March Stephenson

Chapter 67

March Stephenson

Maxieplus

Our town didn't settle down, there were a lot of day trippers, and I sort of hated the fact that it had turned into a sex fest for tourists. The calendar was an enormous success, but it brought some unwanted attention to where it was born. Hoons drove up and down the streets mooning shoppers, girls with their tits out hung out car doors. Brenda said it would settle down soon when they got sick of driving up to the hills. They were city people doing this, there is no way they were local, or from nearby towns. This Day Tonight did a piece on it and sales soared. She was begged to send orders overseas but held fast. There was a lot of money to be made if she wanted to put our town on a global map, but apart from the unwanted attention she held onto her principles. This was for the town clubs, nothing more.

I sat with her not long after, it was hard to try and wipe the smile off her face. We had done well and were about to do even better when I pitched my next big idea.

She sat and listened. I had already lined up thirty or so local businesses to donate goods and services. The raffle can be council-run, to raise money for works in town. She also said she had been looking into the museum and information centre, the government will finance the Info shop, but the museum will have to be funded by a committee. I told her the book would raise enough money to set it up, but it would be an ongoing and probably exhausting constant money-raising venture. Yes, there will be donation boxes, but a lot of visitors ignore them. I said the committee would buy a small tourist bus and do tours of the area and I had to get someone in who is familiar with that sort of thing. Jan and Michelle were up to date on all that stuff but if the museum fails then it wasn't meant to be.

I also told her about Daniel's nature reserve, and how March is going to dismantle the little park he had started. She was glad something had been done about it.

"Nicky, most of the time March walked around in shock, I don't think he had any idea what he was going to do. It was a hard time for him, leaving the farm and his parents dying, but he never complained."

"Yes, we are working on that Brenda. The reserve is the first step."

I have opened up a can of worms and it looks like that museum may never open, but we had to give it a try.

It was when I talked to March about it he suggested something. The two homes he had bought were old, one was older than gran's house. He said the rents on them are minimal and half the price of the shop.

"As long as the rent is paid and they have insurance we could use that, it's unique Nicky. And the big plus is it is on the main road but over the bridge."

"We had better go look at it then, maybe that's the way to go. But it opens up another headache, what do we do with the old school house?"

"I am thinking about it, maybe mum and dad will come up with an idea."

"Why do you say that March?"

"I was talking to dad, he wants to invest in the town and maybe if I talk to him again he might have a solution."

The solution came to dad one lunchtime.

"A tool slash hardware shop."

"A what?"

"A tool shop Nicky, handyman stuff we have to travel miles to buy drills, shovels, wheelbarrows, nuts and bolts, all that kind of stuff."

"It would be welcomed here, have you done your homework?"

"Sort of, I know there isn't one within seventy clicks from here, and who doesn't want a hammer and nails urgently sometimes."

"It might be pricy, the big hardware shops have enormous buying power."

"Not that much dearer Nicky, leave it to me." He grinned.

He finished his meal and started looking at the internet. I wasn't convinced it would work, although that old school was huge inside, it had two levels and an attic.

"Do you think it could work Nicky?"

"I don't know March, but dad is a savvy businessman, he will investigate it all thoroughly."

"It should do well if his prices are cheap."

"Then we help, but you haven't asked the most important question."

"What's that?"

"Will he want to run it? You may have to discourage him." I smiled. He thought about it for a minute then screamed.

"Dad!"

"What?"

"You're not leaving, I can't do without you."

"I know that son, leave it to daddy. I have someone in mind who would run it beautifully."

"Who?"

"As my son constantly says, sex sells. I will ask Mark if he wants a better job."

"Mark?"

"Yes put him in a pair of tight shorts and business will boom." He started laughing, and that's my dad. Mark is an excellent choice, I have seen him at work he is friendly and helpful with the customers and he does need a better job.

"Well done daddy." I smiled.

"That's okay son."

