March Stephenson

Chapter 68

March Stephenson

Maxieplus

I read through just about everything, the good, the bad, and the ugly, he wasn't always a saint, but he was a good student. I rubbed my eyes and looked around the gym, it wasn't busy, so I decided we would have afternoon tea and then go home. Mason was wide awake now and excited to see his 'Sheep' early. When we arrived the Wagner boys with Hank and Tom were setting up the lights. Ron Joel and Nudge arrived ten minutes later. Faith had started on a late afternoon tea, she had bought her scones and was sitting on the porch setting it all up.

Mason showed everyone his 'Sheep' and "Hank' and they clapped him as he played with them. I didn't see March doing much work, he certainly didn't get up on the roof, but there was no need, as the lights were hung off the guttering. They set the Santa and sleigh up over the garage, Mason will be able to see it from his bedroom window. The cubby was decorated and my snowman was draped in lights and stood near the doorway. It will look fabulous tonight. The boys grabbed scones and coffee then they all headed to Mark and Lily's place with the excess lights, Mason went with them so he could play with her. While having those scones, I realised something. I heard March moan when Nudge sat down next to him. As he talked to him Nudge kept digging him in the ribs with his elbow, he did the same with Joel on the other side. I now know how he got his nickname. He doesn't do that to me, maybe he's too scared or maybe he just does it with his mates.

Faith stayed behind and I helped her clean up, there will be no dinner tonight I think March has overdosed on those fine treats.

"Lily will love her fairyland, Nicky. I guess that dress will appear again."

"Yes, it's so sweet of the guys to do that for them."

"Are they March's school records on the table?"

"Yes, I have to read them thoroughly at some stage. Then his parents ones. You know he was offered scholarships and turned them down?"

"Really? I always thought he had brains, why didn't he take them up?"

"His farm, his cars and machinery, he was more into that type of work Faith. I doubt the lure of city schools attracted him. He is smart, but he takes his time to analyse everything, May is the same."

"It will be interesting to see if their parents were also smart."

"I fully expect them to be, and yes, I will let you know."

"Good boy, things have got a little dull around the farm lately, everyone has settled down and my boys and girls are all happy."

"That's all you can ask for, are you having a big Christmas?"

"Yes, I go all out for the day. Everyone will be at the farm except you three. My youngest is bringing his new boyfriend I believe, no one has met him yet and I am looking forward to it."

"Well I think Jimmy wouldn't bring just anyone out there to meet the family, it must be serious."

"I hope so, and I hope I like him too." She chuckled.

I took my phone out and showed her a photo of him, Jimmy had sent it to me just after the photo shoot. I didn't show March or the Wagners because I thought if Jim wanted them to see him, he would have sent it to them also. A very handsome young man dressed in t-shirt and jeans with his arm around Jim, and the biggest grins on their faces.

"He sent this to you?"

"Don't get too messy Faith, I forced him to send it. You are the only one I have shown it to."

"I can't wait to meet him, he looks like a nice young man."

"He is, and he is into farming like your son so Jim told me."

"Maybe they both will move back home."

"Maybe, but don't bank on it, it's early days yet."

"You seem to know more than me Nicky, but thank you for being his friend."

"No option Faith, he's a good kid and is in the best spot he can be. Where he was before wasn't good for him."

"I know, but thanks to you, he is now."

"Well let me know how it goes."

"For sure, now I must go, family for dinner tonight."

I kissed her cheek and then helped her out to the car, scones were left and I then sat at the table and opened March's mum's school records. I was right, she was a brainiac and so was his dad. Although his dad left school early at fourteen, I guess the farm needed him. Again March's was opened and I started reading everything from start to finish.

One teacher commented.

'A wise old man on young shoulders, March Stephenson has so much brainpower he might end up as our Prime Minister'

Again I thought about March's run for council. But unbeknown to me, it would be Brenda who would place a brick wall in front of him.

My son ran in to hug me, he had a good time at Lily's place, he even had a small fairy skirt on, which she had given to him to play with. March said the lights will look awesome and she is sitting on the porch waiting for her dad to turn them on when it gets dark. Mase fed his birds and tweeted to them, and then he made sure 'sheep' had fresh straw and 'Hank' was placed in his stall. I made up a scone and gravy for them both and March started reading his dad's school reports.

"It's almost the same as yours March, and so is your mum's."

"They left early to help on the farms, in those days they hadn't got together."

"Did your father tutor you?"

