Charlie: Yes. Of course. But I’m not there yet.
My stomach sinks. He told you that in Hawaii.
Derrick: I know. Sorry. I’m all in my feelings.
Charlie: You never have to apologize for being honest with me.
Derrick: You don’t think I’m being weird.
Charlie: No. Never. I love your honesty. You wear your heart on your sleeve. But I do have to be honest, D, I can’t give you that happily ever after yet.
Derrick: I know … I’m just in my feels.
Charlie: I get it.
Derrick: Forget I said anything.
Charlie: Never. Just please give me time and faith because I swear, I believe I can be everything you’re looking for.
Tears fall down my cheeks. Oh shit.
Derrick: I’ll be waiting for you, don’t worry.
Charlie: I’m working hard for you.
Derrick: Fuck. I miss you. Can’t wait to see you.
Charlie: Me too. When you know dates, I’ll be ready and waiting for you.
“Is everyone ready?” Stacey asks. The family is spreading the ashes today, under the big gum tree that overlooks the dam, a special place for them all. We jump into the farm Ute, and all the kids pile into the back, each holding an urn. We make the journey out to the old gum tree. Oscar helps the girls out of the Ute, and they dust themselves off and head toward the tree. This is heartbreaking. Sienna and I hold hands as we walk toward an old picnic table sitting beside the now dried-up bank of the dam. The sun is beginning to set as we all stop and look out over the landscape.
“Did you see that?” Hunter points to the four kangaroos hopping along the horizon.
Well damn, if that isn’t a sign. Sienna and I squeeze each other’s hands.
“There are four,” Jennifer counts.
“That’s a sign.” Stacey smiles, taking in the moment as does the rest of the family. “Does anyone want to say any words?”
“Love you, Mum, Dad, Pop, and Nan,” Amelia starts.
“Miss you all.” Jennifer sniffles. Becca shakes her head, too overcome with emotion.
“Look, star.” Lockie points to the lone star rising in the orange-streaked sky.
“Are you all ready?” Stacey asks, looking nervously at her family. “Goodbye, guys. We hope you’re happy together. Miss you all. I promise to look after everyone,” Stacey says through her tears. Then, one by one, they each pour the ashes out, the wind taking them, scattering them across the red earth. The four kangaroos stay on the horizon until the very last speck of ash has blown away. Then they bound off into the darkness.
“I can’t believe it’s over,” Hunter says to the group.
The kids have asked Sienna and me to join in on the family meeting. We leave for LA tomorrow so it’s our last night together.
“Is everything okay?” Stacey asks as she walks into the room, her eyes landing on her family, then us.
“We want to talk about what happens next,” Amelia tells her. Stacey looks confused and takes a seat.
“Hear them out before you say anything,” Oscar warns Stacey. Sienna and I head over and take over from Hunter, who is playing cars with Lockie.
“We’ve been talking …” Amelia starts. “Oscar, can you …?”
