Chapter 21: Avoidance

Cree Diarmid, despite being the only child of party loving deadbeat parents, and partly due to the input of her Grandpa Luke, has developed into a random but interesting teenager.

She has her father's hazel eyes and her mother's full mouth, long dark hair and fine boned artistic hands. She has a passion for both art and photography and is determined to master both. But Cree has not gone unscathed by the neglect she suffered as a young girl with bouts of neurotic behaviour striking unexpectedly from time to time. She will compulsively check the stove, check the taps, or brush her teeth multiple times, probably a sign of her insecurity. On the other hand she loves blobbing on the couch watching TV for hours at a time, mindless soaps and the cooking channel.

Today is one of those days, where she can't stop brushing her teeth. This is the fourth time she has trekked to the bathroom to check the taps were turned off on the sink and then brush her teeth.

Why the anxiety?

Well, after several stints in assorted SYRUPS Rehab facilities and several years of treatment, Leonie, her mother, is finally home for good.

She's home and she's also looking good, right? But has she really changed? How will she and Cree get along now, given that she has never been much of a mother to Cree before? Will Cree be able to handle her mother's sudden reappearance? Still, everyone deserves a second chance.

(NB: SYRUPS = Severe Yahooing and Repetitive Unremitting Party Syndrome)

Cree handles her mother's reappearance by choosing to do anything rather than be at home. She tries hanging out at the nearby cafe - Koffee and Karaoke. But there are usually only weirdos and elderly people hanging out there.




So she starts hanging out at her school friend Olivia's place. At first Olivia thinks its really great to have Cree over after school, because her parents are still at work.

"Hey let me just do this chemistry homework and I'll be right with you! If I don't do it while it's all fresh in my head, you know, I'll just be blank later and won't have a clue what I'm doing. Have you done yours already Cree? Oh my God you are so good! I guess you're smart and fast at homework because your Dad's a teacher right? It must be so awesome to have a teacher as a Dad AND also a Dad as a teacher of course! Hahaha. We can make hot chocolate and watch SimTV in a bit, I have a stash of cookies somewhere too. I hide them because my brothers and sister always steal them. You're sooooo lucky Cree not having a brother or sister to steal all your stuff. I am sooo jealous! It's great that you can come over here to hang out. We can read magazines and....hey can you put on make up? You always looks so pretty, like you're a real expert. Could you do mine?"

"Umm sure" said Cree. But it took Olivia hours to finish up her chemistry.

 The next day Cree sat patiently while Olivia did calculus.
"Sorry Cree, but I have to get this done. It's so overdue."
"Don't worry" said Cree, who was just happy to sit. She looked around, the house was quite bare she thought. She watched the clock tick by and then she went home.

A few days later Olivia was fighting her way through a history essay.
"Stop staring at me Cree! It's hard enough trying to sort this all out in my head and get it down on paper in some sort of sensible order without you sitting there all up to date with every subject just watching me!"
"Sorry." said Cree, not really knowing what else she could look at. 

The following day when she showed up at Olivia's house, there was no one home. She waited for a while to see if Olivia was just running late. But she didn't show up. Cree called her mobile and left a message. But after that Olivia stopped being home when Cree came around.

In desperation Cree took up jogging after school. She would run a lap around her neighbourhood, which took a couple of hours if she paced herself and stopped every few lamp posts to stretch. but the nights were getting darker and the weather was turning very wet.

Mrs Ogilvie who lived in their old house saw Cree running past a few times and called her over.
"You'll get pneumonia running around in all this weather!" she cautioned.
"I'm okay Mrs Ogilvie. I just hate sitting around at home, you know. I get so bored...."
"Come in, Cree. We can have a nice cup of tea and a chat. Call me Melania....my boys should be home soon. I want you to meet them."
Melania had two sons called Kuyper and Carson who both went to the Dribbledine Sports Academy out of town. She had seen Kuyper around, she recalled.

He had yelled some comment when she twisted her ankle as she was passing their gate, on her way back home from her run. It had sounded like "Have a nice trip, chicky?"  But she had been in too much agony to take any notice.

