Page 15 of Wish You Were Here
‘Like FaceTime sex, but also like running out to get them medicine in the middle of the night while they’re on the toilet with stomach flu, and then cleaning up the puke and you don’t mind because you love them. Like putting up with their snoring and actually finding their morning breath endearing. Getting love notes in your lunch when you’re at work, or a text in the middle of the afternoon that says, I love you more every day. Finding one of their socks behind the sofa when they’re away for a few days and actually weeping because you miss them so much. Pretending to support their footie team even though you find it brain-numbingly boring, but it doesn’t matter because you love them and whatever they love. Love is the most incredible thing, Sas, and you should never close yourself off to it.’ I laugh. ‘What?’
‘You’re the second person to have said that to me recently.’
‘Who was the other?’
‘Lou, one of the old blokes at the home. He also said that if I was up for it, he’d love to see one last pair of tits before he dies, so you know.’
‘Oh my God, he actually said that?’ says an incredulous Jess.
‘He’s said worse, but he’s harmless enough.’
‘And surprisingly erudite when it comes to love.’
We keep walking until we come to a few shops and cafes. We get ourselves a coffee each before we walk across the road, finda bench in Bondi Beach Park, and sit down, looking off towards the ocean. I take a sip of my coffee. I know Jess has to leave soon because she already mentioned she has an appointment with Aaron after lunch. They have been renting a flat in the CBD for the past two years, but they want to buy a house before they start a family, and so they’re meeting an estate agent to get the ball rolling. It will probably mean them moving further out into the suburbs to get something they can afford. I have lived in Glebe with Mum my whole life, which I know isn’t something to brag about, but it has given me the chance to follow my dreams without having to worry about the extortionate Sydney rent. It does remind me how far behind Jess I am, though. She’s looking at buying a house to start a family with her husband, while I am still living at home, single and putting my faith in my singing career. I’m hardly on the cusp of getting everything together before my thirtieth, am I?
‘What do you reckon? Are you going to FaceTime with this Ben fella?’ says Jess, before she takes a sip of her flat white.
‘Regular or sexy?’
‘Either.’
‘Regular maybe, sexy, definitely not.’
‘For what it’s worth, I think you should.’
‘Yeah?’
‘You never know, Sas, and despite approving of your abstinence from casual one-night stands, I think real love is always something worth looking out for.’
‘I’ll bear that in mind. Thanks, Jess, and I really am sorry about Brad. It was just a blip.’
‘The Brad Blip. You aren’t the first woman to fall for it, and you won’t be the last. He is ridiculously handsome.’
‘Right? And the abs, Jesus!’
Jess and I finish our coffees, head back into the CBD, before we say goodbye and then head off in opposite directions.I eventually get home, go to my room – Brian is watching a German doco about sausages in the lounge – and start writing an email to Ben.
Dear B, Be, Ben?
I think we should probably steer away from single-letter name abbreviations, don’t you? Unless you are in a hurry, then it’s all right, I guess.
I have also seen some pretty terrifying videos of Huntsman spiders, although honestly, you rarely see them. Especially in the house. Plus, you just get used to it. Although I see your point. I Googled it, and I can’t believe that the UK has no real poisonous creatures! It says there are a couple that might leave a painful bite and could cause a rash, but that’s it. I wouldn’t call that poisonous! In Australia, poisonous means if you don’t get urgent medical help within five minutes you’re dead!
Sorry about the date situation. It sounds like it was more her issue than you being an absolute loser. Although I wasn’t there, maybe you were super weird, and she was forced to bail. I went on a blind date once – never again – and he kept asking me if I liked my feet, and then after about half-an-hour, asked if he could see my feet. I left quickly. Although I’m sure that wasn’t the case for you (I hope). I know what you mean about meeting the right person. My love life feels like the television show with Neil Patrick Harris, A Series Of Unfortunate Events.
I have a confession too. I looked you up online, and what is it with you and no social media, Ben? Not that you have to have it, but it feels like when I meet someone who doesn’t drink alcohol. I have to ask why? Anyway, I found a photo of you on your company website, and it was very handsome indeed! That’s what I told my best mate, Jess, and she thinks we should FaceTime. What do you reckon? Would it be weird? I don’t know. It’s been cool emailing you, but maybe we need totake the next step? Sorry if this is weird. Please don’t freak out. Remember, I am ten thousand miles away!
Also, I am glad I am not a hideously unattractive, wizened old woman with a hunchback and a face so unpleasant you couldn’t bear to look at it without vomiting in disgust. That made me laugh! It’s nice you think I am beautiful. Thank you.
All the best,
Sas x
PS. Most of my friends call me Sas
PPS. Let me know about FaceTime. I am not a weirdo, promise.
7
