Night Time Adventures
Maggie looked out the kitchen window, daring Teddy to jump into the pool in his pyjamas. ‘Can I?’ Teddy asked. ‘Of course,’ Maggie said smiling.
Kids are meant to do crazy things. Maggie thought, Actually, I need to do a few crazy things.
“Hmmm” Maggie wondered what crazy things she could do.
The pool temperature had dropped after the recent heavy rain, and while Maggie would normally get in for a night swim, she was happy to watch the kids from the kitchen window. She didn’t want the mozzies to munch her, and they were certainly on the hunt with all of the humidity lately.
Teddy took his first step into the pool and quickly pulled his foot back, giggling and glancing back at his Mum, “It’s cold!!”
Maggie smiled
“Yeee Haaa,” Jem ran out the back door, through the pool gate and water went everywhere.
“OOOYYEEEE” Teddy yelled at her. Even Milo, who’d been lying on the pavers escaped through the pool fence.
Jem surfaced, “It’s so cold!!”
Maggie laughed, as she felt Mark’s hands wrap around her waist. Her body settled into his, he was warm, not like the pool.
“I’m not getting in.” Teddy said.
“Come on, Teddy, you can do it!”
Jem was the eternal cheerleader, even if in her own life she depended on the stability of her dad to make most things happen.
Teddy grabbed the pool scoop and pulled the thermometer towards himself.
‘How is it?’
He smiled a cheekily at his Mum, ‘ohhh it’s ok.’ He desperately wanted his Mum to get in so he knew he couldn’t tell her the truth, a little white lie that could be encouraging never hurt anyone right?
Teddy threw the thermometer back into the pool and stepped in again, being brave. “It’s pretty warm mum, not as cold as I thought.”
“Oh really.” Maggie said in her sarcastic tone.
“He desperately wants you to get in.”
“Ha ha, I know.”
Maggie was warm and comfy exactly where she was, “Come on, it’ll be fun.” Mark cheekily invited her as he stepped backwards, gently pulling her body and running his fingers up her sides.
Maggie instinctively moved forward, ‘stop it!’ She said laughing at Mark.
“I’m going to go in.” Mark teased, “I’ll look after you.” He said with a grinning smile.
“No you won’t, you’ll splash me.”
“Would I do that to you?” Mark took off his top and threw it on the lounge, he looked at Maggie, teasing, “you want more don’t you?”
Maggie shook her head laughing, “Go and get your swimmers on!” He was so playful.
Teddy was in up to his knees, “Come on Teddy, you’re nearly there!”
Ah second children truly are the ones who take all the risk, Teddy needs a bit of that.
“My crackers are crackin’.” Teddy had taken another step, he was on his tippy toes and his face showed the pain he was in!
Maggie giggled, ‘Oh they’re crackin’ are they? So warm in there?” Maggie knew what her gorgeous little boy was up to.
“His boys are telling us the exact temperature.” Mark laughed, “that boy.”
“Yes they are.”
“Come on, get your swimmers on, I’ll see you in the pool.” He looked at Maggie, “but first watch me soak those crackers!!”
Mark dashed out the door and straight into the pool, water went everywhere, Jem was squealing in delight and Teddy was soaked.
He looked back at his Mum. Maggie wasn’t sure if he was going to cry or not. Teddy put his hands out and surrendered, falling backwards into the pool.
I guess he’s fine, she thought.
‘Marco.’
‘Polo.’
The kids were chasing each other around the pool, splashing and laughing. Maggie loved watching them and whilst she didn’t enjoy the cooler water, she definitely wanted to be in there with her babies.
The kids squealed, ‘Daddy!’ Mark bombed them again, causing water to splash out everywhere and covering the kids like a Tsunami. As Mark came up to the surface, the kids leapt on him, laughing and giggling, he’d throw one off at a time, and they’d come back for more.
Maggie finished cleaning up the kitchen, there were just a few plates, and put on her swimmers. She wasn’t the bombing type so she slowly lowered herself into the water via the steps.
‘It’s much better when you just go all in!’ Mark smiled at her.
Maggie laughed, ‘I’m sure it is,’ but Maggie wasn’t doing that. Maggie had always found, at least for her, that wearing a one piece meant the water didn’t hit her skin so quickly. The fabric was like a shield for a moment and therefore she had more time to get used to the water temperature.
It was warmer than Maggie expected, certainly not as cool as it had been for Teddy. Her version of crackers weren’t crackin’ so to speak. But when Jem swam up to her mum, giving her a wet cuddle, Maggie screwed up her face – it was cold after all.
The Old Man could hear the squeals and laugher coming from next door, it always made him smile but it did disrupt his quiet evenings sitting under the stars.
He took a sip of his coffee and watched as the Milky Way was filling out. It was stunning to see the blue sky go dark and the stars start twinkling. Small at first and then shining bright. They’d been there the whole time but he hadn’t been able to see them. Now that the sun was gone he could see them clearly.
