The Crescendo

by Fiona Palmer

  ‘Sorry.’ Jaz didn’t move away, she had exciting stuff to tell. ‘He was surprised to see me, I could tell. We got to chat a little at the bar and then later, as I took out the rubbish, he hugged me.’

  ‘Hugged you?’

  ‘Yep, at least, I’m sure he did. It happened so quick, it all seems so hazy.’

  ‘Did he look well? Do you feel better for seeing him?’

  ‘He looked great. Maybe I’m biased but he looked amazing, and healthy. It’s all I could hope for at this stage. And I feel heaps better after seeing him. Knowing he’s still alive. He hopes to come to the pub more often so I’ll get to keep tabs on him.’

  Anna sat up on her elbow. ‘I’m so happy for you, Jaz. I really am.’ She hugged her friend. ‘Now go and get some bloody sleep, you have your last exam tomorrow.’

  ‘You mean today?’

  Anna groaned and rolled over. ‘Goodnight.’

  ‘Sleep well, Annabanana.’

  Jaz moved off to her room, a quick shower and bed were in order. One thing she knew for sure was that she’d have no trouble getting to sleep tonight.

  Chapter 19

  Jaz looked up at the clock. Five minutes to go and her last exam was done. She had finished it, well, as best she could and she couldn’t be bothered going back over the ones she couldn’t get. Frankly, she didn’t care. She looked around the room, one boy was staring out the window, his pencil resting on his lip, either deep in thought solving a question or daydreaming. Most of the others had their heads down, pen hands moving frantically as they glanced at the clock and back to their sheet. Jaz could almost feel their angst and tension. Poor kids, she thought, their mark was probably important to take them onto their chosen path at university. Not Jaz. No great score was going to help her. Why couldn’t schools have classes for people like her? Self-defence, coded messages, weaponry, how to follow someone in secret, you know, the usual hands-on spy stuff. She was sure they were subjects she would have aced.

  There were three others who had finished their exam; they sat much the same as Jaz, glancing around the room at all the others. Jaz couldn’t see Anna and Taylor as they were behind her and she didn’t want to get pulled up for cheating if she turned around.

  When the time was up, they all brought their exam papers forward and left the room.

  ‘How do you think you went?’ asked Anna when her and Tay caught up.

  Typical Anna, wanting to talk about the exam and no doubt go through each question again. ‘As well as can be expected,’ said Jaz with a smile.

  ‘Isn’t it strange that this is our last day at this school,’ said Tay, and he glanced around as they walked the corridor.

  ‘Yeah, no more using my secret escape route, no more canteen, no more fights to break up,’ said Jaz.

  ‘Ruin a good moment why don’t you,’ teased Tay. ‘It feels weird though. It’s like we are free. What now?’

  ‘Let’s go to Molly’s to celebrate end of school and the start of our new lives,’ said Anna. ‘Then we can figure out “what’s next”,’ she said quoting the air.

  ‘Great plan. Best text Mum and tell her I’m done. She’ll want to know how I went,’ said Jaz pulling out her phone.

  ‘Same here,’ said Anna. ‘I’ll see what Cody’s doing, he might come celebrate with us.’

  ‘He might be busy,’ said Tay with a frown.

  ‘We need a real party where we can get drunk as skunks and let off steam,’ said Jaz. ‘Except I have work tonight.’

  ‘We can still have one without you,’ said Tay with a wink.

  ‘Oh, great idea, Tay. We could have one at the gym and we’ll be there when you get home, it will just be getting started,’ said Anna. ‘And my mum will be none the wiser.’

  ‘We could see if Bags or Tick wanna join us too. And your couple of mates from school?’ Jaz said to Tay.

  He shrugged. ‘Yeah, I could ask. But it’s weird, the gym is our place. I don’t want to contaminate it with outsiders, if you know what I mean. We are going to make new friends from now on.’

  They walked out of the school and turned around when they reached the bottom of the steps. ‘Photo moment?’ said Jaz.

  ‘Definitely,’ said Anna.

  Jaz got a passing student to take a photo of them outside the school one last time.

  ‘Thanks,’ she said to the girl before checking the photo. ‘Aw, look at us. Leaving this place behind and moving onto the next chapter of our lives.’ Tay and Anna bent in close to have a look as students who’d sat the same exam left the school. Other classes were still going on as normal and that made everything feel even more weird, as if they had the run of the place.

