Chapter 79
March Stephenson
Maxieplus.
The sun was trying to break through the clouds when I drove home with our son in the back seat. I thought I might open the house up and air it out, but that wasn't to be. The minute I got inside it started raining, and it didn't let up all night. I worried about 'sheep' but once again March reassured me she was warm and out of the weather. Mason was also worried, he wanted her to come inside and no amount of explaining helped, but he still had a small tantrum.
"He's bored March, it can't be much fun for him playing around in the cold."
"There is not much we can do Nicky, he can't play outside because it's too muddy and wet."
I thought about what Rose had said and went to get the big drop sheet from the garage. In my artistic way, I made up a tent-like structure and Mase March and I played camping. Loads of pillows and all the cushions off the couch made it more comfortable. We spent the night under it with the fire going, and in the morning we had a happy different little boy. He sat under it to watch his shows and to eat, I had stoked the fire and it was doing its job beautifully. Outside was a quagmire of mud and water, we didn't have that last year only snow. March put some gum boots on and he checked 'sheep' and then collected the eggs on the way back.
"I wish we weren't so busy, I would stay home today."
"I have to go and see Brenda about replacing the heating at the school."
"It's been the same for years, do you think the council will pay for it, the kids must get cold sometimes?"
"Hopefully the state will pay for it,"
"Speak to Brenda, she may have some ideas."
"I'll go see her when I drop Mason off."
When it was time to go, we nearly had another kid attack. He wanted to stay home and play, but we convinced him again that Louise and his friends would miss him if he was not there. March drove today, I had no hope of running, the ground was too wet and dangerous. The heating was on when we got there and Mike was already working under a car, Mason got down with him and they started discussing oils again.
"Tell your dad there's leftover lumber at our place if he can use it."
"Thanks, March. I will let him know."
I know he was hanging onto it just in case a project came up, but if it helps someone else then so be it, out it goes.
We went across the road for breakfast and were the only ones there. I looked up and down the street and it was empty.
"It's going to rain again, we had better hurry up." March sniffed the air.
"Dad I think we should close up early, nothings that urgent. Mike you will be paid regardless, but I think if there's a break in the weather you should head on home when you get the chance."
"Thank you March, that road does get a bit slippery when it's wet."
"Then you had better stay in town, I can't be responsible for any mishaps."
"I can stay at the new place, I have a key and it has a good wood heater."
"Go and light it now, so it's warm when you get home. Do you need bedding?"
"No Nicky, dad has been dropping some stuff off on his way to work, there are sleeping bags in there somewhere."
"Okay get mum to put aside some dinner for you and ring your mum and let her know where you are otherwise she will be worried."
"Yes boss, onto it now." He saluted me.
"How is Ellen anyway?'
"She's good March you know her, she's always doing something in the background."
"How far along are you with that Morris?"
"Nearly finished, it will be done before I leave." Our food was delivered and mum informed us she would be closing early
"It's dead here, and Mike you are coming to our place for the night, we have plenty of warm rooms. That old cottage will be draughty and we have hot food." She smiled.
"Good idea mum, Mike stay there."
"Okay, I will. If it's no imposition mum Wilson."
"Not at all I would feel better if you are with us, it's going to be freezing tonight."
Mason is due to go to play school, but I have had a rethink and rang Louise.
"No one there Nicky, I was about to ring you. It's too cold for the children, even the school has closed again."
"Looks like we are going home then."
I looked at March he saw something in my eyes and said.
"Okay we are locking up dad, everyone go home." He finished eating as a trickle of snow fell. I could have said something smart but I guess even March Stephenson gets it wrong sometimes.
It was light like last year and will turn into slush after it hits the ground. May came out and started stacking chairs inside, she was locking up. Dad rang Mark at the hardware shop and told him to lock up and go home. May did the same with her girl.
I shivered as I placed an announcement on the local page explaining why the garage, Gym, and shops were closing, but everyone knew why. Many local families would be huddled in front of their fires today.
Mason was excited, he got to go camping again and I stood at the back windows looking out. I will close the blinds to keep the warmth in but before I do, I wanted to watch the light snow. Someone walked over my grave and I started shivering, then big arms enclosed me and whispered in my ear.
