Crazy, that's what.

3

"Sarah!"

I caught five year old Hugh as he jumped into my arms. Seeing him always brought a smile to my face, little bundle of joy that the kid was.

"Hello Hugh." Wally said, making the boy run to her.

"What is all that ..."

Hugh's mother, Esma, stopped short at the sight of the two teenage girls in her parlour, a wide smile growing on her face. "Well this is a nice surprise."

"Hi Esma." I went forward to hug her. "Sorry to barge in like this."

"Barge in? I'm happy you came! I thought I won't see you again now that Isaac's gone."

Wally pursed her lips. "That's exactly what we came to talk to you about."

Esma noted the sad looks on our faces, understanding crossing her features. She led us to the kitchen, saying that she had biscuits.

With a dead father, mother that was too busy making millions to care about her children and a brother that had left for the United States after he'd made it big, Isaac lived alone in a lavish duplex, which Esma cleaned Monday, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Isaac was a clean freak so the house was pretty much clean all the time anyway.

Esma would just wipe a table or two and spend the rest of her hours with the teenage boy like he was her son, and Isaac would readily tell her anything because he saw her as his mother.

If anyone knew where Isaac was, it would be her.

"He didn't say bye to you?"

I nodded, speaking through a mouth filled with biscuits. "Yes. The bloody idiot just left."

"Who's a bloody idiot?"

Hugh waltzed into the kitchen, staring at us with curious eyes. Wally's face was pale and so was Esma's.

"Um honey, you shouldn't say that word."

"Why not? Sarah says it all the time."

Esma glared at me.

I smiled sheepishly. "I may have uttered a few inappropriate words in his presence once. Or twice. Or more."

She turned to her son. "Hugh, what exactly does Sarah say in your presence?"

The boy frowned in thought. "Uh, one time you said she said the guy at the shopping centre is a bloody moron and everyone knows he was wearing a fucking wig ..."

Esma cut him off by closing his mouth, doing a quick sign of the cross before glaring at me again. "If he starts to swear before he turns ten, I'll find you, Isaac and Todd and break your bones."

"Hey!" I protested, pointed at Wally. "How come she's not in the list?"

"Because unlike you three, my language is PG." Wally replied, flicking my nose.

"Hugh why don't you go watch television?"

"Okay mummy." The boy ran back out.

After Esma spent the next ten minutes lecturing me on the importance of not swearing in front of kids, she went to the topic at hand.

"He got a call two weeks ago. From Pascal."

I stiffened. Pascal. Isaac's older brother. They were blood related alright but not exactly best friends.

Wally voiced my thoughts. "Why would Pascal call him?"

"I admit, I was surprised myself when he told me. Since Isaac won't give his magnificent voice a shot because he doesn't want to get into the hassle of the music industry, and Pascal's made it big, he invited him to come on his Live it down tour. And maybe live with him again."

I nodded grimly. "And he said yes."

Silence, much needed silence fell as Wally and I processed the news. I didn't even notice I was crying until Esma reached over to wipe a tear from my cheek.

"I'm really sorry he didn't say goodbye to you."

I sniffed. "Do you know where he is?"

"Sydney."

I nodded again and she wiped another tear from my cheek. "I'm really sorry dear."

"Sorry Sarah." Wally said.

"Mum?" A small voice asked. "Why is Sarah crying?"

Esma turned to look at her son. "Hugh, I told you to watch TV. Go now."

"No it's fine." I got to my feet, stretching out my arms. "Come Hugh."

He quickly threw his arms around me, hugging me tightly. "Don't be sad Sarah. I don't like seeing you sad."

"Don't worry Hugh. I'm not sad. I'm fine." I stared at the wall, determination suddenly flowing through my veins. "I am very fine."

I let go of him, turning to Esma. "Thank you very much, Wallace and I will be leaving now."

Wally immediately stood up, sensing trouble immediately I mentioned her full name. Her eyes narrowed. "Yes, we will be leaving now. Thank you."

After hurried goodbyes, we marched out of the house.

Or more accurately, I marched out in long furious strides as I was tall while Wally struggled to keep up with me. Which meant she had to run and running or any form of exercise for that matter, is not her thing.

"Wait!" She panted behind me. "Stop!" Pant. "Walking!" Pant. "So!" Pant. "Fast!" Pant. "Please!"

I grunted, stopping. She was still running, unaware that I had stopped and crashed into me, making us fall to the ground, me taking most of the impact.

Instead of getting off me so we could get back up, she decided to yell at me.

While we were lying. On the ground. And she was on top of me.

"Why did you have to walk so fast you moron? I think your doctor wasn't right when he said you're not bipolar. How can you be sad one moment and angry the next?"

"I'm not angry. I'm determined."

"Determined to do what?"

I grinned. "Isaac wanted a worthy break up right?" The grin dropped. "Well he's getting one."

She shook her head. "Oh no. Don't tell me ..."

"Yes. I'm going to Australia."

∆∆∆∆∆

I'm 5'8

I want to be taller.

My friends think I'm mad.