Cree ended up visiting Melania each afternoon when it was wet, which was better than running in the rain. Melania seemed to like her company, but every day she forced Cree to play chess with her. Cree went along with it for a while, but she hated chess and Melania took it so seriously. Eventually it just got too much to bear. She never did get to meet Kuyper or Carson properly, they seemed to have so many after school activities, they were never home.

One evening as her Grandma was cooking dinner, she was talking about how Jethro had recently retired from his job at the salon.
"I'll never retire!" her Grandma was ranting. "You'll need to put a laptop with me in my grave, because I'll still have the strength to work, you can be sure of that!" she was fond of saying this a lot. But knowing that Jethro would be home a lot more got Cree thinking.

Cree decided to go over and see her Great Uncle after school.

She picked up a box of his favourite strawberry cupcakes from the bakery on her way over to try to sweeten him up. At first he was delighted.
"Oh you sweet girl! How lovely of you to think of your old Uncle. You are so thoughtful my dear! It's been so long since I indulged in something so decadent."
"Well I thought you deserve a treat to celebrate now you're retired Uncle J. And I don't ever come and see you often enough! I really should spend more time over here....don't you think?" Cree tried not to sound too eager.

But Jethro was not fooled.

 "Now Cree," he was suddenly serious and looking at her closely. "What is going on? Don't try to kid your old Uncle now, I've known you since you were a wee tiny baby. I can tell when you're not happy. Is this something to do with your mother coming home?"

This was why Cree loved her Uncle Jethro so much. He just knew how she felt without her having to spell it out to him.

With that, the flood gates opened and Cree told her Uncle everything. Like the good friend that he was, he listened as Cree poured out her anxieties and her feelings.
"Dad is hardly ever home. He's either at the school or playing with his band. Mum is just hanging around the house all the time, she makes me feel uneasy, like she's watching me all the time but she never actually talks to me or asks me what I'm doing. I think she hates me Uncle. I think she blames me for making her sick."
"Hush now girl. Your Mum has had her problems, I won't deny that. But she wouldn't harm you...."
"That's just it Uncle, she doesn't want anything to do with me. Harm or help, she's not interested in me at all. It's like she wishes I had never been born. And I can't be in that house by myself with her, I can feel her hating me."

Jethro sighed, "Cree, she doesn't hate you. But if it helps, you can come over here after school for a few hours on weekdays. I'll let your Grandpa know where you'll be. And tonight you can stay for dinner, I've just made your favourite - Autumn Salad."

Cree sighed with relief, thanked her Great Uncle. While he was on the phone to Luke she grabbed a plate. It was indeed her favourite - and probably only her Uncle Jethro knew that.

Chapter 20: Let's Play, Let's Party (One More Time)

 It's 3am on a Winter night. Luke Hans is taking a breather and trying to reduce his heart rate, after a pretty hairy job tonight. He miscalculated the trajectory of a sensor beam in the house he was working over and triggered the alarm. It had been a very close call, he heard the police siren in the distance as he made his way carefully away from the scene.

Now, sitting in the darkened house while his family slept, he knew he was getting too old for this nonsense. He decided solemnly that things had to change. Since the whole affair with Leonie almost killing herself and being hospitalised for Severe Yahooing and Repetitive Unremitting Party Syndrome or SYRUPS, Luke realised he needed to step up and take care of his grandchild. Curtis was trying to improve but Luke knew deep down that he lacked the paternal skills and commitment to take proper care of Cree. Luke felt a pang of guilt that he hadn't paid more attention.

Even though the pair of them were getting older, Marjorie was juggling a TV series, two documentaries, a Summer action blockbuster and a couple of Rom-Coms, there was no way she was going to slow down and spend more time with Cree any time soon.

Luke decided it was time to retire. His 65th birthday was coming up very soon

Despite the fact he kept himself in excellent shape and his reflexes were still almost cat like, he knew is was only a matter of time before his aging body let him down and and the price of a mistake would be too much. He did not want to get caught again.