"Let's close up and get warm Nicky. I'm sorry I got it wrong about the snow."
"It's okay March."
I closed the blinds while he locked up. My shivering didn't stop until we gathered under the blankets in front of the wood heater. Mason was watching a cartoon and March was keeping me warm.
"There's a better way of staying warm." He grinned.
"I know baby, we will get naked after lunch okay?"
"Okay, what are we having?"
"Hamburger patties with onion and mushroom sauce."
"Something new mums trying?"
"Yes. She thought you might like it." I kissed him and he drew me closer.
The snow didn't interest Mason so much, he did try and catch it but it melted too fast. Next year he will be more enthusiastic.
Our afternoon was wonderful and after eating we stripped and warmed each other. I fell asleep and had that horrible recurring dream. Mason and March were lost in the snow and I was desperate to find them. My eyes shot open and March was sound asleep, throwing another log on the fire I watched them both and prayed their dreams were much brighter than mine.
'The coldest night in ten years.' Announced the newsreader in the morning. March was dressed and had already gone to check 'sheep' and 'chooks' after Mason had insisted, they were fine and there were no eggs. The house was warm, so after a nice hot shower I made our breakfast.
"Nicky I think you should stay home today, it's going to rain again. I doubt May will open all day, and the gym isn't being used."
"I can go in and check everything and I still need to talk to Brenda."
"She's onto it Nick, I rang her and reminded her the kids were cold. She said the government was about to close the old school and the new portable classrooms have already been delivered to the high school."
"They can't do that March, it's a local icon that old school."
"Yes it is old, but in desperate need of restoring and upgrading. It will be sad to see it go, but the kids will be safer at the new one. The best thing is the government will run it."
"Okay. Then what's going to happen to it?"
"She said she will talk to you." He smiled.
"It could be sold privately and the new owners could restore it and turn it into a unique home."
"You don't want to move the museum there?"
"No, it's perfect where it is. Although the original school is steeped in history there's nothing in this one that screams museum or local landmark. More a private home or antique shop."
"I will leave it up to you, I believe the museum has all its history there from the original to this one."
"They do March, do you want to buy it and do it up?"
"No Nicky, it's too big a job and let's face it, it's not that good-looking."
"Maybe an announcement on the local page will get the residents interested. They should have a say in what happens to it anyway."
"What have you decided on today?"
"I will come in for a few hours then do what I did yesterday, come on home."
It poured with rain again but thankfully this was a passing shower and by the time we all jumped in the car it was over.
Nudge and Joel were there again and Ron was on the running machine, the heating was on and I said my good mornings. No one had signed in last night after I left, and only the three were entered this morning.
"It was bloody cold last night Nicky, the heating was on full blast," Joel said.
"I guess you don't get much work done in winter," I replied.
"I still work, the shed has heating, so I am comfortable."
"Good, at least you're not losing any income."
"No chance of that, I will always be in the shed, and busy." He smiled.
Mason had finished saying good morning to Mike and now he wants to see his little cousin, so we took him across the road. 'Hank' had a small blanket over his head. Mason explained to us he is having a rest today, and there won't be any riding in the cold. A familiar car came up the road and our lady mayoress stepped out after parking. She was overloaded with scarves, gloves and an overcoat that almost hid her pink cheeks. The heaters were on and she looked at mum who gave her the thumbs up. She then sat with us and apologised for not saying anything to me about the school, and she agreed that it should be sold to a private family.
"Like just about everyone that went there, I also don't have any attachment to it. To me, it was just somewhere I had to be. The only thing I did miss were my classmates but they are mostly all townies anyway."
"Good, then it's decided, we sell it."
"I will post an announcement to gauge the reaction, but I doubt anyone will want it saved.
"You win some, you lose some, and it would make a great home for someone."
"Good to see you nephew, how's mum and dad?"
"Great Aunty Brenda, and I am loving the new job."
"March has needed someone for ages. I am only worried when the winter sets in there won't be much work."
"Not going to happen, this is just freakish weather it will calm down soon," March said.
"You also said it wasn't going to snow, but it did."
"Slush Nicky, not full-on snow like last year."
"I am yet to be convinced Mr Weatherman," I smirked.
"How did you go at mum and dads?" I looked at Mike.
