Adam
Chapter 87
Maxieplus
Joe's offer had been accepted within two weeks, the owners saw the error of their ways when Kasey had to intervene and explain to them why it was overpriced. They agreed on a new settlement and the lawyers are handling the sale. The museum was so grateful for the costumes and books the ladies told me they would be featured in Adele's museum occasionally. Not many of the older style dresses had survived especially the Worth brand.
The security guys at the house were still patrolling at night, and nothing was out of order. Lynnie is doing a great job with the quick cuts, and James, I, and Anne were helping when she got snowed under. The salon was busier since we opened the new chairs and Trish said our figures were up. The guys at the fed building were relieved they could get cheaper cuts and didn't have to go through all that washing and styling process that happens in a salon.
Kase and I had changed the layout in the house at night time, we retired to our bedroom when Sam went to bed, and then we would sit on the balcony and have a wine or talk or make love, whatever we fancied. Joe and Trish had done the same, so we weren't up every night sitting in the backyard. I know mum was happy because she got to settle into her home and watch some TV with dad, and maybe snuggle up.
It was the third week Joey pulled me aside and wanted to talk to me. He had news on Trisha's family.
"They didn't adopt her Adam, she was taken off the mother's sister, the aunty. She was born out of wedlock and for appearances, they looked after her and brought her up."
"And you know this how?"
"Hospital records, neighbours. Everyone knew except Trish and her sisters. Anyway, this is where it gets a little murky. I haven't told Trish anything yet so say nothing. The aunty left a will and I was able to get my hands on copy. She left everything to Trish, the parents rented the house out to friends and they have been paying it directly to them for the past seven years. There was money and I still don't know what happened to it, as yet. But you can guess where it went because the lawyer handling the will was a family member on the father's side."
"So they did her out of her inheritance?" He started laughing.
"The farm was half in the aunt's name, they never bothered to change it. The grandfather left it to the aunt and the mother. So Trish gets half of it also. This is why they can't sell it. I have to get the lawyer prosecuted then go after the family for stealing her money."
"Was there much?"
"No Adam, the aunt wasn't rich, a few thousand dollars but it's still illegal in anyone's eyes."
"Boy is she going to be happy, and pissed off."
"Do you think?" He grinned.
"Oh yes, she will jump for joy and I hope she forces them to sell."
"She might have a battle on her hands, I will be speaking to them next week so we will see what they come up with."
"What are you going to do?"
"Tell them I know about the lawyer and the scam, and offer them a pittance for the farm instead of prosecution. I will also tell them they can get their mates to vacate the house and Kasey's clever lawyers will have it transferred to Trish. She can sell both properties and make a bomb." He smiled.
"When are you going to tell her?"
"After I go and see the parents, they will accept my offer because the alternative is jail. I will also take a small team of lawyers with me, they will have paperwork to sign. What a dreadful family, no wonder Trish doesn't want to be seen with them. I would also like to hit them with a bill for your statue but I think that's going too far, and the insurance paid for it anyway."
"No, let's forget it ever happened, the less we say about it the less Trish will blame herself."
"She does Adam, but we are working on it. My biggest worry is that she will take it all the wrong way and blame me for snooping in her business."
"She won't Joey, she loves you so much. If I am correct she will be so happy, and now the big plus is hopefully she will have money of her very own."
"She didn't like that did she?"
"No, but she suspected it was part of a bigger plan, and you know she would have never touched it."
"That's why I love her." he grinned.
"Well good luck with your little adventure, if you need any help I am here."
"I got this." He kissed my cheek and I know deep down Joey's heart was leaping for joy.
Trish was always smiling and now it's even bigger because she is about to move into her first real home. The furniture and white goods were all relatively new, the owners wanted it all to look pristine. A deal was struck and everything came with the house they didn't have to buy anything. I know Trish hates clutter but she loves my things. I am thinking about giving her the statue she looked after at the apartment for a housewarming present, it will be a stand-out feature and the only thing old in the place. I feel that she will start having kids soon which will be fantastic. Once she hears she's not part of that family she will focus on her own with Joe and maybe a kid or two.
