Never Say Never (2 page)

"His fuse seems to be shorter than usual, and he seems distracted somehow." Grace frowned. "Is everything okay at home?"

"Yes, everything is fine, but I know what you mean. He's been so...” Hayley said.

"Distracted." Grace said.

"That too, but I was going to say independent." Hayley shook her head and Grace raised an eyebrow. Hayley nodded and looked at Grace. "He's growing up too fast. I can't believe he is going to be six soon."

"Time flies." Grace shook her head and looked at Hayley. “I’ll keep an eye on him; maybe he’s just going through a phase.”

“Should I be worried?” Hayley asked.

“No. I doubt it. Owain is bad-ass, like his mom.” Grace winked. “But like I said, I’ll keep an eye on him. If it gets worse, then we’ll decide from there.”

“Thanks Grace.” Hayley nodded and looked at Grace, who was chewing on a French fry she stole from Hayley's plate. "Honestly, I'm scared that he's not going to need me as much as he used to."

"He'll always need you, you're his mom." Grace frowned.

"I know. I guess I just want him to stay little forever." Hayley smiled sadly.

"Unfortunately, none of us have that luxury, Hales." Grace looked at her and gave her a reassuring smile. "But don't worry, you'll be fine. Owain’s probably just being a guy.”

"And so it starts. He’s not even a teenager yet." Hayley smiled at her.

“Can I ask you something?” Grace asked.

Hayley looked at Grace and nodded. “Of course.”

“Did his dad have moods?” Grace asked and looked at Hayley. It was not a subject that Grace liked to bring up, but she had to know. Hayley never spoke about Owain’s father, which was understandable as he died before Owain was born.

Hayley looked at her, slightly bewildered and frowned. “He was an all-round bastard, but he had his brief moments when he wasn’t.”

“Maybe Owain…” Grace said, but stopped abruptly when Hayley’s angry gaze met hers.

“Owain is nothing like his father.” Hayley gritted her teeth.

“All I’m saying…” Grace frowned apologetically.

“You’re crossing a line, Grace…” Hayley glared at her.

“But I…” Grace stuttered.

“Don’t…” Hayley shook her head and stood up, gathering her things.

“Okay, fine.” Grace frowned at her and also stood up.

“I have to go. I’m late.” Hayley frowned.

“Okay. I’ll see you later?” Grace asked.

“Sure.” Hayley nodded and walked out of the teachers’ lounge towards her class.

"Oh Hayley.” Grace sighed to herself and crossed her arms.

She was afraid that might happen, but she had to ask. Hayley always shut her off completely when it came to Owain’s dad; she hasn’t even mentioned his name to Grace.
Grace can understand that Hayley was upset about it, especially since he died, but she did not understand Hayley’s blatant hate for the man. Did he leave her when he found out she was pregnant? Did he want her to go for an abortion? How exactly did he die? And why exactly does Hayley tell Owain that his dad left them? Those were questions that Grace knew she could never ask Hayley.

Lucas climbed out of his black Subaru and walked along the footpath leading to the Jacksonville Cemetery. The grout crunched under his shoes and he walked towards the familiar gravestone that he had been visiting for the last six years. Even though it has been five months since he was there, it felt like yesterday. He stopped in front of it and dug his hands into the pockets of his grey jacket.

"Hey Ric." He said to himself. "It's been a while.”

Lucas' jaw clenched and he looked out at the sky turning orange from the arriving sunset. The drive from Dunedin was lonely and even with the music on the radio, Lucas felt more alone than ever. Ever since Claudia moved out, Lucas felt completely isolated from the world.

"It's been rough without you, Ric. Dad
seems to be better though, but he still talks as if you never existed. He says he only has one son, but you’ll always be my brother, no matter what.” Lucas wiped his face and frowned slightly. “Mom is still hanging in there, you know how Mom is. She always wants to take care of everything, but I guess that’s just how she is. She’s even tried to take care of me, again, telling me that she thinks it's time I settled down. She reckons that I work too hard, and no respectable woman wants to settle down with a man that works all the time.” Lucas smiled bitterly and knelt down beside the grave. “Women and trouble seem to go hand in hand lately.”

