Revival (Johanna's story with Luke Hemmings)

Chapter 24

24.
I must have slept deeply, warm and comfortable, because I wake in a bit of a daze. Jess is barking at the front door and I stumble across to it, tying my robe around me, to see what has upset her. I turn the lock and swing the door open to suddenly find my parents on the doorstep. Shit, I was half-asleep and not even thinking. She often barks like that when there's a cat around, or the neighbours are doing something, but I hadn't heard a knock at the door.

"Hi Jo - you're not even dressed yet, what's the matter?" Mum bustles past me and around the corner into the living room.

"Hi Dad" I say as he steps in following her, eyeing my attire with some concern.

"You alright - is it a bit of a slow start to the day...?" He stops short as he rounds the corner. Geez they really don't visit that much, especially my Dad - did they have to pick today?

Luke has sat up and fastened a couple of buttons on his shirt, and still has the throw across his lap. He looks a bit stunned, and really uncomfortable.

"Oh sorry, we didn't realise you had company. There was no car or anything. We just had brunch with Sally and Trevor at that cafe by the golf course, and thought we'd stop in on our way home..." my Mum babbles.

I take a deep breath, "It's okay. Um, this is Luke." I shift my eyes to him and try to look apologetic. He gaze is just uneasy, like he's not sure what I want him to do. "This is my Mum, Jan and my Dad, Allan."

"Hi" he offers, and then leans right out awkwardly as my Dad comes forward to shake his hand. I know he doesn't want to stand when he's got no pants on, but he's trying not to be rude. I forget my embarrassment for a moment and take in how sweet he is. (- Not that he'd probably ever want to be called that).

I snap back, "We were just catching up on some sleep. We went to Steve's birthday party last night - you know, Kat's little brother." It seems ridiculous saying little when he's now thirty and about 6 foot.

"Oh okay, bit of a late one was it?" I am surprised to see my Dad's earlier concern replaced by a bit of a smirk.

"Yeah a bit" Luke replies sitting up further on the couch and seeming to welcome Jess jumping onto his lap.

"We bought you some potatoes" my Mum starts up, holding up a supermarket bag and walking over to the pantry. "Your father is finally managing to do something a bit more productive with all his extra time now."

My Dad walks across to the chair by the couch and sits down. It becomes even clearer that this isn't just a bad dream.

"Shall I put them in here?" Mum opens the pantry and looks to the bottom.

"Um yeah, thanks" I respond coming over. "Do you want a drink or something?"

"No, it's alright. We won't stay long." She looks across to my Dad who has just asked Luke what he does for a living. "We just had lattes at the cafe" she adds.

Luke has responded to my Dad and I ask him if he wants anything. "Just a water would be good, thanks" he replies and then looks a bit worried. I fill a glass and walk it across to him quickly and he seems to relax a bit again.

I return to sit at the breakfast bar while Mum finishes putting potatoes in the bin. "Did you two meet at the party or something?" she says to me quietly.

My eyes flick across to Luke. He seems to be talking to my Dad about my car, or something about 350 Chevs. I've never seen my Dad take much interest in cars or engines before. I look back, "No, I've known him a few weeks. He did some work on my car."

"Oh" she closes the pantry again, and pauses as we hear my Dad ask Luke how long he has been a mechanic for.

"I just finished my apprenticeship earlier this year."

My Dad seems to take in Luke's candidness. It's probably after years of working with people who are trying to hide something from him. "How long were you a cop?" Luke puts to him, and both my parents seem impressed that he knows something about him.

"Thirty-eight years" Dad replies.

I turn back to Mum, "So how are Sally and Trevor?." I've only met them a few times and I don't honestly care, but it's a good way to normalise the conversation. Dad continues to talk to Luke about his past and present work.

"Yeah, they're good" Mum leans against the bench. "It's just nice to get your father out and about socialising with people outside of work" she sighs.

My attention suddenly shifts again as I hear Luke saying something about a Nick Gibson. I wonder if he has asked about Kat's boyfriend. My Dad sits back in the chair and eyes him suspiciously, "How do you know him?"

Luke hesitates only momentarily, "...I have a friend who's getting involved with him, and I'm just a bit concerned."

Dad's eyes soften, "Yeah, well your instincts are right. I'd be telling anyone I knew to steer clear of him. We always knew he was dealing, but could never get any decent evidence together - the guy's slipperier than teflon. He's dirty too - I think he'd dob in his mother to save his own skin."

Luke looks across and sees my eyes on him, and looks guilty for a moment. "Wow, so Steve's thirty now" Dad changes the subject. "God Jan, remember that time he stayed at our place with Kat when their mother was in hospital, ...and wet the bed. That doesn't really seem that long ago" Dad muses.

"Time flies as you get older dear" Mum responds drily.

"Yeah I noticed" he flicks back with some sarcasm. My parents are clearly still in that adjustment phase to Dad's semi-retirement. I always remember Mum moaning about Dad working so much when I was growing up, but I think she still moans as much now and they certainly argue more.
"Well, we should keep moving" Dad continues, standing, "though I don't know if this rain's going to stop enough for me to mow the lawns."

"Gee, that dog really likes you." My Mum has stepped out of the kitchen area, and I realise it's the first time she has actually spoken to Luke. She's really not a dog person. I'm sure she's still a bit disgusted that I let Jess in the house, let alone up on the couch. Jess has only just bothered to lift her head when my Dad stood up.

"Yeah she's great" Luke responds simply, giving her head a rub again.

"Okay, well nice to meet you" Dad says to him. "Don't get up will you" he smirks again.

Luke nods back unperturbed, "Same" and his eyes flick to my Mum as well.

"Goodbye then," she returns, and then steps aside for my Dad to walk out first.

"I'm glad you said we should stop in" Dad says quietly, obviously thinking Mum is right behind him, but she has hovered in the living room. He pulls his jacket in around him and continues out to the car anyway.

"We need to talk Jo" Mum hisses to me quickly.

"What?" She can't do this now.

"About your father's 60th - it's not that far away now and I want to get some things sorted out. I'll call you later this week when he's busy with something, okay."

"Sure, yeah - bye" I mutter, somewhat relieved.