Kasey knew all about it because Joey ran it past him in case his plan was flawed. I finished reading Fred's book and found some answers, and I vowed I would be more supportive of Kase in the future. I had run into Bill one day, he had come in for a haircut. He told me that Kasey's only problem was Sam and me, it didn't shock me and I told him I knew that anyway.
He said his need to protect us was enormous, and he blamed himself for all my dramas and Sam's worries.
"We are working on it, how is he at home?"
"Excellent, almost back to where he was a year ago. He's doing less work and certainly doesn't lock himself away anymore. He's more attentive and he is getting me to do more work for him which I love doing."
"Good, he's a very intelligent man Adam. He knows he's smothered you both with his restraints, you would have noticed that."
"I did, he was always two paces behind us wherever we went, and he's almost spoilt Sam and me, nothing was too much for us. It was getting a bit old because he wouldn't let me help him, I thought it was because he didn't want me to interfere, but I know now it was his way of protecting us"
"He will change more Adam, I have so much confidence in him."
"Me also Bill."
The big night came and we ordered pizza, Jameel was a downer. I expected a tall handsome latino looking guy to turn up with Evans, but I got a short one with a beard who didn't speak Arabic, so Sam missed out on practicing his language skills. He was born here and as Aussie as Evans, who winked at me and whispered.
"And you thought we were a couple, really Adam. When are you going to realise that you're my perfect man?" I spat my drink out because I went into fits of laughter.
"How the fuck do you know about that?"
"Kasey told me when he apologised."
"He didn't tell me he did that."
"He wouldn't, but he felt he owed me an apology, no Adam. I like the ladies but they don't seem to like me."
"They will, now you are working for him you will have plenty of opportunities."
"A private secretary give me a break." He rolled his eyes, then asked me.
"I liked Trish but I didn't treat her nice. It was unintentional and I am working on it. I am happy she has Joe now, he is such a nice guy."
"We all are Evans, and she doesn't hold any grudges and she certainly doesn't do regret, so don't give it a second thought."
The pizzas arrived and Jameel was talking to Kasey. Kase was also rolling his eyes, and more than once mouthed 'help' at me. Dad got the bulk of his inquiries and I am sure he and mum had switched off because he kept looking at me and now I'm going to get it.
He was a talker for sure and hungry for knowledge, but in his way, it was so cute and he was certainly a party piece. We were all laughing and when he asked me about the daily running of a salon I cracked up I couldn't help myself and Kasey saved me by making me clean up the empty boxes.
"How the hell do you live with him Evans, he would drive me crazy."
"As I said we hardly ever see each other, he is a handful but I tune out. I have to admit he's a nice person and would do anything for anyone. It's just that he's a little hyper sometimes and he has a real thirst for knowledge."
"He should be working for Kasey, he could use a good talker."
"We talked about it but I think he may be a bit too heavy for Kase. He's just getting over a big shock. I didn't want to hit him with another one." He laughed.
"Well, the commander is happy with him."
"He is, and Jameel has his back, he may be small but he's a fighting machine if I ever saw one. I watched him talk down a woman who was going to jump off a bridge, they were best of friends when she stepped down. Good things come in small packages Adam." I had a change of heart with Jameel and gave him all the information he needed.
Before Sam went to bed I noticed him staring at him. My heart jumped and yes he would connect his looks with the bad men, I also noticed he and Billy were mainly playing in the tree house that had appeared one day while I was at work.
I went with him so he could brush his teeth and get ready for bed, then when he was all tucked in I asked him if our guest had frightened him.
"No daddy, he was nice. I had a memory that's all but I know he isn't a bad man, he is funny." He yawned.
"You know we wouldn't have anyone bad in our house don't you."
"Yes daddy." He was nearly asleep so I tucked the blanket in and kissed his forehead.
"Goodnight my sweet son." No answer because he was fast asleep.