So Mark and Lily are on track to live a bit better, I will ask March about the stuff he's been hoarding in the garage, I did notice Mark's TV was an old heavy type one.

With not much to do until the coffee table book comes out, I made him promise the museum house wouldn't be rented until we got the money together.

"Nicky, that will be our present, free rent for four to six months, tell Jan she can start setting it up now."

"But I will have to pay her."

"It will only open on weekends and public holidays, I think the people that run these things are considered volunteers."

"She might not do it."

"She will." He grinned then went on.

"And before you ask, she volunteers at the other one, I doubt she's expecting to be paid. Most of these things are run on people donating their time."

"My God, I learn something new every day."

"I'm well up on the latest trends Nicky, just ask me in future."

I nearly threw a wrench at him. I could hear him chuckling when I walked back into the gym, that man is impossible, gorgeous, but impossible.

I believe Tom's new home has been started, and the shops will be next on the list, town work is slow to get going. Ron and Nudge are still flat out at the housing estates people want their homes finished.

"I'm going out to have a look at Tom's house tomorrow March."

"Not without me you're not."

"I will ring Faith, it's time for a visit anyway."

"You do that."

He dropped his shorts and everything I loved was on show.

"Maybe I will ring later on."

"I thought you may have seen it my way." I dropped my coverings and followed him and Mase into the tub.

"When does the book land in the shops?"

"Next week, the printers have promised it by next week."

"Good, I would like to buy one."

"You have seen all the photos."

"I would like a copy for us Nicky, just to put on the shelf."

"A memento?"

"Yes." He kissed me, and Mason laughed because he had acquired more bobbing toys. I try to clean them out because it does get crowded. But they always seem to reappear and I don't mean Mason throws them back in. I have another big kid in my family.

Rose is kicking goals she got a clean bill of health from her doctor, she has given all her work to Tom except mums and our houses. Of course, we clean up before she arrives and whatever she does while she's here always makes our home sparkle. I will insist she gives that up and very soon, we don't want any mishaps. Little Rosie is crawling and with Christmas around the corner, I see the garage is filling up again. Nudge or Ron will be here after Tom's reno is done, they will be extending our garage so I can store the mini, which now has its engine back in. March only has to do the wiring. It will be Mason's first Christmas with us, we had only just got him last year after it was over, but this year he will notice all the bright baubles and trees.

"We need a Christmas tree March."

"I'm on to it."

"A real one?"

"No Nicky leave the forest where it is, we can go and get a big one from Bunnings."

"And we had better start buying the bigger presents, it's going to be a huge year this time."

"Are we going to mums?"

"I think she mentioned it last week, she wants to invite a few people around."

"It will be good this year, because of Mason and little Rosie."

"I can't wait to see their faces, and we have to get a snowman from somewhere to stand in the backyard."

"And some fairy lights for his cubby house."

"Looks like a big shop coming up."

"It will be fun." He smiled.

I looked sideways at my man, I will let him organise all the trimmings. I suspect in the past, Christmas was a small affair in their family.

But he doesn't know my mum and dad, they go a bit overboard.

I started making another list, I know what March is getting, that porn video I made when he wasn't watching. I went through it once and decided it was too much for me to watch again, it will not only turn me on, but March will be unstoppable.

"We had better start cleaning out the garage too, Ron won't be far away with the refit."

"All in hand Nicky, I will store some of it in the cubby, but I doubt he won't start until after the new year."

"Good, then we pick some stuff out to give to Lily and Mark, there are three TVs in there."

"I won't give them the big one but the other ones are just as good."

"I will go through it." I grinned.

He will start hiding things now, he's very possessive of his treats.

"Mum and dad, what do we buy them?"

"I have no idea Nicky, and I will leave that up to you."

"They have everything, perhaps a nice family photo. I will think about it."

"You do that." His hand slid up my shorts.

Mason started noticing the little things, first, it was his play school. Louise had started to decorate it, and then May's Cafe had to get into the spirit. Faith had insisted when we come out to the farm we come at dusk because all her lights were up. Mason will love that big fairyland look.