  They all jumped into her black Jeep and headed off to Molly’s.

  ‘Cody will meet us and he said he will shout us drinks. Aw, that’s nice,’ said Anna.

  ‘He can be a nice dude,’ said Jaz, using one of his favourite words. ‘Invite him to the party, get him to bring the drinks,’ she said with a laugh.

  They parked and walked into Molly’s, heading for their usual table in the rustic coffee shop.

  ‘Hey, dudes,’ said Cody, coming into the shop just behind them.

  Cody was wearing whitewash jeans with black thongs and a singlet that had an ocean picture on it. His sunnies were stuck up in his shaggy blond hair. Not likely to blow off if he was walking in a strong wind.

  ‘Congrats on the no more school.’

  He high-fived Tay, and then hugged Jaz and Anna. He even smelt salty like the ocean. Probably went for a surf this morning.

  ‘So what’ll you all have, my shout.’

  After much deliberation, they all got coffees and a slice of the chocolate fudge cake that was to die for. It’s not often Cody paid so they made the most of it.

  ‘You know he’s just paying us back for all the times we’ve had to shout him cos he’s left his wallet at home or in his car,’ said Tay.

  ‘Man is the most forgetful guy I know,’ said Anna. ‘How does he not remember his gun when he’s on a mission?’

  ‘Because we bail him out he doesn’t make a point of remembering. But no one can bail him out on a mission. I’m sure he has his priorities sorted,’ said Jaz with a chuckle. They all fell quiet for a moment.

  ‘So now what,’ said Anna with a dramatic flail of her arms. ‘What do we do without school to go to?’

  ‘Well, I’ve my life sorted I think. Told Mum and Dad that I want to run the gym full-time, and then I can fit in with agency life,’ said Jaz.

  ‘Yeah, well, that’s all great for you but my mum is going to expect me to go to uni and be something she can brag to her friends about. I don’t want to leave here,’ said Anna.

  ‘Who says you have to leave?’ said Cody as he joined them again.

  ‘Exactly,’ said Jaz. Tay was agreeing.

  ‘Come on, guys, you know what my parents are like.’

  ‘Yes, but you can still go to uni, just pick one close by and then you can still be here in between. Do something in computer science or something that can further your work at the agency,’ said Jaz.

  Anna’s face lit up. ‘Oh yes, I could tell Mum I’ll do uni but have it on my terms. I was thinking I’d like to become a qualified nurse.’

  ‘What?’ said Cody. Even Jaz was a little confused.

  ‘Guys, I have the computer skills already and the agency makes sure I have them up to date for what they need. But I’d like to be able to fix you guys up when you come back from missions with bullet holes and knife cuts all over you.’ Anna turned to Jaz. ‘I’ve been thinking, we could build a secret room in Pax’s house and make it an ER of sorts. Have it kitted out with everything you’d need for trauma. Maybe I’ll study to be a theatre nurse and see how the doc stitches people up, then you guys can be my guinea pigs.’

  Anna seemed to have given this great thought. Jaz wasn’t so sure about the guinea pig part, but it’s probably no different to what Ryan and Tilly have done over the years. If they got in all the rig
ht gear it could make it heaps easier, especially with Anna actually learning the right way.

  ‘Why not just become a doctor?’ said Taylor.

  ‘Well, I did think of that, but it takes longer and I need to know how to help you guys now,’ said Anna looking really pleased with herself. ‘Well?’ She turned to Jaz.

  ‘I love the idea about the medical room at Pax’s. We could fix up the old pantry in the kitchen that he doesn’t use, extend it out a bit and no one would have any clue. It would be hidden on the outside behind those big shrubs he has there.’ Jaz realised she was talking about Pax as if he was still here. But it felt right and no one pointed it out.

  ‘Oh yes, fabulous. Who could we get to build it?’

  ‘Tilly can do it, he did a bit of building work back in the day,’ said Cody.

  ‘And we have plenty of money to get it done,’ said Jaz. She had money from Pax, as well as her own income with the agency and now the pub.

  ‘This is crazy, but good,’ said Tay. ‘And your folks would have to be happy with you doing something like that?’

