Memories of Life

16. Perfect.

Robert sat watching the surfers become shadows in the orange glow of the descending summers sun. It was on days like this by himself when life was slow and uncomplicated, he would think of Michael. It saddened him, but only reinforced how lucky he was to have what he did.

It had been nearly twenty years since they had last spoken. Robert had returned from university asking Pop if he could borrow his car to find his brother working on the remote roads in the far west country. His father however had objected the notion wanting to maintain the status-quo between them. Though Robert informed him he would make his own decision. The year away from home, with all he had experienced had given him an independence, and Pop noticed it too. For the first time Robert had defied his father, becoming his own man - "thankfully" - the old man thought. Without hesitation he supported Robert, lending him the car, convincing Richard he no longer had the final say.

After two days of making enquiries, then driving for eight hours Robert found him. Michael was thankful to see him, almost like he had been expecting him. It was the happiest Robert had remembered seeing his brother in many years. He no longer drank or smoked like most of the men he worked with, and the smile on his face was constant.

For two days he camped with Michael by the side of the road, just talking. Robert informed his brother about his new friends, study, football and of course Leesa. He had fully expected Michael to make fun of him, as he once may have. Yet instead, he expressed admiration mixed with relief that Robert had found a new life giving him happiness, with not even a cutting remark about their father. It seemed that Michael had somehow reconciled it. This seemed even more of a revelation when Michael told Robert why he understood how he had loved the farm so much. "Without distractions in a place like this. It gives you time to think and listen." He had said.

Robert felt an enormous sense of relief at his brothers new found attitude and insight. All the guilt and anger which he'd harboured with his brothers' silence, now melted away. It was just like old times when it was just Michael and him. He only wondered now if the ghost of their mother too had been buried, but Robert had been too scared to ask.

On dusk when drinking a cup of tea, a wild tan dog sat on a mound of dirt not far from their camp site. Michael would look at it strangely with a distant eye's as the dog looked back at him. When Robert asked him about the unusual interloper, Michael laughed saying it was his only friend. Every afternoon the dog would visit and sometimes Michael would throw it a scrap. "Shadow, I call him." He had said. "Because he comes when they're long. And if I try to get closer to see if he's tame? That's when he runs away."

Before leaving, Robert attempted to convince his brother to return home with him, because Michael had changed, and it was for the better. Robert even tried to talk him into coming to Brisbane when he returned, telling him Jerry would definitely have work for him. Together they could find a place to live where they could have their friends over, and maybe play football. To Robert it seemed so simple and exciting, yet Michael was content to be where he was. He did not dismiss Robert's idea completely saying in time they would be together again, with the last words his brother ever spoke to him, being. "Whatever happens from here Rob, good or bad? I'll always be with you little brother."

Even then it seemed like a final goodbye. but not wanting to accept it Robert promised he would visit again before Christmas only a few weeks away, in hope of changing Michael's mind. Three days later they received the news Michael was missing.

The men had returned to the roadside camp from their days off to find him gone. His vehicle and belongings were untouched without any sign of disturbance. Immediately a full scale search and investigation was conducted by the police, with it even mentioned on the local news in the hope someone may come forward with information.