DISCLAIMER: I do not own SeaChange. No matter how hard I try, I never will; Deb Cox and Andrew Knight are their rightful owners.

 

I wrote the majority of this while returning from a biology camp 5 hours from home. Every one of the bus scenes occurred while I was travelling, and although some are hard to believe, I assure you they're true! Only the conversations between people were not true!

 

This has no setting, as it is a 'future' fic. If you need a timeline, I'd say about 6 months or so after Half Life.

 

Ivory Tower

By Casey

 

My bum is sore. I've been sitting in this same position for at least an hour and a half. My legs are cramped and my back is aching. But soon enough I'll be there. I can't wait to see them again; I know a lot will have changed in 6 months.

 

I sigh as I hear the lady beside me wind up to chew my ear off again. So far, I'd learned that she had a melanoma removed from her neck, one son was a general in the army, another worked on a farm and the youngest was a financial advisor. Her daughter was in the retail industry. She had 9 grandchildren, all of whom I'd seen pictures of, and all but her son in the army were married. Her husband had served in the Second World War and had his arm blown off from the elbow down. He was being fitted for a new prosthetic limb because a dog had mauled the other one to bits when he'd been attacked in the park.

 

            "So, deary, what are you going back this way for?" she began.

Damn, I thought I'd get away with not having to divulge my life story to this seemingly harmless, yet chatterbox of a woman.

            "I'm on holidays from university" I explained briefly.

            "Oh, how nice! And what are you studying?" she asked. A woman of many questions, I immediately guessed.

            "Journalism at RMIT"

            "Lovely. My nephew's a journalist; you know…" she began to tell me another one of those absolutely intriguing life stories of hers. Oh well, if it meant I wouldn't have to talk I wasn't fussed.

 

I still laugh at the memory of leaving for university. Mum was in tears, though I question whether they were sincere or hormone induced. Max was at a loss for words.

'My budding journalist is leaving' he had said with a frown. But I knew his hopes for me were high. I'd overheard him and mum discussing my departure.

'She has a lot of potential'

'Well I don't know where she got it from'

'There was some sort of creative input. Surely you contributed something to it'

'Yeah, me or those coco pops she ate'

 

One hour left. I look around the bus, wondering why everyone else is headed in the same direction as me. The bus is quite full, probably owing to the holidays beginning two days ago. I thought about what my friends would be doing. I had been fortunate enough to end up in a unit with girls who had come from both the city and the country, although I often felt like the mediator during arguments as to where was a better place to live.

 

The old man sitting in front of me is vaguely reminiscent of Bob Jelly. Having just thought that, my mind instantaneously returns to Craig. I wonder if he has a new girlfriend? No, I tell myself. We were never an item. Maybe for a short time, but not long enough to be official. I sigh, and look out the window. Signs of the city are dispersing fast, as we enter the vast plains of nothingness along the road to Port Deakin.

 

It's been a long time since I'd returned home. Things have changed; I know that without a doubt. I wonder how Meredith is going with her rehabilitation. How Bob and Heather are coping with rebuilding their relationship. I wonder how married life is treating Angus and Karen. I smile, realising just how much I've missed my family.

 

Although only 2 of them are blood relatives (three if you count my impending brother or sister), I still consider them family. There is a lot of love in the small seaside town I call home. A love that is extremely rare in communities nowadays. It’s a bonding, sincere love that somehow grows fonder every day, even over all the disputes and falling-outs.

 

The man in front of me is snoring now. His head rolls from side to side with the swaying of the bus. A snort escapes him as we hit a bump in the road. My mobile suddenly beeps, alerting me to a new message. I grinned; the message was from Sal. 'How's your trip? I'm bored already. 5 hours to go. Luv Sal'. Poor Sal. Her hometown of Warracknabeal was 6 hours from the city. I'm just glad my trip is only two and a half hours, although it's still too long. I want to get home. Now.

 

I reply with a quick message. 'Man next to me snores, bum is sore, bored stiff with 1 hour to go!' I imagined the next few minutes would be an SMS conversation with Sal. I waited, and waited, but nothing came back. Oh well, I'll just look out the window again. Fun. I yawned. The bus's swaying was putting me to sleep, and I really didn't want to fall asleep.

 

My stomach growls. I'm hungry, and I hadn't even realised it. I glance at my watch, 2:30pm. I knew I should've gotten lunch before I left the city. I rummage through my backpack, wondering if I'd packed any food. I knew there were two boxes of Oreos somewhere, but just where I wasn't sure. I was quite certain that I'd put one in my backpack and left the other one in my suitcase that was in the baggage compartment underneath the bus. But I was obviously wrong when an extensive search turned up no food.

