Too Many Secrets

by Adele Broadbent

The surprise had left Nick’s face and now she had a look of part awe and part smugness. I could see she was bursting to know everything, but at the same time she was looking forward to the fireworks when Mum and Mark exploded. Fair enough, I suppose. She still hadn’t forgiven me for yelling at her and nicking her chocolate. She only had to sit and wait for it to happen. Nothing to do with psychic ability this time—their faces told me loud and clear.

  I went through a million possible scenarios in my head. A zillion different ways of telling them. In the end I thought Isaiah’s way of dealing with things would be the best option—make a run for it. I’d find Isaiah at Oscar’s and we could sort something out. Yeah right, Becs. Dream on.

  I wasn’t given the choice. We parked outside the shack. Mark jumped out of the ute, practically as soon as he’d braked, and opened my door. ‘Out!’ he demanded.

  Mum pointed to the shack. ‘In!’ she ordered.

  They marched me inside and nodded towards the table. ‘Sit.’ I knew what a dog must feel like. I sat.

  They faced me from the other side of the table. ‘We’re listening, Becs. I want the truth,’ said Mum. ‘Not the Becs version, the real version. I think we all know who this boy is. But I’d like to hear it from you.’

  ‘Cool!’ said Nick when I’d finished. After facing Mum and Mark for the past hour, it was nice to know someone was on my side, even if it was Nick.

  ‘Nicola, this is not cool,’ said Mark.

  Mum just shook her head. She didn’t look angry any more. She looked gutted. With a huge sigh she stood up from the table and walked outside without even looking at me. ‘Mum?’ I called.

  ‘Rebecca, please go to your room,’ said Mark quietly. Again, I wished someone was yelling at me. Shouting it all out so we could sort it and get it over and done with. I mooched off to our room and pulled across the sheet I’d nailed up to cover the doorway.

  I stayed put. It was stifling but I couldn’t leave. I wanted Mum to come and talk to me, to tell me everything was OK. I mean, what did I really do wrong? I helped a hungry boy with no proper place to live—that’s all. Sure I’d kept it a secret, but that’s what Isaiah wanted. Wasn’t I being loyal to a friend?

  There weren’t any sounds coming from outside my curtain door, and I wondered what my family was doing. Were they talking about it, sorting out a punishment for me, or even worse, ringing the police about Isaiah?

  I shot over to my window. The ute was still there. They hadn’t gone into town.

  Snatching up one of my pillows, I slammed it down on my bed. ‘Why didn’t you just stay at Oscar’s, Isaiah?’ I hissed. ‘You’ve mucked up everything!’ I sank down on my bed and stared up at the rafters. What would happen to him now?

  Chapter 58—Becs

  My stomach grumbled, reminding me I’d missed lunch. I’d been staring out my window for hours. I watched the tui chasing each other through the trees, and a male pheasant even wandered across our back yard. Isaiah had told me they were ultra shy so it had to be very quiet for him to do that. Where was everyone? I hadn’t heard a thing through my curtain all afternoon.

  ‘Knock knock?’ came Mum’s voice.

  I leapt up and swept the curtain aside. ‘Mum!’

  She stood there with a plate full of sliced fruit and crackers. By her face I could tell things were still to be sorted. But that was OK. Things needed sorting. I’d been thinking about stuff. Not the usual stuff—like how I was going to get out of things—but the look on Mum’s face when she left the table earlier. I’d never seen that look before.

  ‘Can I come in?’

  ‘Yes.’

  She set the plate down on my dresser and sat next to me on my bed. ‘Why didn’t you tell me about Isaiah?’

  ‘I’m sorry, Mum. I couldn’t. I promised I wouldn’t tell.’

  Mum sighed. ‘You’ve always talked to me before about things. It’s not like you to be secretive. I feel a bit cheated, Becs. We’ve always been closer than that.’

  ‘Yeah, I know.’ I gazed out the window again, avoiding Mum’s face. The pheasant had gone.

  ‘I thought this place would be good for us,’ said Mum. ‘I hoped you could get to know Nick and Mark better and we’d become a family.’

  ‘I know. We are, Mum.’

  Mum’s voice hardened. ‘Not if you’ve been sneaking off, lying to us, knowing this runaway boy was here all along.’

