Crisis of Identity

Georgie and I waited in the all-but-empty public waiting area of the courts, while Miles met with Dawes’ lawyers for one last attempt to mediate the case down.

The lawyers disappeared into one of the small meeting rooms off to the side of the waiting area, where lawyers often meet with their clients in private.

I leaned my elbows on my knees. ‘So, after hearing all that… What are your thoughts…?’ I asked Georgie.

‘You are right. He’s stubborn, isn’t he…?’

‘It’s got me buggered why he wants to take this to trial…’

‘I think he’s just too stubborn to admit he’s wrong.’

‘See, that’s the thing…’ I said. I sat back in my seat. ’He doesn’t believe he is wrong. He is convinced I am Jayden Evans and he just refuses to let go of that, regardless of the consequences.’

‘It’ll be at his peril…’ Georgie said. ‘The Magistrate made that very clear, didn’t he?’

Ten minutes after entering into discussions, Miles re-emerged. It was difficult to get a read on his expression as he approached. He slid into the seat beside me. ‘That was quick…’ I said, hopeful of a resolution to keep this from any further court hearings.

Miles sighed and slowly shook his head. ‘Both his lawyers recommended Mr Dawes do as we ask and mediate this out by making a full and public unreserved apology…’

‘And true to form… he declined,’ I said, knowing Dawes as I do.

‘Correct. That is despite his lawyers making it very clear, his prospects of winning the defamation case are unlikely.’

‘Unbelievable…’ I looked to Georgie. ‘See what I’ve had to put up with… This guy is unbelievable.’

‘There just doesn’t seem to be any logic to his decision,’ Georgie said.

‘The lawyer for Queensland Police even became quite frustrated. He pointed out that Dawes’ decision was unacceptable as far as the Queensland Police Department is concerned because he will unnecessarily cause a financial impact on the department when the reality is, this case should not be proceeding any further,’ Miles said.

‘Did he say why he is refusing to apologize?’

‘He did. You are Jayden Evans and he will not be convinced otherwise.’

‘Even if it costs him…?’

‘Even if it costs him,’ Miles repeated.

‘So… Rain, hail or shine, he’s taking the defamation case to court…?’

‘He is.’ Miles opened his folder. ‘We have a hearing date of 27 September. That’s…’ He checked his watch. ‘In eight weeks… So he has eight weeks to come to his senses…’

‘Don’t hold your breath…’ I said.

‘Indeed. Anyway…’ Miles stood. He slid his folder under his arm.

I stood as well. ‘Georgie and I are going to grab a bite somewhere… You are welcome to join us?’

Miles checked his watch. ‘Look. Thank you. But I will have to decline. I have a meeting this afternoon and I still have to prepare.’

We parted company on the street at the Court House front steps. Miles returned to his office, while Georgie and I found a café to satisfy our growing hunger pangs.

On the way home to mine from the city, Georgie and I called into mum’s to update her on the outcome of the hearing. We both hoped for a resolution, to avoid any further stress on mum. Sadly, that is not to be.

Mum has been home from hospital a little over two weeks. As she grows stronger with every day, she reassures me she is recovered and continues to take it easy.

It wasn’t my choice to burden mum with the court case outcome. If it was up to me, I would be completely screening her from it. But it is not my choice. Mum insisted on me notifying her of the result, irrespective of the outcome, as soon as the case is over.

Using my key I unlocked the front door. Before entering I always push her doorbell, to alert her someone is at the door and to avoid frightening her, if I suddenly appear.

As we stepped inside I hollered my usual greeting down the hallway. ‘Just me, Mum…’ My face tightened when her usual response was not forthcoming. Georgie and I exchanged concerned glares. ‘Are you about, Mum?’ I said while navigating the long hallway, towards the rear of the house.

Flashbacks of finding mum collapsed on the kitchen floor raced into my mind. My breathing quickened. I started to run with thoughts of not again

On the way to the kitchen, we passed the door to the laundry. Mum was in the process of removing gardening gloves, having entered the laundry from the back yard.

I stopped and took a deep breath, while Georgie caught up. ‘Hey, Mum… How are you feeling?’ I said with my own pulse racing.

‘Hi, Darling… I thought I heard the front door bell,’ she said, dumping the gloves into a bucket. As she moved to exit the laundry she stopped and said, ‘Oh… I’m sorry, Georgie. I didn’t see you there. How are you?’ She gently grabbed Georgie’s hand.

‘I’m very well thank you, Vicky.’

‘So… Tell me, Darling,’ mum began. ‘How did everything go today?’ She asked. We made our way towards her family room.

I peeled off into the kitchen to make the coffees, while Georgie and mum continued through to the family room. The breakfast bench in mum’s kitchen overlooks the adjoining family room, so although I was in the kitchen, I was not far away from the conversation.

‘I would have to say everything went as we expected,’ I said.

Mum lowered herself into her favourite leather recliner. Georgie slid onto the leather two-seater opposite. ‘So… In other words… He refused to back down,’ mum said. Surprisingly she didn’t appear disappointed. If anything, she was accepting.

‘Correct. We have a scheduled court hearing on 27 September…that’s in eight weeks.’

‘It was interesting to watch, Vicky…’ Georgie said. ‘I’ve never been to court before today, but what I found intriguing about the process was, the Magistrate made it clear that he did not believe Dawes would win if he tries to fight the defamation case. Yet despite this strong warning… Dawes still elected to defend it.’

