“You don’t.” She runs her fingers through my hair to straighten it out.
“Can’t help that I am adorable, and you can’t help but scruff me all up.” I scrunch my nose at her and kiss her cheek.
“Ha-ha, okay, get out there.” She waves her hand towards the door.
Mum’s still in the bathroom, so we can assume our cover isn’t blown.
“I better head down to the bus. See you later,” she says as Mum opens the bathroom door.
“Sorry, Mabel, dear. Are you off? Will we see you in Riley’s pit box?” Mum asks, coming to stand closer to us.
“I’m not in the same team, but I’m only a few boxes down, so I’ll be sure to pop in and see how your day is going,” Mabel replies, her face glowy talking to Mum.
“Wonderful, looking forward to seeing you there.” Mum outstretches her arms again and brings Mabel in for another hug.
I walk Mabel to the door and open it for her to leave. Ducking around the door, out of Mum’s view, I whisper, “See you tonight.” And wink at her as she winks back, blowing a kiss to me.
Closing the door, Mum jumps straight into it. “I like her. She is so beautiful. I mean, she looked gorgeous on the laptop, but it does not do her justice. She doesn’t even need make-up to look that amazing, and you can tell she is herself. Oliver! Can you hurry up?”
“Come on, Dad. Mum’s about to have kittens!” I tease with Mum.
“Oh, hush you.” She swats at my arm.
At the track, while I was focusing on my Saturday pre-race track runs, Koby took my parents on a tour around the paddock. They were gone for hours, but were so happy when they returned. I could see they were comfortable around the team and the pits. Comfortable in my world.
“We stopped by Javi’s box and invited Mabel to come to dinner tonight,” Dad says.
“That’s great,” I reply. Not having Mabel around has made it easier not to accidentally touch or kiss her around my parents. I’ve been able to play it safe. I can do it at dinner, too.
“We’re going to pop into the hospitality tent for a coffee. Would anyone else like a coffee or a tea?” Mum offers to the whole pit box, to which everyone replies with, “No, thanks,” but Koby heads off with them.
I pull out my phone,
You sure you want to come to dinner tonight?
Don’t stress if you don’t.
I want to come. Your parents are nice.
Plus, a bit of no touching will help with the foreplay. ;)
Aren’t you the little minx?
See you tonight. x
And just like that, I am looking forward to dinner with Mabel and my parents.
“He did not!” Mabel exclaims, as she and Mum lean into each other, giggling on their side of the table.
“He definitely did!” Mum laughs back as she recounts a time I tried to make up an elaborate story when I was fifteen and went to my friend’s house, getting into their parents’ booze. It did not pass the parental check.
I’m filled with joy seeing Mum laugh and enjoy herself. It’s been so tough for us all. It’s nice to see the old Mum back. Looking over at Dad, he has the same look on his face. Kiara’s loss in our lives has shaken us all. And as a family, we have supported and been there for each other through the tough moments. I am immensely glad Mum and Dad have each other and Mabel is with me. Kiara lives on in our hearts and memories of her.
“Riley, dear. We were going through the storage area and there’s a number of your old instruments sitting there. Did you still want us to keep a hold of them?” Mum directs to me.
“A number?” Mabel asks.
“Oh, yes. Riley would pick up instruments really quickly, and then want to go off and learn a new one. Started with piano. Then over to bass. To drums. Picked up the cello. I think we had one of every instrument at one point by the time he was thirteen,” Mum gushes, and I can feel the heat creep into my cheeks.