  Their coffees and cake arrived but Anna paid them no notice. ‘I know, right? I’m going to find some courses and gather all my stuff so I can take it to them and they will have to say yes.’

  Jaz took a sip of her coffee, pleased that Anna was happy about her future. ‘I hope you can move into Pax’s full-time next year. Maybe I could do some courses as well to keep Mum happy.’

  Anna burst out laughing. ‘Oh my gosh, now you’re sounding like Pax. You’ll have a certificate for all sorts of things.’

  ‘At least mine will be real,’ said Jaz.

  ‘And if you can’t finish them, I’ll print you up a certificate anyway.’

  ‘Perfect,’ said Jaz.

  They were all laughing and joking around the table. Jaz loved these moments with her friends. Her heart was swelling with love.

  ‘What about you, Tay,’ said Cody. ‘What are your plans?’

  ‘I don’t know. I did think about seeing if I could get a job at the range.’

  ‘You’re there enough, they may as well pay you,’ said Anna.

  ‘Yep, but I need something with flexible hours so I can fit in with the agency when I’m needed. I thought of getting my own business, like a repairman or a mowing business so I can choose my hours, take time off when needed,’ said Tay.

  ‘That would work best. That’s the hardest bit, having a job that is flexible. Nine to five jobs won’t cut it,’ said Jaz.

  ‘Hey,’ said Cody, waving his fork in the air. ‘Just do what I do and surf full-time. It’s got my dad stumped how I manage to live without a job. I think he thinks I’m selling drugs to pay for my surfing habit.’

  ‘If only he knew you were trying to get it off the streets, not sell it,’ said Anna. ‘I can’t believe you don’t mind him thinking that.’

  Cody shrugged. ‘You gotta do what ya gotta do.’

  They all fell quiet, no doubt Cody’s words resonating. They all now had to lie to their parents and whoever else along the way. That was their sacrifice and they made it willingly to do a job that they felt was important.

  ‘For the greater good,’ said Anna.

  Jaz finished her cake first, she was hungry from the exam, and brought up the party.

  ‘Party? I’m in,’ said Cody before any plans were given.

  ‘Good, we were hoping you and Tay could bring the drinks. I’ll bring the food,’ said Anna. ‘We’ll have it at Pax’s, bit like what we did for Jaz’s birthday.’

  ‘Sounds cool. I’m in. We can go grab the booze in my car if ya want,’ Cody said to Tay.

  ‘And I’ll leave you my awesome playlist on my iPod and I’ll be back around midnight just as the party’s winding down,’ she said with a pout.

  ‘Na, it’ll just be hitting its stride by then.’ Cody wiggled his eyebrows. ‘I’ll be still kicking and I’ll save you a dance.’

  Jaz was about to protest but decided against it. Why pop Cody’s bubble. ‘Sure. I’d like that.’ She needed her friends. If she couldn’t dance with Ryan, then dancing with Cody would be the next-best thing. She’d have to make sure he didn’t cop a feel, but if he did she’d have an excuse to drop him to the floor. And she had so much fun dropping Cody.

  They all split off as they left Molly’s. The boys for the booze and the girls went to the shop to grab food supplies and some decorations to make it feel like a celebration. Then it was time for Jaz to change and get to the pub for her job.

  ‘See you when you get back. I hope you see Ryan again,’ said Anna as she loaded the dip and cheeses into the fridge.

  Jaz was so nervous all night, eagerly watching the door, waiting for Ryan to show up. She was disappointed when he didn’t show. Not even Bud and his mates came back. Maybe two big nights in a row was a bit much. But Craig and Bert were and they kept her entertained with stories from their youth. Bert used to play polo cross and Craig was a rodeo rider.

  ‘He wishes, he was the rodeo clown, you know the ones that dress up funny and distract the animal,’ said Bert.

  ‘I did that once, Bert. Once. Only to help out a mate, the rest of the times I was riding broncos,’ said Craig with a look that showed his mind was reliving the good old days.

  Jaz learnt that these two met through their love of horses.

  ‘You okay, Jeni? You seem a bit flat?’ asked Ted at one point.

  ‘Just tired,’ she said, forcing a smile as she headed back into the kitchen to help them with some dishes.

  The night seemed to drag on for ages, probably because she kept watching the clock and the front door. But eventually it was time to go home, and hopefully the party was still going because Jaz needed something to cheer her up. It was probably optimistic to think that Ryan would be back the next night, but hope did funny things.

