-- Chapter 13 --

They spent the following day continuing to go through the contents of the house. Levi moved quietly from room to room, deciding what was still worth taking. The process seemed to have been going on forever. Matt Snr. had suggested that selling most of the furniture might be worth considering, but that was too hard a decision to make right now, so most of it would go into storage initially; or at least those pieces that were good enough to keep and not throw out.

His grandmother had already packed up most of Julie’s belongings from her bedroom, with most of his mother’s clothes going to the local Saint Vincent de Paul shop, and Levi already had his mother’s bible and some personal belongings in his room back at Matt’s parent’s house. All that was left in his mother’s room now was the bed, the wardrobe and some boxes of belongings that Levi couldn’t bear to part with as yet, including her diaries, which he had never read and wasn’t sure he would ever want to read, her favourite books, and the worn photo album she always kept.

At one point, Levi stood in the doorway of his old bedroom, staring at the now bare walls. He had already thrown out the old childish pictures that had been stuck to the walls, and some of the odds and ends he had collected over the years, and had already taken the stuff he really needed over to his grandparents’ house. Now there was just the remainder of his clothes and some other stuff he wanted to keep, that needed to be packed.

Matt appeared behind him. ‘You okay?’

Levi nodded slowly. ‘I think so. It’s just . . . this room has been my whole world for the past ten years. Now it feels like it belongs to someone I used to be.’

Matt put a hand on his shoulder. ‘That’s a good way to put it. You’re allowed to grow out of it, Levi. You’re allowed to move on . . . we all do that at some point in our lives. It doesn’t mean you forget where you came from though. It’s all a part of what shapes us into the person we eventually become.’

Levi glanced at his father and considered that for a moment, before eventually nodding.

‘There are more empty boxes in the living room if you need them to pack stuff in,’ Matt suggested. ‘I’ll go work on the rest of the kitchen.’

‘Okay.’

While Matt disappeared down the hallway to the kitchen, Levi set about packing what was left of his room. Clothes, school things, a few model cars he’d had since he was little, and which he felt he needed to hang onto, as a reminder to that time in his life. The longer he worked, the more ruthless he became at sorting out what was needed, and what wasn’t. In the end, he had five boxes to take with him, and another four that could be disposed of. He felt good about that.

By late afternoon the house looked strangely hollow. The kitchen was mostly cleared, the living room furniture was pushed against the walls, and the last of the boxes were taped and labelled. Levi wiped sweat from his forehead and looked around. It no longer felt like his home.

Matt came back from carrying the final kitchen box out to the trailer. ‘That’s the last of it for today. I think we’ve made solid progress.’

‘Yeah. I think so,’ Levi replied, then hesitated, and said, ‘Would you mind if we stayed here tonight? Just one more night. The beds are still here, and I . . . I don’t think I’m ready to leave just yet.’

Matt studied him for a moment, then nodded without argument. ‘Yeah, mate. We can do that. We can just grab some blankets from the boxes we already packed.’

They made up the two beds with whatever bedding they could find. It felt makeshift and strange, but somehow still right. As the sun dipped low over the dry paddocks, they sat on the front veranda eating fish and chips from the local takeaway. It was Levi’s choice to sit there, as the verandah offered the best views of the sun setting over the mountains, and the sky that was painted in soft oranges and pinks.

The quiet of the evening settled around them. Crickets started their chorus, and the familiar smell of eucalyptus and the falling night drifted on the breeze. Levi felt a deep ache in his chest – not quite sadness, but something close to it.

‘I used to sit here with Mum on nights like this,’ he said quietly.

Matt didn’t push. He just listened.

‘I keep thinking about how everything’s changing so fast,’ Levi continued. ‘One minute this was my life. Now it’s . . . not.’

‘You’re doing really well with all of it,’ Matt said. ‘Better than I would have at your age.’

They watched some vehicles pass on the road in front of the house, One car slowed right down, as if it was checking them over, but then it sped up and drove off into the falling gloom.

‘Do you think you’ll go and visit Father Costas when you get back home?’ Matt asked gently.

Levi took a moment before answering. ‘Yeah, I’m pretty sure I will . . . if that’s alright. He said God doesn’t judge love. I keep thinking about that. I think I like what he says.’ He looked down at his food. ‘Part of me wants it to be that simple. Especially with you and Luke. But then my head gets messy again.’

