“Okay, okay.If it means that much to you,” I tease.
Her radiant smile triumphant and I'm lost.
This is going to be a tough summer.
“This is Rayna.Rayna, Wesley.”
“Hey, great to meet you.”Wesley sticks out his hand, and Rayna’s hand slips inside his.
They continue to chat, their words becoming playful as Wes sits down.And I can see it already.Their eyes trying to steal glances at each other without the other seeing.But I’m watching it all unfold.
The feeling in the pit of my stomach grows and consumes me.I just know it.They are perfect for each other.This will last a lifetime, and I need to let her go.
Busying myself in Rayna’s garage, I have the stereo in the garage cranking some old grunge as my soundtrack to vacuuming her car.Over the last few days, we’ve had a few beach trips, and the inevitable accumulation of sand has started to pool in the car.My phone ringing cuts the tunes from the speaker, the familiar song announcing its Aria.
“Hey sweetpea, how are you going?”
“Hey, good thanks, Dad.How about you?”
“Stellar.To what do I owe the pleasure of this call?"
"Just calling to see how you were going with the house stuff?Did you need any help with it?”
“Not much to report back, I’m afraid.Insurance claim has been lodged, and regardless of the outcome, something will need to be done, so I want it done before the season starts.I was able to coordinate five tradies to come around in a few days to quote the job.”
“That’s a good plan.”
“Yeah, so we’ll see how things are before you’re due, and where I’ll be at.”
“No problem.I did want to chat with you about this new contract that’s come in.Have you had a chance to read it yet?Should I have been on it?”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s to do with sportsbike racing, not enduro?”
“Oh, that one.Yeah, I want you to be on them.Sorry, I didn’t think that was coming through before Christmas.”
“What are you cooking up, old man?”
“I was going to chat to you about this when you were here, but I’m starting a second sportsbike team.I can manage the two from my end, and will more than likely promote someone to manage the new team for the meantime, but wanted you involved in a big change like this because you’ll eventually be taking over the business.”
Aria laughs through the phone.“Geez, Dad.I love that adding a new team to your schedule is no biggie for you.”
I join her laughter.“Just my way of trying to leave you something when I’m gone.”
“More work.Thanks!”She jokes.
“Let’s chat about the contracts, and everything else, when you’re here.It’s slated to commence in two seasons, so we have an entire year to power through and fine-tune.”
“Sure.That sounds good.What are you up to now?Did I disturb you?”
“Not at all.Rayna and I have been hitting the beach the last week, so her car’s got some sand through it.I wanted to vacuum for her.”
“Very nice of you.Earn your keep.”
“Such a smart ass.”
“No idea where I get that from.”I hear her eyeroll through the phone.
