Page 14 of The Surfer

5

RIPLEY

“We’re here,”Sandy says as she turns the steering wheel of her sports car.

And that’s it. With a squeak of the car’s tires, we pull into the driveway leading up to Sandy’s house.

I don’t want to repeat myself like I’ve done about all my observations about Australia, but her house is an amazing place. Another amazing place in this amazing country. Painted white on the outside, the house has large glass windows that let you see into the large living space. The place is big, like all the houses we passed by in New Water are. Situated amongst palm trees, Sandy’s house is isolated from its neighbors by the thick bushland surrounding it. Standing outside the long building, you really felt you are in the country and yet you are not far from the town.

This is tropical heaven.

Inside’s no different to the isolated beauty outside. Inside, the house is spacious and open-planned in a modern style. Tall glass windows on the other side of the house look out over the ocean. You can actually see the clear blue water of the Pacific Ocean directly from the counter in Sandy’s kitchen.

Yet again repeating myself, it’s amazing.

The house takes my breath away when I step through the front door and see the view from inside with the giant stuffed Kangaroo toy jammed under my arm. Sandy follows me inside holding my travel bag with both hands. She grins at me with her white teeth as I stare in awe at her home.

“This place is perfect,” I utter, looking around the kitchen and living space and shaking my head.

Yeah, this is a long way from the small apartment I share with Mom back in Queens.

“Welcome to my home,” Sandy replies, placing my bag next to the kitchen counter. Hands free, she has the chance to gesture around the house and to show me the details. “Your room is over there, next to Cove’s. There’s an en-suite in there as well so you don’t have to worry about sharing a shower stall with a dirty boy.” She points at a room next to the front door. Cove’s room.

He’s directly next to mine.

The door to his room is shut.

Imposing.

“Is Cove in now?” I ask, biting my lip nervously.

“Probably. He’s either in there or he’s collapsed outside the nightclub in town. It’s still morning so he’ll be fast asleep no matter where he is in the world,” Sandy says, sighing. “My room’s at the back of the house, and, as you can see, this is the kitchen-slash-living room. Make yourself at home, what’s mine is yours.”

“Thanks, Sandy.”

“As I keep saying, it’s good to have you here.”

This time I sniff my armpits. Oh, God. “I need a shower,” I say, and Sandy laughs. I guess she must’ve been able to smell me the entire trip here from the airport, especially in the confines of her car.

Great first impression, Ripley. Just great.

And then, right now, Cove’s door behind me flies open and Sandy’s brother walks out, slamming the door behind him. We notice him before he notices us. He doesn’t even know we’re here.

It’s him.

We stand completely still, like statues, as we stare at him. We’re shocked at what we are seeing. shocked at what he’s wearing.

Or, actually, shocked at more what he isn'twearing.

Cove is completely and utterly naked.

Oh my god.

He looks up at us, confused by our expressions as we stare at him.

“What?” he asks.

He doesn’t know.