"Sometimes, but it was mum who made us do our homework and dad checked it. It was a country school we weren't taught what the city kids were."

"I think you got that wrong baby, the only thing different to what I learnt was Science and that was minimal."

"Well, that's what I thought anyway."

"I will see if there are any records on your grandparents, maybe Jan hasn't got to them yet."

"It seems she's working backwards from the latest to the oldest."

"I will do some copies of them all and hand them back, keepsakes for you."

"That would be nice Nicky, maybe Mason would like to have a look at them one day."

I looked over to our boy he was sitting at the big back windows looking out. It was starting to get dark and some of the solar lights were blinking away. The ones in sheep's little sleeping pen had come on, and our boy was excited because he could see his mate lying in it. I hope they don't keep him awake all night.

When they fully came on we did a tour, our excited little man was in awe and my big excited man was almost jumping up and down, many photos were taken to be placed on the local page.

I bathed him then we put him to bed, his first real Christmas is going to be wonderful for him, and March. I must admit I was getting into the spirit myself, March had put a small tree in his bedroom and before I asked he said, the lights were on a timer so they would go off in an hour. I was scared they might cause a fire.

We sat on the back porch for an hour, my head dropped and then I kissed him goodnight and went to bed. March said he sat there for another hour and I was fast asleep when he joined me. The tree will be erected tonight when we get home from work, that will be another exciting thing to do with our son.

In the morning, he had read everything and I will read his parent's ones at work today.

I sat outside May's before work, breakfast rolls were ordered, and March was doing something across the road but he will be with us soon.

"I found out why they called Nudge, Nudge yesterday." She giggled.

"You will notice no one likes to sit next to him Nicky."

"Well, March and Joel both copped his elbows yesterday."

"He doesn't know he's doing it, he knows it happens, but has no control over it." She laughed again.

"He doesn't do it with me."

"Give him time, you probably haven't sat next to him yet." On reflection, I have only had conversations with Nudge standing, or from across the table.

"I believe your records are much the same as March's," I said to her.

"Yes, pretty much the same Nicky, we studied a lot back in the day."

"Good for you, and you didn't want to go on?"

"No, by the time high school ended we were having a crisis at the farm and mum was sick." When he finally arrived I said quite loudly."I'm going to send March to medical school."

"What?" He screamed.

"March, you can't waste all that talent."

"In your dreams, I'm perfectly happy with my mechanics job thank you very much."

"That's not much of a job. How about you consider the mayor's position?"

"Shut it, Nicky."

I heard May giggle and I knew he wouldn't look for a better job.

May took Mason into her place to see her tree, I could hear the squealing from where I sat.

Mum had news today she had heard from her and Annie's mutual friend, apparently she's having trouble finding tradies to work on her house. The local guys are booked out for miles around her town. The house she bought is almost unfit to live in, and the council has threatened to have it condemned if she doesn't do something to it. I started laughing because she didn't think about the cost of fixing it up, I guess it was the cheap price that attracted her. Things are cheap for a reason.

I looked at March he had an evil grin on his face. If I didn't know any better I would think he had something to do with it.

Well, she's royally stuffed up now, because she will have to get workers from the city and that costs a bomb. My hand was being dragged by my son.

"Come, look."

He wanted me to look at the tree, and when I saw it he screamed again.

I sat at May's kitchen table with him, it was a beautiful tree and all lit up. Curiously it was as big as the one March had bought.

"We have one at home baby."

"Really?"

"Yes, daddy got you one, we will do it tonight."

He jumped off my knees and ran around the room followed by Sunny.

It was time to take 'Hank' for some exercise, so when we arrived back at the table he rode his horse up and down the street.

I looked up the road and a council truck was parked on the side. The men were stringing bunting from one lamppost to another across the street. May said some stars will he hung off it with lights. It will look magic at night, we have to place that on our tour of the town lights list.

Brenda was talking to one of the workers then she started hoovering down the pavement, she ducked around Mason and 'Hank' ordered coffee, then she grabbed my face and kissed it.

"Thank you, thank you the calendar has surged in sales we are up to nearly thirty thousand. The books are moving fast because of Christmas. Well done my friend."

"That's good news, hopefully we might double that next year."

"Maybe I had better think about selling it overseas then."

"Put it on Amazon for anyone that wants it over there."

"I will get my team to look into it, now, I have urgent news that can't wait, March. Old mister Scriven is retiring from the council and we need someone to replace him until the next elections, can you step in?"

