Home by Caspian M

Author:Caspian, M.
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-10-23T00:00:00+00:00

12

When Ryan dragged himself back to Ward Cove, dog tired and aching, the Mitsubishi was parked behind Vic’s ute, up the hill from the car park. Inside, Vic had garlic butter ciabatta rolls baking in the oven and sausages ready to stick under the broiler, back door thrown open to the porch overlooking the bay, as the evening breeze carried in the sounds of seagulls and oystercatchers skimming home over the low waves.

“Baby. Welcome home.” Vic wrapped Ryan in his arms. “You look beat. Are you okay?”

“Just had a big day.”

“You should have texted me.”

“I wanted to walk.” Needed to walk out the anger, walk out his shaking limbs and clenching gut.

“I’ll finish up dinner. You look like you need a bath.” Vic led Ryan into the bathroom and opened the tiny cabinet. “Here.” He held out a small bottle of oil to Ryan “Put this shit in your bath.”

“What is it?”

“Horopito, kawakawa, and ake ake, in tea-tree oil. They make it up at the marae. Ship it all over the world. Seriously, it’s amazing. Slosh some in.” He kissed Ryan’s cheek.”

Ryan poured the bath as hot as he could take it and poured the oil into the rust-tinged water. He slid into the warmth, cocooning the shower curtain around the bath. The warm ate afternoon light filtered in through the window above him. Ryan let the bath fill almost to the top, floating as the heat ate the aches of the day ease away. He laid his head back against the tub and breathed in the essential oils, the knots in his muscles slowly releasing.

The door squeaked and the shower curtain billowed in the cross breeze. Footsteps padded into the bathroom.

“You were right, “said Ryan. “This stuff is amazing.”

Vic didn’t answer.

“Hey, I went to see Ethan’s dad today. He says Ethan’s coming back. Did Ethan mention that to you? You guys write, yeah?”

The door creaked in the breeze.

“Vic?”

No reply.

“Callum, is that you?” That asshole. “Fuck off, Callum. And I don’t want your car.”

Ryan sat up and pulled back the shower curtain. The bathroom door stood open, gently swinging. The room was empty, except for the swirls of steam.

Weird.

Ryan stepped out of the bath and wrapped a towel around himself and stepped out into the living room

In the center of the kitchen floor the last remnants of a puddle of water evaporated into the air. Ryan took a step forward into a pocket of air so cold his breath fogged the air.

Goosebumps raised along Ryan’s arms.

With a burst of noisy chatter Callum and Vic came through the door from the pub.

“Hey babe.” Vic kissed Ryan on the cheek. “Look who I found up visiting Dad.”

“I like your outfit,” said Callum. He pulled open the fridge and grabbed three beers, passing them out.

“I’ll get dressed,” said Ryan as he ducked back into the bathroom.

“Don’t get changed on my account,” called Callum.

‘You left your car here,” said Ryan, when he came back out.

Callum shook his head. “It’s yours. I’m serious.”

“I can’t pay for it.

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