The next night after finishing up some business, Luke went upstairs to check on Cree.
"Hey, want to hang out with your old Grandpa tomorrow?" asked Luke as he sat on the side of Cree's bed.
"Sure" said Cree a little uncertainly.
Luke reached over onto the bookshelf and pulled off a volume, showing it to Cree.
"Did you know your Grandma wrote this?"
Cree's eyes widened as she asked "Really? What's it called Grandpa? Is it a book for kids?"
Luke smiled "Well its for an older age group, but I bet you could understand the story, because you're pretty smart right?"
Cree shrugged." I could try....what's it called?"
"Dreams On The Tablecloth" replied Luke. "How about I read some to you and then you can try for yourself."
Cree did not like the sound of that title but she thought it best to let Luke go ahead, since he seemed keen.

You can tell by that side eye Cree is giving her Grandpa that she's already regretting agreeing to  being read this book, even if her Grandma did write it.

Luke read four chapters. There was something about a far away country, two golden retrievers, some kind of green slime and an old cabin with weird stuff embroidered on a tablecloth.

The next morning Grandpa called Cree down to breakfast. Cree was very please to see he had made pancakes.

"Is it a special day, Grandpa?"
No, dear! Why d'you think that?"
"Well you never make pancakes usually."
"Oh! Well I thought since I'm retiring from my work, that I'd start making them."
"Why are you retiring Grandpa? Is it because you're too old?"
Luke laughed. "No pumpkin. I'm not too old. I just want to spend more time with you.'
"Are you spending time with me because Mum is in the hospital with the falling down in the snow disease?"
"Umm ...sort of sweetie.  And your Mum isn't in a hospital, she's in a SYRUPS rehab retreat."
Cree didn't know what that was, but it sounded scary.
Luke continued, "You shouldn't be left on your own so much and I want to do it. We can have fun together. What would you like to do today?"
Cree thought for a while. "Can you help me build a snowman?"
"Definitely" smiled Luke.

Out in the front yard Luke and Cree spent the morning perfecting their snowman building technique. There were a few disasters due to inadequate packing of the snow and wrong body/torso/head ratio.

Eventually Luke guided Cree in creating the perfect proportions and the art of snowman making was mastered.

Afterwards, Luke lit the fire pit and they toasted marshmallows while they got warmed up.
"Grandpa?" said Cree
"Yes?"
"I had fun."
"Me too"
"No one's ever played in the snow with me before."
"I'm sorry about that Cree."
"Me too"
"Well things are going to be different now."

After dinner Cree decided to paint a picture based on her Grandma's novel and the creepy nightmares it had given her.

__ ~ __

Soon it was Cree's birthday. Some of the family came over to help celebrate. Her Great Uncle bought her a brand new party dress. She loved her Great Uncle Jethro, he had always been kind to her whenever they were together.
"You look pretty as a picture!" he grinned when he saw Cree wearing the dress.
"As pretty as my picture I painted?" asked Cree showing Jethro her artistic rendering of "Dream on the Tablecloth."
"Ohhh...errr goodness!" blurted Jethro when he saw the painting. "That is an....intense picture. No...you're much prettier than that." he exclaimed hurriedly.

The old lady in the rocking chair is her Great Aunt Chloe, her Grandma's sister. All Cree knows about her is that she's a "selfish old witch" according to Marjorie and she "Stole the house out from under" her Grandma. Cree is good at being very quiet and hearing what the adults talk about.

Her Grandma, in between hitting the hot tub and the bar, has cooked a special birthday dinner. Spaghetti with veggie sauce and a pumpkin pie. Her Dad tells her there will be a surprise coming soon. Cree wonders what it might be. She would love a bike or a pair of skates. Cree notices Jethro has picked up her Grandma's novel that she left on the table.
"It's a good book eh Uncle? My Grandma wrote it"
Jethro laughs, "I'm loving it! Hey Marj? What kind of herbs were you cultivating in the backyard when you wrote this one?"

Then it was time to blow out the candles on the cake. Cree loved doing this part, she felt important for the first time in her life.

Yes - that is Tara in her default position about to dance on the counter tops.

