~ Written by Danielle N. Bilski ~
ENG340: Creative Writing
Assessment 2: Creative Folio
Winters in Fortitude Valley
Written by Danielle Bilski
Valerie Winter has been asking Jack for months to quit drinking. He’d never thought she’d leave him because of it, but the morning of the 27th of April 2012 she does. She can smell the pungency of his breath as she puts his plate of eggs on the table in front of him.
His eyes are glassy and his head feels cloudy. He just looks at her, wondering why she’s so mad.
‘That’s it!’ They are the last words he hears her say.
The front door slams. Jack shakes more salt over his eggs and enjoys his breakfast in peace and quiet. Usually she’s yammering on about something or other while she’s washing the dishes. He knows which one he prefers.
When the plate is empty, he leans back and rests his hands on his round belly. He realises, in thirty years of marriage, she’s never left the house without telling him where she is going. Where is she going this early?
He looks up at the portraits staring at him from the dining room wall. Maybe they could tell him what was going on. Now Benjamin and Lara were both out of the house, he must seem like a pretty lousy reason for her to come home. Jack sighs. He reaches for a serviette to wipe his face.
Taking his plate to the sink, he runs some water over it. Then, he reaches for a glass on the drying rack and pours himself a hair of the dog from the bottle in the top cupboard – the one Valerie has never been able to get to without a step ladder. The brown liquid leaves a bitter taste in his mouth.
On his way upstairs, he realises he’s left the rum on the bench. Going back into the kitchen, he replaces the bottle in the top cupboard, just in case she comes back while he’s at work. He hopes she does.
In the bathroom, he combs his hair and brushes his teeth. He drives with the window down the entire way to the Perfume and Flavours factory. To Jack, the ten minute journey feels like ten hours.
On the way he realises, she didn’t even kiss him goodbye.
* * * * *
Benjamin Winter unlocks the front door and Katherine carries their newborn son, Zeus over the threshold of their Fortitude Valley home, just outside Brisbane. Standing beside the crib, he kisses his wife as they behold the life they’ve created. When they are certain he’s sound asleep, Benjamin helps Katherine into the rocking chair by the window – the one his parents gave them to nurse the baby in.
‘Would you like a cup of tea?’ Benjamin whispers, kneeling beside her.
‘Just a glass of water would be great.’ At the doorway, Benjamin turns to look at Katherine. When a ray of light catches in her tangled chestnut hair and she smiles, Benjamin realises he has never seen her look more beautiful.
Walking down the hallway, Benjamin ignores the knee-high water stains along the cream walls, the carpet that has needed replacing for over a year. He hoped to have them fixed before the baby was born. Unfortunately, the insurance claim is still being processed. The Brisbane River had broken its banks at two thirty in the afternoon on the 11th January 2011, forcing them to evacuate to his parent’s house in Everton Hills. They had stayed until October when they found out Katherine was pregnant and Ben discovered the rapidly emptying bottle of rum when he was looking for a new box of teabags.
In the kitchen, Benjamin fills the kettle. From the cupboard he takes a clean glass, a cup and saucer. He stands at the sink filling the glass and remembers standing at the end of the driveway, watching the excavator jaws release the soaking remnants of their home into the blue steel container.
He realises the tap is still running when there’s a knock on the door. He cringes, hearing Zeus cry on cue. Leaving the glass on the bench, he goes to open the door. His mother’s expression makes his heart sink.
‘Mum, what’s happened?’
‘How’s the baby?’ Valerie reaches up to kiss Benjamin’s cheek.
‘Actually, he just woke up. Katherine’s with him.’
Valerie pats Benjamin’s arm and whispers, ‘You’d better put the kettle on.’
From the bedroom doorway, he watches his mother put her arm around Katherine and kiss her forehead as Zeus quietens against Katherine’s breast. In the kitchen, he takes another cup and saucer from the cupboard. He pours boiling water into a teapot, places the cups and saucers, the glass of water and a plate of Tim Tams on a tray which he carries into the bedroom.
* * * * *
On the other side of the river, in Greenslopes Lara Winter places her mug on a coaster. She pulls a chair out and sits down at the kitchen table, slipping her swollen feet from her well-worn, cream flats. Her six-month belly bumps against the table and she smooths the soft fabric over it. Picking up the first envelope, she tears it open. The water bill. She places the empty envelope on top of the documents and slides them away from her like its infected. She takes a sip of coffee. Her pet budgie chirps from his black bird cage in the corner of the room.