It was two am when the screaming started, Kasey leapt out of bed and I chased him. Sam was having a nightmare, Kasey had him in his arms and was stroking his back.
"Nightmare, he sleeps with us."
He calmed down almost instantly, and he wasn't awake. We watched him snuggle up to us and everything was back to normal.
"Why?" He looked at me.
"Jameel's look Kasey, we talked about it before he went to sleep."
"What didn't you tell me?"
"I thought I had fixed it, he can't be thinking all men with beards are bad, but maybe it brought up a memory for him. It makes sense now he would have a dream."
"I will talk to him in the morning."
"He would have forgotten it by then."
"Ok get some sleep Adam, big day today." I stared at him and he nudged me with his hips.
"Oh, that big day." I snuggled into Sam and went back to sleep.
I wasn't worried about Sam having nightmares, this is the first one he's had for ages. I will talk to mum about it, but unfortunately, Jameel's look brought it on. I realised that everyone around Sam nowadays looks different to what he was used to as a little kid.
I watched his eyes flicker and they slowly opened, he wasn't surprised I was in bed with him he just smiled and said.
"Good morning daddy,"
"Good morning son did you sleep well?"
"Yes daddy." He snuggled in and I looked over to Kasey who was also watching. I have no idea what we expected to happen but it seems it's all over and forgotten about.
I slipped out of bed to do my morning chores and once again I could hear laughing coming from the bedroom. Things do get back to normal pretty quickly in our house, I then heard Billy squealing and I guess Kasey had his tickles out again and when I got back they were gone.
"They ran off to wake dad,"
"He will be pleased."
"What do we do about it?"
"Nothing Kasey we can talk to mum, but I think she would tell us it's all normal and part of growing up." He threw back the covers and said.
"No, not that this?" He had a boner.
"Oh that, well give me a minute, assume the position."
"That's better, and I know he's going to be alright, maybe we don't invite Jameel around again."
"We can't do that."
"Evans has been here, what three times? I don't think he's the kind of guy that will be living on our doorstep."
"He's not, but Sam has to get used to the good guys in his life also, like we turn bad into good. And it's not him it's his dark beard he doesn't like."
"The look Adam, it's fashionable, maybe I will grow one."
"Do that and I won't be doing this anymore."
"I won't then, keep licking."
We showered and dressed I took my time and Kasey watched me. I do a lot of extra things he doesn't because I need to be perfectly groomed, it's my job.
Mum and dad were outside having breakfast and the kids were over at the tree house. We talked for a few minutes and she did what I knew she would do, we weren't to worry about it or overthink it.
"Billy has his moments Adam and so did you, and you know nightmares only last seconds and they follow us around as adults, but kids are different there is too much to do during the day and they forget easily."
"What have you got on today Kasey?" Dad changed the subject.
"We are going to the cabin."
"When?" I said.
"After breakfast, a day trip to see our niece and friends. Maybe pick up some paperwork from June while we are at it."
"Leave her alone she does a good job," I said.
"I know, it's paperwork to sign and that's all."
"She can post it."
"For you to sign Adam, it's urgent and important." He winked.
I have no idea what he was up to but I do want to see my Eva again.
I informed Trish I wouldn't be in today but we did walk up to the shop dropping the kids off as usual. Sam was his happy-go-lucky old self and nothing more was said. We picked the car up and he made a couple of phone calls and then he started driving us towards the hills.
"Why are we going to the cabin?"
"I want to spend some time alone with you."
"I see and you don't want to do that at the house?"
"Not the way it's done up here." He smiled.
"Naked cabin type of thing?"
"Yes."
I was happy he wanted to have me all on my own for the day, it shows me that he is changing back to his old self. He turned the power on and I put the kettle to work. He then stripped me naked and I did the same to him. We walked down to the chill-out area and I sat on his knees.
"I will need to go and see Eva at some stage."
"She's not expecting you, maybe next weekend."
"What do you want to talk about?"
"Nothing, I just want to be with you." His hands started stroking my body and if I hadn't been made love to up to now, I certainly was about to be.