"Good. She's a great cook." He smiled.
"You stayed at their place last night, why didn't you come to us?" Brenda asked.
"I got little ones at home, and one here. I don't need any more kids around me." He smiled.
"Humph." Brenda moaned. her coffee and cake arrived along with our breakfast hamburgers. Mason had a small one, he likes mums cooking.
As the days went by the weather turned for the better, although the nights were still pretty cold the days were sunny and more bearable. Mike was learning a lot, and he even went to Joel's with March to watch how to restore a car. March insisted he still drives the updated garage car and he will keep watch for a cheap second-hand one for Mike's dad.
"He won't accept it March. You know what he's like." Mike said.
"All too well Mike." March smiled. I found out that Mike had just turned eighteen, and is looking to buy a family home, in the future. My opinion of him shot right up when he said that.
The gym livened up a bit and I had some of my ladies and gents back. The announcement Brenda made about the school closing got a mixed reaction, so we decided at a snap council meeting, just to put it on the market. the price will be minimal, land value only, because there is so much to do to it.
Pete had come up to spend the weekend with Rose and bub's, and we talked about Matt Shore. He reassured me he wouldn't get a reprieve and last he heard he was in solitary confinement for dealing drugs. I can take one guess who is sneaking them into him, but I have no proof.
It was so good to see him, and we talked for ages while he nursed Tink, he also handed me another list of items he had fallen over. When I gave it to March who rang the usual suspects and said he would forward it on to them, including Sam the local cop. He spent two nights with Rose then one with Tom and Hank who I believe are still planning a holiday overseas, the word on the street is Hank isn't all that interested, but what Tom wants Tom gets.
Mike turned out to be a gem, he went beyond what his job description is, and picked it all up in no time. He is now going to specialise in old cars. He told March it will be a sideline, but if he offered him a permanent job, then he wouldn't have any competition. I guess Mike was taking lessons from Brenda, he manipulated March beautifully and would eventually be offered full-time work. March didn't mind at all, dad and he needed someone else because dad had his hardware shop to look after, and March had Mason and me. Three cars out and four in. March said he was always looking for work in winter but I suspected the mini car club had passed his cards around after the new shops opening day. I looked up one club and sure enough, there was March's card pinned to the top of their page, it was similar on the other sites also.
The tent had disappeared and been replaced with a pop-up camping tent we had picked up from the hardware shop. Mason slept in it while we shared the sofa, I loved sleeping on it, we were much closer than our bigger bed.
It was boring trying to find something to do, so I grabbed a stack of the paperwork we got from the digs and started going through it. There were no surprises and it is what it is. March's family history goes back to the beginning of our town.
I put it all aside and sat back, then I remembered the pothole out on the old road. I asked March to look after Mason for a half hour, and of course he wanted to know where I was going, so I told him I wanted to mark its exact spot on the map.
"You're not that bored are you?"
"No, it's a hazard and needs to be fixed."
"It's being done"
"When?"
"Started last week, they got to it after I reported it." He grinned.
"I might as well go on home then. Maybe do some washing."
"It's nearly lunchtime."
"Okay after lunch then."
I could hear dad and Mike sniggering in the background, so I glared at them and said.
"Haven't you both got something better to do?"
"Just waiting for the lunch bell Nicky." Mike roared laughing.
"Come on bubs, horses to be ridden and food to eat." Mike grabbed Mason and started across the road. Mum told us that the weather report had forecast sunny days for the next week which relieved me a little. Maybe if I am lucky, I can get a run in and maybe Mike would like to join me.
"Mike. I will have Lasagna leftovers tonight is that all right with you?"
"Awesome Mum Wilson, I will put the washer on when I get in."
"Are you staying at mum's again" I asked.
"They have offered me the bigger room if I do some chores."
"Bit much for just one night."
"No. I might be moving in with them."
"What?"
"Keep up Nicky," March said.
"Why?"
"Mum has enough to do with my sister and brother, so I thought I would lighten the load and move out now I have a full-time job. And you know I have plans to buy something around here." He grinned.
"So mum offered you accommodation?"
"Yes Nicky, it's awesome there and I can learn to cook also. And no babysitting." He grinned.
"You babysit Mason."
