The sound of the back door opening caused Rob to look up from where he was cutting vegetables for that night's meal. Helen stood with a beaming smile and paperwork held up in her hand. She waved it around announcing, "You're in!"

"What?" Rob dropped the knife, wiped his palms down his jeans and grinned at her. "Which course?"

"Teaching." Helen's smile broadened. "It was your first preference wasn't it?"

"Yes." Rob tilted his head to the ceiling; his hands clasped behind it, sighed as if in relief, and then faced Helen again with a broad smile. He grabbed her around the waist and scooped her up, yelling, "Yahoo! I'm in. You're the best. Far out! I can't believe it."

With papers still in one hand she squeezed his cheeks together and kissed him on the forehead. "Congratulations, kiddo," laughing she added, "Now put me down."

As he let her go she handed him the letter. "You've got two weeks, time enough to fly home and tell your parents."

"Do I have to?" Rob screwed up his face and peered at her. "I could pretend I'm still at Sale and when I graduate I'll tell them the truth."

"Rob..." Helen raised her eyebrows and shook her head. "Lying hasn't worked for you in the past, it's time to bite the bullet and face what's coming."

"Yeah, I know. I wasn't going to lie but..." He gave her a cheesy grin. "It was worth a try."

She gave him a light slap on the shoulder and looked at where he'd been working. "What are you cooking?"

"Stir-fry." He shrugged. "I'm trying to prove to you that I'm capable of being an independent flatmate. That is if you'll have me."

Helen laughed. "Of course I'll have you but, if your cooking tastes like shit, you'll be put on extended washing up duties."

*****

Flying directly to Rockhampton was out of the question for Rob. Being a regional town Rocky didn't have direct flights from Melbourne. He chose to fly to Brisbane, the states capital, and then take the twelve hour bus trip to Rockhampton, arriving at midnight.

He jangled his keys as he stood looking up at the dark house. Everyone was in bed and he wondered how they were going to react when they woke to see him home. A dog barking in the distance caused him to pause before he stepped onto the path that led to the front door. Perhaps he should hail the Uber driver back and find a motel instead. As he followed the tail-lights of the car with his eyes he took a breath. Too late now, there was no turning back. He just hoped his father wouldn't think he was a burglar and pull a gun on him as he entered the house.

*

Rob grinned as he closed his bedroom door and switched on the bedside lamp. Everything was in its place. Not one change had been made. He took off his shoes and stripped down to his boxers before pulling the covers back. He hadn't expected the bed to be made with fresh clean sheets so he wondered if Helen had rung to tell them he'd be home even though she'd promised she wouldn't.

Lying back on the bed, Rob stared at the ceiling. It seemed like an eternity had passed since he'd left this room but, it'd only been six months. Could six months turn a boy into a man? So much had happened in that short space of time. His whole world had been shaken up like never before, all because he'd acted more teenage thug than some of the guys he'd known at school. The face of Hunter Jones flashed through his mind. With it came an image of Becky. Tears ran from the corners of his eyes. Dear sweet Becky. Had he lost her forever? Rob wiped away the stream and rolled onto his side. He had new prospects now. Challenges that he was going to throw his heart and soul into, and then one day in distant time, he'd knock on Becky's door as a man who knew what he wanted from life. Then and only then he'd work hard to see if she wanted to be a part of the future with him.

*****

Banging and clanging outside the door woke Rob, and then he heard Linc. "Mum..! Mum..! Where are my hockey shoes?"

Rob grinned, bounded from the bed, yanked open the door and hollered, "What the hell are you yelling about?"

Linc screamed, ran in mid-air as he spun around and clutched his hands to his chest. "Shit! What the fuck, Rob?"

"Oi. Watch your language." Rob laughed.

"You scared the shit out of me," Linc cried as he threw a couple of mock punches at Rob's stomach. "What are you doing home?"

Laughing, Rob twisted out of Linc's reach. Before he could answer, his mother called from the bottom of the stairs, "Linc! Who are you talking too?"

Rob put his finger to his lips and shook his head at Linc.

"So she doesn't know you're here?" Linc whispered.

"No." Rob shook his head again. "Call her up. I'll hide in my room, and then surprise her."

With a big grin on his face Linc nodded and mouthed, "You might give her a heart attack."

"I won't," Rob said as he sidled back through the doorway of his bedroom and quietly closed the door.

Linc yelled, "I'm not talking to anyone! Just yelling because I can't find my hockey shoes! Can you come up and help me?"

"Really, Linc?" Sheila scoffed as she climbed the stairs. "Dad's waiting in the kitchen. You're going to be late for the game."

"It doesn't matter." Linc grinned at her as she came into view. "Drew'll understand and we've got two reserves now so it won't matter if I miss the whole game."

"You're his best fullback, of course it'll matter." Sheila ruffled his hair as she passed and went into his room. "Where did you put them last?" She got down on all fours and lifted the edge of the quilt.

"I don't reckon you'll find them there," Rob said as he leaned against the door jamb with his arms and ankles crossed.

Sheila screamed and jerked to her knees. "Rob..!" As she got to her feet and threw herself into his arms, Michael's thundering footsteps were heard on the stairs.

"What the hell is going on up here? Rob?" He bolted along the hall and slung his arm around his son's neck. "When did you get here?"

"Last night." Rob laughed as he was smothered with affection. "You better work on your security, old man. For a police inspector you're pretty lapse."

Michael jabbed Rob in the ribs, and then shook out his fingers. "Whoa, are you made of steel now?" he said as his looked his son up and down. "Look at those abs."

"Nah..." Rob laughed some more. "Definitely not steel."

"What are you doing here?" Michael asked with a quizzical look.

"I've got some things to tell you, but we'll do it later. We better get Linc to his game." Rob stepped toward his bedroom door adding, "It'll be great to catch up with Drew and we've got plenty of time to talk. I'm home for a week." He nudged his head saying, "I'll just throw some clothes on."

Michael nodded. "Yep. Righto." He looked down at Sheila and met her knowing gaze. There was something up. Michael lifted his shoulders and gave her an, I-don't-know smile, before focusing on Linc. "Come on, mate. Your shoes are in the car where you left them after practice."

I'm so excited that Rob is home. I wonder how his parents will take the news of him being booted from the air force? :(

Photo copyright - Alamy Stock.