Lucas took a deep breath and frowned. “Mom is right though. Claudia thought exactly the same. That I work too much. That I am never there.” Lucas felt tears in his eyes and blinked them away. He frowned to himself and gently touched the marble.

“I still can’t believe you’re gone, Ric. I miss you every day. I’ve got to go. Look after yourself, Ric." He stood up, pausing for a slight second and turned back to his car. He walked a few steps and looked back over his shoulder at the inscriptions on the grave.

RICHARD COLIN DONOVAN

* 13-07-1977

+ 25-01-2007

BELOVED SON, BROTHER AND FRIEND

YOUR MEMORY WILL ALWAYS

REMAIN IN OUR HEARTS

"Mom, why do I have to bath every night?" Owain asked and looked up at his mother sitting on the step next to the bath.

Hayley looked at him and grinned. "To make sure that you are clean when you go to bed."

"I understand that, but why every night?" He asked. "What if I didn't play in the dirt, do I still have to bath?"

"Of course." Hayley frowned.

"But why?" He asked, skimming his hand over the mountain of bubbles in front of him. "I heard Simon's dad say that boys are allowed to get dirty."

"That’s because his dad said so.” Hayley mumbled.

“How do you mean, Mom?” Owain frowned. “Is Simon’s dad wrong?”

“No, not at all. I completely agree with Simon’s father. You are a boy and you are allowed to get dirty." Hayley nodded.

"So what's the problem then?" Owain asked.

Hayley looked at him, and let out a little laugh.

"It's not funny, Mom. I could be doing other things instead of bathing every night." Owain said.

"Like what?" Hayley leaned forward and wiped some bubbles from his face. "Watching Spiderman?"

"Exactly." Owain nodded and Hayley laughed again. “I’m missing out on serious Spidey action.”

"What do you think Spiderman does when you're in the tub?" Hayley tilted her head.

"I don't know." He raised his shoulders and frowned. “He fights with the Goblin?”

“No.” Hayley leaned in closer and looked at him. "He's also in the tub."

"No way." Owain shook his head and looked at her in disbelief. "Really?"

"Yup." Hayley nodded.

Owain sat back in the tub and stared out in front of him for a few seconds. "Mom?"

"Yes?" Hayley grabbed a towel and placed it on her lap.

"Spiderman is even better than I thought." Owain said.

"Yes, he is." She grinned. "Are you done?"

"Yes." Owain nodded and held his hands out.

Hayley handed him the towel, but Owain did not stand up.

"You okay?" She asked.

"You can go now, Mom." Owain looked at her and she put her hands on her hips.

"And what if you drown?" Hayley asked.

"I won’t drown Mom, I’m not four anymore. I’m almost six." He rolled his eyes at her and she smiled at him.

"Okay fine, mister." Hayley shook her head and left the room.

"You look good, Luke." His mother, Heather, smiled at him as he sat down on the couch opposite her. “Tired, but good.”

"Thanks, you too." He frowned and looked around him.

His parents' house looked exactly the same as it had the last time he was there, which was about six months ago. Usually his mother would redecorate every three months, but everything was still in the same place. "Where is Dad?"

"He'll be along in a bit.” Heather looked at him and tucked a long strand of blonde hair behind her ear. "I've missed you."

"So have I." Lucas admitted and looked at his mother.

She was still as pretty as ever, with her
shoulder length blonde hair and bright hazel eyes. Both his parents were of Irish descent, but they were complete opposites. His dad had the dark brown, almost black hair, with chocolate eyes. Ric had his father’s features, whereas Lucas had a mixture of the two. He had his father’s dark hair and skin, and his mother’s eyes. Ric had his father’s temper, and Lucas had his mother’s softness. Both of them had zero bullshit tolerance, that’s why they got along so well.

