Asylum by Jack Adams

Author:Jack Adams [Adams, Jack]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Terminal Velocity - A Next Chapter Imprint
Published: 2020-02-03T22:00:00+00:00

The house that Joe’s ex-wife Donna lived in was small, city small… unusual in a country town. It sat tucked between two larger properties like an afterthought. Nate drove past slowly and saw all the space was in the backyard… a long narrow block. The roof was a rusty red, the front timber wall looked in good enough condition, but the sides of the house missed out on the lick of paint the front enjoyed. Nate drove to the end of the street—a dead end—and returned to the house to park opposite. He saw the curtain move slightly.

‘As my grandmother would say, get your best china out, we’re here,’ he said. ‘How did Donna sound on the phone?’

‘Okay… curious, open to talking with us,’ Danielle said.

‘Mm, interesting,’ Nate said. ‘C’mon.’

‘Now be nice…’ Danielle said.

‘When am I not nice?’ Nate asked, surprised.

‘You can be a bit, well, abrupt, you know, impatient… have the offered cup of tea, compliment the curtains, take a biscuit, that kind of thing.’

He scoffed. ‘Garbage, I’m always nice.’ He exited the car.

She followed him out, mumbling ‘I rest my case.’ Danielle swung her handbag over her shoulder and took the lead up the pathway. She smiled at the woman who opened the door before they got to knock.

‘Donna? I’m Danielle, this is Nate, thanks for seeing us,’ Danielle said, extending her hand.

The plump woman in front of them smiled and nodded. She straightened a clean frock that was tired and pale from washing. Her tied-back, grey-toned hair looked the same – clean and neat. She gave Danielle’s hand a limp shake and extended her hand to Nate to do the same.

‘Thanks for seeing us,’ he said, again. ‘Guess our call was a bit of a bolt out of the blue.’

‘You can say that again. Come in, please.’ She held the screen ajar, leaving Nate to close it behind them as she led the way down the hallway which ran right down the centre of the house. Two small rooms peeled off either side until they came to the kitchen and dining room at the back of the house. It opened onto a small deck and overlooked a yard and creek.

‘How lovely,’ Danielle said.

‘I live at this end of the house,’ Donna agreed. ‘It’s really nice of a morning when the sun streams in. I’ll put the jug on. Tea?’

‘Love one, thanks,’ Nate said, with a smirk to Danielle.

‘That would be great, thank you,’ Danielle said. ‘I’ll help.’

‘Milk’s in the fridge… there’s a milk jug if you like…’

‘No, it’s just us,’ Nate smiled and she returned his smile. ‘You have a lovely home,’ he attempted and was rewarded with a nod from Danielle.

‘It’s comfortable, does me just fine,’ she agreed. ‘Needs a bit of money spent on it, but you know how it is.’

‘Do I ever,’ Nate said.

Donna continued. ‘It was my grandparents’, they once owned the entire corner. Then my parents got into a spot of trouble and subdivided. This is what’s left, but I was never much for mowing so I don’t spend any time regretting that.

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