We managed three rounds while we used the chill-out area the family room and finally the bedroom, there was no stone left unturned and no crevice he didn't love. I was exhausted, and may I say so was he. That big grin on his face spoke volumes.
"It's nice to get away sometimes Adam. I have had a great day."
"I am a bit hungry Kase, can we go up the street and get something to eat?"
"No stay here, I made some sandwiches they are in my backpack, let's have a picnic." He jumped out of bed and grabbed the paper bag and we dined like kings. The rest of the day was spent talking about the build, the restaurant and Joey's new house. For once there was nothing particular he wanted to tell me except he loved me. We were relaxed when we arrived back home, Sam and Billy greeted us from the pool and mum smiled.
"Any dramas today mum?" He asked her.
"Not a one. Did you have a good time?"
"Yes, just the best."
I opened a wine and sat with her and Kasey. Billy ran out of the pool and started talking to me as he crawled up onto my lap. I didn't know what he was trying to say until he moved in a bit closer to kiss me and whisper in my ear.
"Hair Stevie, I need hair done, not too short please."
"Done little brother, we will do it after you play."
He's still a bit selfish with his hair, it needs to be long and just below his shoulders, like mine. It's the photo of me that mum had placed next to his bed, he liked my hair and used to scream when mum went to cut it. Now it's a big secret when he asks me to trim it. Nobody is supposed to know except me and him. I think it's cute, and mum rolls her eyes.
He ran back into the pool and I will give him the works when nobody's looking. Of course Sam has to watch me do it, he knows how long it's supposed to be. I usually give him the once over, he still likes his hair like his poppas who will never change, his military look will always be with him, like dad's.
"He was telling me he had a bad dream last night, but he can't remember what it was all about." Mum said.
"Jameel's look set him off, bushy beard and all that. He was surrounded by men that had that look before Kasey arrived to rescue him, now he thinks all bad men have beards."
"That makes sense, but he doesn't remember which is a good thing."
My phone beeped, it was Eva.
'How was your nude day out?'
'Excellent, I am so relaxed I will be in bed early tonight.'
'Kasey said he was going to exhaust you'
'He rang you?'
'Before you left for here, see you next time'
I looked at him and smiled, then waved my phone at him.
"Eva."
"Oh." He answered and blushed.
Trish and Joey came home and she screamed at me.
"How dare you go to the cabin without me."
"Chill out, I guess Eva's been on the phone."
"Yes, she told me she had been banned from visiting."
"Talk to my husband then. Joey should do the same for you one day."
"I am." He said.
"When?" She looked at him.
"Tomorrow, or the day after." He laughed then he dropped his pants and ran for the pool.
"Did Nat cook,?"
"No son, looks like pizza tonight."
About a half hour later the boys stood and stared at me, I guess it's that time.
"Follow me class ones."
I washed both their hair and then I set about trimming Billy's, he's such a cutie
he started talking to Sam about school and what they had to do tomorrow at playtime, and he is going to read that comic he borrowed tonight and could Sam ring him later and he will tell him if he liked it or not. Sam prattled on about the same thing but he was going to get his papa to read him a story about a magic boy with broken glasses. I suppose the Harry Potter books are out at last.
Bill looked adorable and he was very happy with his hair and swished it around a lot while Sam watched.
"Now Sammy, what style do you want tonight?"
He started giggling and said.
"You know."
"No I don't, it's different every time."
"No it isn't I want poppas hair."
He giggled his way through a short back and sides with a clipper.
"Now the next time you get it done I want you to come into the salon for a big hair treatment."
Billy put his finger to his mouth and said.
"Shush."
"Ok, we will do it in here then." They ran off screaming and the last I saw of them they were sitting in the tree house, Sam was stroking Billy's hair and Billy had the biggest smile on his face.
The pizzas arrived and we all ate, mum thanked me and I smiled because I was not allowed to say anything. The phone rang just before bed and they talked before Kasey started reading his story, I was exhausted after today's trip so I crawled into bed and went to sleep.