 

I sighed again. I never was a good traveller. The trip was only two hours long, but it seemed to never cease. I was anxious to see my family; that was the bottom line. I was going insane with wonder. I really hoped that Max had survived endless months with my temperamental mother. But I knew he would have no troubles whatsoever. Even the most stupidly blind person would be able to see just how head over heels they both were for each other.

 

I'm really happy that mum found a guy like Max. If she hadn't found a male companion, I think she would've gone insane. I like Max. He's smart, funny, and my ultimate description, crazy and unexpected. My mind drifts back to Craig at those words. I have to grin at the frequent wanderings of my mind.

 

My mind springs to alertness when I see the first recognisable sign of Port Deakin. The flag that flies at the entry to the city flaps viciously in the ocean winds. The rest of the bus slowly gained life when they too realised just how close we were to terminating this trip. The chatter grew louder; people excitedly anticipating the greeting with loved ones. Relieved smiles broke out on weary faces, most elated that the bus trip was nearing completion. All, I imagine, were just glad to be back in the company of friends and loved ones. I know that I certainly was.

 

I knew the bus port all too well. I will never forget the day when Max and mum said bye to me. It was a dark, dreary, rainy day, which didn't help brighten moods. I had two large suitcases with me, which had weighed a tonne and even Max had struggled with them. After mum's continuous nagging, I had told her I'd catch the bus. She had insisted that they drive me to uni, but I'd put my foot down and said no. Max had also helped me, trying to explain to my hysterical mother that it would be better if I cried at the bus port rather than in front of my peers.

 

Max had been all but wrong in his explanation. I had bawled my eyes out all the way from home to the bus port, and even still managed to shed silent tears for half an hour on the bus. It was something completely out of character for me to do, but I think the realisation that I wasn't going to be in my little town; my security blanket, had dawned on me too quickly. Knowing that I wasn't going to wake up to the sound of the waves really upset me. I'd been so adamantly against living here in the first place, but it had become home all too quickly and I wouldn't settle for anywhere but my little town by the seaside.

 

I spied the bus port ahead, and my stomach flipped. I was finally going to be home! Well, in the company of my mother and Max, and maybe Rupert. I was still another hour from home, although that didn't worry me. The car ride would be nothing compared to the terrifyingly boring bus ride. It would be questions galore once I exited the bus. I smiled, probably for the first time ever during the bus trip. The lady sitting beside me smiled too.

            "Glad to be home?" she asked me.

            "Very much so" I replied, still smiling.

 

The bus stopped. I don't know why, but for some bizarre reason I was nervous. I hoped like hell that I didn’t cry; university had brought out a rather emotional side of me. I'd never had so many friends at one time, and all our girlie nights, in the dorm or out on the town, had really helped me discover a new side of me that I never realised existed. There was something strange to be said about that though. It scared me realising at that moment that I had changed so much over just 6 months. I suppose change is inevitable. Be it a week or six months, there is bound to be some change in a person. I just never opened my eyes to that particular fact of life.

 

I stood for the first time in two hours. Everyone was hurriedly exiting the bus, all were anxious to depart for their holidays/reunions. I stepped off the bus, shielding my eyes from the bright sun that hit me. It was a warm day to my surprise. I thought the weather would have been much cooler, considering it is nearing winter. And winters in seaside towns are always nippy. I wait for my baggage, this time being only one smaller suitcase that I'd invested in while in the city. I watched for the sign of red, and spying a bag belonging to me, I took it and hurried off, ready to return home.

 

Standing in the middle of a bus port not knowing where you're going is not fun. I realised after collecting my suitcase that I hadn't really made proper meeting plans with mum and Max. Probably not a smart move when you consider just how hectic everything is here. There are outbursts of joy; tears are being shed left right and centre. People are hugging; smiles are spread across euphoric faces. I hear my name. The voice unmistakably belongs to my mother. I turn, and my heart warms when I see my mother, Max and Rupert. I begin running towards them, imagining how stupid I must look but not caring. I have never wanted to see anyone so badly in all my life. If only Craig was here though…

 

            "I've missed you so much!" mum says, throwing her arms around my neck. She is crying, what a surprise.

            "I've missed you too" I reply, now being showered with kisses. I try to discreetly escape the onslaught of love from my mother. Anyone would think I haven't seen her for 5 years.

            "Good to have you back, kiddo" Max's distinctive voice catches my ears. He takes my bags, my reluctance being defeated by his perseverance.

            "It's good to be back" I reply, and hug him. I never really was much of a hugging person; I think the girlie roomies life has turned me into a rather affectionate person.

"Craig says hi," Rupert whispers to me. "He says he'll come by tonight" he adds. I grin, and uncharacteristically hug my brother. This catches Rupert off guard and he squirms away from me.

