R. Allinson - The Long Road Home

At last it was their turn. The girl hurried through their purchases. Claire blinked at the total. It was more than her whole months grocery budget. She pulled out her credit card and wondered if she’d ever have to pay it off.

Once they were back at Lisa’s house, Molly came downstairs and gave her mother a long hug. Claire watched them for a moment before stepping unobtrusively into the kitchen. Mother and daughter followed her in after a couple of minutes.

“How were the boys?” Claire asked.

“They were fine. Noah eventually went to sleep.”

“Thanks for being such a big help today, Molly. I know it hasn’t been easy,” Claire said.

“It’s okay. They kind of kept my mind off it.” Molly looked down at her feet.

“Do you want to stay the night? The boys are already settled,” Lisa offered. Claire thought about it for a moment, but shook her head.

“No. Thanks, though. I kind of want my own bed tonight.”

Claire helped Lisa and Molly unload their groceries, and then Lisa helped carry the sleeping boys out to her car. Claire hoisted Noah over her shoulder, marvelling at how heavy he’d gotten. It seemed like only yesterday when he’d been a mewling, helpless infant, small and light enough to fit into the crook of her arm. She used to sit there with him in the small hours of the night, marvelling that she’d created this perfect little creature. She quickly banished the thought that he might not get any bigger.

She strapped Noah in, and then held out her arms for Tristan. Sweet, little Tristan. She gave him a kiss on top of his curls before buckling him in as well, and then turned to give Lisa a big hug.

“See you tomorrow?”

“Yeah. Hopefully Tom will be back by then. I’ll give Uncle Jim a call and see what he says.”

“Great. Thanks for everything,”

“Are you sure you don’t want to stay?”

“Yeah. I’ll call you in the morning.” She gave Lisa a squeeze and kissed her on the cheek.

“Okay, well, be careful. Call me if you need anything. I’m a light sleeper.”

“Thanks, and you too.”

Claire climbed into the driver’s seat, started the engine and cranked the heater. Lisa waved and then went back inside to the light and warmth.

The boys didn’t stir on the drive home, nor when she took them one by one into the house and put them in their beds. She wasn’t sure how long she stood there, watching them sleep. The phone vibrating in her pocket brought Claire out of her reverie. She walked into her own empty bedroom and pulled the phone out. It was a message from Tom. She laid back on the pillows and opened it.

Tom:I’m back at the hotel. Grandma & Pa send their love. So do I. Miss you baby. XOXOXO

Claire called him back, wanting to hear his voice.

“Hey, how are you?” she asked when Tom answered.

“I’m not sure. How are you?”

Claire paused, thinking. “I’m not sure either. I just got back from Lisa’s. We stocked up on food and essentials.”

“Good idea. I got Pa to do the same. He was pretty resistant. They don’t think this is real.”

“Really?” Claire blinked. It hadn’t even occurred to her that people would think the President would prank them.

“Yeah…” Tom told her about his visit, and the rest of his day.

“Did you figure out your flights?”

“No.” Claire heard Tom let out a big sigh. “We finally got through, but they said all their flights for tomorrow are full. We’re going out to the airport first thing in the morning though. We should be able to sort it out in person, probably with a different airline.”

“Oh, okay. Well, I hope you do. Keep in touch, let me know what’s going on and which flight you’re on. I’ll come and pick you up.”

“Thanks, baby. I’ll let you know as soon as I do. Tell me about your day. What did our crazy sons get up to today?”

“Well, I think Tristan sat in a cake… Noah wanted me to still eat it.”

Tom laughed.

“I wish I was there.”

“Me too, Tom.”

Claire continued to tell him about the boys, Molly, and the rest of her day. They avoided talking about the asteroid for the most part, and what it might mean for their future. She wasn’t sure about Tom, but Claire knew she’d prefer to talk about it in person, with his arms wrapped around her.

“I think I should try and get some sleep,” Tom eventually said.

“All right. Good luck at the airport. Let me know when you’re on.”

“Will do. I’ll see you tomorrow, my love.”

“Have a safe flight. I love you.”

“I love you too. Goodnight.”

Claire nearly replied with ‘sweet dreams’ but stopped herself. She doubted anyone much on the planet would be having sweet dreams this night.

“Goodnight,” she eventually said. “I miss you.”

“I miss you too. I’ll be back before you know it.”

Claire put the phone down on her bedside table. She didn’t feel like sleeping yet. Her thoughts drifted to her little sister, Lucy. Lucy’s life had barely begun. She had all these dreams for ‘later’ and now later might never come. She’d muddled through her Bachelors and then stayed working at that stupid call centre instead of doing something she actually enjoyed. Or travelling. Claire had suggested numerous times for Lucy to just pack up and get a working holiday permit and come to Canada or go to London, or something. Lucy was scared of travelling on her own though, and kept telling Claire she was waiting for Jess, waiting for Katie, waiting for someone. She’d finally just gone ahead and booked a holiday to Spain for September. And now September might never come. Not fair. Claire grabbed her phone and opened the email app to see if Lucy had replied. Nothing. She looked at the time and did a quick calculation in her head. It was late afternoon there. They should be home. She called her parents number, wanting desperately to hear both their voices, but there was no answer. Not for the first time, Claire wished she wasn’t so far away. She’d give anything to sit at the old, familiar kitchen table and have a cuppa with her mother. Her dad could never sit still for long. He’d be bustling in and out of the room, something to fix in his hands, pausing to give Mum a kiss on the head.

Again, she wondered if she’d ever get to see them again.

Claire tried calling again, this time to her mother’s mobile, then her father’s, cost be damned. But still, no answer. Her father’s phone went straight to voicemail.

Sighing, Claire got up from the bed. She checked on the boys again. They were still sleeping peacefully. Tristan was softly snoring away, and Noah was cuddling his favourite teddy bear, Blinky. If she looked at her sons for too long, the unfairness of it all was going to drown her. Three and one. No time at all. It always broke her heart when she read reports of whole families wiped out, in car accidents or fires or whatever the tragedy was. You start your family, have hopes and dreams for your kids, that they will grow up, love, laugh, cry, be happy and be fulfilled. You don’t start a family thinking that you’ll all be wiped out by a space rock.

Not fair.

Life’s not fair, she heard an echo of her Year 10 Maths teacher, Mr Kingston. His favourite saying.

Claire shut her eyes.

No.

What to do? What to do?

“GRANDMA? Pa?” Tom called out. “It’s me. Tom.”

The house was silent. Tom pushed the door open wider and stepped inside. He called out again. This time he got an answer.

“Down here!”

Tom stepped back outside and waved to Emma and gave her a thumbs up. She waved back and reversed back up the driveway and out of sight.