Date: Sun, 11 Oct 2020 08:34:42 +1100 From: Maxwell Dowling Subject: Kasey with a k / chapter 22 Adam 22 I walked up to work feeling loved, but my brain wasn't fully into gear. This thing with Kasey was driving me nuts. I had doubts about whether he was needed over there. He could liaise with the guys over the internet but he assured me he was needed there in person so he could sit in on the rest of the court case. He will help with the prosecution. I know I'm trying to make excuses why he shouldn't be going and I'm failing miserably. My morning was full on and I didn't have time to dwell on the obvious. Eva kept checking on me and now and then Tim would come and make some idle talk. I know he was checking my work out, making sure my mind was on the job. I got him or Marko to check my dye color out to make sure it was correct and check that all the foils were spot on. I did have two ladies in for hair trims and I let Marko do them out the back. I was now that confident in him. A smiling lady came through the door and a little boy screamed down to my station. I picked him up and kissed him, he wiped it off. "Why are you here today I wasn't expecting you." "We thought we would come for a run and I think my roots need doing." "No, they don't. They are still perfect mum." I kissed her cheek and Billy slid down to go and see what kind of trouble he can get into. Mum leaned in and said. "I thought you might like some motherly support so we are here to offer some. Have you had lunch yet?" "No mum not yet. I will make a list and Kasey can pick it up on his way down. He's coming to have lunch with me." "Good, it will be nice to see him." That was my cue to finish for the day. I have family here and I'm not doing any more hair. Billy was talking to Eva for a minute. Then Anne, then James got a mouth full. I have no idea what they were talking about but he seemed happy when he jumped up and down on one of the sofas talking to a customer. He's settled in for the day so I took mum into the tea room and we made a lunch list. I won't send it to Kasey; I will get Marko to go get it. I messaged him that mum was here and we will eat early because of Billy. There was no answer; I guess he was still reading. "Now, tell me how you feel?" "Dead inside mum; my brain is getting harder to engage with reality and it's sending me some horrible images." "That's about right son; it will pass and the time will pass quickly too. Focus on something else like your renovations or go and work at the other salon for a few days just for something different. Of course, your very welcome to come and stay with us. Your dad would love that and I'm sure your brother would make you feel welcome." "I will come to stay for a while mum I'm looking forward to it." "Well you got me thinking about when I was all alone. You were Billy's age when I realized I should be doing something with my time instead of moaning to the other Military wives; we were all in the same boat. I contacted the local school and volunteered. I got to know Kathy, the home economics teacher, very well. She's in her sixties now but she still teaches at the St Johns girls' school. Here's my plan, I would like to contact her and talk to her about you going to school now and then to do some lectures on hairdressing. There's plenty of young ladies who would like to take up that skill and your services would be free. It will keep you occupied once a week and the kids will be nice to integrate with for a change." "Sounds like hard work mum, I'm no teacher." "Yes you are, how do you think Janice got her diploma and Marko, he doesn't know everything, I'm sure of it." "True I guess it's a good idea. Let me think about it." "In the meantime, I will talk to Kathy. She can maybe make some inquiries with the principal." "Okay now, what do we want for lunch?" I was changing the subject, she had just given me something else to think about and it wouldn't be that hard to talk about my work for a few weeks. Dad appeared out of nowhere. He immediately picked Bill up after they saluted each other. He had just sat down when Kasey arrived. Kasey saluted him and dad said, "Private Bill?" "Sorry daddy I forget." He jumped off my knee and saluted Kasey. "Stand at ease Private Bill," Kase said. "Yes sir no sir five bags full sir." "Okay that's enough. What message is he relaying General?" Kasey said and I'm intrigued too. Dad laughed and replied. "He's saying everything is all right with the five of us, himself, me, his mum and you two. It's when he gets mixed up we need to worry, like if he says no sir yes sir four bags full. He's telling me he's not fine and there's four problems I have to deal with, or one, two or three whichever is the case." "And he remembers them?" I was amazed. "Private Bill six enemy spies have broken