Joe had to go on a day trip the next week and Trish was a little reflective in the salon. She is used to ringing him a few times a day and had missed having lunch with him.
"Do you think he's having an affair?"
"Yes, with Kasey." I burst out laughing.
Surely she sees the funny side of it, no? She threw a chip at me then put a sour look on her face, and said.
"If it was Kasey you wouldn't be sitting here with me you would be chasing him around the back streets with a baseball bat."
I laughed and told her he was on business something he has to do occasionally. She was quiet for the rest of the day and he did ring when he was on his way home, he told her he had a great day meeting farmers and discussing the milk industry. He also said he had a surprise present for her.
I got a text that read.
'All done, got the house and farm for a bargain price. it will be enough for them to buy something in town but only small.' A smiley face accompanied it.
'Good, thank you'
'All my pleasure'
I didn't know how Trish will take it but I am betting she will be happy. Well. it will be better news than finding out he is sleeping with Kasey.
The following morning he packed his backpack and told me Trish was having the day off, they were finally going to the cabin. He was going to tell her what was happening, and maybe if he's lucky they will make love a few times. Trish was looking at me over breakfast so I leaned in and whispered.
"Whatever happens today, know that we all love you."
"What is he doing?"
"Something that makes us happy and you even happier."
They left in their car and we all walked to school and then work. I was hanging by the phone most of the morning, I don't know why I expected Trish to call me she's probably over at Evas nursing Casey.
My Kasey called in for a late lunch and he was grinning from ear to ear.
"You have heard something." He picked his delicious meat pie up and took a bite.
"If you don't tell me I will withhold sex for a week."
"Keep your shirt on Adam." He scrolled through his phone and passed it to me. I read Joey's message and it was all good news. The first thing she did was to ring her mum and scream down the phone at her, then she rang one of her sisters and gave her a lesson in manners. She also told her she was lucky she wasn't given a bill for the replacement of the statue. In no uncertain terms she was also told she and the other sister would be arrested if she ever came near her again.
He finished his message with.
'Oh by the way the sex has been awesome today'
I laughed then I messaged Trish.
'Are you happy?'
'On our way home, I will get to you later on Mr Adam Casey'
Oops. I'm in for it now.
Kasey said Joe did a great job doing that family out of any real money. He said that the mother went off her tits screaming at him but in the end she didn't want to go to jail. He also said apart from the lawyers he had lined up some of dad's military men to accompany them. The father is selling off his herd now, and they should be off the farm within three months.
"What a nightmare, but I am glad Trish gets something out of it."
"She will, the farmland alone is worth a lot of money, and she should offer to sell them the aunties house, at a good price." He winked.
"So it's a win for everyone on our side?"
"They only get half the farm money, and they lose that if they buy the house."
"Couldn't happen to a nicer bunch of hicks."
He brought me up to date on what had been happening at the build and Nat will be cooking dinner tonight.
"We really shouldn't use her Kase. She's got a lot on her plate."
"I will talk to her again." He winked.
"You are so not going to talk to her, okay she stays, and let it be on your head if anything goes wrong."
"I thought you would see it my way."
He leaned in and kissed me.
"Adam, I have to get to the theatre, wigs to reset and all that stuff." Tim had poked his head in.
"Go, take your time I got this."
"Good, and there are three excited matrons out there waiting for their do's." Kasey kissed me again then left with a half-eaten pie in his hand. I watched his ass go out the door and grabbed a very sweet matron and thank God Lynnie was onto washing her hair while Ethan did a private's haircut.
I got through it all and Marco almost excelled himself, he was so quick with his ladies, it was mind-boggling to watch.
Anne was happy, her young man was taking her to the movies tonight. I did hear from James the dirty deed had been done and he was still following her around like a hungry puppy. Fingers crossed there won't be any dramas coming from her anytime soon. It will be a couple of weeks before some started for Anne, I also had Miss Lucy in late afternoon. She spoke to Gloria and Anne and then she walked down to my station. A new colour and set for the show tonight.
