September

It came. This was the missing piece in the puzzle—the letter telling Gab that it was now time to enrol for next year, if she wanted to take up the offer of a place in the Bachelor of Agriculture course. When it came, Gab held the letter in her hands and kissed it—her ticket to freedom. She ran up the hill to Tony’s and found him under the veranda, attaching a new handle to one of his shovels.

“Tony!” she cried, out of breath, “I’m going to uni!”

“What’s that, love?” he called as he looked up, swatting flies away from his sweaty face.

“Uni!” Gab cried, “I’m going to start my Agriculture degree next year! Look!” And she showed him the letter that proved her place had indeed been held.

“Oh, good on you, love! It came!” he said. “I knew it would. It’s about time something good happened for you.” Tony had been relieved when Brian came to take Jack, but he’d feared for Gab alone with Gina. He didn’t want to judge, and he didn’t know the details of the dramas that were unfolding, but he was sure Brian was a damn site more qualified to care for his son than Gina was. And Gab was caught in the middle.

“I guess you can relax a bit now that Jack’s with Brian?” Tony half-enquired, as he resumed sanding the new handle.

“Yeah,” agreed Gab. “He’s way happier there. Will you … will you keep an eye on Mum for me when I’m gone?” That sad, lost, beholden part of her that still existed felt obliged to ask.

“You know I will, Gab,” said Tony. “Though what I really wish is that she’d look after herself.” He saw Gab’s face fall. “Still,” he said, regretting his loose tongue, “I’m sure she’ll be fine without you, love. You’ve gotta make your own way forward, don’t you?”

“You should see the subjects I get to do next year, Tony! They’re awesome! And I’ll fill you in on everything I learn.”

“Can’t wait to hear about it, love. Is there anything you need? When are you leaving?”

“Well, I found a stack of shared apartments to apply for,” explained Gab. “So, I just have to wait and see what happens with that. I don’t think I need anything … but I’ll let you know.”

“How ‘bout I drive you down to town when you move in? Saves you taking all your stuff on the bus.”

“Oh, yeah! That’d be great. Thanks Tony.”

“Any time, love.”

Gab ran off again with more spring in her step than she’d had in a long, long time. She was going to phone Mr. C. and tell him too. He’d be delighted.