Just an Ordinary Family

lesser of two evils—especially if it got her twin off her back about a real job.
“Yep. It felt right to try dating again.”
Libby hugged her. “Thank God. Tell me everything.”
Leo suddenly slid underneath the balls and Alice jumped to her feet. She plunged her hands under the moving sea of plastic and pulled him out and up into her arms. He gave a squawk of protest either from surprise or delayed shock and Alice hugged him before whispering into his curls, “Perfect timing, mate.”
“I’ve got tickets to the Impressionists exhibition.” Karen felt the heat of her phone against her palm and the agitation of Peter’s one-handed charade of eating as she spoke to Alice. “And Dad’s offering to take us to dinner at Verve even though he’s seen the prices. Surely you’re not going to pass on that?”
There was a moment of silence before Alice said wearily, “Mom, I’d love to but I can’t get away.”
Karen swallowed a tsk of frustration. “I’ve already cleared it with Nick and Dad’s lined up Rod’s nephew to cover your bar shift.”
“I have shifts at Jake’s and I don’t think you can pull any strings there.”
Karen didn’t miss the tartness in her daughter’s voice. “Sweetheart, we’re not interfering. We’re only trying to help. Libby says you’ve been sick and we thought a couple of days in Melbourne might be just what you need.”
“I’m fine. Stop worrying about me and go and enjoy your vacation. I’ll see you Friday afternoon.” The line went dead.
Karen put down her phone with a sigh. “She’s not coming.”
Peter shoulder checked and changed lanes. “Not even for Verve?”
“Not for Verve, not for Billy Elliot, not for the art gallery and not even for Shakespeare in the Park.” Karen stared out of the car window, her mind still on Alice, not the vista. “I don’t know what else to try. I’m completely out of ideas.”
“Perhaps the best thing to do is stop trying. Remember potty training? It turned into a battle of wills. You know how obstinate she can be.”
“She gets that from you!”
He shook his head indulgently. “Go ahead and believe that if that makes you feel better.”
“I’m worried about her.”
“Kaz, that isn’t news.”
“I just wish Alice had an ounce of Libby’s resilience to protect her, but you know she doesn’t. She’s too sensitive and takes everything to heart.” Karen worried at the cuticle on her thumb. “And just when I thought she’d finally found her feet both with her career and with Lawrence, he went and did a number on her always wobbly self-confidence.”
“She’s not a teen anymore,” Peter said firmly. “These days she’s more robust than you think. I mean, look at Barry Corica’s son. He’s never left home and can’t hold down a job. Despite Lawrence, Ally’s working and paying her way.”
“Cleaning boats is not working! She’s scared of life and hiding out in the bay instead of using her talents. I can’t help thinking if what happened to Libby had happened to Alice …” Karen shuddered. “She wouldn’t recover.”
Peter frowned. “You’re comparing apples with oranges. Besides, Libby has Nick.”
“Exactly! And thank God for that. Libby chose a man who loves and adores her. Alice chose a man who loves and adores himself. But it isn’t just men. You know Alice doesn’t always think things through, how she can act rashly. Remember—”
“You can’t accuse her of making any rash decisions today, otherwise she’d have accepted our invitation.” Peter patted Karen’s thigh. “How about you use this afternoon to take a break from worrying?”
Karen tried to shift the aching dread she permanently carried for her youngest daughter back into its well-worn box and concentrate on her husband’s thoughtfulness. Like Libby, Karen had chosen a kind and loving man to share her life, although she knew her decision had been far more deliberate than her daughter’s. “I’ll try.”
Peter shot her a smile. “Great. Sit back, enjoy the drive—and my surprise.”
Karen noticed that houses had given way to manna gums, which lined the sides of the road. As the car climbed, large tree ferns came into view, nestled between the tall straight trees. A jolt of anxiety lodged in her chest. “Where are we?”
But she didn’t need to ask. Despite the new signage and the fact that the police station was no longer the small clapboard building of her childhood, Karen recognized the intersection. She wondered if the people inside did a better job welcoming scared children today than they had fifty-five years ago.
“Two more miles and we’ll be there.” Peter slowed before turning right.
Karen’s mouth dried. “You’re taking me to Mt. Dandenong?”
Her snappish tone turned Peter’s smile into a perplexed frown. “You said you wanted a drive to a surprise destination and I know you’ve never been there. I’ve booked us a decadent high tea so we can indulge ourselves while we enjoy the view. I thought we could visit Rickett’s Sanctuary on the way down and you can tick it off your list.”
“It was never on my list.” Her jaw was so tight it hurt to speak. “I can’t believe you thought coming here was a good idea.”
He sighed and threw her a beseeching look. “A few weeks ago, I saw you looking at some old photos. I thought perhaps enough time had passed … Thought it might be an opportunity to remember the good times and create a new one.”
Karen laced her fingers tightly in her lap. “There were never any good times, Pete. I thought you understood that.”
He flinched at the accusation in her voice. “So that’s a no to high tea?”
“Turn around and take me to the Windsor.”

Chapter Four
February
Jess’s life had a rhythm that was very much centered on activities for Leo—toddler gym, playgroup, story time at the library and music group. All the activities tired Leo out so he slept soundly for two to three hours in the afternoon, allowing her to work. This carefully thought out routine reduced her need to use paid childcare to one day a week.