 

I walk beside my mother. She truly is glowing. They say it's a thing with pregnant women, they look really healthy. If I remember correctly though, my mother did look rather hideously ill when I left. A lot has changed in that time though. On departure from the bus port six months ago, I left behind a mother who was looking haggard and weary, with the slightest of a bump that was obvious to only those who knew. 6 months on, I am looking at my mother, refreshed and radiant and ready to explode. No, that was an overstatement. I was surprised at just how well mum was carrying this baby. There was a certain grace and elegance within her that I really admired.

 

Then there was Max. Poor old Max looked like the bus that I'd just gotten off had run over him. I took in the drained face and puffy eyes. I imagined that mum had been keeping him busy. No, it would be the other way around. Max would be running himself off his feet for mum, overriding her continuous claims to being quite all right. I knew that I'd have to get him energised before the big event. I'm sure that with everyone's help, I'll have no problem in obtaining that feat. I looked at Max again. Pride is bursting from him. I may be young, but I'm not stupid. I know what I'm looking at. A man who has complete love and pride for those around him. It delights me to know that I can call this man 'dad'. What more could you ask for in a father figure?

 

Rupert. He was growing up. I must admit that in my absence, we had become closer. There were letters shared between us, Rupert updating me on the ongoing events of life in Pearl Bay while I was away. I, in turn, had been aiding Rupert with all of life's worries. I've known from the start that he isn't entirely comfortable with the Max thing; Rupert's bond with 'the sperm donor,' sorry, I mean his father, is still strong, unlike me. I do still have love for my father, but nothing near what our relationship used to be. When I'd learned of his 'certain ways', an admiration I had for my father had been lost and was unlikely to ever be regained. But as for Rupert, well there had been a rough patch, but it had only brought father and son closer together. I had an underlying feeling that Rupert wanted to live with his father in Port Deakin, something I know I never wish to do. I'm quite happy to take Max on as my father.

 

We reached the car, and it struck me as funny that there hadn't been much conversation during the short walk. I suppose my thoughts blocked out any attempts of banter that had occurred. Max loads my bags in the boot, and I watch a silent exchange between him and mum. There was a smile from Max, which was returned with a nod from mum. Something I knew I'd never understand was their ways of holding a conversation without words. They had this innate way of conveying messages through a deep and meaningful look. I imagined it was a thing that all who were madly in love did. I thought of one of my uni friends, Penny, the 19 year old who was madly in love with lifelong sweetheart, Brian. I had observed enough of their fervour to understand what was real love and what was just puppy love.

 

Love seemed to be all around me, yet never involving me. I once again thought about Craig. Things had been going well between us, and my departure had been the only thing that had altered our relationship. I wondered if things would be easily picked up again; perhaps it would be as though I never left. But somehow I knew that the likelihood of that occurring was minimal. I doubted Craig still had feelings for me; six months can change a person a great deal. I know I've changed, but I wonder if Craig has. I imagine he has changed somehow, but still I am anxious to know just how he has changed. There is the chance he has a girlfriend, but I keep praying that he does not. That is my main concern, him having made a new friend. Be it my jealousy or my lust, I want to know that Craig is for me, for this time.

 

Speaking of love being all around me, I catch glimpse of Max's hand resting on mum's knee. How cute. I see Rupert turn away, and I know nothing has changed (romance wise) with him. Not once in his letters did he mention anything about girls or liking anyone. I wondered if he was lovable, or just lacked appeal to most girls. I also wonder if he will ever take affection to love, excuse the pun. I think he should, eventually, though who can guess just how long it will take? I know he doesn't have the greatest personality around, but there surely has to be someone out there who would find him interesting, and more importantly, lovable.

 

Craig comes to mind, again. Dare I count how many times I've thought about him today? It's not today (though more so than usual), but every day that I seem to begin daydreaming about him. I have to explore the chance of a lasting relationship with Craig, or else I will spend my days wondering. I suddenly get the flashback of my mother and her lust for Max, back in the days when she wasn't daring enough. I can only say thank God for Warwick, even if he wasn't the greatest guy around. If he hadn't been on the scene, I doubt my mother's true desire for the man she now resides with would have ever been released. I also think that Warwick's short existence spurred Max along in regard to getting his rear into gear and taking the plunge into love.

 

We are nearing home now. I love this town; nothing will ever change my opinion on it. There is such spirit and life here; absolutely nothing to hate. I can't wait to catch up with everyone, learn of the latest news, meet any newcomers. I am glad to be here with my family, even it it's only for a couple of months. I'd much prefer it to be another year; but I figure that once study is out of the way, I can resume my position at the Oyster (if Max will reinstate me). Things are going to change dramatically in the next month or so. I'll have a baby brother or sister, my greatest male influence is in for the biggest shock of his life, and my mother is hopefully going to forget about her constant fear of the unknown. I plan to take big steps with Craig, stepping into the unknown with open arms. And when I leave in two months time, I know that life will continue in this small ocean town.

 

THE END