Matt listened without interrupting.

Levi continued, almost shyly, ‘I’m trying, though. I really am.’

‘I know you are,’ Matt said. ‘And that’s enough for now. You don’t have to have it all worked out. We’ve got all the time in the world.’

A small, tentative smile crossed Levi’s face. ‘Didn’t think I’d ever have a dad who’d drive six hours just to help me pack old junk.’

Matt chuckled. ‘Well, this dad comes with full service. Junk packing, deep conversations, and terrible cooking, all included at no extra cost.’

Levi laughed. It was a real laugh, and for a moment the heaviness lifted.

As they sat there in the quiet evening, Levi felt something new stirring inside him. A confusing mix of warmth towards Matt, gratitude for Luke waiting back in Thompsonville, and a strange, fluttering nervousness he didn’t fully understand. His body and mind were starting to wake up in ways that both excited and scared him.

He pushed the feelings down for now. There’d be time to deal with all of that later.

For tonight, he was just a boy sitting beside his father, eating fish and chips, preparing to leave his old life behind.

***

The next morning brought visitors.

Levi was carrying a box out to the trailer when Mrs Hargreaves from next door appeared at the gate, along with her son Callum and friends Dylan and Ethan, all kids he knew from his old school and church youth group.

‘Levi!’ Mrs Hargreaves called, waving. ‘We saw the car and the trailer yesterday. Thought we’d come see what was happening.’

The boys hung back a little, looking awkward but curious. Levi set the box down and wiped his hands on his jeans.

‘I’m moving,’ he told them. ‘To Thompsonville. With my father.’

A ripple of surprise went through the small group. Mrs Hargreaves’ face softened with sympathy. ‘Oh love, we heard about your mum. I’m so sorry. She was a good woman.’

The boys murmured their own condolences. Callum, who had once been one of Levi’s closer friends, stepped forward. ‘That’s a long way away, mate.’

Levi nodded. ‘Yeah. It is. It’s where my father lives.’

They stood around talking for about ten minutes – catching up on town gossip, asking about Thompsonville, telling Levi they’d miss him at youth group. There were a few awkward hugs and back-slaps, and plenty of “keep in touch” promises. But as they wandered back down the street towards their own lives, without giving him a second glance, Levi stood watching them go. They hadn’t even bothered coming over after his mum had died, or attended the funeral, yet he had known them for years.

He felt strangely detached as he realised with a quiet jolt that most of them had never really known him that well. Not the real him. And they were already moving on, just like he was.

Suddenly, Matt appeared beside him, resting a hand on his shoulder. He had seen Levi talking to them, but thought it best to let Levi say his goodbyes to them. ‘You alright?’

‘Yeah,’ Levi said, surprised to find he meant it. ‘They were my neighbours, and a couple of boys from school. They . . . haven’t been near us. They didn’t even go to the funeral. It’s like . . . they feel like they are people from another life already.’

‘We haven’t really talked about your schooling, but I guess we should.’

Levi looked at him and shrugged. ‘Not really much to talk about I don’t think.’

‘Why do you say that?’

‘I’m not that smart. Don’t have too many friends . . . or close ones anyhow . . .’

‘Oh? And is there any particular reason for that?’ Matt asked, as they started walking back towards the house.

Levi shrugged again. ‘They probably just think I’m that weird kid, you know? Different to the rest of them.’

‘Because of your religion?’

‘Maybe. Pop didn’t ever really like me having friends around, or anything like that anyway . . . it’s just the way things were.’

‘Well, if it’s any consolation,’ Matt said, as he placed a hand on Levi’s shoulder and they climbed the steps into the house, ‘I don’t think you’re weird. And besides, Thompsonville is full of weird anyhow, so if others do see you that way, you’ll probably fit right in!’

He gave Levi a wink as he said it, and his son responded with a smile. ‘Thanks. I think.’

‘So, which school do you go to? And what year are you in?’

‘I’m in year nine, at Eastend High. Mum didn’t want me to go to your old school. She said there were too many memories. I guess now I know why.’