"Don't go overboard March, he will get enough stuff off everyone else."

"I am only getting him four things, Nicky."

"What, pray tell?"

"Three chooks and a coop, I will pick them up Christmas Eve so he will get a surprise in the morning."

"Good thinking, I might buy him a horse." He looked at me and said.

"He already has one."

"Sorry, I forgot about 'Hank' "

As the days went on, the book hit the streets and again, it was a winner. Brenda advertised it on the local page and the rush was instant. March got himself a copy and placed it in our bookcase that night. Jan and Michelle were working hard to get the museum up and running, they didn't go overboard and Barry did the signage. The money was rolling in and a special account was opened. I had a lot of faith in them because they knew what they were doing.

Around six we followed mum and dad out to the farm. March parked at the front gate and let Mason out to look at the farmhouse, it was lit up like a Christmas tree. He screamed more when he spotted two horses coming up the drive, Hank and Tom had covered them with fairy lights, I thought my son was going to faint, my husband was almost there. He had never seen his old house looking so beautiful. Mason was placed on Hank's horse and they slowly walked down the road to the farm yard. Faith was standing there in her Christmas outfit, I could see her eyes glisten and wondered if that was for Mase or March. Both of them ran around the yard looking at the bushes that were lit up and the biggest Santa I had ever seen sitting on their roof.

"It looks wonderful my friend, what a magical place."

"It's for the grandkids, we always do something." She hugged me and we watched her adopted grandson run around the yard.

"It's not finished yet but you can see the difference already," Tom said.

"Well, we will have a look anyway."

Hank took Mason again and we all walked to the other house, it wasn't that far away, and March moaned because he should have a horse also.

It was beautiful and Tom was right, I could imagine the finished product, they were doing an expert job. I noticed the new furnishings, the contemporary look is what Tom is aiming for and doing a great job at it too.

He let March take Mason back to the main house and we all sat at the table while March and Mason sat in the yard looking at the lights.

I had no idea what was going through March's head but I did decide he probably didn't have any of this stuff while growing up here. It had been either school or work with him, no time for frivolities.

Our meal was the usual fare, roast beef, and when the kids were called in March was hungry, again.

Dad left a little earlier than us, and we drove mum home, when we turned the corner into our street I knew why, as I said my parents go all out for Christmas. Their house was lit up also, with reindeer on the roof and Santa and his sled, lights everywhere, although it wasn't wasted on March, it was on my son, he was fast asleep in the back.

"We will try to keep him awake tomorrow night so he can come and see it mum."

She laughed and replied.

"Yes you do that, your father is so proud of his work," I remember all the lights we had on our old house, dad started two months before Christmas setting it all up.

"That was awesome Nicky, I never have seen so many lights." March and I were putting Mase to bed.

"They go all out, dad has done that every year."

"They don't here Nicky, old lady Purcell up the road from the farm used to put some lights on her porch and we used to go and watch them, but I haven't heard of anyone else doing it."

"I'm sure this Christmas everyone will be doing it March, we had better go for a drive around town one night."

"Nicky, can I?"

"Yes go, dad will leave them on all night." He was out that door before I could hug him, I knew he would take his time looking at the house. so I don't expect him home anytime soon.

I uploaded the photos I had taken of the farm and dad's place, and as I suspected many others had done the same. I don't think March went out much at night, he has missed all of this.

I also suspected he would be buying up big when we hit the hardware store, they seem to always have plenty of lights and blow-up things around this time of year.

He took his time, almost an hour, and told me he sat on the nature strip just watching dad's lights. I indulged him and then showed him the other homes that had done a similar thing. He wanted to get to bed early so he would have plenty of sleep because he had plans to cruise the town tomorrow night.

We did sleep well, and he was like a bunny full of beans the next morning, making a list of houses to call past.