into the house!" "General daddy, no sir, yes sir, six holes in one sir!" He saluted again. "Excellent private Bill; we may rethink your ranking when we get home." "Okay, daddy." He jumped back onto his lap. "My God, you didn't do that with me did you?" I asked because I didn't remember. "No, you were too abstinent; you wanted to say the whole rhyme. I guess in your little world it wasn't the "thing" to muck around with nursery rhymes. Plus it helps Bill with his counting." He laughed. The food arrived and there was plenty for all. I had told Marco to cater to everyone so he had gone to the fish and chip shop and ordered up big. The smell wafted into the salon and the few customers got a bag of chips too, which made a big hole in my hundred dollars. Dad started discussing the trial with Kasey and they talked quite quickly like no one else was in the room. Kasey was explaining if the resistance leader gets the firing squad, it might cause an upsurge in the area, they have to be very careful about that when the sentence is passed. I looked at mum she shrugged her shoulders and then placed her hand on dads. He looked at her then cleared his throat. "What is it, my lovely wife?" "We are here to cheer Adam up, not make him feel worse." Kasey immediately looked at me. He got that worried look on his face again. I felt embarrassed and tried to smile. "It's okay dad, I am just a bit over sensitive. It will pass; don't worry about me." "Okay son, but I will be giving you daily updates. I will send a man by when I hear something." "Okay dad, that's very good of you. I know you don't have to do that." "In your case, I will make an exception son." He winked. I saluted him and said. "Thank you daddy general, "Yes sir no sir, one less towel to wash at home, sir." I started giggling and Billy was trying to tell me my answer was wrong. "That's why I didn't teach you, you never took anything seriously way back then." Mum was laughing but Kasey was still staring at me. "Well I had better get this one home for a nap. Thank you for the catch-up son, I have thoroughly enjoyed myself, once again," Mum said. About an hour later, Billy was looking tired. He had the girls and boys chasing him all over the place at one stage. Dad had to get back to work and Kasey still stared. We walked them out the front and I helped mum buckle Billy up; then we waved them goodbye. Kasey followed me inside, I was about to go and clean up the tea room when he grabbed my elbow. "You're coming with me, Eva he's taking the rest of the day off. Have you got everything Adam?" I checked I had my keys and answered. "Yes sir." I saluted. He wasn't impressed and I waved to Eva as I was marched out the door and up the street. He didn't say anything on the way, but he did fall in step with me. I was giggling to myself because I was deliberately walking fast. The front door was closed behind us and he turned me to face him. "Strip." No please or thank you very much, just strip, so I did. He led me to our bedroom and said, "Sit." I sat on the end of the bed and watched a god strip naked two feet from my face. "Now get in." he ordered. I complied and he slid in beside me, my head was placed on his shoulder and he took a deep breath. "In our bed, I always feel so loved and wanted, which is all I ever dreamt about and I feel so guilty for making you feel the opposite way. I need you to feel just as safe and loved Adam, otherwise, I won't be going. I can still pull out and I promise I won't be annoyed. But you have to talk to me. You have to tell me how I can make you feel more loved and secure." I looked him in the eyes, those beautiful blue ones and said, "Kiss me." He squinted, then he moved in closer to place a smacker on my lips. "Kase, I am sorry I am going overboard at the moment, it was just a shock, that's all. I will settle down and I don't want you to miss out on this opportunity. I am convinced that your presence over there will be invaluable to the case. I can find plenty to do while you're gone it's just that I will miss this so very much. Kasey, I had nothing until I found you and now I have the world. It's very hard to give that up, even though it will only be temporary." "I feel the same Adam. I will miss this more than anything." He kissed me again then moved down to lick my nipples. "And this." He moved to my abs. "And this." he moved to my sac." "And this the most." He placed his lips on my dick and sucked it into his mouth. My hips immediately started moving up and down; this man knows how to get me going and I have to learn not to be so selfish when it comes to my Kasey. He finished what he started and then it was my turn to tell him how much I will miss him but I started on his bottom and lingered there for quite some time. I love his musky scent. When I finished