The Empty Nest by Fiona Palmer Page B

so full. It had been especially bad on the days that Paul didn’t need her help around the farm. Even their dog, Gus, was out with Paul. Some days she went and sat in the chook pen so she wasn’t alone.
    â€˜So did you have a good Easter holiday, Gracie?’ Sandi climbed up beside her on the boulder and they looked out over the area. They were just high enough that they could see the whole farm.
    â€˜Loved it, Mum. It was the best!’
    Sandi had made a point of collecting wood for a few bonfires for the kids, and had ensured that their little Corolla was running as well as the motorbikes. They had been yabbying, had camped out at Rocky and had also had a big Easter egg hunt. She’d had a whole term to plan their return and make it special.
    â€˜Makes me sad to leave again,’ said Gracie in a small voice. ‘I miss this place. I miss you and Dad and Gus.’ She turned her head towards the gentle breeze.
    â€˜I know, baby. I’m going to miss you too. But I bet your friends will be dying to catch up with you. And you can call and text me any time, you know that.’
    Gracie nodded her head before shimmying off the boulder to pick up a small stone and throw it. Then she lifted the base of a flat rock, looking for lizards.
    Sandi had been adamant that her kids would not have mobile phones, but with Gracie leaving home so early she wanted her to be able to call at any time. Ironically, now it was Sandi who behaved like a teenager with her mobile glued to her side, forever waiting for a message or a call. How mums had survived without them, she’d never know.
    â€˜I guess I’ll miss the orchids and all the wildflowers too,’ said Gracie as she stared at the base of a bush where a cluster of Donkey Orchids always grew.
    Sandi went and put her arm around her. ‘I’ll take you lots of photos. Come on, we’d better head back or Dad’ll be home looking for his smoko and Jack’ll have eaten it all.’
    â€˜He’ll have eaten everything. He looks like a praying mantis but he eats like an elephant.’
    Sandi laughed. Gracie sure had a way with words. ‘Do you know, I think you’re spot on.’
    â€˜If he’s not eating, he’ll be on his motorbike. I bet you.’
    â€˜That’s a bet I’m not willing to make.’
    They took their time walking home ambling along to watch the birds or look for bobtail tracks. Gracie was lagging behind and Sandi figured she didn’t want to get home and pack for school any sooner.
    Back near the house, away from the paddocks the bush opened up onto tall salmon gums and the sheds. By the house was the large tank with the house water and Sandi’s vegetable garden behind it. She couldn’t see Paul’s ute so maybe he hadn’t come by yet. She hoped he’d got the last of the spraying done so he could drive them all to Perth tomorrow to take the kids back together. After having them home for a few weeks, Sandi didn’t know how she’d be able to leave, if Paul wasn’t there to pull her away.
    Gracie ran into the house, heading straight to her room. Jack was at the table in the kitchen eating a muffin and engrossed in his motorbike magazine. There was an empty plate before him.
    Jack looked up, flipping his hair from his eyes. ‘Don’t look at me like that, Mum. I promise I didn’t eat them all. Dad was just here for smoko.’
    â€˜Oh, he’s gone already?’
    â€˜Yep.’
    â€˜He didn’t need me?’
    â€˜Nope.’
    â€˜Did he say if he’d got the spraying done?’
    Jack shrugged, his focus already back on the magazine.
    â€˜Have you packed for tomorrow?’
    â€˜Some.’
    Sandi soon found out that ‘some’ meant Jack’s bag was open and socks had been thrown at it. Gracie’s room was a different story: her bag was packed and sitting beside the bed. She also had her school stuff set out beside it.