Lara admires the white orchids that have bloomed. Forcing herself up, she picks up the vase from the table. She pads barefoot across the tiles to the sink. Taking the flowers from the vase, she tips out the murky water and refills the vase with fresh water from the tap. Walking back to the table, the vase slips from her hand and shatters.
White orchids, clear water and shards of glass cover the floor. The budgie chirps.
Tip-toeing across the tiles, she cuts herself. She hops to the chair and sits down. Pulling the glass from her little toe, she watches blood seep into the ridges. Ten little toes move inside her. She laughs and rubs her stomach.
‘It’s ok. Just a scratch.’
Taking a serviette from the holder, she squeezes it against her skin, tucking it around her foot. Slipping her feet back into her cream flats, she makes her way to the bathroom. Watching water and blood circle the plug hole in the bath, Lara begins to cry.
‘We’ll be ok, won’t we?’
She glances at her engagement ring sitting on the vanity beside the bar of soap. When the water becomes clear, Lara turns off the tap, drying her feet on a clean towel. She secures a Band-Aid on her toe.
In the kitchen, wearing a pair of gloves and shoes, she mops up the water, scoops up the broken glass and places the orchids in a bucket of water. Her coffee is cold, but the budgie is still chirping.
* * * * *
The day passes in a blur. The only thing Jack remembers is making his way from his car to work and from work to the Arana Leagues Club around five thirty.
He’s the last customer to leave the TAB, around midnight, for all he cares. The car is within meters and he fumbles his keys from his shirt pocket. Losing his footing on the kerb, he stumbles. Thud!
His head cracks the glass of the driver’s window like a misdirected soft ball. He bites his tongue attempting to quell the tears welling in his eyes. His vision becomes even more blurred; if that’s possible.
A rising tide of failure forces its way up from the pit of his stomach, making him vomit his dignity into a disgusting, cream lump beside the front tyre. A putrid stench of rum and inadequacy emanates, making him gag.
He wipes his mouth with the back of his hand and looks at the window. His spider-webbed reflection shakes its head. A voice says ‘Will ya quit mucking around and get your shit together! You’re the one holding the bloody keys!’ but his mouth isn’t moving and the street is deserted.
He doesn’t try the keys in the lock. Instead, he turns and starts walking down the main street, stumbling and swaying most of the way home, alone.
* * * * *
Benjamin walks past the spare bedroom on his way to brush his teeth. The door is ajar and a soft whimpering is coming from inside the room. Peering through the crack, he sees his mother sitting on the edge of the bed, a cream blanket hugging her shoulders and her face buried in her hands. He notices she is not wearing her wedding ring. He quietly makes his way into the bathroom and closes the door.
In the mirror, he sees his father’s reflection, more youthful than he remembers. He watches his hand move the toothbrush, purposefully. The hand that now reaches for the bottle of rum is the same one that reached for his mother’s hand the day they got married. It’s the hand that held him and Lara the day they were born. When he‘s finished brushing his teeth, he rinses the brush and puts it back in its case. He washes his hands and dries them on a clean hand towel.
On his way to bed, Benjamin notices the door to the spare bedroom is closed. The whimpering now sounds more like wailing.
Ben stands beside the crib and strokes his son’s tiny hand. Katherine sits up in bed, pulling the covers up to her chin.
‘I hope your mother’s alright.’
‘So do I.’
‘Do you think I should check on her?’
‘I’m sure she can take care of herself.’
‘Ben, sometimes mothers need taking care of too.’
‘So do fathers.’
Katherine gets out of bed, slides her feet into slippers and makes her way slowly to Ben. She puts her arms around his neck and pulls his face close to hers.
‘How about we all take care of one another?’
When Zeus cries for his 3am feed, Ben worries their home will flood again because of all the tears being shed. Katherine reminds him that tears can be wiped away.
* * * * *
Lara sits on the couch sipping a fresh mug of coffee. The morning news is on the television and she flicks through a magazine that lays open on a brown cushion. The phone rings three times before she gets to it.
‘Lara.’
‘Benny.’ Lara adjusts a cushion and slides herself onto the couch. She puts her bare feet up on the coffee table. No one else is around to tell her how unhygienic it is.
‘Ra, I’m at the doctor’s with Dad.’
‘Is everything alright?’ Lara feels her heart thumping in her ears. She feels the baby kick.
‘He hit his head last night. Says he doesn’t remember much, but he keeps saying something about a kerb. Kerb this, the kerb that. He called this morning sounding very confused and sorry for himself. ’
‘Where did he go last night?’ She rubs her stomach.
