Revival (Johanna's story with Luke Hemmings)

Chapter 32

32.
I send Kat a text just after I've had a shower and gotten into bed.

"How bad was the hangover on Sat?"

She responds fairly quickly.

"It was up there. Have u spent the weekend with Luke?"

"Yeah - went surfing. I hurt in places I didn't know I had"

I start to think better of it, but my thumb has already hit 'send'.

"R u sure that's from the surfing Jo?"

"Ha ha - goodnite"

The 'talk' with my mother comes a bit sooner than I had expected. I had also hoped that it would just happen over the phone, but she turns up at my place on Tuesday afternoon, not long after I have gotten home from work and then picking up some groceries.

"Your father's out getting compost for his veggie garden so I thought I'd nip around while I could."

She seems to think planning Dad's surprise 60th birthday party compares with some covert military operation.

She continues, "Now, you have realised it's not this Saturday but next - remember we decided to go earlier so there was less chance of him cottoning on." She's wearing a perfectly-pressed pants suit. It actually looks really flattering on her, but does she just wear that around home ...and who irons these days?

"Yeah I know. What do you need me to do?" I'm relieved she's so distracted by the 'operation' and the aim will be to keep her focused on that.

"Well actually, it seems to be coming together alright. The venue and catering were all sorted a while ago obviously. Most people seem to be able to come - I didn't ask for official RSVPs of course." She continues, and I realise there's actually nothing more that she needs me to do - she just wants to talk about it and feel more organised. "I might need you to take Nancy home at some point - Shirley's going to get her there nice and early."

We've talked a few times about me taking Gran home afterwards. "That's fine Mum. Do you want a coffee?"

"If you're making one Jo."

I snigger to myself as I flick the jug on. It's her standard response when she does know that I've never drunken coffee. I see my Mum gathering her thoughts and attempt to at least delay the inevitable, "Kat can come."

She's already off on her new train of thought though, "That's nice... So, will you be seeing Luke again?"

I literally brace myself, and am aware of sucking in a deep breath. "Yeah - I mean we haven't got any specific plans right now, but I definitely want to. We went surfing yesterday."

"Surfing?" The way she says it you'd think I said necrophilia, and it throws her off for a moment.

"Yeah" I say neutrally.

She looks at me in that way that only mothers can, and I wait to see what tack she's going to take.

"Exactly how old is he?"

"Nineteen" I respond as flatly as I can.

"Oh Jo" she shakes her head.

The jug comes to the boil as I feel my own anger rising. "What," I demand her to specify her issues.

"It's just - you know, at your age you don't have time for just flings or whatever. If you want to have a family you need a man who's ready for that now..."

I interrupt her, more frustrated than angry, "Mum you know I abandoned any idea of ever having kids with Matt, and it was actually a while before he got sick. He just didn't want to, and I eventually decided I was okay with that..."

She interrupts me this time, but the look on her face is one of sincerity and concern. "But this is your second chance Jo."

I run my hand up through my hair. "A few weeks ago I couldn't have even contemplated having a guy in my life again. Somehow Luke has just been the person to change all that." I'm surprised that this is her concern and I can see that a decent amount of it is actually based around wanting the best for me. I can also understand her perspective and that I am her only shot at grandkids, (though she has never been one to fuss over babies or young children). "I'm sorry Mum but I'm really not thinking about kids at all."

I add some milk to her coffee and push it across the bench to her. She finally takes her eyes off me and is quiet for a few minutes as she sits at the breakfast bar to drink it.

"I just don't see what sort of future you think it might have" she says much more quietly.

I look her right in the eyes, "I don't need a future right now. I'm just having fun with him - he actually really makes me feel happy again."

Her face changes and I know I've kind of got her - she can't have much comeback from that.

"I just don't want to see you get hurt. What are his motives in all this?" She hasn't finished yet and now she hits closer to my insecurities.

I sigh, "He's never given me any reason not to trust him. He just seems genuine and sweet..."

We are interrupted by a short knock at the front door and then Luke steps in. I start walking across to him, but he spots my Mum quickly and both of us seem to decide we don't want to hug or anything in front of her. We end up standing awkwardly with about a metre still between us.

"Hi" he says softly and smiles to me. "Hi Jan - how are you?" he speaks a bit louder and looks uneasily towards her.

"I'm good thanks Luke. Have you just finished work?" She speaks quite civilly, with no hint of resentment in her voice.
"Yeah. I just thought I'd stop in for a bit" his eyes shift back to me, "I have to go help Michael move his bed and some other heavy stuff in a minute." He looks slightly less uncomfortable.

"Okay. Do you want a drink?" I offer. I'm waiting for my Mum to say she needs to go, but she seems intent on holding her spot. Maybe she is hoping to have a better understanding by watching us together.

"Um, just a water would be good." Luke pulls the other bar stool out and a little further away from my mother and then sits down.

"How's work?" I ask awkwardly, filling a glass with water.

"Uh, it's suddenly gone a bit quiet this week. Today was really dragging." I hand him the glass. "Thanks."

"Mmm, the shop's been a bit quiet lately too" Mum chips in.

"Mum owns a florist and gift shop" I explain to Luke. "Not that you go in that much anymore, do you?"

She looks a bit annoyed, "I still do all the ordering and wages."

Luke drains the glass. "How's your work?" he looks to me.

"At least all the staff are healthy again. Otherwise it's pretty much the same as always."

There's an awkward silence and Luke looks to his watch. "Sorry, I'm gonna have to keep going ...to meet Michael." He stands, "Nice to see you again" he says to my Mum with glancing eye contact.

I can tell she's pleased with his manners. "Likewise" she nods.

I walk to the door with him and we're still in Mum's sight. He pauses and looks at me unsurely. I just want to press myself against him, but instead I put my arms up to his shoulders quickly and give him a chaste kiss on the lips. He smiles briefly, "See ya."

He closes the door and I turn to look at Mum. She quickly twists back on her chair and then stands and walks her cup to the dishwasher.

She looks up to the clock, "Oh gosh, look at the time. I better get home before your father starts getting suspicious." She walks towards the door, "I'll call you if there's anything I've forgotten ...with the party. Have a good week."

I sigh and lean back against the door as I close it behind her.