‘Miles told us that even his lawyers tried to convince him to drop the defence and mediate the charge,’ I said.

‘Lawyers. Plural…?’ mum said. ‘Did he have two lawyers?’

I shook my head. ‘No. No. One was representing the—’

‘Queensland Police…’ mum said, finishing my sentence. ‘Of course. I forgot about that.’

‘How does that make you feel, Mum…? The upcoming court case, I mean.’

Over my many visits to mum’s I have learned to master her Italian barista-style, ground coffee machine. The enticing aroma of freshly brewed coffee beans permeated the room. I handed hot freshly poured mugs of Latte to mum and Georgie, then returned to make mine.

‘If I’m being honest, Kade…’ mum said. ‘I expected it. So there is certainly no shock, if that’s what you mean.’

‘Good to hear,’ I said over the machine’s gurgling steam spout. ‘You have to learn not to let this idiot upset you…’

‘You got to see him first hand,’ mum said to Georgie. ‘I’m curious to hear what you think.’

‘I’d have to say he is somewhat of an enigma, Vicky… and stubborn.’

‘You summed him up pretty well, dear…’ mum said. As I entered the family room with my coffee and a plate of chocolate chip cookies, mum said, ‘did you say 27 September…’

‘Yep twenty-seven September…’ I offered the plate to mum, then Georgie, before placing it on the coffee table. As I slid in beside Georgie, I said, ‘that’s about eight weeks.’

‘I think I should be right by then to attend…’

Those words had not long left mum’s mouth when Georgie and I blurted in unison, ‘you won’t be going…’

Our surprised eyes met over our perfectly timed response. We bumped fists over a laugh.

Mum’s mouth fell open at our synchronized reaction. She grinned. ‘Did you two practice that before you came here, or something?’

‘Took us several hours to perfect too, Vicky,’ Georgie said. ‘How do you think we went?’

‘Convincing.’ Mum grinned then took a sip.

‘Seriously though, Mum… By all reports, if we go to trial on this, Dawes won’t win. How can he? It will probably be a short hearing anyway. So… there is no need for you to put yourself under any more stress over this idiot. Once the case is done, we will be rid of him from our lives forever and you can concentrate on getting back to full health.’

‘Can’t wait…’ she said, punctuating her comment with another sip.

‘Mitch is coming around to mine tonight for a barbie. He’s bringing his new girl, whom we are yet to meet.’

‘Good for Mitch. He’s a lovely boy…’

‘How are you travelling for dinner tonight? Would you like me add an extra steak on the barbie for you and bring it around…? Georgie makes a mean steak marinade…’

‘No. I’m good thanks, Kade. You and Georgie enjoy your guests… I have taken some Salmon out, so I will have that with a lovely Greek salad.’

‘Salmon sounds pretty appetizing as well.’

‘I do have something to ask of you though… But I need you to be honest with me… Tell me if you don’t want to do it …Please.’

‘Why wouldn’t I want to help? What is it?’

Mum clutched her coffee mug in two hands, as though drawing courage from the cup. Her welling eyes flicked from me to Georgie and back to me. She appeared to be gathering her words.

The Nurse in Georgie picked up something was wrong. She moved over and squatted in front of mum. With a comforting hand on mum’s leg, she asked, ‘are you alright, Vicky…?’ Her voice was calm and full of compassion.

Mum’s lips straightened and her jaw quivered. Georgie caught an escaping tear trickling down mum’s cheek.

‘What is it mum…?’

She drew in a deep breath, like someone working up the guts to take their first bungee jump. ‘Please tell me if what I am asking is too much…’ she said.

‘Mum… Just ask… What is it?’

‘It’s something I’ve been putting off for a while now, but it has to be done.’

‘OK…’

‘I have to clean out the walk-in wardrobe…’ she paused and gulped heavily. ‘I think it’s time to parcel up all your father’s things… I think it’s time…’ mum’s eyes welled.

‘But… but I don’t think I can do it…’ Her pained eyes pleaded for my help.

I was very close to my dad. He was more like my best mate than a father. There is not a day goes by when I don’t think of him.

Everything reminds me of him. We built my rear deck together. He came with me providing fatherly advice when I bought my Ute.

I remember how proud he was when we shared our first ‘legal’ beer together at my 18th birthday party in their back yard. There were his life teachings, his hearty laughter and his corny dad jokes. These are all but a memory of the man I miss every day.

Will I be able to box up all his possession? Will I be able to box up his clothes? I honestly don’t know. But I have to. I have to be strong for mum.

I did my best to mask my inner hurt. ‘I understand, mum. You don’t need any more stress. I’ll have a go at it.’ I checked my watch. ‘Do you mind if I leave it to this Saturday afternoon…?’

‘Of course… Whenever you think you can do it.’

‘I can give you hand, if you would like some support,’ Georgie offered.

‘Thanks. I appreciate that. Can I let you know…?’ Georgie nodded her response.

I pointed to mum’s cup. ‘Another one…?’ I said, trying to change the mood.

Mum held out her mug. ‘That would be lovely. Thank you.’

‘Georgie…?’

‘Thanks, Hon…’ Georgie said, presenting her mug.

‘You do make a good brew. I think you’ve missed your calling…’ She said. She can get away with saying anything when she follows it with that smile.