"He's one little cute dude, my younger brother and sister are little terrors. I love them but not when they decide to sleep with me."
"That's so cute." I was still shocked he was moving in with mum and dad.
"Not so cute when a man wants to relieve himself, it can be a bit frustrating. I can't wait to be able to buy my own place."
I started laughing, poor Mike. I guess he would be at his sexual peak by now.
There was something about him I liked, he reminded me of March in a way, very kind-hearted and smart.
"I'll have the Lasagna while you're there Nicky, double serve please."
"Me too thank you Nicky," I went to get their orders and made mum put two away for our dinners.
She said they offered and he jumped at the chance. He had been looking around for a unit to buy since he arrived in town. He will still help his dad and take his brothers to the park, but he won't be living with them, it's too cramped.
"Has he got the money mum?"
"Yes, his gran is going to help him. It will be good to have a young man in the house again,"
"Well from what I know about him he will be the ideal guest, just don't let him play with my old toys." I grinned.
"It's okay Nicky he has his very own toy to play with." She winked.
"Mum!"
She giggled, then helped me serve the boys. Mason got a small one, and this dish he could eat forever, he loved her new tasty meal.
"So are you still going home early?" He asked me.
"Not at the moment March, I want to do some running and weights, I'm feeling a bit stiff."
"Good, I guess the shed not being heated has depleted your list of things to do."
"Yes March, and it's too cold," I whispered in his ear.
"Meet me there after lunch."
"It's too cold."
"Not any more, I put a heater in it."
I was excited because I hated him having to come home to get some, it interferes with my afternoon TV viewing.
The heater was a blow type and no way would it heat the whole shed, but it did warm us up when we stood near to it.
"We can't be doing this all the time March, the shed is too draughty."
"I can get Ron to come up with something."
"Then your bills will skyrocket."
"Leave it to me." He grinned.
We went back to work and dad was showing Mike March's truck and explaining the restoration process to him. Not to miss out on an opportunity Mason was placed in the front seat with Mike and the door lift was opened. The truck roared into life and March took them for a drive around town. When they came back a half hour later Mike was driving. I see, so it's okay if someone else drives it, just not me.
Around three we had afternoon tea, then I grabbed our dinners and left for home, if I am lucky I will catch the bold and the beautiful.
March was late home he said he had something to do with dad. I didn't ask what but I did find out a week later.
I heard banging coming from the shed and a truck pulled up then it backed down the side of the garage. A small garden shed size hot room was being pushed through the big doors.
"Is that better?"
"Much better, we are going to have so much fun. Mike should use it to lose weight."
"No Nicky it is just for us."
"Okay." I smiled and did feel special.
"Did dad get it through the hardware shop?"
"Yes Nicky, he will use it as a display. I know Mrs Nudge wants one and once she gets it, the town folk will all want one."
"She has that much clout?"
"People around here look to her for inspiration sometimes, they look at what Julie is doing also, and me, and you,"
"Me?"
"Yes, haven't you noticed there are more runners on the streets?"
"No."
"Then you truly are an athlete and you are concentrating on your running more than your surroundings," His chest puffed up.
"Did he charge you?"
"Of course not." So I laughed.
"March can I use your hot house?" Jack said as he went past to get his lunch.
"No buy your own."
"I will then, you miserable sod. Rose needs to lose a few pounds and Cory can use it also. How much are they dad?"
"Two grand Jack, and that's mates rates."
"Great, I will take one, can I pay it off?"
"Yes Jack. Just pick a spot and I will get one dropped off."
"So Stephenson your meanness has cost me money, there goes my savings."
"You don't have to buy one Jack, don't blame me."
"Okay, dad cancel that order."
"What? March you just cost me a sale."
"Have one installed but at Rosie's place dad. Jack can borrow it."
"And the bill?"
"Send it to me, it will be a baby shower gift for little Tink."
"But we already did her driveway," I said.
"That was from you, this is from me." He grinned.
"Loser," Jack said as he walked into the cafe, poor Mike was in stitches.
Cory had made it to the finals in the Brisbane tournament, the whole town took the day off to watch his finals match. If it wasn't for the fact he was up against the number one seed he would have won. But he did get plenty of accolades from Tennis Australia and plenty of sponsorship offers. He went straight into next year's selection for the Australian Open and is working hard with his trainer. Lucky for Cory he made some serious money and I doubt Jack and Lena have any money worries now.
