Six weeks. It doesn't seem such a long time does it?! But I had been here in Manchester now, for that long. Six weeks, and when you are spending a lot of that time alone, it's not easy. I still had my work place at Laurelwood, and so I didn't look instantly for a job, perhaps holding out hope I wouldn't be here so long, and that Veda and I would have returned by now. We were still here though, and Veda was back at her old high school, which she didn't mind, but she didn't love either. She missed Josephine, and I know when she was here atleast, she was always texting her or calling, nearly as much as I was Wren.

Wren.

When your heart wants a person that's a million miles away, there's this ache in your chest, always, because they are so far, and all you want is them so close. There is no longing quite like that of a long distance love.

Wren and I had spent more time talking recently than we ever did before, and if anything, for our relationship, this boost in communication, it was good for us. We only had conversation, and so we communicated openly and deeply, and made a hundred plans of what we would do when we finally came back together. I grew to feel thankful that we had this time, to tentatively discover each other over phone and text, with nothing physical getting in the way. I yearned now though, after so long, for her touch. I wanted to kiss her, to hold her, to make love to her, and I didn't know how I would ever let her go again, and so I made a promise to myself that after this period of distance was done, we would never be parted again.

Not ever.

Veda came over every Friday still on the weekly, and Charlie had come Saturdays the last three weeks for dinner together, before he took her home.

Charlie, my little brother, a guy who under any other circumstances, would get on with me famously. He was good people. Under these circumstances though, we still kept each other at arms length. Every now and again we seemed to forget we locked horns in mediation, and instead we would find ourselves laughing at Veda together, or sharing stories of our lives.

Wren was due with her family at the weekend, and I took that moment to invite Charlie and his Gramma for an actual home cooked dinner. Not a takeout. Allie had told me she would be cooking a dinner for everyone on Saturday, and that I should invite them. I did. He surprised me, by saying yes. He didn't think his Gramma would come though since she wouldn't cope with the amount of people anymore. It was important to Veda he come though. I think she had a lot to do with his decision to attend, because she had not stopped telling him about the Jamesons, and the Nomikos family. She missed them, as much as I did, and he could see it, we both could. In Charlies absence, Veda had made new connections, and grown to love, and be loved, by others that she had now claimed as family. Her chosen family.

With so much time on my hands now, I had been grateful to my Mother when a delivery arrived one afternoon for me. The box was long and heavy. The delivery guy set it down on the kitchen island for me.

"Thanks" I told him as he went back through the front door and I closed it.

Norman jumped up onto a stool beside it to inspect it with me "I don't think it's for you" I told him, rubbing behind his ears.

I found a pair of scissors and cut it open on one end. The moment I saw the metal, and the jagged sharp edges, my heart began to sing.

A chainsaw.

There was a note from my Mother inside the box.

Millicent,

Don't kill anyone! And be careful, no running with it ; )

I love you darling. Look forward to seeing you soon. Will call you Thursday night. Send Veda my love.

Mom x

I smiled and placed it down on the kitchen worktop. My Mother called every Thursday night for an hour, we too talked more now than perhaps ever before. She was busy at the university, doing her thing, and living her dream. She and Avery were seeing each other throughout the week now as well as the weekend sleepovers. It sounded like it was getting more serious, not that my Mother admitted that. I could hear it in her voice though, that she was happy.

So, my days were filled with working on my craft, creating my first sculptures, with a chainsaw and a large block of wood. It started off small, with a knee high sculpture of Norman, which was worth its weight in gold, because each time I passed it on the front porch, I laughed. I had most definitely perfected his large feather duster tail, and worked closely on his pinned back ears, and mean little scowl. Just like Norman though, you couldn't help but love it. I wondered if I put him out on the porch, if he would act as a man repellant type talisman. That could be handy. It could certainly stay out for Halloween.

My next project was to create something for my future in- laws, something for Christmas, and something even Wren didn't know about. It was my largest project to date. I took my time on that one, but once it was finished, I didn't know how I would move it. I forgot I was a five foot something woman who didn't work out, and had minimal muscle masse.

I stood and looked at it from the ladder that I had used to get up and finish it, and wondered if I would have to give up and saw it in half. I was a little stubborn though, and instead I reached out to someone... and made a connection, one that for once wasn't about Veda. I reached out to Charlie, for no other reason than I needed him, and I hoped he would care enough to see the hand held out, the olive branch, and take it.

Millie- Are you free today?

Charlie- Mediation?

