Page 16 of Built

The sky is dark now, the last of the light slipping behind the mountains. I flick on the headlights.

When I get home, the house is dark, too. I let myself in, throwing my shoulder against the door to stop it sticking against the frame. I should sand it back and give it a fresh coat of paint, but somehow, I always have something else to do. Even on the weekends, there are always jobs to do. I’m often up early helping Mum out at the Inlet Views or doing odd jobs for a neighbour. A lot of older people live here in Rosella Bay. Mr and Mrs Parker next door, for example. Their kids live in Canberra and they’ve been fighting for years to avoid being packed up and moved to a retirement home down there. There’s only one old people’s home in Rosella Bay, and there’s a long waiting list. I help them out with the yard and cleaning the gutters. Things like that.

When I switch the light on in the kitchen, I notice the casserole dish on the counter. Underneath, there’s a note; I don’t need to read it to know who’s responsible. Swiping my phone from my pocket I choose the number. I don’t even wait for her to answer before I speak. “Mum! You’ve got better things to do than cook for me. What’d you do that for?”

“Hello, Luke. You’re welcome. I take it this means you just got home, so I know you’ve had another busy day. How much unpaid work did you do today?”

I frown at my phone as I put the call on speaker and open the lid of the container to inhale a smell that warms me up from the inside out. Mum’s beef casserole is something I will never stop loving. “None, actually. This was all paid work. At the Bambara Street place.”

Mum sighs. “I wish these out of towners would stop buying up all the beautiful old houses around here and never living in them. It’d be one thing if they wanted to live here, or come down all the time. But they don’t. It’s like they’re just acquiring properties in Monopoly or something.”

I roll my eyes, even though I actually agree with her. “Mum, it’s their money. They can do what they like. Plus it makes business for me, so I can’t be mad about it.”

“Humfph. Well, eat the casserole now, or put it in the fridge so it doesn’t spoil. I hope you’re taking care of yourself.”

I smile. “Yes, Mum. You know I am.” I was only round there on Sunday. “Any more bookings this week?”

“No, but I don’t want you to worry.” She cuts me off before I can do just that. “I’m trying to get your dad to take it easy a bit. He’s got an appointment up in Sydney next month and I’m going to drive him up. Jack’s going to take care of things here while we’re gone. So a quiet month doesn’t hurt.”

I frown. “Jack can manage. He’s a natural. What’s the appointment?”

“What’s that, honey? You’re breaking up.”

I twist so my phone is facing the other way. “I said what’s the appointment for?”

“Sorry, love. Can’t hear you. I’ll have to call you back in the morning. Take it easy.”

She hangs up before I can protest. Odd.

I toss the phone onto the counter, fetch a bowl and serve myself a generous helping before putting the rest in the fridge for tomorrow. I didn’t get a good vibe about Dad’s appointment, whatever it is. Anything you have to go all the way to Sydney for sounds serious. But if it was something dangerous, they would have told us. Wouldn’t they?

I shovel a huge mouthful of casserole into my mouth and plonk myself on the sofa. Switching on Netflix, I choose something from my list just for some sound in the background. Dad’s been complaining about his hip lately, but that’s probably just the usual problems of getting older. It’s nothing to worry about. At least, I hope not.

My parents have always been full of life. They’re the chairperson and the treasurer of the local Rotary Club, and they’re always organising charity drives. It always seems to me they never sit still. I have to admit, though, it has seemed like they’ve been struggling to do everything they’d usually do lately. I’m sure Mum’s cut back on the fundraiser barbeques this year.

I tell myself it’s nothing to worry about. It doesn’t stop me sending a message in my group chat with Noah and Jack, though.

Luke: u know anything about this appointment Dad’s got in Sydney?

Noah: what appnt?

Jack: all he said was it’s some specialist he’s been on the waiting list for. Why? What did they say to you?

Luke: nothing. That’s what’s so funny about it

Noah: why am I always the last to know about these things?

Jack: Mum probably told you last week and you probably ignored her like you always do

Noah: do not

Luke: look. Can you both just tell me if you hear anything ok? I’m worried about them

Noah: it’s probably nothing. Just a hernia or something he doesn’t want to admit to

Jack: I keep telling them to take more time off. Take a holiday. I could run the Inlet Views. Easy.

Luke: maybe that’s a good idea. When they get back from Sydney, we’ll convince them to book a holiday

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