Young Writers Society

The red rugged earth ascended steeply, piercing the blue sky like a bloody dagger through soft velvet. Gerard stood affixed at the view wondering just how the recent turn of events had led him to such a place. He loved the red earth that stretched for miles around him and the landmark that stood meters before him. He’d never seen such beauty. It was like nothing he had expected. He had expected to hate it but he fell in love with it the minute his thong clad feet made contact with the soil. Maybe he just wanted to hate it because he had been given an ultimatum go to the Central Australia with a wife and two gorgeous children. Or stay in Melbourne alone and temporarily childless. It didn’t seem like he had much of a choice as his children were his life. He would have divorced his cruel bitter old wife years before but the children loved her and that made him stay he couldn’t do it to them. Sheila had made it quite clear to him that she wanted the transfer and made it out as though it was the best thing for her and the children. Gerard reflected on the argument that had taken place when Sheila announced she had a transfer.

“Were moving to The Alice” she announced as she flung the door shut behind her.

“What” Gerard had said astounded at the sudden announcement.

“You heard me were going to the Alice. I’ve enrolled the children in school and were moving in a week, well rent out the apartment as an investment.” She had added rather bitterly.

“In school but we haven’t discussed this. Sheila be reasonable” retorted Gerard trying to keep things rational, though his head was on fire ‘how dare she how dare she’ he thought.

“You don’t have to come but what ever happens the kids are coming with me”

“Have you discussed this with them?” he had asked less coolly this time.

“No because I know what’s best for them. They’re too young to make such a decision like this.”

“Sheila they are twelve and fourteen that’s old enough to make a decision about whether they want to leave a city they’re happy in, a school they’re happy with and friends they’re happy with.” This time the anger came out in his voice and his face was getting reder as each sentence passed.

“Well it’s decided and there’s nothing you can do about it they expect me there next week.”

“What happens about my job, I’m happy here with my job it’s unreasonable to just up and leave without including me. I have the right to make decisions for this family as much as you do why didn’t you ask me?”

“Because I new you’d say what you just said.” By now Gerard was fuming mad.

“How dare you, you’re not thinking of the children it’s always your career first and the boys second and me last. There was a time before our boys that you made me number one you loved me cared for me when I was ill and helped me through grief and now your a selfish bitter old women” he yelled shaking from all the anger that was welling up inside of him.

“Really, well I guess you’re staying”

“No I’m not because I love my boys I’ll go but only because I don’t want them stuck with you alone. They need two parents one miles away may as well not exist you may have won now Sheila but you won’t win the next time.”

Gerard came back to the present feeling the anger churning up his stomach again he quickly compressed it and headed back to the car to the others.

“Finished having your jolly stretch?” snapped his ill tempered wife from the passenger seat.

“Yes” said Gerard trying to stay cool he didn’t like to fight in front of his children it wasn’t the best example. It was a tip he wished his wife would pick up on. But she was to naive to see its affects on their children.