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"Well," she began, "I was about six years old and we’d only been in Lennox Head for about four or five months. We decided that that was the day we were going to plant our back garden.”
Rachel chuckled.
“You let me pick all the plants, even though I had no idea what would work in that climate or when things flower. We wore our matching overalls and I remember carrying all the colourful packets of seeds and gardening tools into the backyard. It was cloudy, but you said the sun was playing hide-and-seek behind the clouds.
“Together, we dug little holes in the dirt and I was in charge of putting the seeds in each one. We were at it for hours and when we were finally done, the garden looked no different from when we started.”
Abby laughed, remembering how heartbroken she’d been when the flowers hadn’t magically appeared after watering all the holes with her little watering can.
“I was inconsolable until you went and got all your paints and brushes.”
Her heart lifted at the memory.
“We painted flowers and leaves on all the fences. Big, mismatched colourful blobs. You said it was a promise we were making to the garden, of all the future flowers. A tribute to the magic hidden in the earth.”
Rachel’s eyes were closed, but her lips were curved.
“It was daylight savings and we decided to have a picnic in the yard for dinner. I don't remember if the picnic blanket was actually checkered, but for the purposes of this story, I’m going to say it was. We spread out a feast of cheese and bread and fruit and cake. I was so excited that I could eat the food in any order. So, of course, I went for the cake first.”
Bruce rolled onto his back, and Rachel gave his belly a slow rub. Birds flew close to the water, looking for an afternoon snack. The colours of the sky and sea and grass were so vivid, as if putting on their best display for them.
“You told me stories about picnics you had with your own parents in all the exotic places around the world, and when I asked you which was your favourite place to have a picnic, you said it was right there in the backyard with me, surrounded by our flower garden masterpiece, with the ocean as our soundtrack.”
Rachel’s breathing had slowed, but remained steady.
“It was the best day ever, Mum.” Her heart cracked slowly and painfully, her voice quavering. “But then, every day with you was the best day.”
As the sun began to dip, casting a warm glow over their little haven, Abby nestled against her mum's side. When the light faded, she watched the stars emerge, like tiny buds in the vast canvas of the night sky. It was a moment suspended in time, a pause between the breaths of the universe. The world around them seemed to hush, as if holding its collective breath in reverence for the beauty unfolding above.
Chapter 28
The bedroom Scott had given to Zep became a communal space overnight. Rachel slept in the bed, with Abby, and the dog curled beside her. Scott dragged a mattress in and put it beside the bed. He’d intended it for Zep, but Scott slept on it instead. Zep preferred the chair in the corner. It was big enough for two and he could stretch his legs out with the footrest in front. From the chair he could see the door, the window, and Rachel.
As the light turned from black to grey, Rachel stirred. Zep stood, giving his body a moment to wake up before stepping over to the bedside.
“Hey,” he whispered.
Rachel blinked, a slow smile forming. “Take me to the ocean.”
He took a slow, deep breath in. His calloused fingers brushed against Rachel's hand, a silent acknowledgment of the promise he’d made. Zep felt an ache deep within his soul. He had seen his fair share of death; he’d been the cause of it too. But this was different.
This ache wasn’t born of violence or bloodshed, but of love and impending loss. Rachel was fading, slipping away like grains of sand through his fingers. The ocean had always been their sanctuary, a place where they found solace amidst the chaos of their short time together. And now, it seemed that the ocean would be their final destination, the last chapter of their story.
Zep nodded, his heart heavy with the weight of his emotions. Quietly, he helped Rachel out of bed and wrapped her fragile form in a soft blanket. He could feel her warmth against his chest as he cradled her in his arms, carrying her towards the door. The dog stretched, then jumped off the bed, following behind.
Outside, the world was silent, as if time itself held its breath, aware of the moment unfolding. The grey was becoming lighter. Zep stepped off the deck and kept walking towards the water. When the grass began to slope towards the ocean, he stopped. Gently, he lowered himself and Rachel to the ground. The dog settled beside them, his face resting on his paws.
The crispness in the air carried the faint scent of salt and the subtle fragrance of nearby eucalyptus trees. Slowly, the sun began to paint the horizon in hues of soft peach and apricot, while the rhythmic lull of the waves gently welcomed the day.
“You know, I never stopped loving you.” Her voice was so soft he could only just hear her above the ocean.
“I never stopped loving you.”
A golden pathway began to creep across the water, transforming the ocean's surface into a shimmering canvas of liquid gold. Wisps of sea mist rose like ethereal spirits, catching the first rays of sunlight in a delicate embrace.
Zep let the present slip back into the past. “I never thought I’d love a woman like you, Becca, let alone be loved by one.” He pressed his lips to her temple, breathing in her innate sweetness.
Her eyes remained focused on the ocean. The coastline, a blend of muted blues and greys just a moment ago, began to blush with the warmth of the autumn sun. Seabirds, awakened by the dawn, glided gracefully above the water, as the ocean transformed into a kaleidoscope of colours—shifting from molten gold to deeper shades of indigo and teal.