I pulled him in for a spoon and slipped gracefully inside him. He grasped me with his muscles and I succumbed to his awesome body. "Coffee?" We had moved to the sofa and the TV was going. He wanted to watch the early news. No paperwork tonight; just us being a small family. "Yes please, and don't be long." "I won't," and I almost ran to the kitchen to put the pot on then I grabbed two mugs. He didn't look at his paperwork all night; he was tuned into me. Over the next two weeks, I hardly got to sit down with him again he was so busy. He was trying to get ahead with his studies and doing the court case as well. He ended up with a small stack of papers that he read constantly and then they would disappear into his briefcase. The last three days were all about me and him making some lingering memories to take with him; and a few porn movies. His uniforms had been dry cleaned and packed. He did his duffle bag and his briefcase was crammed full of neatly folded paperwork; his laptop was securely placed inside a soft shoulder bag. He couldn't look at me I was too distraught to even comprehend that this day had finally arrived. After giving his bag to his driver he turned to me. "Adam please look at me." I tried not to but the pull was too great, I lifted my head and took a deep breath. "Come home soon," I whispered. "I will. Nothing can keep me away from you for too long. Look me in the eye and promise me you will forget where I am and go back to being normal for a while." "I promise Kasey with a k; I promise you a lot of things and I have hope... hope that you help solve the case and come home to me sooner than we think." "I will try, my sweet thing. Now you can kiss me." I moved into his arms, and I couldn't help myself. I started sniffing into his neck as I kissed it repeatably, some tears did escape. "Hush baby, I will try and ring you tonight if I can. If not, first thing in the morning. Be good and no random sleepovers, except for Bill." He pushed me off and I saw those wonderful blue eyes and one of his bigger smiles. Not holding off anymore, I deeply kissed him until my lips hurt. After last night they had been the only place on my body that didn't hurt, and now they have joined my other throbbing parts. I didn't want to go downstairs to wave him goodbye. I wanted to remember him in our home and my arms. He kissed me once more turned and walked out to the lift closing the door gently behind him. I walked into the bedroom so I could smell his smells on his pillow and sobbed my heart out. I didn't expect to hear from him until tomorrow sometime. It will be a long flight and he's a lucky boy because they were sending him business class, so at least he can sleep in comfort (thank you, dad). I stopped my crying and just lay there looking across at the clock by his bedside, then I gently closed my eyes and started imagining him next to me trying to enter my butt, which was still sore from last night's effort. I didn't want that feeling to leave me, I wanted it to stay as a reminder that he completely owns me. I dozed for a while, then, I moved to the shower, I hadn't done that when he did. I wanted to stay dirty for a moment longer but now I have to do my normal thing and my part in this separation by going back to normal. It will be hard to do, seeing this place looking like a bomb went off with paperwork flying everywhere as Kasey scribbled notes and highlighted sentences in the massive court reports. He sort of cleaned it up when he packed some of it away in his valise, but there was still a stack of notes laying idle on the table. I figured these would have something to do with his Uni studies which have been suspended. He had also sent out snippets of the court case to his fellow students to get their thoughts on the subject and he had told me as much as he could as I looked for answers to calm my hurting heart. The case involved three resistance men who were on trial. One was the leader and there were five young boys and six girls found but many more were being held captive in the hills. The group had captured some village children and they had been either sold off or trained to be killers. These few children were kept as cooks and sex slaves. Their ages ranged from six to thirteen and when they were found they were in a bad way. Some were beyond caring, some were still holding on and fighting their tormentors. They weren't rescued until one of the boys escaped and alerted the French military as to where the others were. The terrain wasn't friendly but they managed to get these children away and arrest the captors but many had escaped during the fighting. The criminal case was to document the abuse and to decide with a jury what kind of justice should be served. There was no question that these children weren't telling the