"Sally-Ann, wait a minute," Karen said calling out to her. " I'm sorry, I had no idea. I thought my brother loved you and I never thought he'd cheat on you. I oftened wondered how he ended up with Amanda and well I know! I'm sorry I called you those name's. You should have told me, I could have been there to help you. I guess that's what hurt me the most.... You not telling me! "Karen said apologizing. "I know I should have told you about Skyanne, but I didn't want anyone feeling sorry for me. Skyanne is my child and my responsibility - no-one else's, " Sally-Ann told her friend.
"Well I know now, and I'm sorry you had to go through all that on your own.... let's hope it never happens again, " Karen said hugging her friend.
"That makes two of us - I never want to go through that again on my own, as it was pure torture! " Sally-Ann told her. "I bet it was, especially going through it at such a young age. It must have been scary,"Karen said. " Yes at times it was, but I learnt to deal with it, " Sally-Ann admitted. " I had to, as I didn't have any choice, " she added.
" You we're saying something about presents? " Karen asked as she took a seat next to Luke. " I sure did, there on the coffee table in front of you, " Sally-Ann told her as she took a seat opposite Luke and Karen. " Nothing much, but a few odds and ends that thought you might both like. " "Are you for real? It looks like you brought everything but the kitchen sink, " Karen said laughing.
" Skyanne honey, can you do the honor of handing them out to your Uncle Luke and Aunty Karen please, " Sally-Ann asked her daughter. " Okay Mummy, " she said plonking herself down on the floor in front of her mother, than handing Karen a pink tote bag with a girl walking a dog on the front of it. Taking the bag fom her niece, she looked inside to find pretty pink tissue paper covering the gifts.
" Wow, check out all the different types of teas I'm going to try out and these candles smell really nice, " she said smelling all the different scents.
Next was Luke - Skyanne handed him a tote bag with the Eiffel tower on the front of it. He opened it to find a variety of different coffee, men's aftershave lotion and a black Beret.
Karen's next gift was a bright pink Beret, some very colorful scarf's, tops, pants, dresses and Skirts. Luke got a whole bunch of men's clothing and some beautiful ties. Next gift Karen opened was a Givenchy paris Dahila Noir 3 piece perfume gift set, with a Paris Hilton clutch purse. " Oh lordie Sally-Ann, you shouldn't have. These gifts are just beautiful. . . . I love them. Luke's next gift was a Bruno Banan Hol wallet and a leather Levis fort belt. " Oh Sal, thank-you ever so much - I just love them, " he said.
" Not done yet guys - was saving the best for last, " she said placing the last two larger bag's down in front of them.
Opening up the bag and pulling out a well wrapped gift, Karen slowly unwrapped it to find a beautiful portrait of both Sally-Ann and Skyanne standing under the Effiel tower, inside a beautifully handmade photo frame. Stacked around the photo frame were other gifts that she soon learnt was a stunning white evening gown with matching pearl earrings, necklace and evening bag and the lateest make-up kit on the market for this season. Underneath that all, she came across something else. Opening it up, she started laughing.
" Gee's your funny, " she said holding it up high for Luke to see.
" See, told you I had brought the kitchen sink! " Sally-Ann smiled.
" I don't know what to say, I'm totally blowen away by all these beautiful gifts. Thanks a million Sally-Ann, I love them all so much and I truly love the photo of Skyanne and you. I'm going to hang it up in my room," she said placing everything back into a neat little pile in front of her.
Luke than opened up his last gift to also find the same photo in the same frame. Around his frame, he had found a blue suit with an awesome tie and a dress watch. Underneath all the clothes he found a playboy bunnies keyring.
" Wow, check this out - I really love this keyring Sal, " he thanking her once again.
" Not a problem - I'm just glad you both like your gifts, " she said feeling pleased with herself. " I've even got some gifts for Mr and Mrs Young . "
Once they had finished opening up the gifts, Sally-Ann brought them, Skyanne asked her mother if she could go back outside to play. " Sure you can sweetheart, " her mother answered.
They sat talking about Paris and what it was like, when suddenly there was a knock on the front door.
" Holy crap, I wonder who that could be, " Karen said almost jumping out of her seat. " Who is it? " " It's me Steven ", he said. " Just a minute, I'm actually on the phone right now with a client, " she called out to her brother, while looking straight at Sally-Ann; who happened to be turning white from panicking.