  ‘I wasn’t lying, Mum! Not real lies.’

  The long wait finally caught up with me and tears filled my eyes. I quickly wiped them away, gritting my teeth to fight them. I didn’t want Mum thinking it was one of my acts. I needed her to listen.

  ‘I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. When I first saw him, I ran back to tell you, but we had a fight and I—’

  ‘Hello?’ Mark appeared in the doorway. ‘Can I come in?’

  ‘Um…’ I didn’t know what to say. Mark had always kept out of ‘Mum and me’ stuff. He came in anyway and crouched down in front of us. Oh great. Two against one. But he looked at Mum, not me.

  ‘I think we have to be fair. When we first arrived, Becs was in trouble for being selfish.’ He turned to me. ‘Yes?’ I nodded, remembering Mum’s bollocking.

  ‘I’m not happy about her being with this strange boy either, and she shouldn’t have lied about it, but she kept her promise not to tell and tried to help. Pretty unselfish, I’d say?’ Mum and I nodded. ‘I know you’re mature for your age, Becs, and can handle most things, but I hope you feel you can come to us with anything you can’t. You have to realize why your mum is so upset. This boy could’ve been dangerous.’

  ‘But he’s not!’ I said. ‘It took him ages to trust me, even just to talk to me—he was so scared I’d tell someone. I know what you must think after seeing him at the hospital, but he’s really quiet and shy. He was just worried about Oscar.’

  ‘That’s another thing,’ Mum said. ‘Oscar should have reported him when he knew he was still here. Isaiah’s family will be worried about him.’

  ‘They left without him, Mum. Isaiah’s dad chucked him out and then they took off. Isaiah’s known Oscar since he was little, so he’s been staying there.’

  Mum stared at me, probably wondering if it was drama queen spiel or the truth. I hoped she believed me. ‘Please don’t report him, Mum.’

  Chapter 59—Isaiah

  I kept myself busy while Oscar was still in hospital. The wood pile was re-stacked high up the side of the house. The kindling bin was full and the dog runs scrubbed out. I’d fetched my things and slept in the skins shed again. Oscar would need my help when he returned.

  His warning about the authorities swam round in my head, so I packed a few things in my bag again for a quick escape into the bush. Oscar was right. I should have known he would be OK.

  It was nothing to get a ride to the hospital, as the man who picked me up asked no questions, but Becs’ family would want to know who I was. I hoped she was not in trouble because of me. Oscar too.

  As I tidied away the buckets and brushes, my thoughts were filled with Oscar. I jumped as Becs sprinted out from the bush path. ‘Isaiah! You’re still here!’

  ‘Are you in trouble?’ I asked. ‘Did your parents punish you?’

  ‘No. They were pretty mad that I’d been sneaking around and stuff, and I was sent to my room, but that’s all.’

  ‘I’m glad. Your family is good to you.’

  She smiled. ‘We talked and talked last night and they’re not mad any more. They want to meet you. Talk to you. That’s why I’m here.’

  ‘I can’t. What about Oscar?’

  ‘We can sort that out when he gets out of hospital.’

  ‘I don’t know.’ I’d spent hours watching Becs and her family. They were so different from my own. Although they worked hard like my family, they were happier, more relaxed with one another. And they hadn’t punished Becs for deceiving them. Papa would’ve beaten us—even one of my sisters.

  But the t
hought of meeting them properly was scarier than going to the hospital; especially speaking to her stepfather. I remembered his strong grip and the look on his face when he saw Becs knew me. Was meeting them a trick?

  Chapter 60—Isaiah

  If you stay here and someone does come,’ said Becs, ‘they will see you alone. You aren’t supposed to be living alone at thirteen. You and I know you’re OK, but other people won’t see that. They’ll just see a wild-looking runaway. Then they will take you away.’

  I shook my head, unsure.

  ‘Please, Isaiah. Please do this for me.’ She touched my arm. ‘If you don’t come back with me, they’ll think I’ve been lying about all the good things I’ve told them about you. And then I will be in trouble.’

  I followed Becs back to my family home.

  ‘Mum and Mark will be back soon,’ she said, opening the back door. ‘They weren’t sure when you’d come and I asked if you could have a look around on your own. You know, get comfortable first.’ She smiled. ‘We did kick you out, after all.’