truth. Kasey had written on one piece of paper I saw `death by firing squad'. He was so incensed by the atrocities he had been reading, that that's all he could come up with at that moment. Of course, he never let me read what happened to these children but I could guess and I didn't like the images that had formed in my head. I was already heavily depressed by the time he had to leave. Now he has gone I will go to my doctors and get some sleeping pills and maybe something else to calm my anxiety down. I didn't want him to see it was affecting me as bad as it was. I couldn't interfere in his mission because that would mean failure on his part. If he decided to stay home and look after me it wouldn't be right for the children. I know Kasey will find the solution to what I saw as a black and white verdict, but he would be in a foreign law court with foreign judges and jury, anything could happen. All these things went around and around in my head. I couldn't stop it and I couldn't forget it either. I kept coming back to Billy and how lucky he was to be living in a war-free country with loving parents. He is also lucky he's not abused so badly he can't remember his name. I dried myself and decided to try and shake the gloom off so I turned the TV on and dozed on the sofa, nothing interested me and once again I couldn't concentrate on anything. I got up and walked out to the balcony, pouring a glass of wine for myself on the way. I leaned on the balustrade and watched the city go from mid-afternoon to dusk. The sun had been out and it had been a beautiful day. My lack of not having anything to do was my fault. I had plenty of invitations to go out, more to distract me than anything, but I refused all offers because I wanted to be alone. I deserved to be alone and wait here for Kasey's return. He called from the airport and we talked a little. I was trying to sound upbeat for him but he knew I was putting it on, he always knows my mood swings but he tried to be positive and I didn't want him to feel guilty for leaving. I wanted him to be a star and to be involved as much as they let him. I started feeling guilty when I hung up because it was like I wanted bragging rights like his father wanted and that's certainly not me. I wanted him to be noticed as a real up and coming young lawyer. By the time his flight was called, it was almost dark, so I stood where I had been for the last two hours and finished off my first bottle of wine. Feeling the effects of loss, anxiety, and wine I decided to call it a night and go to bed. I know I will be up early but that's the price I'm willing to pay because I was also exhausted and dead tired. I lay in bed watching the small movie we had taped over and over again. It didn't get a rise out of me so I switched the phone off and closed my eyes, taking the chance I will dream about my beautiful Kasey. Unfortunately, it wasn't to be the first night I tossed and turned after getting three hours of uninterrupted sleep. I had woken up and as much as I tried, I couldn't get back to sleep. My brain had started up as soon as my eyes were opened. I didn't have anything to do which is surprising. I can usually find something when Kasey is here with me. In desperation I dragged myself out to the living room, turned the TV on and pulled a blanket over me. That's the last I remembered until the sun woke me up around six. I immediately put some coffee on and then checked my phone, One last message, 'I love you, Adam with an A and miss your sweet scent already'. I smiled and sent the same back but I'm sure he will still be in the air and won't see it until he lands. I potted around until my phone alerted me with another message. `Are you up?' It was Trish so I said yes. She rang my doorbell a few minutes later and it was nice to have another human in the apartment. I hugged her and she held me for a moment. "Do you want another coffee?" "Yes please, do you want to sit outside it's a nice morning?" "That's fine, how did you sleep?" "Not well but I expected it, did you go out last night with the team?" "No my friend. We will all wait until you're ready to have some fun company." Smiling she followed me outside. She had made three mugs of coffee. I guess Evans won't be far behind her. "What are you up to today, are you coming to my salon?" "Yes, I think I might come over. It's been ages since I've seen Janice and Trev and I wouldn't mind going through Cody's stuff. I believe he's now got toddler things so I might pick up a present or two for Billy while I'm there." "Good, we can do lunch together. I want to talk to you about something Cody said, and I want you to be on top of it all if it happens." "What did he say my lovely?" "He's talking about opening another warehouse in Melbourne." "Sounds good to me, but I don't