" Oh no, please tell me this isn't happening - I can't deal with your brother right now, " Sally-Ann said hitting the panic button. " Calm down, there's no need to blow a gasket - just go down there and hide in the back room. I'll come get you once he's gone, Karen said pointing to the back bedroom. " And what about Skyanne, she's still outside playing - what are you going to do if she happens to come back inside looking for me? " Sally-Ann said with a worried look on her face. " Not to worry , I got it all under control. Stop worrying you worry-wart and just hide before my charming brother kicks the front door down, " Karen told her friend, as she tried hurrying her along. " And stop giving me that look Sally-Ann. " she said heading towards the front door and opening it.
" Well it's about time - what took you so long? " Steven asked as he came inside. " I was on the phone with a client and Luke was outsde taking the washing off the line. What seems to be the problem? " Karen asked. " No problem, was just wondering if you guys are free tomorrow night , as I'm throwing a surprise birthday party at the Sundowner for Amanda and I'd like it very much if you guys could join me " he said. " Sorry can't - got plans already made, " Karen said telling her brother a little white lie. " Oh great, the one person I thought I could rely on turns me down.... Gee's thanks a lot sis! " he said. " Now I'll have to go cancel my booking I made and change my plan's once again. " " Enough with the guilt trip, okay brother dear, " she told him.
Right at that very moment Skyanne came back inside, took a look around and couldn't see her mother anywhere. " Aunty Karen, where's my Mummy gone? " she asked with a worried look on her little face. " Your mother step out for a minute, she'll be back soon sweetheart,"Karen told her niece.
" And what may your name be sweetheart? " Steven asked. " My name is Skyanne Neil and I'm 5 yrs old. My Mummy's name is. . . . "
" Um Skyanne honey, why dont you run along and go play. I'll call you once your mother's back, " Karen said cutting her niece short. "
Okay Aunty Karen, " Skyanne said heading back outside to play.
" Cute kid. .... her mother must be one hell of a stunner, " Steven coaxed. " As a matter of a fact, Skyannes mother is a model and a very good friend of mine. I'm surprised that you haven't seen her picture on the front of a magazine somewhere before, " Karen told him.
" Nope, can't say I have, but I'd love too meet her one day and if by any chance I have a little girl later on down the track, I hope she's just as cute as this little girl, " he said. " If only you knew, " Luke muttered under his breath. " What was that Luke? " Steven asked.
" Oh nothing, just something I remembered I had to do today, " Luke said as he got up and went to the kitchen.
" Best I get moving than if I'm to cancel that booking I made, " he said heading towards the front door. "Oh for fuck's sake, enough with the guilt trip Steven, we'll be there okay, I'm sure we can change our plans, " she said starting to plot a plan together. " Great, I knew I could count on you sis. See you tomorrow night, 7pm sharp at the Sundowner, " he waved goobye. " Sure thing, " she said giving him the thumbs-up. " Bye now, " she said shuttig the front door behind him.
No sooner had she shut the door, Luke was standing there in the lounge-room with a puzzled look on his face.
" What, what did I do now?"she asked.
" Mind telling me what exactly it is your up too and why on earth would you tell your brother that we'd be there tomorrow night for Amanda birthday. Haven't you forgotten one small detail? " he asked. " I 'm not up to anything Luke, what makes you think that? "
" Um, let me see..... you just agreed too meeting your brother tomorrow night for a surprise birthday party and have seemed to have forgotten about our house guest Sally-Ann, " he statted.
" Nope, haven't forgotten anything - I'm about to work on that now,"she said picking up the phone and dialing her friend.
" Who are you calling? " Luke asked her. " Im calling my friend Betty to ask if she can look after Skyanne tomorrow night, " she said waiting for Betty to pick the phone up. " Your not serious! "he asked.
The phone only rang twice before Betty picked it up. " Hello Betty, it's me Karen Young. " " Why hello dear, what can I do for you? she asked. " I have a small favor to ask. A friend of mine is in town for a few days and while she's here, I'd like to take her out for a few drinks tomorrow night. Only problem is that she has a 5yr old daughter and doesn't know of anyone to babysit. So I was wondering if it were possible if you could babysit her for us? " Karen asked. " Sure, not a problem at all love, that would give my Grandaughter someone to play with while I'm looking after her. " Thanks very much Betty. We'll drop her off sometime tomorrow afternoon,Karen said thanking her once again before hanging up.
" There, all taken care of. ... now all we have to do is talk Sally-Ann into joining us, " Karen said as she turned to face Luke.
