Chapter 2: Parties Are Overrated

Lesley worried constantly that she was being a good mother, that the boys were growing up well adjusted, she worried that she hadn't even money to finish painting the bathroom. Being a single parent was just very financially demanding. All she could do was work hard.

 She spent every week day running the hill tracks around Appaloosa Plains in every kind of weather, seeking out the animals she needed to supply the demand of the exotic animal dealers. She had built a good reputation among them for fast delivery and reliability. It wasn't exactly the dream she had envisioned. But she still had contact with the animals, which brought her great enjoyment.

When the Falconry World Championships were held in Scotland, Lesley was solely responsible for supplying six adult falcons and made a killing on the contract. The deal was a great boost to her finances. Her dream was to add on to her small cramped home and make it a comfortable family size dwelling.

Towards the end of summer Lesley took the first step towards her dream home. She had saved enough money to extend the kitchen out back giving them a little more space. She had the carpenter re-use her existing cabinetry to save on costs. The crappy fridge that clunked and groaned had to stay too and the electrocution-waiting-to-happen stove. But having more space lifted all their spirits.

In September it was Jethro's birthday. Normally the boys were happy to celebrate their birthdays at home with a simple birthday cake and family dinner. But this year Lesley felt like making more of an effort and showing the boys that "fun times" used to be her middle names (and could be again one day). So she booked a local DJ and rented a waterslide and told Luke-Hans and Jethro to cozzie-up and prepare for some sun and fun!

When the day came Lesley was relieved that it was hot and sunny AND her old two-piece from college swim club still fit her! All her hard work animal wrangling had been worth it.

Unfortunately when the first guest, her old neighbour Zebedee Devoir, arrived there was a sudden heavy sun shower. Zebedee was in his swimsuit and all fired up to party, "Just give everyone a brolly Lesley, its still warm enough out here!" He wasn't much of a cook, but he'd done his speciality cheese melted on pizza crust.

Some other guests arrived - Benny her ex, Dr Gavin her old friend and business contact, Luke-Hans' friend Kristofer Blanco. Luke-Hans hit the waterslide and squealed in delight.

The beats were beating and nobody was worrying too much about the showers, when Jethro suddenly hopped off the waterslide and yelled "Mum, Mum, oh no look! It's old Mrs Curley!" Lesley's heart stopped and she whirled around to look while Jethro yelled to his brother "Luke! Quick come see. Crackpot Curley has crashed our party!!"

Lesley's heart sank. "Jethro DO NOT call her that! Run along and get back on that waterslide, d'you hear? I'll take care of Ms Curley." Zebedee distract the others will you - she's come commando!"

You see old Esme Curley had sadly developed a bad case of dementia and was known in the town for wandering around without any pants on. No matter how tight the security was at the Evenglow Retirement Village, old Esme used her canny wiles to escape at every opportunity and when she did so, she did it commando.

Sure enough, there she was on the front doorstep, smiling and happy and oblivious to her state of undress.

Lesley tried to head her off as fast as she could move. But it was too late.

And to compound this train wreck while Lesley was calling the care home to come and retrieve Esme, Jethro ran in the back door just for the hell of it and got his first anatomy lesson up close and in detail. There was a sit down discussion later that evening in the Diarmid household about how ladies don't have the same dangly bits that men have and that they are quite okay with that, they don't feel short changed.

The crisis was averted and back outside Luke-Hans ran past the man that was supposedly his father and checked him out. He guessed he looked a little like him, he was curious about what he was like, but he didn't feel brave enough to just walk right up to him and start talking. Benny seemed to not even notice Luke-Hans. Luke felt sad.

The afternoon wore on and Luke-Hans noticed that his mother and father were really getting along surprisingly well. They were dancing together and laughing and seemed to be having a good time. In truth Lesley was just desperate to raise the enjoyment factor of this quickly dying party and would have danced a jig in a kilt if she thought it would improve things or cheer everyone up. Kristofer Blanco had just stood there glued to the DJ's every move and refused to try the waterslide claiming he bruised easily. Dr Gavin was complaining about the "young'uns music these days. Too much bass and not enough tune, I say" to anyone who was nearby.





Finally Luke-Hans couldn't stand the discomfort of his Mum and Dad prancing and laughing any more. He walked over and shouted "Mum! Stop it! Why are you doing this?'

Before she could answer, Luke-Hans ran inside. Benny, ever the sensitive father, chose that moment to take his leave. Lesley was mortified. She turned to Dr Gavin and sighed. "Oh no, it's all gone so wrong Gavin. I thought we would all have a great time and then the rain started and no one seemed in a cheerful mood and Esme arrives with no pants on and it's bound to have traumatised Jethro. And now Luke-Hans just can't stand to see me dancing and having fun. What a mess!" She felt totally deflated.

"Look, Lesley. I've known you for a few years now, right? I think we are good enough friends that I can speak honestly, yes?"

"Yes Gavin, of course. You're my closest friend believe it or not. I value your opinion."

Gavin eyed up Kristofer, he looked like he was eavesdropping their conversation.

"Young man!" he  bellowed, in his haughty style. "Scoot! This is a private conversation."

He turned to her, "Lesley, my dear, here is my advice. For what it's worth. Don't invite your ex-husband to your parties when your son has barely even seen the man for the whole ten years of his life. If Benny wanted to share his son's life, he has known where you live all this time. Has he ever bothered with him before? No. The man is a freeloader. Trust me, his intentions are not honourable. I've seen him coming out of the stores room at the hospital, all red and dishevelled, and always a nurse or two following shortly thereafter. Don't beat yourself up - you have given your sons a great place to live and grow and a mother who loves them. Oh and parties are overrated."

Lesley was grateful for Gavin's input. She was glad someone cared enough to say these things. All too soon her boys would be young men and......

...She would be getting older! For the first time since she had arrived in Appaloosa Plains she looked in the mirror and saw she was getting no younger. Middle age was approaching, her youthful features were fading. Lesley felt a rising panic in the craw of her stomach. Visions of Esme Curley and her sad pantless life flooded her mind....surely life had something more in store for Lesley?