‘I don’t know, but he remembers leaving his car at the TAB. To add to it, Mum stayed here last night and Kate and I both heard her crying.’
‘Are you sure it wasn’t the baby?’
‘Sis, you should’ve seen her when she arrived yesterday. You know her. She always puts on a brave face, but I could tell she wasn’t happy.’
‘I can’t believe he’s still pulling this shit! Poor Mum.’ Lara picks up the remote and mutes the television.
‘Lara, sometimes fathers need looking after too.’
‘What about mothers, Benjamin? Trust you to stick up for Dad.’
‘I’m not, but he needs my help. Mum’s the one who stayed over.’
‘Right, and when was the last time he helped you? Has he even seen Zeus yet?’
‘Not yet. I won’t let him near my son until he’s sober.’
‘Good.’
‘Everything’s ok with you and Mitch and Twinkle Toes?’
‘Actually, Mitchell’s gone back to Perth.’
‘What?’
‘Mitchell’s gone!’ The budgie chirp echoes from the kitchen.
‘Hang on a sec. Dad, I’m on the phone. Just sit down there. I know, the kerb. Kerb. Please, just give me minute. It’s Lara.’ Lara turns another page of the magazine and the corner tears.
‘Sorry, sis. What did you say?’
‘Never mind. You sound busy.’ Lara takes a tissue from her jacket pocket and wipes her nose.
‘Lara, what’s going on? You sound really upset.’
‘Now’s not the time, Ben.’
‘Rara, if you don’t want to say it over the phone I get it, but –‘
‘Mitchell left.’
‘Mitchell left? Where’d he go? You’re having his baby in a few months!’
‘Look, go take care of the Dad-situation right now and we’ll talk about my stuff later, ok.’
‘Ra! I love you. You know that right?’
‘I love you too.’
‘I, for one, am all about taking care of mothers.’
‘That’s nice to hear,’ Lara giggles.
‘I am. Just ask Mum and Katherine.’
‘That’s not necessary,’ she sniffles. ‘I know you.’
‘We’ll be ok, Lara. All of us. I mean, last year my entire house flooded for goodness sake and it’s still withstanding Zeus and Mum’s tears.’
‘That’s true.’ Lara doesn’t know whether she is crying or laughing.
‘If you ever feel like giving them a run for their money, Katherine and I are more than happy to let you babysit, anytime.’ Lara takes a sip of her coffee and places the mug back on the table.
‘Only if you promise to do the same for me once Twinkle Toes arrives.’
‘Is it doing a lot of kicking?’
‘Yeah, today it is.’
‘What do you say I drop in once I’ve sorted Dad out?’
‘I won’t hold my breath.’
‘I wouldn’t, you might suffocate the baby.’
‘What?’
‘That was just a joke. But really, I’ll see you soon. Yes Dad, I’m coming. He wants to show me the kerb or something.’
‘Hmm, make sure you don’t hit your head.’
‘Promise. Ok Dad! Gotta go.’
‘Bye.’ Lara unmutes the television in time to catch the weather reporter predict a succession of sunny days in Brisbane. ‘Twinkle toes,’ she says ‘your uncle is nuts. Just like the rest of us!’
* * * * *
Benjamin drives Jack to where his car is parked outside the Arana Leagues Club. They both get out of the car and walk over to the broken driver’s window.
‘Dad, I think we better call the cops.’ Benjamin takes his phone out of his pocket and swipes the screen.
‘Mate, we don’t need to do that.’
‘What do you mean? Someone’s trashed your car and you’re not going to do anything about it?’
‘That’s what I’ve been trying to tell ya. I tripped on the kerb and hit my head on the window.’
‘Your head did this?’
‘Yeah and then I threw up over there.’ Jack points to a white patch of road near the front tyre.
‘Um, that’s a bit too much information, but righto.’
‘Then I walked home that way.’ Jack points towards the south-bound end of Dawson Parade.
‘Um, Dad your house is that way,’ Benjamin says, pointing in the other direction, towards Patricks Road.
‘That explains why my legs are so sore.’
‘Seriously, you know you can’t keep doing this to all of us, don’t you? You have a new grandson and another grandchild on the way and you’re not going to see either of them while you keep drinking.’
‘I’ve really stuffed everything up, haven’t I?’
‘Not everything. But there are some things that need to change.’
‘You already sound like a father.’
‘A good one?’
‘Yeah, a good one.’ Jack pats Benjamin on the back and pulls him into a hug.
‘Dad, you really gotta talk to Mum. She was crying last night.’
‘Your mother never cries.’