Suddenly her Dad shouted "Surprise!!!"  and when Cree looked up she saw it was her mother standing there, cheering and blowing one of those really annoying kazoo things.
"It's Mummy!! Are you really surprised Cree? Isn't it the best birthday present ever?" cheered her Dad.
Cree sighed. So much for a bike then.
Her Grandma notice her subdued reaction and commented caustically "The child barely knows her own mother. She's obviously not that bothered Curtis."

It turned out that Leonie was only allowed out for her daughter's birthday and had to go back to the rehab facility that night.

__ ~ __

Soon after Tara and Curtis decided to throw a big surprise party at The Grind, a local club, to celebrate their father's retirement. They asked their mother to somehow get their Dad there without him knowing what was going on.

 That morning Marjorie reminded Luke, "Don't forget honey, we're having dinner with the Bedlington's at 8pm. They've invited us to some fancy restaurant so we have to be there on time." Marjorie smirked to herself as Luke grumbled his agreement.

At the club Tara and Curtis decorated the venue and organised the food.
"I think it's still too drab." said Curtis
"Do you think?" Tara asked.
"We need more lights. More flashing and pulsating lights." 
"Oh God, it's too late now. The stores will be closed." moaned Tara.

Just then Jethro wandered along. "You'll give someone a seizure if there's anything else pulsating and flashing, I swear. Most of the guests will be old. They're more likely to want a cup of cocoa and a snuggy."

Tara and Curtis looked at each other and silently wondered if they should really cater for cocoa and snuggies.

Then they all burst out laughing.

At that moment the guest of honour arrived.

Luke hans was speechless when he walked into the club and saw all his family and friends waiting there to celebrate with him.

Then he noticed he was wearing the same dinner jacket as Jethro. Cree laughed and said "Grandpa you guys are twins!!"

Luke hooted and said "Don't tell me, 25% off at Freedom Suits until stocks last?"
"You always had great taste!" said Jethro.

The night was a raging success. There were amazing cocktails, dancing and chatting with old friends, everyone had great fun.

Leonie's friend Jazlyn kept Curtis from missing his wife too much. Salome Mayer hovered around him too, hoping for an opportunity to cut in.

When they finally got home in the wee small hours, Luke embraced Marjorie and gave her a long, romantic kiss.
"Thank you my dearest," he said, with feeling, "for giving me the best life I could have ever wished for....you are truly amazing."

Chapter 19: Poor Cree

Cree has grown into a pretty wee child. Though she has no siblings and is alone a lot of the time she is well behaved, friendly and a model student. But let's have a closer look at her childhood and upbringing, because there are some serious issues here. Let's look at the adults in her household.

Her grandfather Luke is a thief, he's done time. He's supposedly on the straight and narrow these days, but secretly he's doing some overtime in the dead of night, mainly as a cat burglar, targeting large houses with valuable jewellery. Suction-cupping down plate glass obviously gives him an appetite.

Her grandma Marjorie is a successful movie director, she's a workaholic who balances the stresses of her profession by turning into a party animal in her down time.

When she's not partying, drinking and dancing, she's in the hot tub, unwinding. She works hard, so she needs serious relaxation time. Rain, hail or snow. Luke and Marjorie gave birth to Curtis who inherited his mother's party animal nature and father's dubious morals. He went on to marry a fellow party animal Leonie and they still live at home with them.

Here they are, Curtis and Leonie, getting their party on in the hot tub. They like to cast off their inhibitions (ahem!) and really enjoy those warm bubbles. They don't pay much attention to Cree  they're usually too busy having a good time.

With these people as her only guardians, Cree has not had the same nurture, love and care that other children normally receive.

Cree has pretty much grown up fending for herself.

The things that Cree loves best in the world are the snow cone maker, which is kept out on the back patio. It has 8 different flavours and she has grown to associate each one to a different mood. So in winter, like here, when its really cold and she's very hungry, she has pineapple passion because it reminds her of sunny tropical weather and makes her feel warm. Sometimes a snow cone is all Cree can find for dinner.