  Jaz parked in the small garage at the back of Pax’s house. In the car park at the back of the gym she saw Taylor and Cody’s cars, plus Bags. Party must still be going.

  Unlocking the back door, Jaz headed inside the house to dump her stuff. From here she could hear music still blaring away in the gym. It sounded like a club, dance music, probably Nero if Jaz was correct. She couldn’t be bother changing out of her t-shirt and black leggings, instead she left her backpack by her bedroom door and headed to the source of the music.

  What she saw inside the gym made her smile. Empty bottles of beer were piled on a table, like a trophy, next to empty chip packets, half-eaten dip, biscuit crumbs and cold party pies and sausage rolls. Her iPod was plugged into speakers and sat on the floor by the power point, but it was her friends that had caused the smile. The only light came from the office and change rooms, giving the gym mood lighting. They were all in the boxing ring, using it as a dance floor. Anna was dancing with Bags, who practically held her in his arms, her feet on top of his as they tried to waltz to the dance song. Then there was Cody and Tay, dancing with each other but bouncing off the ropes as they did twirls and then back again as they tried to copy Bags and Anna. Jaz stepped closer and started clapping. It was the funniest thing she’d seen in ages and totally what she needed.

  ‘Jazzy, come join us,’ said Cody, pulling the ropes apart so she could climb in.

  ‘Good party?’ she asked.

  ‘The best,’ said Anna. Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes bright.

  They all joined her in the middle and they started jumping up and down to the beat of the song. Bags picked her up and did his rag-doll dance with her. He was such a big strong man, you couldn’t be anything but a rag doll in his arms. Bags swung her about before putting her down at the end of the song.

  ‘Shit, you young ones have worn me out. I thought I could make it but I’m beat. Think I’ll have to follow Nile’s lead and head home,’ said Bags, wiping the line of sweat from his forehead.

  ‘Aw, do you have to, I just got here?’ said Jaz, making a sad face.

  Bags cupped her head and kissed her forehead. ‘I must love you and leav
e you, my little one. But I’ll see you tomorrow, if my head feels up to it,’ he added.

  Bags then hugged the girls and high-fived the guys before getting down from the boxing ring and getting his stuff.

  ‘Bye, Bags,’ they yelled as he left out the back door.

  ‘Five Hours’ by Deorro came on and Anna started jumping up and down and dragged Tay over to her to dance.

  As the beat picked up, Jaz closed her eyes and let the music take her away to another world. She didn’t need any alcohol, she’d probably inhaled enough at work. Sometimes she found music to be a better release.

  Arms came around her and she leant back into the body holding her, recognising Cody’s salty fresh scent. They swayed together and Jaz took comfort in the contact, wishing it could be Ryan. Dreaming it was.

  As the song changed to Adam Lambert’s ‘Ghost Town’, Jaz opened her eyes and saw Anna and Tay dancing together closely. Anna had her head resting against Tay’s chest and they were moving slowly. Tay leant down and kissed Anna’s head. They were in their own world.

  Jaz grabbed Cody’s hand and tugged him towards the ropes. Before he could speak she put her finger up to her lips to silence him. Like a well-trained puppy, he followed her down from the boxing ring and over to the office. Poor Cody probably thought she was leading him somewhere for a kiss.

  When they were inside, she let go of his hand and walked to the two-way mirror.

  ‘Jaz?’ he said, coming to stand beside her, his body pressed up against hers.

  ‘Shhh,’ she whispered. ‘Just wait.’

  Sure enough, when Jaz looked back, Anna and Tay, arms still around each other, were kissing.

  ‘Aw, it’s about time,’ she said softly. Jaz wanted to clap her hands together in excitement but held back.

  ‘Tay getting some action,’ said Cody proudly. ‘Nice.’ Cody put his hand around Jaz and pulled her up against him. ‘What do you say, shall we do the same?’

  Jaz smiled, her mood was too good to be ruined. ‘Ah Cody, you never give up, do you?’

  ‘Every one you don’t ask for could be one you miss,’ he said with a wiggle of his eyebrows. ‘Look, I know you’re taken,’ he said with a wink. ‘But I’m here if you need to scratch an itch?’