know anyone in Melbourne that does good hair; maybe we will bow out this time." "No you won't leave it to momma." She grinned. "Why would I think otherwise. Well you have my `yes' vote." "He just mentioned it. I think he was fishing for an indication that the salon would be on board. I told him I would run it by you." "That's fine with me. Just tell me how much I owe to get it up and running." "Good. It's a great move on his part and the salon should get on the merry-go-round sooner rather than later." "Okay I get it, but I won't have the time to oversee it all." "Take a step back. Just do the clients that rely on you then you will have time, you have staff there's no problem." "If you say so, Trish." "You also have me. That's of course if I get an extra zero added to my wages next month." I had to think about that one. I did think I might eventually make Trish a partner in the business but it was doing my head in to even think about it at the time. I have so much to thank her for and the business can afford it. "What's on today?" "We can hang here or I can go into work, you can go for a big walk to clear away the cobwebs... your choice." I smiled because I had gotten Kasey into the habit of walking the city streets just for fun. "Or I can take mum up on her suggestion to teach hairdressing at one of her local ladies' colleges." "Awesome idea, that will keep you occupied, it's a pity it isn't a boys' school. Its always nice to have some eye candy around," She chuckled. Evans came in and kissed her cheek and asked if we wanted more coffee. I didn't want anymore and Trish declined. "Come on. I'm taking my two favorite people out for breakfast then," he smiled. "Great, sounds okay to me." Trish looked at me, I smiled. "That's what I want to see... no more long faces, Adam." "Come on." Evans was like Kasey when food is mentioned... all of a sudden they get hungry. I eventually decided to go into my work. Everything was running smoothly so I sat in the tea room and played with my phone. Kasey will ring, I just have to be patient. Now and then someone would pop their heads in to see if I'm okay. I got sick of my own company and decided to go for a long walk so I said my goodbyes to everyone and started my journey. I did buy some things but they were for Kase, just things that caught my eye as I window shopped. After two hours I got sick of it and bought myself a sandwich for lunch. I was sitting quietly in a park and finally, my phone rang. "Just got in baby." "How was the flight?" "Awesome and it's bloody hot here." "Okay it's a fine day here. Trish and Evans took me out for breakfast and now I'm sitting in the park having lunch." "Well I'm about to go off and meet the team. No rest for the wicked here, there's Military everywhere." "Good, all is well here I'm just a little lonely and bored at the moment." "Go stay at your folks Adam. Billy alone will entertain you to no end." "I know, I think I will drive down tonight and stay a few days." "Got to go... ring you later, love you." "Love you back Kasey." He hung up. Hearing his voice again has made me even lonelier, so I headed home then rang Eva and told her I was taking a week off. She was very happy with my decision and said she would ring me if she had any problems. I threw some clothes into a backpack and headed for the car park. I will phone Trish later. I stopped on the way to look at the surf and thought I had better warn mum I was arriving. She was very happy I was coming to stay. She said if she wasn't home when I got there I should let myself in. She will only be at the pre-school picking Billy up. It was okay. When I arrived mum pulled up at the same time and Billy ran towards my car. Instead of him trying to open the door, I grabbed my bag and jumped out to greet him, walking around the car for him to jump up into my arms. He was getting bigger and his hair was shoulder length now and there's no way he will ever get it cut which he continues to remind everyone. "Come on Stevie, bikkies and milk first, then some cartoons." "Okay sport, let's go." He ran ahead and I hugged and kissed my mum. It was something I loved to do with her, and I'll never forget what an idiot I was way back when I left. She offered coffee and while it brewed she organized Bills biscuits and milk. He headed for the TV of course. I sat at the table and watched him scatter the cushions on the floor then I heard a scream. Through the back door came a freckled-faced strawberry blonde headed kid about Bills age. He screamed through the kitchen and into the family room then plopped down on the cushions. "That will be Dennis from next door. They just saw each other at preschool but I guess they have a lot to catch up on." She giggled as she poured another small milk for Bill's guest. I smiled warmly