"When are we going to the hardware shop Nicky?"

"Whenever you have time March."

"Can we go today?"

"Of course we can." I knew he would want to go as soon as possible.

"I will get May to pack us a picnic."

"Good,

Mason wouldn't shut up about the lights and when we drove past dad's he was disappointed he had missed them, but that didn't stop March from stopping and showing him the blow-up Santa on the roof.

The impact of it all will hit Mase tonight.

The hardware shop was busy and we both had a trolly. Mase rode in the kiddy seat happily trying to sing along with the Christmas music. When we saw the displays it was a feeding fest, no prices were looked at and if March wanted it, he got it.

"Are you trying to outdo dad?"

"No Nicky, I just want some for Mason, there's a big tree over there have you got room for it?"

"I will cope." And I will have to carry it also.

"Oh we need some for 'Sheep ' and 'Hank' "

"Over there March, get some solar ones so they don't trip over the cords."

The questions were coming thick and fast, I had to pull him up because he had created a lot of work for us to do. My snowman was the bulkiest item, and he landed up under my arms as we went through the checkout.

We spoke to Dianne, March's friend and as she played with Mase, she also organised a staff discount for us.

The old picnic grounds were once again deserted, March was on such a high he had forgotten we made love here the last time. I sat patiently while he rattled off what he was going to do. The Christmas tree will be set up in the family room, Mason can help decorate it.

"March didn't you have a Christmas tree?"

"Yes Nicky, we had one but it wasn't as big as ours. Mum didn't like the mess they made and I'm sorry to say there weren't many presents around it. Not that they couldn't afford it, they were practical and only bought us necessary things like clothes and books, things like that. Mason's tree is going to have loads of toys and no clothes."

"So no lights at all?"

"Not a necessary thing to have, I had found some broken ones and was trying to fix them but mum saw them and threw them out. I never bothered after that. May always had a tree when she moved into town, it was nice."

"Okay I get it, this year we have our family Christmas, for us."

"Yes Nicky, keep up."

"Sorry."

There was no lovemaking and the trip home was swift, when we got to the garage he spoke to dad and he was going to help him.

"My God Nicky, he wont use all of those lights. But don't worry leave it all to me." Dad said to me later on.

I sat with May and we had a bit of a giggle because her mum did have lights, it was March that didn't notice them back then. He was too busy with the farm and he always went to bed early, things like that didn't interest him.

"It's good he's doing that for Mason Nicky, he's going to love his lights and things."

"I got him a snowman, he will love that too."

"Then you can make him a real one if the snow comes."

I pulled my breath in remembering the snowman I had made, but I will have to man up and bring him back. Although he will melt in the thaw, at least I can have him for a month or so. It was a frenzy when we got home, March had his ladder out and the whole of the porch had a draping line of lights attached to it. He didn't get on the roof, but he did place them around the windows and doors, it was getting late by the time he got through half of them and wanted to go for a drive. It had just gone on dusk as we bundled Mase and Sunny into the car. Eyes were everywhere and March had to get out at every house that was lit up and take photos. Mason wanted to go see dad and mum, but March was too busy. Lily's house didn't have any, I will talk March into giving some of his away by leaving them on the doorstep. Rose had a tree in the window and Joel's house was the best, it was covered in lights.

Mase fell asleep so I told my husband to head on home. That's the downside of light spotting, it gets too late for the little ones.

We put him to bed then March wanted to do some of the tree. I looked him in the eye and said.

"Let's not, let's go to bed it's late."

"I suppose so Nicky, we can do it tomorrow then."

"Yes, tomorrow."

He was preoccupied, so I didn't get anything that night. Everyone was dog tired in the morning, a whiney kid and a yawning husband, I barked a lot at both of them and then I laid down the law.

"March finish the lights after work, and we will decorate the tree when we get time, we got three weeks to do it there's no rush."

"I was thinking that Nicky, I might leave work early to get it all done."

"You do that."

"Why are you so awful this morning?"