And the painting easel in her Grandma's study. Marjorie lets her paint anytime she wants , because it keeps her quiet and occupied, she says. Cree is never happier than when she's painting - it's like being in her own world where the colours are so much brighter and the people she paints are kind and fun to laugh and play with.

On the weekend's there always a party going on at the Diarmid house. Cree gets really annoyed and tired of the crowds of people and the noise.

On weekdays when she comes home from school, the house is either empty and quiet.

Or if everyone is home, her Grandma has hit the bar and turned the music up high and her Mum and Dad only have eyes for each other, dancing, laughing and playing their instruments.

 Her Mum and Dad have a band and they were very popular in a few of the local bars. They played a few gigs regularly each week - there duo ensemble was called Duetics. The gigs went late and they were often tipped or paid with a bar tab.

One day Cree came home from school to find the house empty. She did her homework and played outside in the snow for a while. It got very late and still no one had come home. She called her Mum and Dad's cellphones and got no reply.  She knew her Grandma and Grandad would be working, as they often were. She found some old leftover mac and cheese in the fridge and ate it, but it tasted awful.

Eventually she she went to bed and fell asleep. But later on she woke up with a gnawing pain in her stomach. She was very hungry.



She put on her clothes and went outside to the snow cone machine. She made her favourite pineapple passion, to try to make herself feel warm and full. Then she noticed a large lump lying in the snow. It gave her a fright, it looked like a person. When she looked closer she realised it was her mother! She was passed out snoring and probably drunk, buried in the snow on the patio.

Cree was frozen in fear. She knew if her mother stayed out here in the freezing night, she might possibly freeze to death. She looked are her stupid drunken mother and felt a rising anger. How could she be so ridiculously foolish as to pass out on the freezing patio? A terrible thought passed briefly through Cee's mind, that Leonie deserved to freeze to death for being such a horrible person and a careless drunken fool.

She went inside and sat still for a few minutes, scared and confused. Then a small voice that sounded like hers in her head told her she should try once more to get hold of her Dad on the phone.

Curtis picked up this time. Cree told him where Leonie was and that she was a funny blue colour.

He rushed home and ran to the aid of his blue unconscious wife, but he was unable to revive her. She looked dead, his heart was racing. In a panic he rang the emergency services and they gave him some instructions to perform over the phone and said an ambulence was on its way.

They sounded risky, but Curtis knew there was no other way, she would die if he didn't try it. Taking Leonie's hairdryer he set to work.

When he had finished with Leonie, to Cree's surprise her Dad came up to her bedroom and asked her if she was okay. Cree was amazed, he never came into her room usually. He seemed sad and awkward as he fumbled for something to say to her.
"Are you okay Dad?" Cree asked him
Curtis closed his eyes and she heard a strained sob break in his chest.
"Is Mum going to be okay?" Cree asked.
Eventually, Curtis regained his composure and said softly "Hop into bed Cree, its very very late. Mum will be okay, she's been taken to hospital where the doctors will take good care of her, okay?"

Cree got under the covers, "Why did Mummy lie down in the snow outside Daddy? Had she lost her key?"

Curtis sighed and his shoulders drooped. "No .....sweetie.......ummm, Mummy was ahhhh really disorentated and dehydrated and needed to rest really badly." Curtis felt appalled that he was having to explain Leonie's actions and her state of intoxication to his young daughter who could so easily have found her mother dead outside the back door.

He knew there needed to be some changes. "But the hospital will fix her right?" a concerned Cree asked. Curtis swallowed hard and sighed again, "Yes baby, they'll make her all better. You don't need to worry about that. Now its time to sleep....errrr should...I?" Curtis felt hesitant and out of his comfort zone and that was awful, he had no real experience in looking after his own child!
"Should I read you a story...and then you'll be able to fall asleep?"

Cree gasped in shock. "Would you?" she asked tentatively.
Curtis smiled and reached for a book. "Let's give it a go eh?" he said. "I don't know if I'm any good at this...."
"You will be.." Cree said encouragingly.

And in the morning Curtis made them both pancakes. He felt like it was about time he learned how to be a father.