“She is a machine.How is she going?”She asks as she goes to the fridge and pulls a pre-portioned meal out and sticks it in the microwave.
“Going well.She really didn’t need me in any of the meetings she had me down there for.I have full confidence in her leadership capabilities.She retained much more in her uni degree than I did.”
“That wasn’t hard when you had a stunner like Courtney on your arm.”She lifts a wineglass up and I nod.
“Absolutely.I think I’ll tell her at Christmas that next season I’ll head down but only to spend time with her as father and daughter before she gets busy with social commitments.She can handle the business side where and how she sees fit.”
“Such a milestone!”She praises, placing the large, clear wineglass in front of me, filling it up with the bottle sitting on the counter.
“How’s Louie?”
“Stuck in some end of season testing with the mechanics.They’re having the hardest time working out some shitty chassis issue.I should actually suggest he reach out to Micah or Dave.”
“They are the top crew in the paddock.I’m sure they’d definitely have some insight,” I agree as three dings from the microwave compete with our conversation.
Rayna retrieves the container from the microwave and sets it in front of me with some cutlery and warns, “It’ll be hot.”
I nod, picking up the wineglass and taking a gulp.
“Do you have many plans over the weekend?Sorry if I’m encroaching.”
“No, I really don’t.With Louie doing that testing and Jill and the kids not due over for another few weeks, there’s no one to hang with.My parents are in aged care now, and I popped over to see them this morning, but visiting them too much gets overwhelming for them, so I have to stagger my trips and Wes’ dad moved to Spain a few years ago and doesn’t like to travel during peak holiday time.You’re actually helping me out by keeping me company.”She raises her glass for me to clink it.“What did you have planned this weekend?”
“I was just looking forward to heading to the beach for a surf, to be honest.Back to my summer habits.”
“You still head out at 5:00 a.m.?”
“Nah, respectable hour these days.7:00 a.m.,” I joke.
“That’s a relief.”She remarks and looks into her wineglass, so I can take her in.Her frame, engulfed in a grey cardigan over a basic white t-shirt and light blue jeans.Her legs cross at the ankles as she leans back on the counter on the opposite side of the kitchen.Hair piled up on her head with a loose elastic.Her head lifts, and smiles when her eyes hit mine.
“When did you start riding again?”I ask, motioning to the front of the house, where her bike lies in waiting.
“Haven’t as yet.Two years ago, Javi asked if we could do a team building day on track.I was all over the place.Couldn’t believe it had been so many years since I had been on one.Decided to buy one and have it when I’m home.Just to get back on it again.But I’ve not been able to actually get on it.”
“You always loved riding.I can’t believe it took so long to get back on one.”
“Oh, you know how it is.One year rolls into another so quickly.I lost track.”
“Yes, I’m very familiar with that scenario.”
A comfortable silence surrounds us as we stare into our drinks.
“It’s a trip being in this house again,” I remark, looking around, rubbing the stubble on my jaw.
It’s been a long time since we’ve been here.Friends in this house.
“Yeah.Lots of good times we’ve had here.”She smiles, and it’s filled with fond memories.“I’m sure you’re stuffed after the eventful day.I’ll show you which room I set up for you, and please feel free to make yourself at home.”
“Thank you,” I repeat and grab my luggage and follow her to the second floor.
Walking behind her on the stairs, I give her the space of a few steps between us, which puts me in eye line with her slipper adorned feet.And not just any slippers.Some fluffy pink slippers with little bunny faces and ears at the front that flop with each foot placed on a step.
The setting sun lavishes the open landing in a blaring orange light as we reach the top of the stairs.The beige walls doing nothing but capturing and highlighting the bright streams of light.Rayna reaches the top step and turns around to face me, raising her hand in one direction.“My room is there if you need anything.And your room is over here.”She gestures to the opposite side of the floor before walking towards the door.
Each door is solid wood, stained in a deep mahogany, showing red now from all the light spilling into the room.Rayna steps into the room and stands by the door to allow me in.More sunset light floods the room and hits the crisp whites and greys in the large space.
“This room has an ensuite with towels already in there.Fresh sheets and a TV if you can’t sleep.”She waves a hand by the bedside table to the remote and a charging station already set up.