"You’ve been working too hard." Heather said, and it snapped Lucas back to the present moment.

"It’s my job, Mom." Lucas said. “I don’t have any control over that.”

"I know, Luke. I am just worried about you." She smiled at him.

"You don’t have to worry about me. I’m a big boy." Lucas said and leaned back into the couch.

"You’re still my baby boy, Luke.” Heather smiled at him. “I couldn’t stop worrying even if I tried.”

“I know.” Lucas nodded.

“You shouldn’t baby him like that, Heather.” A voice came from the door and Lucas jumped.

"You're awake, Pat." Heather smiled and stood up, so did Lucas.

"Dad." Lucas nodded.

"Come here." Patrick Donovan held his arms out to his son and Lucas hugged him. "It's so good to see you."

"Likewise, Dad." Lucas nodded.

"I saw the accident on the news last night." Patrick sat down next to Heather and looked over at Lucas.

Lucas sat back down again and nodded. "Yes. It was the worst one I have seen in a while. Luckily they’re all stable in hospital."

"That’s good to hear. Well done, son." Patrick nodded.

"Thanks Dad." Lucas smiled at him and looked at his mother.

"Is Claudia working today?" Heather winked at him.

"I don’t know, Mom." Lucas shook his head.

"I still can’t believe you broke up with her.” Heather frowned, slightly disappointed. “She was such a lovely girl.”

“I never liked her.” Patrick muttered.

“It’s better this way.” Lucas raised his eyebrows and looked at his mother. “Trust me, Mom.”

“Good riddance I say.” Patrick nodded.

“You're not getting any younger, Luke. Ric could land a girl easier than..." Heather said.

"Well, I'm not him, okay." Lucas snapped, instantly regretting it. "I'm
sorry; I'm just a little on edge today."

“You work too hard.” Heather smiled apologetically. “Have you been taking your medication?”

“There’s nothing wrong with the boy, Heather!” Patrick grumbled. “He doesn’t need your constant mothering.”

“I’m just tired, Mom. Night-shift is exhausting.” Lucas suppressed a smile and looked at his mother.

"Nothing that a home cooked meal can't fix, I hope." Heather smiled at him.

"You know me too well." Lucas nodded with a smile.

"Wonderful, should I get your room ready as well?" Heather asked him and stood up.

"If that's okay." Lucas looked at her.

"You don't even have to ask, Luke." Heather walked over to him, ran her fingers through his dark hair and kissed the top of his head. "You keep your father company and I'll call you when dinner is ready."

"Thanks Mom." Lucas nodded and watched as his mother exited the lounge heading to the kitchen. He looked over at his father sitting opposite him and frowned. "How have you
been, Dad?"

"Better. Your mother has been very supporting and patient." Patrick said with a frown, looking slightly ashamed. "I know it sounds like she gets on my nerves with her nagging, but I wouldn't have made it through without her."

"That's good to hear, Dad." Lucas nodded and dropped his gaze. "I was at the grave earlier."

"You should visit more often. Your mother and I miss having you around." Patrick said.

“Why do you always do that?” Lucas frowned.

“Do what?” Patrick asked.

“Change the subject whenever I mention him?” Lucas asked.

“He was a criminal, Luke…” Patrick muttered. “He disgraced the family name…”

“Sure, I get that, but don’t you miss him? He was your son after all.” Lucas looked at his greying father.

His sideburns, that were once thick and dark, were now silver grey and matched the rest of the hair on his head, and his skin was sallow. There were deep laugh wrinkles around his eyes and he could remember his father laughing when he was younger, when Ric was still alive. He tried to recall the last
time he saw his father laugh, truly laugh, but he came up empty.

“I did not raise my son to be a criminal, Lucas!” Patrick grumbled.

“I know, Dad.” Lucas nodded and looked away.