‘Yeah. Looks that way. Well, once we get you settled down home, we’ll go and see the local school and see what the deal is to get you enrolled. And I guess we better let Eastend know that we no longer need them.’

***

The next few days passed in a blur of final arrangements. Matt called Levi’s school and explained to them that Levi would be moving. They promised to forward on his records once they were contacted by his new school.

They made several trips to the storage unit on the edge of town, filling it with furniture and boxes they couldn’t take yet, as well as a couple of trips to the local dump, to throw out rubbish and junk. What remained was loaded onto the trailer and into Matt’s car – Levi’s five precious boxes, his mother’s keepsakes, and a few pieces of furniture, all of which were stored in Matt and Luke’s flat at his grandparents’ home.

The trailer behind Matt’s car was loaded up with what Levi wanted to take with him, all covered by a blue tarpaulin that Matt had purchased from the local hardware store. Even Matt’s old Malvern Star was loaded on top of the trailer, and securely tied down with rope.

On the final morning, Levi stood in the empty hallway of the old house one last time. He and Matt walked through each room, just checking and double-checking that they had everything. When they were satisfied, they headed back down the hall towards the front door. Levi ran his hand along the wall, and when they reached the open doorway, he stopped and looked back into the house.

‘Goodbye, Mum,’ he said quietly. Matt placed a hand on his shoulder and Levi leaned into him briefly.

‘You ready, kiddo?’

‘Yeah. I think so.’

‘We just need to drop off the keys at the real estate agents, then we can say goodbye to mum and dad, and we’ll hit the road. We’ll be back in T’ville well before nightfall.’

‘Okay.’

Matt handed him the keys and headed for the car, allowing his son that moment to himself. From the front seat of the car, he watched as Levi locked the front door, one last time, and then walked towards the car and climbed into the passenger seat beside Matt.

As they backed the car and trailer out of the driveway, Levi’s eyes never left the front door of the house. There were so many memories that were born here, both good and bad, and it was certainly with mixed feelings that he was leaving this house behind, but he knew that he simply had to leave it behind if he was to move on, and build his new life in another town.

Matt backed out onto the street and then turned the wheel, and the next thing Levi knew, the house he had grown up in was disappearing behind him.

The real estate agents were the first stop, and Levi accompanied Matt inside as they handed over the keys and discussed the possible sale. They offered their condolences to Levi and told them that there was already some interest in the house, from a couple with a young family, so the prospects of a quick sale were good.

Next, they paid a quick visit to the solicitors who were handling the estate, to go over a few details and have them explain the entire process to Levi, and then they were heading for Matt’s parent’s house to say their farewells.

They pulled up on the road outside Matt’s parents’ home, rather than drive in, then locked the car and walked down the driveway beside the house and then entered through the back door, where the aroma of baked goods hit them full on.

‘We’re back,’ Matt called out. ‘Hope you’ve got the kettle on?’

Levi’s grandmother appeared at the door to the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron.

‘You’re just in time,’ she replied. ‘I’ve baked a lemon cake for morning tea.’

Inside, the kitchen smelled warm and sweet. Matt Snr. joined them, and over slices of cake and steaming cups of tea or coffee, they talked about the house. Matt gave a quiet summary of what they’d packed, stored, and disposed of. Levi listened mostly, nodding when his grandfather asked gentle questions.

‘How are you feeling about all this, love?’ his grandmother asked, watching him carefully.

Levi poked at the crumbs on his plate.

‘A bit sad,’ he admitted. ‘I didn’t think it’d feel quite like this. This has been my home for most of my life. But I’m nervous too . . . about starting at a new school and everything.’ He paused, then added with a small, shy smile, ‘But I’m also a bit excited. I think. Thompsonville is really different. The ocean and all that. It still doesn’t feel completely real yet.’

Matt’s father gave him an encouraging nod. ‘Change is never easy, but you’re doing it well, son. We’re proud of you.’

His grandmother reached across the table and squeezed his hand. ‘You’ll always have a home here too. Don’t you forget that.’

Levi nodded. ‘Thank you.’

After they finished their morning tea, they gathered the last of their clothes and personal items. Levi went to his bedroom and packed his into a carry-all that he had brought with him from the old house, while Matt disappeared down to the flat out the back. A short time later the final bags were loaded into the already-full car. Then came the goodbyes on the front lawn.

