The Shimmering Haze

SMS. 7.39. Morning Chris. Hope you have a relaxing day off miss. Still got my bag. Maybe out today instead. I love ya Chris xxxx – Tom

SMS. 9.50. Morning. Out today? That’s good. I’m in the country to escape the heat – Christian

SMS. 9.50. Have a great time, give the hags my love. I’m going home Monday!!! – Tom

I think it was already 40 degrees when I got up. It was hot.

SMS. 10.23. Stayed home last night to visit u this morn b4 I went to the hags, but now just too hot. Sorry buddy. Big luvs – Christian

SMS. 10.23. Don’t sweat it. Have a good one xxxx – Tom

Manny was still on my mind. His house was in the general direction of Bolago anyway. So, I dropped in on him announced, which he normally hates. But I figured he’d forgive me for it, you know, what is that expression, act first, ask for forgiveness afterwards. He was taken aback at first, but then the smile spread across his face. And then I kissed him. And raced him off to his bedroom, which he was more than happy about. Very happy about it. Then I wanted to leave almost straight away, as I had to get to Bolago, and Manny laughed and said, 

“Just leave the money on the fridge then.” 

His handsome face smiled. He is adorable. I left him standing at his front door in his undies, which is always a good look on him.

I didn’t have a shower, and I swear I could smell him on me, which I liked.

So, I got back on track. It was still hot, of course. I was making good time. My car air-conditioning still isn’t working, so I wound down all the windows and got on with it. Bloody car! I love the way the air buffets me as I head up the highway. Strong and hard and powerful. 

The road stretched out in front of me. I knew this road well by now. I loved the way the countryside stretched out in front of me as soon as I turned off the Sunbury Road. I could hear the burble of my Rover’s V8 with all the windows wound down.

SMS. 12.59. (Rachel) As the road disappears into a shimmering, hazy distance – Christian

It was so hot that the long and straight road did shimmer in the distance.

On a bright country highway

Warm wind in my hair

Distant smell of colitas

Rising up through the air

Up ahead in the distance

I saw a shimmering light

My head grew heavy and my sight grew dim

I had to get there alright…

It was well passed midday when I got up there. Mark and Luke were drinking coffee watching TV. We watch a lot of TV up Bolago in the down time. I like it. It is relaxing.

“Chrisso,” said Mark.

"You are here," said Luke. Then he rolled a joint and handed it to me almost as soon as I had landed. Lovely Luke. 

It seemed like only moments later that Luke handed me a plate of pasta. I’m not sure I even saw him make it.

SMS. 13.26. Happy Australia Day, celebrating here too xx – Lauri

SMS. 13.31. Happy Aussie Day you little OS Aussie – Christian

I don’t get the Australia day thing. If you have travelled the world, if you have been to far off lands, and seen how the other half live, every day is Australia Day in Australia. It really is that simple. Get over yourselves, people. It’s not a day to prove how Anglo you are. It’s a day to come together for everybody.

I lay on my bed and read Dead Europe. I find I can read when I have been smoking. No I can’t. But I’d only really had one, so I can read in that case. Said behind the back of my hand, no, I probably can’t. Oh, I can read, but I can’t remember what I’ve read. But I was going okay today, that was until I dozed off to sleep, of course.

Later, I watched more teev. Luke rolled more joints.

SMS. 22.46. All I do is fucking work lately, the only shimmering haze is inside my brain. I think they call it reality – Rachel

We went to bed late. Mark and Luke always go to bed late, they never have to get up in the mornings.