I dropped my shorts, he stared for a second then said.

"Oh, that, well let's shower and get you sorted out."

"About bloody time."

I felt a lot less frustrated when he drove us to work, I will come home with him to help it seems we are the last people in town to start our decorating.

We went to have a real breakfast and Mason had to ride 'Hank' around the street. May didn't place little Rosie on the path because although she's just crawling she does bump her chin on the floor when she's not concentrating.

Dad was happy to let March leave early, they were busy but not flat out.

I got a message from Faith, somehow she had heard of our shopping trip. She said the boys would meet us at home around three. So we won't be doing it all by ourselves.

He sat with a big smile on his face when I told him, I think he's pleased we have so many good friends around here.

May was talking about her new venture and she's been sourcing some speciality ice cream makers and sweet companies. Her new shop will be the source of many a toothache I fear.

Mason was exhausted when we got back to the gym, I made him have a nap with his mates then I started my chores.

"No work today Nudge?" He laughed.

I knew he was the boss so I guess he has plenty of time on his hands.

"Jan is at the house Nicky if you want to go and have a look."

"She's started already?"

"Yes she's very excited they have just finished scanning all those old school records, I think she found March's parent's ones, might be worth a look."

"I will pop over soon, March will be very interested."

I finished hanging out my washing and his new overalls were flapping in the breeze, I remembered when he bought them and I wasn't happy but now I am they are just as bad as his old ones.

I told him I was going to the museum for an hour, he handed his truck keys over.

"Don't scratch it." I grinned then made sure Mase was supervised and went for a drive.

The signs were up and the opening hours were just as March said, weekends and public holidays. There was some old machinery in the front yard and a brief history of the cottage on the front wall.

"I see you have been busy Jan."

"Yes Nicky, so much to organise. I will be getting in volunteers next week to help, but I doubt whether we will open until after the new year."

"Take your time Rome wasn't built in a day."

"I believe you have a crisis at your house?"

"No, everything is normal."

"The lights, they should have been up last month."

"I was busy with the calendar."

"Well the boys will sort them out, we can't have babies missing out on some Christmas lights."

"They are coming too?'

"Yes Nicky, then they are going to do Lily and Mark's place it's looking sad."

"I was thinking March will have plenty of lights leftover and was going to offer them to Mark."

"No need Nicky, March has already told the boys he will have some and Joel Ron and Nudge have some also. Lily loves fairies and we will make her Christmas this year."

"Good, she will love that."

"Now I have a box with five folders in it, but I will need them back if you don't mind."

"Sure, I only want to read through them are they March's parents' ones?"

"Yes his parents, March's, May's and your dad's. I thought he might like to read them also. There are older ones we haven't got to yet, but I assume his grandparents will be in there somewhere."

"Thank you Jan, this is wonderful."

"We have scanned almost everything, and when it's all done we will start a database."

I looked around the little house and yes it was perfect for the museum, just four rooms and a kitchen at the back. The bathroom had to be updated but Ron can do that. At the moment there were boxes of paperwork and photos stacked against a wall, old-fashioned frames filled with settler photos.

It will look good when display cases are purchased.

I took the box and placed it in March's truck then said my goodbyes and headed back to the gym. He was standing outside waiting for me.

I took the box inside and now I have some reading material to look at.

"Hurry up Nicky I'm hungry."

"Is it lunchtime already?"

"Yes, and you're late." I couldn't believe what he did next, he walked around his truck and checked I hadn't scratched it.

I ordered his lunch and then sat with him, he had Mason on his knees talking to him about horses. Dad had arrived and I told him about his school records, he wanted to go and get them, so I allowed him to do that. I will read them when he's finished.

"Was there anything interesting in those boxes Nicky?"

"Yes, your mum and dad's records, and yours and May's were there too."

"Oh." May shot off across the road after she dumped her cherub into my lap.

I feel a reading frenzy coming up.