" Are you crazy, just what are you up to Karen Young? Whatever it is your plotting, I don't want any part of it at all. .... Your on your own with this - leave me out of it, " he said shaking his head in disbelief.
" Oh come on Luke, there's no harm in it, all we're doing is asking Sally-Ann to join us for dinner- no big deal, "she said. " No big deal, are you serious - your really going to push for this? Haven't you forgotten your brother is going to be there with Amanda or has that slipped your mind." Nope, I haven't forgotten about it at all." " Well Miss Smartie pants, will you be so kind enough to tell me how your going to explain to Sally-Ann why Steven's there and just how on earth your going to pull this off, as I'm dying to know, " he said hatting the whole idea.
"Simple, we're going to ask her to join us for dinner and we will leave here around at 6pm, place Sally-Ann at the end of the table facing away from the main entrance, that way she won't see Steven and Amanda walking in, " Karen said liking her little plan.
" Are you for real? This is crazzzzzy Karen and like I said before - I don't want any part what-so-ever in this game your playing. So just leave me out of it. Cause once Sally-Ann finds out that your the one who plotted up this scheme, she's not going to be too bloody happy at all. And if I were you ( and thank God I'm not ) I would seriously start running now, " he told her, as he got up to walk outside to get Skyanne.
Getting up and walking down the hallway to the back room, Karen called out, " It's okay, you can come out now, he's gone. " About time. I thought he'd never leave, " Sally-Ann said coming out and taking a seat in the lounge-room across from Karen.
" Mummy, I just saw my Daddy, "Skyanne said as she took a seat next to her mother." " Oh my God what? How did this happen? "she asked firing one question after the other. " Calm down before you give yourself a nervous breakdown Sally-Ann, she just happened to have came back inside as Steven was about to leave and asked where you were. Steven asked Skyanne who she was and she told him. Harmless as,"Karen told her.
" please tell me your kiding! "Sally-Ann said shocked by what she was hearing. " I'm afraid not Sally-Ann, but before Skyanne could say
another word, Karen cut her short and sent her back outside to play. That's when Steven said he wishes to meet her mother one day because she must be a real stunner and said that if he ever had a little girl of his own later on down the track- he wishes she's just as cute as Skyanne. And funny thing was, he never clicked when Skyanne gave out her name, " Luke told her. " So you see , it's all good. You can stop stressing out. I told you it would be fine, that I'd handle it. " Karen told her. "Well that was just a little to close to comfort for my liking,"Sally-Ann said calming herself back down after the little shock.
" Anyway, Luke and I were talking and we would like to take you out for dinner tomorrow night and before you say anything about a babysitter, you don't have to worry, as I've already taken care of that. Remember my old friend Betty Logan? Well she's agreed to watch Skyanne for us, " Karen said waiting for an answer. "Is that so.... and how would you have known if I'd even say yes to that? "
" Well I didn't, but you would be a fool to knock it back, "Karen said. " Would I now? " " Yes and besides - you will love it Sally-Ann.
So what do you say? " Karen said pushing her into making a decision. " Come on, it will be fun, let your hair down for once girl," Karen added. " Okay then, I'll go. " " Yay... you will love the place, I swear, " Karen smiled.
" Well I had better get moving if I'm to find mself a motel for the night, " she said starting to get up and head to the front door.
"Hey, why don't you just stay here tonight. There's plenty of room and it would be lovely having you here." "I don't wish to put anyone out,"Sally-Ann told Luke. "Don't be silly, your not putting anyone out. Like I said before, there's plenty of room and we'd love for you to stay, both Luke and Karen asured her.
" Okay, I'll stay the night, but in the morning I really must find myself a van, " Sally-Ann told them both.
They stayed up talking for ages, when Sally-Ann took a quick glance at her watch. " Gee's, I think it's my bedtime. It's been a very long day for both Skyanne and myself and I'm beat. I'll catch you both in the morning."she said getting up and carrying Skyanne to her bed, placing her down, then climbing in next to her.
Turning to face Luke, Karen said, " See, I told you - piece of cake." " And I'm telling you that you now, that your mad! But good luck to you, you're going to need it once Sally-Ann finds out what you've done, " Luke told her. " Oh lighten up Luke, it's harmless and she will get over it, " Karen shot back at him. "Well like I said before - this is on your head and I don't want any part of it what-so-ever. So do me a favor and leave me out of it,"he said getting up and going to bed.
"NO BALLS!" Karen shouted back at him.