help themselves."

"Is May inside?"

"Yes, I made Jason take her to bed around three she was so tired."

"Good, I won't open today so I can give you a hand."

"It's been a little busy Nicky, no charge for the guys today, but loads of thank youse and smiles."

"I can do that." A truck pulled up and some men jumped out, I went to take the orders and Rose manned the coffee machine. They were talking amongst themselves and I overheard some of the conversation.

"Yes a body, we don't know much at the moment the investigation team is still there, but yes they found a body at the clearing." I touched my throat and looked at Rose, she shrugged and took the coffee out.

They stopped talking and I placed a plate of sandwiches and pies on the table, they immediately grabbed for them.

Mason had been playing on the shop floor and when I went back inside May came out looking like she hadn't slept at all, she grabbed Mase and said.

"Can't sleep, need baby with me."

She then walked out the back and last I saw she was cuddled up to my son on the couch. Sunny, of course, waited patiently next to it.

They ate everything and when I offered more they said they had to go and relieve the others that were in the gully.

"Good luck guys, see you at lunchtime." Rose waved.

Faith drove up and she was all out of milk so I reminded her she lived on a farm, she only had to milk a cow.

"No milkers Nicky, only beef, and my boys are quite citified, and want full creamed out of the carton for their coffee." She smiled.

"Do you want one now?"

"Yes please and a sausage roll if you have one."

I went to do that job and yes we have rolls on offer. I took one for myself and with the sauce bottle, I sat with the ladies out front.

"What's going on at the clearing Nicky, I thought it was all safe now."

"I don't know Faith, there were mentions of a body being discovered there."

"That will explain the ambulance, police, and the emergency services then. It was like the supermarket car park when I drove by."

"Oh shit, then there must have been a body that's so sad," Rose said.

I looked at the local page but very little was said about the clearing, I think Brenda was up and deleting comments this morning. Another truck arrived and March stepped out, he looked awful so I went to man the counter, Rose was behind me and Faith took the orders.

He looked at me, no he was staring at me so I said Mason was with May out the back. Then he huddled with the others and they were talking in hushed tones.

Mum and dad arrived and she started opening her lunch counter. Rose was telling her she had made up sandwiches and dad grabbed a pie for his breakfast.

"We are not opening for the next few days dad, too much work to do with this fire."

"It's okay son, I will do what's to be done everyone will understand."

"Or you could close."

"I could also sit at home and do nothing son, but I choose to keep working and anyway the town folk will still need gas."

"But I can't help."

"You are helping son, finalizing the fire paperwork and making sure we are all safe." Dad patted him on the shoulder then he sat at the next table.

"I only have casserole and curry today, and there are rolls and pies if you want boys." Mum offered up her menu.

"Not for me mum, I still feel a little queasy."

"What March Stephenson isn't hungry?" Dad said.

"Not at the moment I have some things to do."

"I will stick a curry away for you March, does anyone else want anything?"

"No thank you Mrs. Wilson we are fine."

"Well, its there when you want it boys."

"Nicky, are you opening?"

"Not today March, I want to watch the page and if anyone wants any help I can do that."

"Okay, just stay away from the clearing for now."

"Is it off limits because of the body?" He glared at me and then said.

"Keep it to yourself." He didn't elaborate so I figured it was all hushed up and I shouldn't have opened my big mouth.

"Sorry, March I just overheard a conversation earlier." I didn't want to drop his men into it, or Faith for that matter.

"Well, we mind our own business." I bristled.

Donaions are always gratefully accepted by Nifty