Page 89 of The Side Road
‘It’s your lucky night. I’m passing through. Thought we might catch up for old times’ sake.’
‘Really?’
‘No. You live in the middle of Bumfuck-Idaho. Why would I be passing through?’
‘How did you find me?’
‘The parsonage in Eagle Nest is not a hard place to find.’
Underneath her favourite leather jacket, she wore jeans and a T-shirt that was a little too tight; this was her standard attire when she had taken motorcycle rides with him. At her feet was a suitcase. An alarming sight. As his eyes travelled the full length of her body – boots, long legs clad in tight jeans that sat low on her hips with a wide belt, and then her midriff…his eyes moved to her face.
‘You’repregnant!’
‘That I am,’ Cindy confirmed. With her forefinger, she poked him in the chest. ‘Don’t look so surprised. We both know who the father is.’
Oliver knew one thing for sure – it wasn’t him. For a long moment, they stared at each other. Then he asked, ‘Are you okay?’
‘No. Can I come in?’
‘Sorry. Of course.’
She moved to pick up her bag, but Oliver got there first. He held the door open, and she slipped past him into the hall. He followed her inside. ‘Turn left at the end,’ he said.
When Cindy entered the kitchen, Tash looked up from her book.
Oliver was one step behind. ‘Honey, you remember Cindy? She worked for Vickie and Allen.’
Lured by the jobs in agriculture scheme for young people, Cindy had been working on cattle stations for over a decade. Many horse-mad, dog-mad, and animal-obsessed young women were well-suited to droving. Often more settled than men, the women were cleaner, neater, and usually more even-tempered. This was all true of Cindy, except for the even temper. The woman had a short fuse, but she had a lot to prove to male colleagues, and she could hold her own on the back of a horse or a dirt bike. Dedicated, she had a lot of energy; she didn’t mind sleeping in a swag, and she was an early riser. Cindy was already working at Shrub Valley Station when Oliver and Tash arrived.
In the kitchen, Cindy had taken her jacket off and Tash was eyeing the woman’s pregnant stomach.
Oliver pulled out a chair for Cindy. ‘Why don’t you sit down? Can I get you something to drink?’
‘Water.’ Cindy took a seat.
Oliver poured a glass of water and set it down in front of her.
‘Ice?’ she asked.
Retrieving the glass, he added ice and handed it back. She took a sip, then buried her face in her hands and wept.
Oliver and Tash stared at each other. Neither knew what to do. In exaggerated slow motion, Tash slipped off her chair and slunk out of the room. As she walked toward her bedroom, Oliver could see her shaking her head.
Retrieving the tissue box from the kitchen bench, he passed it to Cindy.
She took multiple tissues, wiping her eyes and blowing her nose. He left the box on the table. Unsure if congratulations were appropriate, he asked, ‘How far along…’
‘Five months.’ She looked him in the eye. ‘I wish it were yours.’
The air collapsed from his lungs. ‘Does Steve know?’
‘Yes. Steve wants to get married. But I don’t love him.’
‘He’ll still do the right thing.’
‘What is the right thing?’
Oliver pulled at the collar of his t-shirt; the room was suddenly very warm. ‘You and the baby, that’s the most important thing.’
