guess I was just trying to teach you some kind of discipline towards reaching specific goals,” her mum answered calmly. “For example, to play the piano to the standard you did and to pass your Piano Grade Exams required hard work, determination and dedication. You had the desire to reach certain levels of piano, and to achieve them, you had to work hard. You can’t believe that you would have achieved those goals without the hard work and dedication? I mean, practise makes perfect right?” her mother asked.
“Yeah, towards the end, the level was very hard and I needed to put the time in,” Kylie said.
“I mean, if you are going to do something, you give it your best, don’t you?” her mum asked.
“Absolutely. Why bother doing something unless you are going to do it properly,” Kylie replied.
“Well that’s what I hoped you’d say. That in itself shows me that I did something right. Apart from that, I just love music and I wanted to give you the opportunity to love it as much as I do.”
“Yeah, I love it, but I don’t love it like you love it. Woo! You have quite a relationship with music Mumsy, you and your pianola, and pianola rolls, and your organs, and keyboards, and piano accordions. Remember when we used to joke that your grave would have to be deep enough and wide enough to accommodate all of those instruments because when you croaked we would be free of having them in our lives!”
“Yes! You kids were buggars. I was only trying to give you something that I loved.”
“Yeah, well, it’s lucky you persisted, because now I can see why.”
“So, I’ll just buy the ordinary size plot now at the cemetery.”
“Yeah absolutely! I mean, I think there is going to be confusion when you kark it anyway.”
“What do you mean love?”
“Well, I can imagine you on your last legs in hospital and the doctor thinking, hmmmm, if we give her the kybosh we can use all her parts to fix other people, because she has stated her intention to be an organ donor. But actually, you ticked the organ donor box because you wanna donate your organs, you know, your two and three-tier keyboard organs, not your heart and lungs. You want to keep the music alive after you’re gone!”
“Yeah, I see the potential mix up, that would be funny.” She laughed.
Kylie wriggled in her seat so that she was facing her mother as she drove. She looked out the window past her mum’s profile and enjoyed the view as they continued to talk. When they arrived at the lake they took a poignant last swim together, laughing and looking back on the life they had had together and especially all the fun. It was the perfect way to spend the afternoon after such an emotional morning.
Two days later, Kylie was getting ready for her going away party that she had organised herself. All the invitations had been sent and the final preparations for the food, music, chairs and tables were complete. Her school friend Nicole arrived first, bringing her a farewell card and three mini chocolate mud cakes, all with different messages on them. One said “Goodbye and Good luck Kylie”, the second said “I miss you already”, which was a sign off Kylie used whenever she said goodbye to someone, and the last one had a picture of a mop and bucket and the words “Here’s to cleaner pastures at BHP”.
“Wow! These are great Nicole. You didn’t have to bring me anything!”
Nicole set them down on the table and gave her a big hug. “It’s nothing. I wanted to celebrate with you and have a laugh before you headed off, since you and clean have never really gone together before.” She started giggling.
“This is true. And it is going to be interesting believe me, but it’s a foot in the door and I’m really excited about it!” Kylie replied honestly.
“I can’t believe I moved away, missed this place, came back, and now you’re leaving,” Nicole said.
“Yeah, I know. I never thought I’d ever leave but I guess I’m going. I mean I have to....I’ve got to find my husband!” Kylie said.
“So what happened with Alex? I heard you ........broke up?” she said softly.
“Yeah, I’m sorry. I just didn’t want to talk about it to anyone. He was never going to marry me and by the end of it, all he ever said to me was Don’t. Don’t do this, don’t wear that, don’t you think you should exercise more, Don’t think you’re funny! You’re Not! Don’t think I’m ever going to be dropping anything to be with you. It was for the best and I’m all good about it. Surprisingly, I don’t hate him. But I’m sure that will change if I hear he’s banging someone else too soon?” Kylie said.
“I probably shouldn’t say this but I never liked him.”
“Oh, Why didn’t you tell me mate?”
“Chicks can be funny when you tell them the truth, especially when it’s something about their boyfriend. I didn’t want to lose you so I just kept my mouth shut.”
“I know and if I could change the way people feel about telling and hearing the truth I would because I reckon life is too short to pussyfoot around stuff that can really make a difference to someone if they have all the information. You and me could’ve started the whole awful truth scenario off! Oh mate. I’m gonna miss you. But we can talk heaps on the phone, whenever we need a chat,” Kylie said hugging her and giving her bottom a squeeze so that Nicole pushed her away and they didn’t wallow in sadness. “Come on, let’s get a drink!” said Kylie as she stood back and tried to smile
“I don’t think I’ll be drinking too much tonight, I’m a bit emotional” said Nicole, putting her fingers under each eye to catch the tears before they ran down her face and ruined her make up.
“I know, I feel the same way. At least if I’m holding a stubbie of beer I won’t be groping your arse!” Kylie said playfully.
“Well then, let’s get you a beer!” Nicole said laughing.
Nicole had arrived at the time specified on the party invitation, whereas everyone else arrived in Mount Isa time which was casually about an hour after the general time you should have arrived. Kylie didn’t let it phase her as it gave her plenty of time to catch up and reminisce with Nicole. For twenty years Nicole and Kylie had been best friends since Primary School and had walked together to school each day. As other guests turned up and the yard began to fill with cars and people and the noise levels grew with music and chatter, Kylie looked around and realised that it was when you left a place you realised who your friends really were. She had previously thought you had to get married to find that out. When she noticeably missed people who had been invited but still didn’t turn up to say hello and goodbye, she took it for what it was and appreciated the time she had with the people who did show up. And that’s what mattered to her. Lifelong school friends, workmates and girlfriends she had met through her boyfriends’ mates were all there. They gathered around the barbeque and in groups around the back yard of her parents’ place with the back drop of the Mount Isa Mines operational lights behind them. The choice to stay at her folks’ place all night instead of going on to the Irish Club with a smaller group of friends was the best decision she could have made as the large group of well wishers stayed until dawn. Throughout the night they chatted, made each other laugh and retold old stories of fun times they had over the years. The group of revellers finally left the backyard party at 8 am without any interference from the neighbours or requests to keep it down. It was the best night Kylie had experienced