"I haven't seen you for some time madam, where have you been?'
"Using wigs Adam, I have been busy touring."
"Where did you go?"
"We did the Broken Hill festival and just about every town on the way, business is good." I wanted to ask about Mitchell, in a way I missed that little man slut in here, he used to make me laugh so much.
"Anne has a new boyfriend I hear, she was all over him at the club last week."
'She's happy Lucy, he's a nice country boy and they are well suited."
"Well I for one am very happy for her, and I won't apologise again theres no joy in digging up the past." So I asked.
"How is Mitchell?"
"That boy is now a man, I have no idea what his plans are, but he is sticking to his University studies. No girlfriends that I can see, his room is full of books and paperwork. He doesn't come near the club anymore and I think all that business with Anne frightened him a bit. Adam he wants to come in here one day, when Anne has her day off do you think that would be possible?"
"I will have to talk to her first Lucy, I can't be having her upset."
"Then ask her, he only wants to see you, he has missed you, and I suspect he wants to apologise to you personally."
"We will set it up then, I do miss his cheeky banter and am pleased he's getting on with his life."
"He is Adam, he's a new man, still gorgeous as hell but very focused on study."
"You did well then. And don't deny it, this change wasn't all up to being scared, you had a hand in it too."
"Well, the good tongue lashing he got off you Adam helped a lot. It shocked him into rethinking lifes ambitions."
"Glad to help, now is that what you wanted?" I twisted her chair around and she screamed then jumped up and did a tap dance.
"Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, this lady is gonna rock it tonight." She was applauded and then she kissed my cheeks and thanked me.
"We will set it up soon Adam."
"For sure." I looked over at Anne and she was smiling so that was a good sign.
"I hear you took your young man to the club?'
"Yes Adam, he was very nervous and I get the impression he didn't want to be there. We didn't stay long we just watched the show and left."
"Sit down baby, there's something I have to talk to you about."
"Mitchell?"
"Yes."
So I told her what Lucy said, she was quiet but she did listen.
"Adam, he can come here anytime he wants. I know he loved you a lot. Can I tell you something I haven't said before?"
"Of course you can." She took my hand.
"The relationship I had with Mitchell was extremely toxic, I loved him too much. The toxic side of it was all on me, he didn't deserve to hook up with the kind of person I was back then. I drove him to his destruction and he copped a lot of flack when my stupidity showed itself. I have mended a lot of fences since then, and the biggest one is to come. I have to apologise to Mitchell for my bad behaviour. I don't blame myself anymore, and I am happy, no, excited to be at Pete's side. He's shown me a whole new world and I am embracing it without the jealousy and urgent need to be loved."
"That's very brave of you baby girl, your secrets are safe with me and I will set up an appointment for him when you have a day off."
"Please don't do that, I need to speak with him face to face so anytime is good for me. I am very different now Adam. I wish Mitchell all the best but I think I can tell you, it's Pete I am falling in love with for real."
"Did you find out about his mum?"
She smiled, then said.
"You won't believe me but she's a hairdresser, her business went bust after his father passed away. He's been helping her out with the utilities, and one day he hopes to bring her to the city, when he gets an apartment."
"Then we will help where we can."
"No, I can help. I can't ask the boys if she can live with us but I can help with money. Adam I am going to her place next weekend and I want to suss her out first. If I think she is a total loser I won't say anything, but if she's as professional as you or Trish maybe there will be a job here or Northside for her?"
"We will see what you come up with baby I do need someone here, but do you want to work with her?"
"I don't know, and I won't until I meet her."
"I will leave it to you, if she is good at her craft then she has a job, the apartment will come later but in the meantime, I am sure the boys won't mind if she moves in until she finds somewhere to live."
"Okay, I was dreading asking you but yes, leave it to me." I finally got a smile.
"And you think Pete is the one?"
"Oh my God Adam you should take him for a test drive, he certainly does it for me." She laughed then grabbed her coffee and left.
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