‘I think she does, just when you’re not looking.’ Jack wipes his hands down his face. He looks older, wearier than usually.
‘I’ll meet you back at your place?’
‘Are you alright to drive?’
‘She’ll be right, son.’
‘In any case, I’ll follow you.’
* * * * *
That night, Jack puts a plate of slightly burned eggs on the table in front of Valerie. She unfolds her napkin and tucks it into the collar of her blouse. Jack goes to the top cupboard, takes hair of the dog and pours its contents into the sink. When Valerie smiles at him, he knows, by God, he won’t be following it down the drain.
He’s never really liked dogs, anyway. On the other hand, the birth of a grandchild is something he never wants to miss out on again. He will do whatever it takes.
‘What time are they expecting us?’
‘They’re going to ring when Zeus wakes up from his morning nap.’
‘Maybe we should take a cheeky morning nap. What do you reckon Val?’
‘I reckon you’re a good man Jack Winter.’
Jack leans down to kiss his wife and she lets him. Now his eyes are clear, his mind is clear and his drink is clear. No not vodka – water.
‘Is Lara going?’ Jack asks.
‘I think Ben’s picking her up. She’s going to be staying with them for a while.’
‘Good – good because I don’t like the thought of her being in that house all alone since that arsehole shot through.’
‘That’s what we’re all here for, Jack.’
‘Too right, Val. Through hell or high water!’ Valerie taps Jack on the back of his hand. He kneels beside her and kisses her again.
* * * * *
On the 10th June 2012, Lara’s water breaks in the middle of the night. With the cream blanket from the spare bedroom wrapped around her shoulders, Benjamin drives her to the hospital at four o’clock in the morning. Katherine stays at home with Zeus. In the car, Benjamin rings Jack and Valerie to tell them Lara’s in labour and they arrive within half an hour.
Jack hands Benjamin a cup of coffee in the waiting room.
‘Shame Mitchell’s not here,’ Benjamin says.
‘Son, a real father wouldn’t miss this moment for anything.’ Benjamin nods and pats his father on back.
Down the corridor, Valerie sits beside Lara’s bed, letting her squeeze her hand.
Lara asks, ‘Where’s Dad?’
‘He’s in the waiting room with Benjamin.’
‘Can you ask to come in here with me?’
‘Who, Benjamin or Dad?’
‘Dad.’
For three hours, Jack sits with Lara, holding her hand through every contraction. He wipes the hair from her forehead with a cold flannel.
‘Lara?’
‘Yeah, Dad?’
‘I’m really sorry.’ His eyes are as blue as the ocean on a clear day.
‘I know you are. We’ve already been through this at Ben and Kate’s.’
‘I know. I mean, I’m sorry Mitchell’s not the man you thought he was.’
‘So am I.’ Lara squeezes Jack’s hand as another contraction begins.
While Jack and Valerie have some breakfast in the hospital cafeteria, Benjamin sits with Lara, feeding her ice chips from a plastic cup.
‘Benny. I don’t want this baby to grow up without a father.’
‘I know Ra. But look at this way – it’s gonna have a grandfather who will do anything for it and an uncle to teach it everything he knows.’
‘I know.’
‘Not to mention three incredible Winter mothers.’
‘Winter mothers, I love that!’
At four twenty six in the afternoon, Emerson Jack Winter is born.
Her son has Mitchell’s nose. When she looks closer, Lara sees her father’s clear blue eyes and Benjamin’s strong hands. In the reflection of the nursery window, she sees her mother’s reflection – the brave face that taught her and Benjamin how resilient a Winter mother can be. A mother who taught them all that, no matter what happens, life goes on.
A short scene of person building a house – their old house was destroyed by an earthquake.
A year ago, a 5.4 magnitude quake completely destroyed his Morwell home. At twenty four, he moved back into his childhood bedroom while the insurance company processed his claim. Two months later he fell in love with Katherine, a twenty three year old junior architect.
Benjamin stands at the end of the driveway, watching the excavator jaws release the dusty remnants of his home into the blue steel container. His neighbour’s double-storey casts an ironic shadow across his bare foundation. Today the new frame is being constructed. Tonight he will ask Katherine to marry him with his grandmother’s one carat diamond.
Two years later, Ben unlocked the front door and Katherine carried their newborn son, Zeus over the threshold of their Morwell home. He kissed his wife and beheld the life they’d created. When their baby cried for his 3am feed, Ben swore their home quaked. Katherine assured him that lightning never struck the same place twice, until Zeus’s little brother was born.
My time with you
©2014 Danielle N. Bilski