Summerland

Chapter Forty Eight - Working at the Car Wash

          

I was grabbing a bunch of cleaning things from the kitchen, my car really needed a clean inside and out and today was as a good as day as any. I put the bottles and clothes into a bucket and walked into the living room.

"What are you doing Mom?" Johnny questioned as he looked up from playing a game with his sisters.

"I am going to clean the car. Wanna help?" he shook his head.

"Fine but today is wash and tidy day  and all three are going to help get this house sparkly clean. " I left and  Unlocked the car. Putting music on I started taking everything detachable in the car out and sorting it into keep or ditch. I then cleaned all the non fabric interior praying wiping over and over again front and back.

"Allison." I jumped and groaned as I banged my head on the wheel

"Crap!" I groaned and rubbed my head, turning to look at the person who inadvertently injured me, it was my Mom.

"Sorry. You okay?"

"Fine. What can I do for you." I got out of the car.

"I just wanted to know if you wanted to spend some time together , just the two of us."

"Um?"

"I was just wondering because  we've never did and I know that is still a sore subject and it was partly my fault."

"Okay. " I nodded

"Great. So err what are you doing today?"

"Cleaning, everything is a mess." I went back to what I was doing

"So what is it like having Jacob around."

"Good. Yeah, it feels good." She came round to the other side of the car and began talking to me.

"You know we're all trying our best to get back on track with you. I'm glad we can do this."

"Yep." I hated talking about that part of my life. It was mostly in the past and I have a family, husband and a very, very, very long life to get on wit.

"You don't like talking about it do you." I sighed and got out grabbing the rug doctor.

"Allison, come on please."

"What? What do yu want me to say? I hate that part of my life. I hate it being brought up because I was weak it made me weak. I was broken when I met Jackson and that is beecause of you. I did nothing wrong, nothing and I was treated so badly. Yeah I didn't show it during the day but what you all clearly ignored was the fact that every night I was crying and begging for things to change. For Ten years." My voice broke

"Then I met him and Mels and Austin, they taught me not to try so hard, that the best thing in life come when you're not looking for them and when you're not busting brain cells. Did you know the only reason all of this happened, you talking to me all of trying to make amends was because Jacob smelt Jackson on me." She looked confused

" When Mels' termination went wrong and a hack job of a man, we were at the Sheldrake. I was filling in for her. When we got back we heard the news and I saw how she was I went for grandpa. Long story short Grandpa , Jake and I had this bust up and I went back to his cabin. He wanted me to leave I didn't wanting to dance with one more time. One thing lead to another and we slept tofgether. Even though I had showred before." I calmed down

"So when your Dad couldn't hear his thoughts."

"That was me, protecting Jackson. I blocked his thoughts to keep my secret from you because I knew you would find a way to ruin it and I didn't want that. Not that it stopped the train wreck after?"

"What happened?"

"It doesn't matter. All that matters is that I'm sick of everyone bringing up again and again. I've dealt  with it I have other things to be concentrating on."

"Alison."

"I'm happy they make me happy, they make me strong and feel like I can do anything. I don't need to be digging up the past every five minutes. I f you wanna get to know me and make a better relationship between us, great I'm in a place where I am ready to make a go of things. But if you wanna play flashback and make vague comments Pre Jackson Cassidy I'm not your girl. Now I have a car to clean, and a house to get in order on top of a family to look after. " I carried on cleaning the car, inside then out which took me a while.

When I came back inside the children came running to hug me. I smiled and hugged them back

"Hey, what's all this in aid of?" I chuckled

"We hard what you and Grandma." Faith told me

"And Daddy told us some as well." I looked at my husband, who shrugged. I knelt down to look at them properly.

"Hey, that's all in the past."

"Did they really make you sad?" Abi stroked my cheek.

"Come here." We sat on the sofa.

"Look, while I didn't have the best childhood like I have worked to give the three of you. I wouldn't change it, do you know why?" They shook their heads

"Because if that didn't happen I might not have met your Dad." I brushed some of Faith's hair back "I met and worked with your Dad because Aunt Mels was going through a bad time. We fell in love and worked hard for us, then we married and had you two then you Abi. So while it's sad and upsetting remember that even in the dark time there will be somebody to turn on the light."

"Dad's your light?" Johnny questioned

"Not just your Dad, but the three of you and if you have any more siblings they will be too. Now you know what will make me happy?" The shrugged

"You cleaning your rooms. Go on scoot we've still got a lot to do today." I shooed them away and went to stand with Jackson. He brought me into a hug and kissed my head