"Why didn't you tell me the boys were helping you do the lights?" He grinned.

"Oh I see, you are the project manager again?"

"Got it in one, Nicholas Stephenson."

"So you won't be climbing on the roof?"

"Me, no Nicky I don't like getting up there."

"And you organised Mark and Lily's house to be done too."

"Yes, why do you think we bought so much?"

"I don't know you anymore, where have you hidden my March Stephenson?" He giggled.

Our food came out and dad and May arrived back, mum was eager to look at dad's folder and he slapped his hand on it and said.

"I will look first, then maybe I will let you look later on."

May laughed.

"So it's full of bad reports dad?"

"Yes and no, I wasn't very academic. But I proved them wrong when I opened my first car yard." He's a self-made man like March, and I couldn't wait to read through his reports.

I had to ask mum how many she is having for Christmas dinner because I wanted to get presents organised.

"About seven adults Nicky, and two kids. I have invited Rose, and Mark and Lily and then there will be us."

I thought she might have invited Faith and Ethan, but she has a big family she's probably cooking for.

I will need to buy something nice for Lily and little Rosie and had better get onto it.

March left with dad, and I had a piece of cake with my son, whose disposition has improved but he still needs more naps. When I got to the gym I looked for his papers to sit and have a good read, but they had disappeared.

After settling the 'kids' into the playpen I went to find them. My first port of call was his truck, no nothing there, so I headed his way. He was sitting at the bench and I walked past and headed to his office. It didn't take me long to find them shoved in a corner with all his old paperwork. I waved them to him as I walked by.

"Nicky!"

"Yes, March?"

"Please don't read them, they are personal for me only."

"I need to read them, and March, as you know if I don't do it today. I will do it at some stage."

"But Nicky, they are mine."

"They are now public records and I am reading them." He tried to take them off me but I held fast.

"Why don't you want me to read them, have you something to hide?" He shuffled his feet and said.

"No, but there might be things in there that I don't want you to know."

"Let me be the judge of that." He lunged again and I swerved, then headed for the gym door and locked it behind me.

I also locked the main door so he couldn't get in from the outside. I then sat and opened the folder, skimming the reports as I went I came across some letters. When I opened them they confirmed what I had always thought. March had been invited to two well-known colleges on full scholarships.

I quickly took photos and will read them thoroughly when I get some time alone.

The rest, I skimmed through, they were mainly report cards. Straight A's and not a sign of any other letters, It went on and on.

'Dux of the school twice'

'Best student I have ever taught'

'Headed for big things'

'Polite and conscientious'

ect ect.

The notes were pretty much all the same as I read the important information, why would he want to hide all this from me, seems pretty silly to do that. I unlocked the door and walked over to him.

"Why would you do that?"

"Do what Nicky?"

"Why did you want to hide all this from me?"

"Because I didn't want you to know how smart I was back then. You're the smart one in the family."

"I'm not, full scholarships? why didn't you go to college?"

"You know why, all I ever wanted was a quiet life, so I declined them all, and when it came time I left when high school finished. Nicky, it's all true I was smart, but I wanted to do mechanical things. I was always happy pulling cars and machinery apart, it kept my brain active and off other things going on in my life." I stepped in and kissed his lips.

"Do you mind if I read it all?" He dropped his head and said.

"No, it's okay, and before you ask, May's will read almost the same it wasn't our fault we had acquired some smarts."

"Well you beat me hands down, I got some A's but plenty of other letters too."

"You have brains Nicky, I think you're the smartest person I know. It's not about how brainy you are. It's the everyday things you seem to know all about, the quick solutions you come up with. I was smart but very slow at school."

"That's because you analyse everything thoroughly, I don't, and many times it has backfired on me."

"I don't see that. I see one very smart man who I love dearly."

There was more kissing and a few gropes until we heard dad laughing.

"Wait until my parents find out." He groaned. I moved to go back to my reading.

No I'm not, I'm being pushed towards the shed.

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