"Count me out Brenda, you know how I feel about the council." He sat back and folded his arms.

"This is not open for debate. I have already suggested you to the other members." He groaned.

My heart leapt, and a slight smile appeared on my face.

"Do you want me to do it, Nicky?" He wasn't asking Brenda anything.

"It would be a big help to have a well-known local on it March. Brenda, what does he have to do?"

"It's not an election year so the six members of the council will vote him in as a temporary counsellor."

"And he will get the job?"

"Yes, I have run it past the current members and they are all in."

"March, I think you should do this." I looked at him.

"If you want me to Nicky. Brenda, what do I have to do?"

"Come by and look at some paperwork, your first meeting is the first Saturday after the new year."

"You never know March, next year you might be mayor." Brenda blanched and glared at me.

"Maybe not March maybe I will get Ethan Wagner to do it."

"No, I will do it, if Nicky thinks it's a good idea then I will go with his feelings."

Well, that didn't go the way she thought it would, she hadn't factored in that March could topple her from her mayoral duties. It also didn't go the way I thought it would either, there was very little resistance from Mr. Stephenson.

I was so happy he would be involved, he can keep them all honest and accountable. March wasn't saying anything else he got up and started playing with his son.

"Great idea Brenda, he will be good for the council."

"He will Nicky, I am hopeful he won't put his hand up for the mayor's position when it happens."

"He won't, he's not that ambitious."

"Then I will leave him in your capable hands then, got to go and do some work, and by the way, that little seating area will be cleared away tomorrow. The roads department wants to start on the safety barriers."

"Good, then we can all relax, but I thought March had to do that."

"He got us to do it for him, talk soon." She grinned.

She swept up the street and I watched March, and I knew for sure he was up to something, that evil grin hadn't left his face.

Our day was pretty normal, and by four I had decided to go home and start on the tree, he decided to come with me. Mum and dad were pleased he was going to accept the council job, but May was sceptical.

At home, Mason did his thing and hugged 'Sheep' then they played as we took the tree out of its box. After struggling to put it all together Mason was called in. He jumped up and down and I opened the decorations. March draped the lights all over it and then tested them, more screaming from our son.

He was shown how to hang the baubles and March started at the top because he was the tallest. I did the middle then fixed up Mase's work at the bottom. To finish it all off a big star was placed on the top. It looked magical,

Mason sat and watched it with his mates, he was mesmerised by the blinking lights. March went to the storage room and came back with three presents, they had been wrapped and decorated, and then he put them under the tree.

"From Rose, she left them here the other day."

Mason didn't know what they were so he had to explain them to him. Of course, he wanted to unwrap them but we said no. He didn't create a scene but he did stare at them a lot.

One very excited little boy and one smiling husband, and if I didn't know any better he wanted to open his present too. I told him he could, but he said it would spoil the surprise, so he sat and watched with his son.

"I have to go and talk to Brenda tomorrow Nicky, I need to know what the job entails."

"So you want to do it then?"

"Yes Nicky, if you say it will be good for me, then I will do it."

"Okay, tub time." We dropped our shorts, and Mason ignored us. He wanted to sit and watch the lights. I had almost stepped out of the family room when my arm was grabbed. I was kissed and rubbed all over and before I knew it, I was spread eagled on the bed. So no tub tonight because when March finished with me he was hungry again.

My son watched the lights until the outside ones came on. March took him down to the backyard so he could see the final effect. The tree sat in the big windows and the porch and his cubby lit up, so he sat down and watched again. Better than having his face in the TV, I thought. He was bathed and readied for bed, and surprise surprise, he didn't act up because he could see Santa on the garage roof from his bed, and he also had his little tree.

"It looks like a nativity scene in there, the only thing missing is the donkey."

"I have a donkey for you." He moaned.

"March we only had sex two hours ago."

"Oh, so we did." He pulled me in and started nuzzling at my neck, I'm so easy.

The next day he walked up to the council chambers, I offered to go with him but he was confident he could get the job done.

I was excited for him, but May and mum weren't. May said it was all show and he would refuse to do it.

"Nicky, you probably know March as well as I do, do you believe he would sit on any council?" Mum commented.

"Well, yesterday I wouldn't accept he would do it, but this morning he's got a spring in his step. I am hoping this could lead to bigger things for March."

"Like what?" May asked.

"Like state government, politics, something like that." She had to go change little Rosie, and as she walked off her loud laughing worried me.

