Chapter 6
On the Sunday Kayla called him four times to make arrangements to be picked up. "I miss you. I want to come home," her opening words on the first call.
He longed for moments like this, when there was an intimate warmth in her tone and message. It will be a home coming better than he'd hoped for. There were moments when thinking about her home coming made him apprehensive. He was a little afraid to anticipate it, but today he felt lifted. "I love you and I miss you too, Keylie," he told her. "Come home. Soon. The house is ready enough ... still a lot of work, but it's comfortable enough for now. We're about to start a new adventure ... I can hardly wait."
The woman who would give her a ride planned to come through on the Wednesday. Arrival time had not yet been established but it would be before midday. That was good. The first sight Kayla would have of their new, old, home would be in daytime.
Nathan was excited. He was happy. She's coming home. This is how he wanted it to be. Looking forward to being with his wife. Not defensive and worried about things going wrong. He was anticipating positive togetherness. She had said as much when she called. The new leg of their journey together was about to begin and he had warm feelings of belong-together ... there was a blues song he liked ... the lyrics "it feels like coming home" made his eyes well up every time he listened to the music. That's how he felt today, a mixture of safety and anticipation, tears in his eyes, longing to be with Kayla.
He was again in that wonderful state of looking forward to things, like he felt about her when they first met. At that time she was excited too. She was going to collect photos and memories and put them all together in an album, their story. Nathan bought her a number of photo albums, but they remained empty. The collage of happy reminders of their life together got overtaken by practicalities. And by rows and fights. But after her call on Sunday Nathan was again hopeful. This time it would be different. There would be a new start. Kayla would have all she wanted and there would be no reason for her to be discontented.
He keyed the address of where he would collect her on Wednesday into his cell phone navigate app. He traced the route on the map. It was 47 kilometers and the travel time estimate was 35 minutes. On Wednesday he'd give himself an hour. Rather be early than have her wait.
The list of things to do before Wednesday was short. A dressing table, mirror and plug point in the bedroom,. Connect all the new light fittings. Towel rails in the bathroom. There was more than enough time to finish. The painting will be completed on Tuesday already. The renovations had gone better than anticipated. The interior looked good. Good, but there were no decorations and it lacked color.
Nathan called Maria and arranged for her to come in and do a thorough clean on Wednesday morning. Lucas had stayed sober. The painting was done, tools and left over paint stored on the back veranda. He lay awake for a long time on Tuesday night, excited about the next stage of their journey together. He was pleased with the renovation.
Munch woke him up before six on Wednesday morning. He rubbed her ears. She likes having her ears touched and would just sit there for as long as he was willing to touch her. "Lots to do Girl," he told her eventually. "Keylie is coming home today." He put on his gown. She followed him to the kitchen. She would now get in his way and follow him around and generally be a nuisance until he fed her.
Kayla estimated he should pick her up at 11:30. She'd call him if there was a delay. So, he'd leave at 10:30 after giving Maria final instructions. He was relieved when the gate bell rang at just after 8 ... Maria was here. The house would be clean when Kayla arrived.
He traveled at a modest 80 kilometers per hour. Anticipating collecting her and being together again. It seemed so long. It's like a reunion, he thought and allowed the scene to play out in his mind like an HD movie trailer in slow-mo ... he'd walk up to the house and she would come out before he even knocked. He'd hold her tightly and she'd break away impatiently to get her suitcases so they could load up and get going.
It happened almost like that. The woman opened the door for him and called out to Kayla. She came running into the entrance hall and threw her arms around him. Tears sprung up in Nathan's eyes. She wouldn't let go. She clung to him like something bad would happen if she let go. The two women were babbling away excitedly, Kayla still hanging on to him. He didn't hear what they said. He was just happy and smiling.
They drove back slowly. Kayla was talking and laughing just like she did when they first met. It was a happy homecoming. He didn't even give a thought to perhaps she would be disappointed in their new home. She was too bubbly and excited. It seemed all that mattered to her was she was home ... the house could be a shack and she wouldn't mind.
The road home went through what was new territory for Kayla. She took it all in. Looking around to not miss anything. But still talking all the time as they drove through vineyards and orchards and pastures. It was a warm day, a lovely drive through the lush green valleys with grey mountains in the distance.
She remarked about the Iceland roses. They were everywhere. In gardens and on pavements. Almost all houses had them. Defining borders of orchards and vineyards and lining farm roads. Nathan heard somewhere or perhaps he'd read t that they served a practical purpose. Farmers planted them along borders and tracks. It was to assist drivers of big farm implements and trucks. The white of Iceland roses stood out in sharp contrast. They are hardy plants and even in winter months there would be flowers.
One's first impression is that the flowers are white. But if one goes up close you can see the faint pink blush on the older petals. It looks like someone had misted over the flowers with a pink spray. Kayla loved the flowers and liked that they were everywhere. The people here obviously appreciated their beauty.
She went through the house room by room. It struck him that this is what happens to weaver bird males. The female inspects the nest and then either moves in or rips it apart. His nest was about to be accepted or not. She liked it. "You did well, Nate," she said "We'll need rugs. I'll start looking first thing tomorrow, We don't want to cover these lovely floors with wall to wall. I'm glad you chose white and cream. It goes with anything ... easy to create highlights in any color."
He went to collect her suitcases from the car. Munch was running into the house, around Kayla and then out again. She was excited, not knowing what about but sensed this was an important occasion. Kayla kept wandering around the house and looking. She was making mental notes of what more to get and what should go where. She flopped down in a couch and smiled up at him. "You know what? I was concerned. I was worried you'd made a big mistake or you'd paint the whole house green. I'ts lovely, Nathan. I don't know why I worried."
It crossed his mind to ask why she had not come with him to select a house when he first started looking, but he knew better. She had made that decision and him questioning it now was inviting trouble. "Do you want to eat out, take out or do I make something?" he asked. Food wasn't a big thing with her.
"What did you plan for our first evening in our new, old home?" she asked. "I know you would have planned. Let's do that. Whatever it is."
She was right. He had planned. He didn't want to eat out ... mid week ... small village ... eateries may close early. He'd stocked up the day before There were cold meats, cheeses and pickles. He also got a sourdough bread from the little bakery.
The meal was lovely. They sat and talked and took their time. Kayla was excited and was planning and rattling on about her decorating ideas and what she'd do. Did he have someone who could come in and help? He had difficulty getting a word in she was talking so much. His heart was full. He felt happiness, relief and warmth towards her and excitement about the future. All thrown together. He realized the last few months had taken it's toll on him.
It was worth it. It was a good home coming.
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