Millie- No. I kinda, need your help. Only if you have time. Don't worry if you are busy. 🤞🏻

Charlie- You need me huh?! 👀

Millie- Don't be a jerk. Are you free?

Charlie- Sure, what do you need?

Millie- thanks 🙏🏻 I think it's best I just show you. Can you come around? I'm in the yard. A little stuck.

Charlie- You're not like in some weird sexual situation are you? 🫣 Because I'm not sure I'd like to be the one to uncuff my sister from something.

Millie- Firstly, who the hell do you think I'm sleeping with? I live alone in a Cul-de-sac in a quiet part of town. I also have a girlfriend back in Oregon whom I'm obsessed with. And secondly, did you just call me your sister 🙃😊😎

Charlie- Firstly, there are a lot of lesbian delivery drivers, UPS workers, and gardeners. I'm pretty sure you stick out, a lonely little lesbian and her cat. You must be like honey to the bees over there. Secondly, it's a fact.

Millie- within the next hour?

Charlie- on the way.

I was using my chisel to finish some finer details when Charlie finally came around the corner of the house. He stopped, creased up, and laughed, holding his knees as he barked a loud laugh.

"Millie, what the fuck" he said, whilst still laughing. He walked over the yard and looked it over closely "this is real good" he complimented. He pointed at the chainsaw on the table beside me. "You didn't make this" he asked, completely blown away it seemed by the look on his face.

I stood back, blowing some wood shaving off, before I was happy enough to step back and look upon it.

"I worked on this all week" I told him "it's for Wrens parents"

Charlie held his jaw, rubbing at it and shaking his head slightly "you should be selling this stuff. Millie this is incredible. Do you think you could make me something" he asked.

I turned to him and smiled "of course. What do you want"

"My Gramma had this dog. It was twenty one when it finally died. She carried that thing everywhere with her. It was a chihuahua. Baby, that's what she called it. She sometimes calls him from her armchair, forgetting he's dead. I think she would love a little carving of him"

I nodded "Send me a picture. I'll get it done, next week"

He looked pleased "Thanks. I appreciate that. I'll pay you of course, for your time and materials"

I waved my hand between us "not necessary. I'm happy for the practice. And you are family right, family will always be free"

He seemed to take a moment to take that in and accept it. I didn't think many people had shown up for Charlie in his life, and he reminded me a lot of Veda when I found her. Skeptic of anyone's intentions, and expecting nothing from anyone, because he had always had to look after himself.

"Thanks" was all he could manage, as he walked around the sculpture, deep in thought. "You know I don't remember a Christmas I ever spent happy. It's never been a happy time for me. But there's something about this... it makes me nostalgic, perhaps for a Christmas I never even had"

I understood that, mine were pretty lonely sometimes. Just me and Moira.

"I know what you mean. I hadn't ever had a big family Christmas, not until last year with Wrens family. They do it well. It's her birthday on Christmas Eve, so it's always special"

He smiled "My birthday is also Christmas Eve"

I opened my mouth with surprise, before words could come out "No way"

"Yep. Another reason I've never liked Christmas. Another birthday forgotten by dad" he explained.

My heart sunk. That's much worse than my Christmases. At least I was loved.

"Well, I won't let it be forgotten again" I promise him.

He didn't look confident, years of people letting him down, leaving him with little trust, and certainly not a-lot of hope.

I grew to soften with Charlie, as he did with me too. Like with Veda, I was determined to be the one person he knew, and could trust, that they meant what they said.

We were still in a custody dispute, and yet it became less and less about that, and more about building a relationship, all three of us. Sharing Veda seemed to be the easiest transition for us all, and it became our new normal. Charlie and Veda started coming over on Wednesdays too, to hang out. I think at some point we genuinely forgot that the judge was going to rule on this, because it was working quite naturally, falling into place as we waited. Veda between us, drawing us together, and being the glue that began to set, six weeks after we moved East.

Charlie helped me hide the Christmas gift in the shed, because in two days the family would be descending.

***

I made up the beds, tidied up the house, and got the groceries in.

"Welcome back" I called up the path.

Willa and Allie got out of the rental car first, followed by Josephine and Wren from the backseat.

Wren hit me running, sending me back through the front door, before she kissed me eagerly and relentlessly.

Josephine and Veda took each others hands and ran off out of sight, and Allie and Willa stood looking at the house with the most peaceful look on their faces.

"It's good to be back" Willa mused, as she took Allie's hand and walked back over the threshold of their first little nest.

"Heaven" Allie whispered.