"Don't forget Nicholas Stephenson, March being a mechanic wearing ripped and dirty old overalls is what attracted you to him in the first place."

She yelled so everyone could hear, then she laughed again.

She is right, but there's nothing wrong with a little improvement, after all, he's a very smart man, and I reckon he will do that council job beautifully.

It took him an hour to come back, still smiling and that spring in his step was even bigger.

He sat with us and lunch was ordered, he had a big envelope under his arm and placed it on the table. I went to grab it but he slammed his hand on it to stop me.

"I was only going to look."

"Private council business Nicky."

"Sorry, your Honour." He smiled and then looked at the envelope again.

"Sorry Nicky, on second thoughts, it does have your name on it." He pushed it over.

I looked at the address sticker, 'Acting Councillor Nicholas Stephenson'

"What?" My turn to scream.

"I refused the job Nicky, and suggested you could do it."

"You what?" The laughing started again around me. I looked at May and yelled.

"You knew?"

"I told you he wouldn't take the job, you only have yourself to blame."

"Bitch."

"Leave May alone, Nicky you will have to curb that awful side of your personality when you start after the new year."

"You dobbed me in for the job? I won't do it, March Stephenson, there is no way I will do it."

"You can't refuse, all six councillors voted unanimously that they wanted you on the council." He smirked.

"But I don't even know how they work."

"You have done more for this town in the past year or so than you realise, of course, you know how it all works. I think you would be good at that job." He pushed the envelope over closer. My blood was boiling and mum was as bad as May she giggled into her coffee.

"I will get you for this March Stephenson, believe me, watch your back because I will be coming for you."

"Sorry Nicky, but it is what it is." He shrugged.

"That's councillor Stephenson to you."

He got me a beauty, but I will have to refuse the job. I have too much to do to be bothered with politics and I guess I had better pull my head in. I will go and talk to Brenda soon. They can laugh all they want but I will refuse it.

Brenda had gone AWOL because every time I went to see her she wasn't available. I cornered her in the council's car park one afternoon, I had resorted to stalking.

"I guess I can't avoid this can I?" Her face went red.

"No you can't, and I want you to ask Ethan or even Ron, he would be excellent at the job."

"Can't do Nicky, March is insisting it has to be you."

"What's March got to do with anything?"

"We very much value his opinions Nicky, and he has threatened not to do the calendar next year." She grinned.

"He's blackmailing you?"

"Sort of, but you know deep down you don't need a university degree to be on the council. All you have to do is turn up for the meetings and vote on current local business. More so, we don't discuss council business because we all know what's to be done. It's a slow process here Nicky, we aren't a rich one and we all hold the same town values."

"Okay, then I will do it, but the first sign of me working my ass off, I'm out."

"Of course, now I must go I have an appointment for afternoon tea, official business Councillor Stephenson." She stood upright and then pushed past me.

"Don't I have to be sworn in?" I yelled.

"After New Year my lovely." She waved over her head.

"Enjoy you're port and cucumber sandwiches," I yelled again.

I drove to work and March was all smiles.

"Once again, watch your back." I pointed at him.

"And once again Nicky, I have everything I have ever needed under this roof. Tea time Nicky, come on." He's ignoring me again.

Across the road we went and May was once again sitting out the front, no Rosie today she's hanging with her daddy.

"It's all over the local page Nicky, I think the town is very excited you got the job."

"Well if they are expecting anything to change then they will be disappointed."

"So you're not going to stand on a soapbox and speak about rights for the working man?"

"Why would I do that, Brenda does a great job. I don't see anyone complaining. This town isn't going to change much, when the shops and roundabout are done, then that's it. The housing estates are far enough away not to encroach on us. March has seen to that, and there's no way he will sell all that land between them and the town."

She looked at March who was eating a cake and said.

"Is that what you wanted brother?"

"Exactly dear sister, I'm still in total control." He punched the air. I again for the umpteenth time stared at him. He's not running for council, he is the council, but doing it from his easy chair.

"So you have placed me onto the council to do your bidding."

"I suggested you because you hold the same values as me, why would I give up my valuable time sitting in on meetings? I have sheep to look after and a precious son to entertain Nicky. No time for port wine and cake in my life."

"So who are you blackmailing on the council?"

"No one Nicky, but they do hear my thoughts every now and then. I am being observed every time I go out. The news gets back to them one way or the other. March doesn't like that proposal or March loves that idea, things like that."