The town had a welcome home street party and the whole country was just as proud of him, as we all were.
I think he's having a small holiday up at the Gold Coast, then he heads for Canberra to start on the next round of events. He screamed the house down when he found out he still had to do his schooling there.
Jack and Lena fly up once a month to see him and by all accounts, he's going to be, or is, the next golden boy of tennis.
Back to my story, the day after the hot room was installed we had to take it for a test run. It didn't take long to warm up the small shed within the large shed. March was so horned up that it didn't take him long to get off either. I couldn't stop laughing as he turned the switch off, ten minutes of warmth now and then, we were better off with the blow heater.
"Nicky, don't be so mean to me."
"It's okay March, but I can't help thinking it was such a waste of money."
To add insult to injury Mike placed a comment on the local page,
'Eight minutes they lasted, taking bets for ten minutes tomorrow.'
I couldn't stop laughing every time I saw Mike, but dad wasn't impressed he was trying to talk March into at least lasting a half hour otherwise people wouldn't buy them.
March's embarrassment lasted all day and he was getting a bit snappy towards home time.
"I don't see what is so funny Nicky, you didn't last long either."
"March I didn't get off, I was too busy laughing."
"Right tonight you get a half hour or so."
"Promise?"
"You place a bet with Mike I will make sure you win." My laughing started all over again.
The weather was still cold at night, but not bad during the day. At least we got some hours of sunlight and 'sheep' and 'chooks' were happy because Mason in his gum boots was back to playing with them again.
The hot tub was being used sometimes and Rose screamed down the phone. She had just got a big serve off Jack, because she refused his pleas to use her new hot shed.
"It's okay Nicky I will let them, but give me a day or two." She giggled.
The good weather has bought everyone out again. March was right, it didn't snow, and he told me it won't snow next year either. He would know being brought up on the land.
May's new shop seemed to be busy and occasionally tourist busses still pulled up, and then she would have all hands on deck. She had moved her tea over there. I saw people walking out with bags of the stuff. I was very much back to my old self again and only took it for wellness, like March does. I had wondered if it would be good for weight loss.
There were no mishaps this year and when I went to the clearing on my own one day, I felt nothing, it was all just a faded memory.
The rain started again and my gardens needed weeding. There was no way I would be out there doing it, so it will have to wait until spring.
It annoyed me that my mini was tucked away in the garage under cover, but it's too dangerous to drive it in this weather.
The announcement had been finally made about the new state school being ready. There was more excitement for the new classrooms than the old building. Sure the folks didn't want it pulled down and they all agreed it should be sold privately.
March was still insisting he wasn't going to buy it and do it up, so I dropped
my ideas, and anyway, I didn't want to move from gran's home.
I drove past it a few times, but he was right it didn't have a personality, just a huge two-roomed weatherboard shed-like structure. They didn't waste any time in putting the for-sale board up.
Three cars out and none in, so March only had three left to do. Mike and dad worked on them while March entertained me with his workout routine. After twenty minutes I turned the heating on in the shed and ten minutes later we were nice and warm inside it.
"I thought that may have got you excited." He nuzzled my neck.
"You know me so well. You should have turned it on before you came in."
"No Nicky it's too cold outside." I rolled my eyes.
According to the news, winter was virtually non-existent this year, but the snow fields were busy. Sure the nights were still cold but the days were filled with sunshine.
"Early spring Nicky, give it a few weeks and we can go and look at the clearing."
"And the weeds in the garden."
"All fixed Nicky, I hired a few local kids to come around and do it."
"They do stuff like that?"
"For me they do, it's different up here, the kids are always looking for work. You haven't noticed, but they don't hang around the streets like they do in the city." I had noticed that, and just thought they may have hung around the supermarket most of the time.
May had almost turned off her heaters and it was so nice to sit in the sun again. Mason was taking 'hank' for his exercise and bumping into some shoppers, who had started venturing out. Little Rosie was growing and nearly crawling, she was trying to roll on her stomach, and attempting to hoist herself up, and with each attempt she would flop down having giggling fits.
