As much as no one wanted to admit it, everything else was out of our control.
Eight
theo
“Here we go.” Owen perched on the edge of the couch, elbows resting on his knees, eyes locked on the TV. “About time, too.”
It took the government until seven p.m. to agree on the next steps in virus management.
It was dark out, the streets quiet. Apart from Sadie and Dustin, we’d all gathered on the rooftop to hear the announcement.
My anticipation grew as the minutes ticked by, and when the premier entered the press room in her pantsuit and black-framed glasses, my stomach was churning.
One look at her tight mouth and unblinking eyes, and any hope I’d held onto died a quick death. She was about to deliver shitty news, and I’d heard about enough shitty news.
She stepped up to the lectern and faced the dwindling numbers of journalists and cameras, pulling her shoulders back and steeling herself. Her remaining chief ministers filed in behind her—a united front about to drive a bigger wedge between the government and the rest of the population.
Laura and Ellie sat on one side of Owen, Willow on the other.
Varesh occupied his usual standing spot off to the side of the TV, while Tim sprawled in an armchair with one leg crossed over the other.
We’d all dressed for the cold—jackets and hoodies, tracksuit pants and scarves—and I divided my time between low-level pacing and checking the door for signs of Sadie.
I hadn’t seen her since our hangout this morning.
“If they say we have to stay home all the time, are we going to do it, Dad?” Willow asked.
“I don’t know, sweetie.” Owen patted her knee. “Let’s just see what they come up with first.”
“It better be good news.” Ellie tightened her ponytail as if prepping for a fight. “Just give me lower infection rates or something. If it’s more depressing crap, I swear I’m going to lose it.”
“Take it easy,” Laura said. “We don’t need you flipping tables.”
As the premier addressed the room and waited for the noise to quieten, the door to the rooftop creaked open.
Half-expecting Dustin, I turned and found Sadie wandering over to join us.
The second I set eyes on her, warmth rolled through me and blood rushed in my ears, drowning out the world around me until all I could focus on was her.
Tunnel vision.Butterflies.
I exhaled slowly.
“Sadie, girl,” Tim called out. “Come witness the downfall of society in real time. Owen’s literally on the edge of his seat.”
“Have they broken the news?” she asked.
Her eyes sought mine, and I caught the hint of shyness in her smile. Whenever we saw each other, it was like meeting for the first time again, only the awkwardness disappeared faster. A fewmore days, and she might be comfortable around me from the outset.
“Just about to,” Varesh said, facing the TV. “Brace yourself.”
Sadie had piled her long hair on top of her head, and I inhaled her flowery scent as she stopped beside me. “What do you think?” she asked, looking up at me. “Bad news?”
I spared her a glance, still recovering from my reaction to her. “I can’t see it going any other way.”
The premier launched into her prepared speech.
“Thank you for your patience while we work through the most recent developments,“ she said. “We know it’s been a long and difficult road for the people of Victoria. You’ve shown great perseverance and understanding under trying circumstances, and we...”