"Now you have me."

"And now I have you." He grinned again.

March Stephenson is a cunning sort of guy, he is saving his town and forests without lifting a finger. If I didn't know any better it would be his sister cohort that is leaking March's thoughts and ideas to the other council members.

"I thought you were going to do some more tea May?" I changed the subject.

"Yes on Monday, the girls aren't busy at long last."

"Find another venue sis," March growled.

"I can't March, it has to be the shed."

"It's locked and I have the only key."

"Nicky!" She screamed.

He looked at me and then I looked at May.

"Make it the last time May, then you build a garage up the side of the shop. You will have plenty of room then. And when you're not doing your tea you can put your cars in it, that will make the town look a lot neater don't you think?" She looked a little annoyed.

"See Nicky, you're already doing council stuff."

"And how do you work that out?"

"I told May the same thing last year but she didn't listen to me. But she has some respect for the councillors in this town, and look at her, she's already listening to you."

I started laughing, May was thinking about building a garage and March gets his shed all to himself.

Back at the garage, he told me he had suggested it several times, she can't keep using other people's properties as she has done in the past.

"She can afford it Nicky, that tea brings in big bucks every year. More than the cafe."

"How rich is she March?"

"Got to go and help dad, sorry NIcky, oops, sorry counsellor Stephenson."

So I didn't get an answer, and I think I will never know how much money May has. I sat in the gym watching our son sleep then did my Christmas shopping list. I did wonder if I got a long gold chain with the new job and a nice shiny pen. Later on I asked March if he was still going to get Mason some chickens, he said they would appear in the backyard Christmas morning, and he tried to tell me that the donkey would appear at the same time. I think my husband is being a little cocky towards me, and I certainly will devise a plan to repay him for it.

The following day I sat with Rose, May, and mum, and we watched a council truck pull up. The men looked around the little park then picked the bench up and placed it outside the gym. The rubbish bin was left there, I guess it's cemented in. The gravel was raked up and that was it, signs were placed on the road and guys with stop-and-go signs arrived. A digger turned up and started making holes beside the road. March came over and sat to watch with us, he had a big satisfied smile on his face.

"We could have moved that bench March."

"Why, when you have a team of workers to do it for you." I started laughing.

They certainly didn't get the safety barriers done they will be back tomorrow to work on them. Like all council workers, they had more tea breaks and rests than we did. March had gone over and spoken to them, yes they will plant some trees and native bushes before they go. I suppose he's suggested I will water them. All in all the barriers are going to be good for the corner but will be a bit of an eyesore. He told me Daniel's sign would arrive soon, the guys said they could install it while doing the barriers.

They packed up at four and then headed back to the depot, and that's how things work in our town, we didn't have to lift a finger. It was all completed within four days, and Barry had helped them install the Daniel Davis Memorial Forrest signage he had made. Rose was emotional but that was mainly the baby doing that, she hugged me and March constantly as we all stood and watched them do it. We didn't make a big deal out of it, but once again thanks to May, the likes and hearts were plenty on the photo she posted.

My days went on and Christmas was looming. After a week Mason stopped looking at the lights, but I did see him quite often having a glance at the tree, and the presents that seemed to be multiplying and spreading out under it. Okay, I'm guilty of buying stuff for him, and March. When I see something I think they would like I grab it. We did travel into the city to buy some of the most important presents. March didn't want to stay the night in our hotel because he thought home was the best place to be, and the city had gone a bit crazy with the festive season.

Christmas Eve will be spent at mum and dad's place, and in the morning they will come to ours to watch Mase open his presents. Jack had Santa outfits hanging outside his shop, and I suspect March had purchased one. I guess he wants to do the Santa thing in the morning. May and Jason would be going to his parents' place for Christmas, March was quiet because they had always celebrated it together, but he understood. There were so many presents to wrap when we got back I didn't know where to start first. March was the most excited, he sat and helped me and told me he was enjoying this Christmas with his family immensely. Mason was unravelling the ribbons so I had to put a stop to it, he was tangling it all up into knots. March placed him on his knees and he taught him to place his finger on the ribbon while he tied

it into a bow. He giggled every time he had to do it, when the lights came on he wanted down so he could go and look at them. Little presents we had bought were opened, we let him do a couple but not his main ones. His little tree in the bedroom didn't have any presents under it because he got up early one morning and opened the lot. As I said these were small things so it didn't matter so much.

Donations are gratefully accepted at Nifty