because I had wondered if Kasey had any school friends that would visit after classes. I could imagine them gathering after a hard day in class. I did have friends, but over the years they simply moved away or went on to other places because we were all military families and we get shifted quite often. She took the treats into the big family room then she made our coffees. "By the way son, I talked to my friend Kathy. She said they would love you to volunteer to teach the basics of hairdressing." "I don't know mum, it all sounds like hard work to me I might give it a miss at the moment. Plus Cody wants me to open another salon in Melbourne." "That will keep you busy, will you have to go there?" "No, I think Trish has someone in mind to handle it all." "Okay son, just let me know if you're bored." "He's only away for a month or two mum... how about you teach me Floristry?" I giggled. "I wasn't that good at it son, it was just something I did to occupy myself." Billy got up off the floor, I think there's an advert on. Dennis followed and he introduced him to his brother, me, Stephen. He was all bug-eyed and didn't say much as I shook his hand then mum slipped them a couple more biscuits. "It's okay son, they are sugarless." She giggled. "I didn't like to say, mum." I grinned. "You had them too, that's why your teeth are perfect, well I hope they are I worked hard on them when you were little." "Yes they are perfect, and I think you for helping me to keep them that way." I never thought of that when I was younger I just thought my teeth were pretty normal. We talked more about Kasey's trip, then Billy's friend had to get home and Billy had chores to do like clean up the cushions and place the plates on the kitchen bench. It was as if a light bulb came on. His face lit up and he rushed out the back door and it slammed in his wake. "Your father's home." "How the hell did he know?" "He heard the garage door son, his hearing is perfect, and so are his teeth." Another giggle. "Oh, I see." I giggled back. Dad came in the back door carrying Billy on his hip. He kissed my mum and I got one on my head. "Good to see you again son." "You to dad," I replied. "How about you go and see what's on TV baby, dad will be in soon." "Okay." Billy slid down his big torso and ran for the TV again. He's a very busy boy today, the cushions were used again. "Lamb shanks for dinner, okay boys?" "Yum yes please mum want a hand?" I was trying to fit in and not think about Kasey. It was hard but I can't show any weakness in front of dad. He taught me not to when I was younger. "Have you heard from Kasey?" He asked, and again, I can't avoid thinking about my man. "Yes, he rang this morning. He's tired but he had to go to a meeting or something to be introduced to the other team members. He also mentioned the heat." "Well, I heard he was well accepted into the unit son. He's left them with a lot to think about and now he's sleeping. Lucky he has air conditioning." He smiled. "He had a lot of notes he was taking along. He's a clever boy that husband of mine." "We know son, that's why he is where he is." "Well I wish he was here but that's my selfish side coming out." "Understandable too. I'm glad I don't have to go over to the East again." He smiled at mum. She held a knife up and said. "Yes, and you know exactly what will happen if you did." "Ouch!" He covered his balls with his big hands. Billy came out to see what was happening and he climbed up on dad's lap then he started telling him what he did at school today and dad was all ears. The stories he told us were just kid's stuff but in his little world, it was important information to be passed around. I peeled the potatoes while mum put the shanks into her pressure cooker. "Forty minutes son. Do you need to settle your stuff in?" I had forgotten to take my bag upstairs and when that little brother of mine saw me heading to the bedroom he was up and following me. I think he was playing mountain climbers on the stairs he took his time with each step. I opened my bedroom door and was welcomed back into the small room. My old toys had been shifted to Bills room and mostly the cupboards were bare because I threw a lot of the clothes away. The first thing he did was bounce on the bed, and I got a rundown that it was better than his because it was more bouncy. We agreed we would be having a sleepover tonight and we tossed a coin to find out which side he slept on. I unpacked my things then we both went back downstairs. Dinner smelt wonderful and dad had set the table and now was on the phone. Mum and I dished up our meals. She had mashed potatoes and a couple of party pies for Billy. I don't think he cared for the thick meat. If you can, please donate to the Nifty site, every little donation will be humbly appreciated.