  It felt strange being inside my home after all those months. The same table my mother served our meals on still stood in the kitchen. The concrete tubs were the same, and the shelves and cupboards. They just held different things. Mother’s huge jars were gone, replaced by many cardboard packets.

  Paintings hung on the walls. Swirls of colours of nothing at all. Then a boat, a house and a pukeko too. Papa never liked pictures. One wall was now filled with a large mirror, which made the room seem much bigger.

  I stepped in front of it, curious about my reflection. Becs had told me once how my eyes were as black as the night in her room. I’d forgotten. Shame washed over me when I saw my lank hair and dirty skin. My clothes were torn. That is how Becs’ family saw me. That is how the doctor at the hospital saw me. No wonder he would not let me in to see Oscar. No wonder Becs’ family was so shocked she even knew me. Mother would be so ashamed. ‘Can I tidy myself?’ I asked Becs. ‘Wash my face, tie back my hair?’

  ‘Of course,’ she said. She turned to grab a shiny copperbottomed kettle from Mother’s stove. ‘There’s always water in here. I’ll grab you some soap.’

  When she disappeared outside, I gazed around the room my brothers and sisters had crammed into in the winter months. Memories of laughing voices skipped through my mind—quickly followed by the stomp of Papa’s anger over something we had or had not done.

  Becs reappeared with a slab of smooth cream soap—not like the rough blocks Mother used to make. I automatically went to the tubs in the corner.

  She brought me a towel and a hair tie. I quickly wound it into my hair, wishing I had a comb. When I checked myself in the mirror afterwards, I knew a comb would not have helped. Even tied back, my hair was a knotty mess. At least I’d washed off most of the dirt from my face and arms.

  ‘Better?’ asked Becs. She smiled at my nod, but looked awkward all the same. She looked around at the sound of voices. ‘They’re back.’

  Chapter 61—Isaiah

  Stop staring, Nick!’ said Becs. The girl I had once thought was a boy shifted her gaze from my face. She still looked like a boy with her short hair and boy’s clothes. Papa would never have allowed it. I screwed up my eyes. Why did I always think of him?

  ‘Are you OK?’ came Becs’ voice.

  ‘Yes,’ I said, opening my eyes. ‘It feels strange being here again,’ I admitted.

  ‘I’m sure it does,’ said Becs’ mum. ‘I can imagine you have been through a lot.’

  I glanced at Becs, giving me one of her bright smiles. How much had she told her parents about me?

  The man Becs called Mark stretched out his hand. ‘Hi, I’m Mark. But I’m sure you already know that after knowing Becs so long.’ I shook his hand, catching the glare Becs gave him. ‘Hello…Mr…?’

  ‘Burgess,’ he answered.

  ‘OK,’ said Becs taking control of the awkwardness. ‘Mum, Mark and Nick.’ She pointed to them in turn. ‘This is Isaiah. You guys must all be thirsty after working up at the house this morning, so I’ve made a cup of tea.’

  Becs’ mum chuckled. ‘If this is what happens to Becs when you’re around, Isaiah, you are most welcome.’

  I was glad I’d trusted Becs again. Her family were just as I’d seen them from the bush; friendly and comfortable with one another. Her parents frowned when she spoke about sneaking around, but were soon smiling again. I looked away from their stares when I heard her excitement in the things I had taught her.

  ‘Do you know that there are more than seventy types of tree weta?’ she said. ‘And that the kiwi is the only bird in the world with its nostrils at the end of its beak?’

  One by one, Becs’ family slowly turned to stare at her. It was as if they had never seen her like that, when it was the Becs that I knew. She turned to me. ‘Can I tell them about your mother’s special place?’

  ‘Yes.’ As she told them about the monarchs, her family’s faces told me they would respect the butterflies as much as she did.

  ‘I’ve seen the monarchs!’ cried Nick. ‘Can you show me where they are?’

  ‘I never thought I’d see Becs excited about birds and bush and bugs,’ said Becs’ mum. ‘Thank you, Isaiah.’

  I smiled when Becs rolled her eyes. ‘Becs has been very kind. She did not want to deceive you. She was just trying to help me. I was thankful that she did not, um, “dob me in”?’ I looked at Becs to check if I had the right words. She nodded, laughing.

