DERRICK
Today was a rough day for Stacey, having to go to the funeral home and make arrangements. Little Lockie had a hard time last night not quite understanding what was going on, so Stacey and Oscar decided to stay at her sister’s place last night with the kids. Sienna and I looked after little Lockie, and we made him walk us around the garden where we picked flowers and veggies. We collected the eggs and then chased the chickens around the backyard, which he thought was hilarious, his little giggles filling the stifling summer air.
We are now sitting on the deck of Stacey’s sister’s home having beers, and the kids are all in bed.
“I think the kids are pleased to get some items back,” I say, breaking the silence between us all. Oscar explained how the lawyer handed over personal items from the crash to Stacey, and how it overwhelmed her getting the items back.
“It’s not much, but it is something.” Stacey plays with the label on her beer bottle.
“Lockie has been really well-behaved,” Sienna informs Stacey, who nods. Sienna and I look over at Oscar, who looks as lost as we do.
“I’m gonna have to talk to Dad’s mortgage broker in the morning. Find out how much is owing on the farm and the homes,” Stacey states more to herself. “And Hunter thinks he’s going to be able to pay for it all. The mortgage, the kids’ schooling, the bills on some farmer’s wage.”
Oscar explained to Sienna and me while Stacey was getting Lockie ready for bed, how Hunter had told her that he was an adult now and that her life was in LA, not here, and that he would provide for his brother and sisters. He said that his words hurt her, but she didn’t say anything.
“He probably thinks it’s the right thing to do,” Oscar tells her.
“And you think that I wouldn’t do the right thing?” Stacey argues back.
“Of course, you would do the right thing.”
“You won’t be a part of it.”
Oscar looks over at Sienna and me. We shrug because we’re not sure what she means.
“Excuse me … what did you say?”
“I bet you can’t wait to get on the first flight back to LA, to civilization, your cozy life, and your precious fucking club.” Stacey abruptly stands up, her chair screeching loudly across the deck as she starts heading into the darkness.
What the hell just happened?
Oscar’s face falls. “Stacey,” he calls after her as he gets up and rushes after her.
“What’s going on? Did something happen today that we don’t know about?” Sienna asks me.
“I don’t know.” I get up.
“Derrick, no.” Sienna grabs me.
“She’s walked off into the darkness, Si, in the fucking bush.”
Sienna gets up and walks with me as we follow the footsteps.
“I heard you on the phone to your mum this morning,” Stacey screams at Oscar. What the hell did she hear?
“It’s not what you think,” Oscar tells her.
Oscar, what the hell did you say?
“What, that you could never see yourself in a shitbox like this?”
My heart stops. Sienna and I look at each other.
“I never said that,” Oscar argues back at her.
“It’s what you meant.” She continues to stomp through the darkness. “Leave me alone.”
“Stacey. Come back. It’s dark out there. You’ll get lost,” Oscar calls out, sounding distraught. We make ourselves known, and Oscar looks frantically at us.