Rose was shopping again and is being seen out and about more often. Tink was so adorable, his eyes were wide open now and every time he heard Rose's voice he would smile. Spring was in the air and 'sheep' got fatter.
"Another month or so Nicky and the lambing season will begin. I have booked the vet in to have a look at her as a precaution, but she's doing well in my eyes."
"Do we have to book him in for the birth or is it all a natural process?"
"Natural Nicky. I can't wait to see Mason's little face when she drops her bubs."
"He will be so excited, do we have to do anything special with her stall?"
"No."
He would know he has lived on the land for some time.
The garage was empty so Mike was using the time to clean up a bit. He was still at mum and dads place, and they have formed a small bond with him. His dad has started on the renovations I believe, and Mike is starting to spend his days off helping him, they wanted it done before they moved in. Today I have the pleasure of entertaining Rose. I watched Tink while she walked on the machine, she said she had to get back into shape. I didn't think she had to, but I suppose she would know.
Tink was beautiful and exactly what she said he would be, the perfect baby. I cuddled him for some time but he could hear Rose moaning so he became a little unsettled.
I turned him around so he could see her and the biggest smile arrived on his face plus a fist of fingers in his mouth, when he eventually found it.
"I'm thinking I might buy that old school house."
"What on earth for, it's got no personality."
"It hasn't, but it's huge."
"What's wrong with your current one?"
"Nothing Nicky, I just fancied a project."
"Okay. What are you thinking?"
"Maybe a huge loft either end with en-suits, a bespoke kitchen at one end under those big windows, a dining room then a lounge room, open plan."
"It will cost a bomb to heat."
"Solar, hydronic heating. Make it more green."
"Why?"
"I'm thinking into the future. Tink will need a bigger place when his friends call in, and if he has a family he definitely will need the room."
"Run faster Rose, you have too much time on your hands,"
Ten minutes later March popped his head in and said.
"Lunch time."
"Lunch daddy," Mason yelled.
"Give me a sec," Rose stopped the machine and headed for the toilets.
I took the opportunity to kidnap Tink and we walked across the road.
He started getting antsy again, she certainly hasn't let him out of her sight and he's always listening for her. His eyes were the same blue colour, and Rose told me they weren't the same as Daniel's. She was happy that he had his very own shade.
"Rose is going to buy the schoolhouse and do it up March,"
"That's good Nicky, big job Rosie?"
"I was only kidding Nicky, what the hell would I do with that old building?"
"It sold yesterday," Mike said.
"It sold already?" I looked at him.
"I saw a sold sticker on it when I drove past this morning."
"I wonder who bought it?" Rose looked at March who had a mouth full of food. When he finished he said to us.
"I have no idea, but it was cheap because there is so much to do to it, and the government wants it off their books. Personally. I would have pulled it down and built a new home."
"Me too." Rose giggled.
May came out she had little Rosie with her, the bubs looked at each other and smiled then the mums took up their bottles. They started talking about babies and I got bored.
"I might go for a walk March, try and ease back into my running a bit earlier."
"You do that, and when you're at the real estate agents, ask them who bought the school." He laughed
"I did." We heard coming out of Mike's mouth. We all stared at him.
"Don't just stop at that comment," I said.
"I bought it yesterday, it's a pretty cheap property and I will do it up and give it a personality. I want to change it into a family home."
"March did you have something to do with this?" Dad asked.
"No dad. I didn't know Mike was all that interested in it."
"I was, and I wasn't. But after talking to my gran last weekend I decided to go ahead. It was her suggestion and she is financing it. Her reasoning was good and dad and I will turn it into a family home."
"What a great idea Mike, well done."
"Well gran loves me, and I can't expect the kids to live in that tiny cottage for years. Buying property is a good investment, isn't that what you always say Dad Wilson?" He grinned.
"So much for my tiny cottage then," Rose said.
"It will be finished, as promised. Then we will start on the lofts and bathrooms. It will all take time, but now dad and I are both working full time we will get it done."
"I am impressed Mike, really impressed." I smiled.
March nudged me under the table so I shut up.
It made real sense, they would do up the big school for his family. Mike is a townie, he has always loved this town, and I doubt he will ever leave it, like me.
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