He traced his hand through the sky looking for constellations – Aquarius, the Big Dipper, the Southern Cross – and then finding he planets, the stars that didn’t twinkle. Like bright lights that were solid and strong.
He wondered about life, out there and if there was someone like him sitting on another planet looking at the same stars wondering if there was someone like him out there too.
Then he felt his wife beside him. They’d been together for over 30 years and he still missed her every day. They used to sit outside in the silence, watching the stars and tracing them together. She was his everything and now he only had his memories.
They were like pictures in his mind. The first time he saw her. The first time he held her hand. The times he’d watch her drive away. He was grateful for every moment because no matter where she went he knew she was coming home to him, until one day she didn’t.
A tear glistened in the side of his eye. Everything was quiet now and he didn’t like it.
Gobble, gobble, gobble.
The old man shook his head in shock, what was that?
Gobble, gobble, gobble.
The Old Man stood up and looked around. He couldn’t see a thing beyond the fire.
Gobble, gobble, gobble.
The Old Man reached for his torch, shining it across the backyard. Down over the grass, hitting the trees at the end of his property. Across the chicken run where the girls were all asleep, through the pool fence and the veggie patches, there was nothing unusual.
Gobble, gobble, gobble.
Confuse, the Old Man took a few steps towards his back patio. The light from his torch wandered across the curves of the shed, up onto the roof and then he saw it.
“Blimey.”
Gobble, gobble, gobble.
“Where did you come from?”
He walked towards the shed but the creature stepped back, so the Old Man stopped.
“Hello.” He said.
Gobble, gobble, gobble.
The Old Man smiled, it’s not quiet now, he thought.
“Well I’ll be, in all me years I’ve never seen a turkey in ma backyard. Myra would have liked you.”
Gobble, gobble, gobble.
Trevor the Turkey walked around the roof of the shed. He was just looking for food but he didn’t like the Old Man seeing him, he scared him, people scared him.
Trevor had seen the people in the swimming pool, but he felt safe because he was up high and they couldn’t see him, nor could they hear him because they were making so much noise.
The Old Man stared at Trevor, watching his moves. Trevor fluffed his plume, stared back at the Old Man and occasionally let out a ‘Gobble, gobble, gobble.’
After a while Trevor turned around and flew into the darkness.
The Old Man tried to follow him with his torch, but its light didn’t reach that far and the walls of the shed got in the way.
“Wow, that was interesting.”
The Old Man stood there for a while looking at the roof of the shed, quietly wondering how often the turkey would sit up there. It was such a peaceful moment, the Old Man felt relaxed.
WOOOFFF, WOOOFFF, WOOOFFF.
“BLIMEY.’ The Old Man jumped.
He turned around to see what she was barking at, but there wasn’t anything there.
“Indie, stop barking at the shadows!”
Indie wasn’t listening, WOOOFFF, WOOOFFF, WOOOFFF!!! She kept going.
The Old Man shook his head.
The fire had gone down and the Old Man was feeling tired. He slowly walked inside, as Indie, scooted past his legs, nearly knocking him over.
“JEEPERS GIRL!”
The Old Man managed to grab onto the door frame to steady himself, while Indie bolted over to her bed to grab her toy in her mouth and wrestled with it.
The Old Man shook his head, “Girl you have way too much energy.”
“Wanna see something fun?” Mark asked the kids as they were towelling off from their swim.
“YEAH.” They both yelled!
Mark laughed as Maggie smiled and walked back into the house, it was time for a long hot shower for her.
“Ok well you have to be super quiet.” Mark brought his index finger up to his mouth, “Shhhhh.”
“Why Dad?” Jem asked.
“Because we don’t want to disturb the animals at night.”
Teddy was curious, “What do you mean?”
“You’ll see. Wrap your towels around yourselves and pop on your thongs.”
The kids did as their father told them and then he led them down towards the back of their property.
“Can I hold the torch Dad?”
“Sure Teddy. Make sure it’s out in front so we know what we’re stepping on.”
Teddy smiled, “Where are we going?”
“We’re going to see the bees.”
“But won’t they be asleep Dad?”
“Maybe, and that’s why we need to be quiet, but they can also get really hot at night time, so they might need to cool off.”
“Like going for a swim.”
“Yeah, but their version of it.”
“What does that mean? Jem asked.
Mark put his arm around Jem’s shoulders, ‘Patience grasshopper.”
As they walked towards the bee hive, the kids started to see the bees.
“WOW.” He said.
“That’s so cool!” Jem said. “What are they doing Dad?”
The front of the hive was covered in bees. It was like all the bees had moved outside and were having a party.
“I know,” Teddy said, “They’re keeping watch, making sure no one gets in.”
“Good guess Teddy.” Mark said.
“Is that what they’re doing Dad?” Jem asked.
