Father and Son

Richie was feeling good about the time he and Mike had spent in Sydney. He took Mike around to see the sights and they got in a Rabbitohs game…and they won. Although he had first protested when Toni opted out of the trip he now saw the wisdom in her decision. He and Mike had bonded again.

“So whaddya think kiddo do ya like Australia?” Richie asked as they got closer to The Glen.”

“Yeah it’s cool Dad…it would be a good place to live.” Michael replied.

“Are ya thinkin’ about it?”

“Well,” he turned and smiled, “maybe…maybe when I’m older I like my school and my friends and all.”

“I can understand that…but I want you to know if a time comes when you want to come here…we’ll make it happen.”

“Thanks Dad I’ll remember that…and Dad I like Toni too…she’s fun…and she’s a looker.”

Richie laughed, “yeah son she is. She’s also thoughtful…you know letting us go off by ourselves.”

“Yeah…when are we going horseback riding?”

“Oh yeah…um I need to call Travis McGee he’s been out of town for a week. He said we could come out and he’d let you and his nephew Tee go out with his foreman to round up cattle.”

“Sounds like fun I’ve never been on a cattle ranch…how old is Tee?”

“Eleven…I met him at the Wade’s wedding he’ll be good company for you.”

“Look all the lights are on,” Mike said.

“That’s Toni’s way of welcoming us…I guess she missed us huh?”

Mike smiled and got out of the car, Toni opened the front door.

“I was beginning to wonder about you two…have a good time Mike?” Toni asked giving him a hug.

“I think we did,” Richie said coming up to her and kissing her briefly on the lips. “I missed you,” he said looking into her eyes.

“I missed you too,” Toni answered looking back. It was the first night they’d spent apart since coming to Australia. “We’ll catch up later,” she grinned.

Richie gave her a playful pat on the butt and followed Mike inside. The house smelled like brownies.

“Good thing we didn’t have dessert eh Mike?”

“Yeah…I love brownies and a big glass of milk.”

Toni watched them go about the brownies and milk and smiled to herself; father and son very much alike.