Levi’s grandmother pulled him into a tight, long hug, kissing his cheek. ‘You ring us whenever you want, day or night,’ she whispered, her voice thick. His grandfather hugged him next – firm and steady – then shook Matt’s hand.

‘We’ll come down and visit in a few weeks, grandson,’ his grandfather promised. ‘Once you’re settled.’

There were more hugs, a few tears from his grandmother, and final waves as Matt and Levi climbed into the old black Commodore. The loaded trailer rattled gently behind them as Matt started the engine.

Levi twisted in his seat to wave until the house disappeared from view. A strange mix of emotions sat heavy in his chest – grief for what he was leaving behind, anxiety for what lay ahead, and a quiet, growing spark of excitement he hadn’t expected.

As they reached the edge of town, Matt punched the button on his phone, which was sitting in the hands-free rack attached to the dash, and called Luke back home.

‘Hey, babe,’ Luke said when he answered. ‘Have you guys left yet?’

‘Hey, yourself. Yeah, we’re just on the outskirts of town now,’ Matt replied. ‘We’ll be there by late afternoon.’

‘Sounds great. Everything go well?’

‘Yeah, all organised. House is clean. We have a load of Levi’s stuff we’re bringing with us. Everything else is either in the storage unit or at mum and dad’s.’

‘And how about you, Levi? Are you feeling okay about all this?’ Luke asked.

Matt glanced across at his son, and noticed him smile.

‘Yes, Luke. I think I am,’ he replied.

‘I’m pleased to hear that, mate. I really am. You guys travel safe, and I’ll see you this afternoon.’

‘We will,’ Matt replied. ‘Love you, babe.’

‘Love you too!’

After the call cut out, Matt looked across at Levi. ‘You really okay?’

Levi took a deep breath and nodded. ‘Yeah. I think so.’

* * *

The drive south was uneventful, almost peaceful. As he had already travelled this winding mountain road a few times now the roads and long stretches of farmland were beginning to feel familiar. They listened to music, stopped for lunch at the same roadside café they’d used before, and talked easily about small things – what Levi might like to do in Thompsonville, getting him enrolled in the local school, and whether he wanted to try surfing.

As the afternoon wore on, the air grew saltier and the sky opened up. They cruised through Macquarie Harbour, which Matt promised they would visit soon and show him around, as they would need to buy school uniforms and supplies there, then set off on the final leg, taking the scenic coastal road to Thompsonville, rather than the quicker main highway a little further inland.

‘This is my favourite road,’ Matt said, as they left the city behind them, with Matt pointing out the landmarks that were familiar to him as they went . . . ocean views and long beaches, dense forests, rocky cliffs, and small clusters of houses here and there, which some may dare to call villages.

Approaching South Thompsonville, Levi noticed the new houses and developments first, and then, as they swung around a bend he caught sight of the harbour, brilliant blue in the afternoon light, where he could see boats rocking at their moorings, and sailboats racing in the wind.

They crossed a large bridge and then followed the northern side of the harbour, heading into an older section of the town, then crossing a weir and finding themselves in Main Street. Levi had been here before, so he knew the final part of their journey now.

They passed the shopping centre and the large car park which sat next to the lake. At one point Levi noticed the small church off in the distance, then they passed Lighthouse Road, swung around another bend, and were heading past old houses, on their way to Beachside Lane.

Matt glanced across at his son. ‘Almost there now, bud.’

Levi took a deep breath, then nodded. ‘Yeah,’ he replied.

They drove past the edge of town, the trailer rattling gently behind them, then Matt slowed and put his indicator on, before eventually turning. The trailer bounced and rattled some more as they travelled along the gravel road, and when they finally pulled into the driveway at Avalon, they found that Luke was already waiting on the verandah, smiling broadly.

‘Welcome home,’ Luke called as they got out.

Levi climbed out of the car and stretched, then looked around – at the house and gardens, the bushland that surrounded them. He listened to the sound of the breeze in the trees, and the rolling waves just through the bush behind the house.

For the first time, the word home didn’t feel quite so foreign.

He was here. Really here.

And this time, he wasn’t leaving.

To be continued . . .