  ‘We’ll have to have a chat about that later,’ said Mr Burgess. ‘I’m picking up Oscar today. I rang the hospital this morning from town and he’s not happy about it but I’m fetching him this afternoon. We took him there, we can bring him home again.’

  ‘And while you’re away,’ said Becs’ mum, ‘we’ll get Isaiah sorted here.’ She smiled across the table at me. ‘You shouldn’t be sleeping in old sheds. You’d better stay here the night until Oscar gets sorted himself.’

  Becs’ mouth dropped open and I had to stop mine from doing the same.

  Chapter 62—Isaiah

  Stay? With them?

  ‘Is that OK with you, Isaiah?’ said Becs, glancing back at her mum.

  ‘I thought…I thought I would return to Oscar’s.’

  Becs’ mum smiled across the table at me. ‘Of course,’ she said. ‘I just thought Oscar might like some time alone, and you might like a nice fresh bed and pillows for the night, and maybe even a hot bath to soak in too?’

  After a bath and dressed in some borrowed clothes from Mr Burgess, I could hardly believe my own reflection. My clean clothes and clean skin made me look like a different person.

  ‘Aw,’ said Nick behind us. ‘I liked him as a wild boy better.’

  ‘Nick!’ Becs yelled, chasing her out of the kitchen. She returned and pulled a face into the mirror. ‘Sorry about her. You look really good. Almost like a townie.’ She laughed at my reaction. ‘Don’t look so sad. It was supposed to be a compliment.’

  I tried to smile back. But what would Oscar say?

  Mr Burgess returned to tell us he’d taken Oscar home and although he’d grumbled all the way, he was pleased to be back in the bush. I wanted so badly to see him, but Mr Burgess said he wanted to be alone.

  ‘We discussed things on the way back,’ said Mr Burgess. ‘He asked if we were going to report you to the authorities.’

  ‘Of course not!’ said Becs. ‘Why would we?’

  Her mum sighed. ‘Isaiah has been hiding all this time, Becs.’ She turned to me. ‘What if your family has been looking for you?’

  I shook my head. ‘If that was true, Oscar would know.’

  ‘Let’s not worry about that now,’ said Becs, passing me a glass of lemonade. ‘Welcome to the family, Isaiah.’

  I couldn’t help grinning.

  Chapter 63—Becs

  Mum made up a bed for Isaiah in one of the lean-to rooms. He told us he’d slept there with his brothers. It was weird to see him in the shack the next morni
ng. All that time I’d sneaked around, and then he was sitting having breakfast with us.

  Pancakes again. They’d become a real ‘special occasion’ breakfast since we’d been there, instead of a once-every-six-months type of thing when Mum and I were on our own.

  Nick burst through the back door. ‘Oscar’s coming, Oscar’s coming.’ Isaiah jumped up from the table.

  ‘I was coming back from the loo when I saw him on the path,’ she said, peering back out the door. ‘He’s here!’ she hissed, scooting inside to stand behind Mark.

  Mum and Mark went out to meet him. ‘Good morning, Oscar,’ I heard Mark say. ‘How’s the leg?’

  As Isaiah moved towards the door I held his sleeve. ‘Wait a sec.’ He looked guilty somehow, like he’d been caught somewhere he shouldn’t be.

  ‘Good,’ came Oscar’s voice. ‘I’ve come about the boy.’

  ‘He’s fine, just having a bit of breakfast.’

  ‘Have you rung the authorities yet?’ Oscar grumbled. Isaiah gasped beside me.

  ‘No, of course not,’ Mum said. ‘We wanted to discuss a few things with you.’

  ‘About what?’ asked Oscar.

  ‘Do you know where his family is?’ asked Mum. ‘Surely they’ll be worried about him.’

  ‘The best thing they did was leave him behind,’ said Oscar. ‘Crazy, the lot of them. Isaiah might live in the bush now, but he comes and goes as he pleases and isn’t beaten with the Bible every day by his father.’

  ‘You know he’s been sleeping in a shed at the house?’ said Mark.

  ‘Is that where he went?’ said Oscar. ‘Figures. My shed wasn’t good enough.’

  ‘You’re telling us he sleeps in a shed when he’s with you?’ Mum asked in mock surprise. I remembered how shocked she’d been when I’d told her.