Memories of Life

10. Love.

10. Love.

It was a long two days until Robert finally had the courage to call Leesa. He had rung Jerry's house the very next day, talking to Shae who was delighted to hear the news he may be bringing a girl, reassuring him she was more than welcome, followed by a day of procrastination and self doubt.

It was Leesa who answered the phone when he eventually called, and to his delight she had decided to accept the invitation. They arranged for Robert to pick her up on Friday afternoon, and would drive his car to the coast.

Friday seemed to go on forever with Robert trying to occupy himself, though every hour that passed seemed like six with his growing expectation. Henry had left for home two days earlier who had also secured Nimmys' number, yet seemed in no hurry to establish contact. Robert found this surprising, considering how desperate he seemed to have interaction with a woman. Yet nothing was predictable about Henry outside of study.

Eventually the time came, and Robert pulled up at the agreed meeting place outside the hospital where Leesa had been doing her final weeks of practical training. She sported a pair of dark sunglasses, and was wearing cut off denim shorts with a white loose tank top. Her thick brown hair was tucked under a cap with its length pulled through an opening at the back. A backpack hung from one shoulder, and canvas carry bag on the other. She looked like she belonged at the beach Robert thought, glancing at her smooth brown legs.

Not being much of a beach goer himself Robert had bought two new pairs of board shorts with a couple of singlets in plain neutral colours, as opposed to the many bright and vivid patterns that adorned most beach apparel in the shops. Opening the door for her, Leesa got in. "I hope the rest of the weekends this nice?" She said placing her bags on the cars bench seat between them.

"This is Queensland." Robert offered clumsily.

The drive to Jerry and Shaes' caravan took two hours, but barely seemed that long at all. Leesa was relaxed and enthusiastic about the weekend. Robert had informed her about Jerry, Shae, and the children which surprised Leesa at first knowing that they would be staying with a family. However, it reassured her and felt less threatening to be going away with a man she had only met twice. Though in those brief encounters she could tell he was nice, if a little shy and unsure of himself. But compared to her last boyfriend, it was refreshing. Men who were loud, or overwhelmingly full of themselves were fun for a while, but she had had enough of that. Robert also seemed well prepared, because she had had no time to go shopping for food or supplies. However, he had an esky full of food and drinks, along with extra bedding and a swag, all secured neatly in the back of his car. He also listened intently when she spoke, appearing genuinely interested in her family which sometimes she thought she spoke to much of. There was no pressure, or tension of a sexual nature either in the questions he asked her. Only enquiring about things like what Adelaide was like, or how she found her studies, and what did she like to do. Things people asked when simply getting to know you Leesa thought.

They soon discovered a shared love of sport especially football, her AFL, and he league and rugby. Each defended their codes, while agreeing the other had its merits. Leesa also loved hockey, playing since she was a child for many years. It was when she had badly injured her knee a few years earlier, that Leesa had decided to take up physiotherapy when rehabilitating.

One thing that perplexed her slightly about Robert though was he didn't talk about his family much. Talking mainly about the farm, what it was like growing up there, and his Pop whom he seemed very fond of. And the things he described to her Leesa found incredible. Like spending nights alone in the bush when just twelve years old, or breaking wild horses. Yet he never mentioned his parents directly, or any siblings. So Leesa decided not to pressure him too much on that point, and given time he might tell her about them. There was no denying the fact however that this seemingly nice guy she found attractive. He was tall, well over six feet, and muscular, which she had noticed from his forearms and biceps protruding from the singlet he wore. She also liked his sandy coloured hair; it could have been styled a little better she thought, yet it suited him all the same. Before deciding to come Leesa had ruminated on his invitation for some time, almost convincing herself to say no. But those first couple of hours in the car together now convinced her she'd made the right decision.