ONE YEAR LATER
KELLY
As I take in the enormous float in the lean-to next to the barn that houses The Oasis, I have to marvel at the workmanship.
Zac and I could never have managed this on our own, but after we'd put a call out for help, we'd been inundated.
Thank goodness for the guys from Lucky Break helping with general construction. That and lots of the digital nomads staying at The Oasis for the summer have also pitched in. The van lifers, in particular, have a multitude of skills and a can-do attitude.
They also have a knack for creative solutions, with them often having to make-do and mend when on the road. I mean, who'd have thought you could create realistic palm trees from a stack of second-hand tires, with fronds hacked out of old carpets?
While I'm the one providing a haven for these nomads, I've learned so much from them in return. The other thing that's great is the buzz I get from being around other creative people.
It's an opportunity that's led to some award-winning collaborations. The night I'd collected a Gold Clio for one of my Burt's Pet Food campaigns will stay with me for a long time.
Beating Jason Ralph for the top spot had made all the hard work worth it. And of course, I'd held the gold statue high when I passed his table.
And it wasn't any old table Jason had been sitting at, but that reserved for top management, with Jason cozying up to Brian Mackey as though joined at the hip.
It had also shown me I'd been right to turn down the ECD job, with the patriarchy proving itself to be alive and well. It wasn't until after I'd said no I'd found out Jason was only back in Australia on vacation. A nasty sleight of hand by Brian Mackey, for sure.
If I'd gone back to LA, and that dream job, my life would have been hell, rather than the heaven that it is these days.
I watch Zac, who, with the help of Josh Kendrick, works on installing the red and purple canvas tent at the back of The Oasis Float.
A year on and I still have moments where I need to remind myself that Zac had chosen me. Other times, I can't imagine this gorgeous man not being a part of my life.
He is my wingman, although more often, he's my rocket man. I don't bother trying to hide my smile at the memories this brings back.
This will be the first time we've entered the Independence Day Parade in our own right. We're not doing so on a whim, though, with our goal from the very start being to win the top prize.
It was something we'd done with Mary's 'Out of this World'float last year. Of course, we'd not found out about that until later, having done a runner after broadcasting our most intimate thoughts for all to hear.
However, it was because of the fun we'd had that we wanted to enter one of our own. No two-way communications though, with Zac still being called Rocket Man or Major Tom occasionally.
"Zac, I'll catch up with you later for something to eat."
His bark of laughter, and a groan from Josh, tells me I haven't been as subtle as I've thought. And I don't care, with that another thing Zac has taught me. These days I live for myself, not for others. Other than Zac, that is.
On entering the cool of the barn, the buzz is immediate, with people busy working away at the rows of hot desks. While most are wearing headphones and keeping to themselves, others sit in groups, discussing projects, or plain old gossiping.
Being an equal partner in the enterprise alongside Zac, I have an office of my own, which works out great, because my computer setup is far from portable. And as with my office at Sand 'O' Sun, this one also has a view.
Rather than looking out over Coogan's Break, my view is of the newest addition to The Oasis, a natural swimming pond. I'd always wanted one of these, and they were so much prettier than a normal swimming pool.
Zac loved them because they required less maintenance.
Either way, it's an inspiring view and I love watching the wildlife the pond attracts. Even better is when Zac cools off on a hot day. I'll never tire of his gorgeous body, never.
Just how balanced my life now is, is brought home when Zac knocks on my office door sometime later. "Sweetheart, I'm hungry."
"Oh, I didn't realize it was so late." A moment's confusion has me looking out the window. I've expected to see the shadows are longer, but they aren't. A check of the clock on my computer confirms it. "Oh, right,thatsort of hungry."
After flicking off my computer, I stand and join him. Then, without a backward glance, I make a beeline for our bedroom over at the house.
Despite this, I'm not moving fast enough for Zac.
"Don't take too long. I might remember the words to that song you love so much."