“Well they’re doing a bit of what Teddy said, they’re protecting each other from predators and they’re protecting their honey, but they always do that. What they’re mainly doing is cooling off. It can get super hot in the hive so they come out at night time to avoid the heat.”
“Kinda like natures air-conditioning, that’s cool!” Jem said.
Mark smiled, “Yes, it’s like being under the shade of a tree on a hot day, except the tree is the night sky.”
Teddy got closer, “Do you think I could touch one Dad?”
“Only if you want to get stung Teddy.”
Teddy thought for a moment and slowly backed away, “Maybe not.”
Then Teddy noticed something else in the light. He moved the torch light down to the base of the hive.
Mark’s smile got wider. He’d been waiting for them to see what else was happening.
“Damn, that’s cool!” Teddy said, impressed at what he was seeing.
Jem’s eyes widened, “Daaaddd.” She said slowly, “What are they doing?”
“What’s what doing Jem?”
Jem looked at her Dad, “You can see them right?”
Mark smiled, “Of course I can see them.”
“Why are they sitting on top of each other?” Teddy asked.
“I guess they’re trying to get to the bees!” Mark said
“To do what?” Teddy’s worried look gave him away, he didn’t like animals being hurt.
“Well buddy, probably to have something to eat.”
“They can’t eat our bees!!” Jem exclaimed.
“They can if a bee falls or they get high enough.”
“Humph, cane toads are so mean.”
“And ugly.” Jem said.
“They’re not the prettiest of toads, but they are animals after all.”
“I know Dad, but why do they have to eat our bees?”
“That’s what nature does gorgeous. Someone is always eating something!”
“One, two, three…”Jem started counting the cane toads and Teddy joined in, “four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven…”
‘Eleven.” Teddy exclaimed.
“And the ones around the back, “thirteen, fourteen.”
“You missed twelve, you’ve gotta start again.” Teddy said.
Jem pointed at each Cane toad as they counted, “One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen…”
“Do they ever end?”
“They’re everywhere!” Teddy said.
Teddy moved the light around and sure enough, there were more cane toads on the grass and the septic tank.
Teddy brought the light back to the bee hive, “Watch out!” Jem exclaimed, as a stack of cane toads clumsily fell over.
The cane toads just lay there. They didn’t react to falling over, it was like they’d always been there.
“They’re funny,” Jem laughed.
“They certainly are, you should see them when I’m mowing the lawn.” Mark said.
“What’d you mean Dad?” Teddy asked.
The kids both curiously looking at Mark.
“Well it’s like they’re hiding in the grass, so when the lawn mower comes they do their best to escape, bouncing all over the place.”
The kids giggled, “That’d be funny. Boing, boing, boing.” Teddy said with his hands exploding outwards just like a toad jumping.
They watched the bees and the cane toads a bit longer. As the cane toads slowly re-built their cane toad tower.
They couldn’t actually reach the bee’s landing pad but if they saw one drop or fly out in their direction, their tongue would snap out so quickly to try and grab the bee. Sometimes they were successful and other times the bee would get away, to which Teddy and Jem cheered.
“Alright, time to go in.” Mark said.
“Oh Dad, can’t we say a bit longer?”
“Yeah Dad, just a bit longer.”
“Ah no, can’t you feel those mozzie bites and midgies spitting on you?”
“ERRR YUCK!! They don’t spit Dad.”
“Yes they do. Now both of you, let’s go!”
Teddy led the way with the torch, “Night bees.” He said.
“Night bees, we love you.” Jem chimed in.
Nearing the back door, they heard another sound, WHOOOOOOOO, WHOOOOOOOO, WHOOOOOOOO.
Teddy looked at his Dad and his eyes lit up. Jem knew what it meant too. “It’s the Oompas Dad.”
Mark smiled and nodded at Teddy
“Can we watch them?” Gem asked
“Let’s go see, but we have to be really quiet.”
They walked inside the house, Jem turned off the lounge room lights while Teddy slowly and quietly opened the curtains.
They all sat down on the end of the couch and stared out the window. There were two Oompas standing in the driveway.
“They’re funny,” Jem said.
“Yeah they are, like statues.”
Teddy stood up, stucking his arms out and pulling a funny face. Then he froze.
They all laughed.
“What’s happening?” Maggie asked as she came out of her bedroom.
“We’re watching the Oompas, but you’ve gotta be quiet, shhhhh.” Jem said bringing her finger up to her lips.
“Oh what fun,” Maggie said quietly, sitting down next to Jem.
Mark pulled out a container, “Anyone for some fruit?”
Gem raised her eyebrow at her Dad, “That’s not fruit Dad!’
“Nah, that’s lollies, I want some!” Teddy said.
“Yes it is, it says ‘fruit’ on the packet.” Mark said giving his stern ‘I’m telling the truth’ look.
They all laughed.
Clink, clink, clink. The kids tucked into the lollies as they sat there together quietly watching the Oompas as they sung WHOOOOOOOO, WHOOOOOOOO, WHOOOOOOOO.
