Chapter Twenty – The Garden Party

“Stay,” said Dylan while holding Lola down with a firm hand on her back. Back and forth they went until Lola was content to sit in the box while Dylan jogged alongside her. It was Gary’s idea to train Lola to ride on the back of Matt’s bicycle. The goal was for Matt to be able to bring Lola to the farm with him.

 

Dylan scooped Lola out of the box. “Okay, buddy. That’ll do for now, a very successful first effort. Let’s rip through those drills one more time.”

Matt walked Lola onto the back lawn. “Stay,” he commanded, with his index finger held up. Lola sat looking at him intently. Matt slowly backed away. Once across the lawn he repeated the command, turned around then spun back. Lola was sitting still. “Stay,” he repeated. Then clapping his hands and squatting down called, “Get here.”

Lola raced across the lawn and rolled over at his feet. Matt enthusiastically rubbed Lola’s belly. “Good girl, good girl.”
 

“Excellent, Matt. Every morning, every night,” said Dylan, “hammer those drills.” Matt nodded as he scratched Lola.

“Once she’s okay on your bike you should bring her to our hill sprints. I’ll head off and help Art with the shopping. Maybe ask your folks if there’s anything you can do to help.”

Matt looked up. Of course, today was the day of the garden party.

“Are they at home?” asked Dylan.

Matt shook his head. “Out walking. Jane walks every day, sometimes for hours.” He turned his attention back to Lola, who was now tugging on his sock and growling. Matt rolled her over and tickled her until she let go. He was still playing with Lola when he heard Bill and Jane walking up the driveway. “Anything I can do to help?” called Matt as Bill and Jane walked to the front door.

‘Not at the moment. How about you and your friends look after the drinks once people arrive?”

“Yep. Oh, Dylan said to put the oven on eighty degrees for when he brings the food from Art.” Matt lay down on his back on the grass. “Lola, Lola.” Lola came bounding across the lawn. They wrestled and rolled on the grass with Lola growling and barking. Eventually, Lola tired and lay alongside Matt gently tugging on his shirt. Her eyes slowly closed then popped open as she strained to stay awake. Matt rolled her onto his belly, stood up and carried her over to her bed.

“Maybe have a shower, Matt,” suggested Jane, “now you’ve finished rolling the lawn.”

Matt smiled. “Yep.”

When Jane heard the bathroom door click shut she turned to Bill. “I still can’t believe he has cold showers.”

Bill raised his eyebrows in reply. “Sure wasn’t my idea!”

As Matt stepped out of the shower he could hear Dylan’s voice in the kitchen. It was a short conversation followed by the clunk of the front door and the distinctive sound of Art’s car. Matt checked his phone, Jed, Nikau and Kiana were on their way. Matt got dressed quickly and headed to the kitchen, which was filling up with bowls of chips, salads and sauces.

“My mates are nearly here,” said Matt as he walked in.

“That’s early,” said Jane while glancing at the clock.

“They’ve come to play with Lola.” Matt headed onto the deck and flopped on a bean bag. He knew the sound would wake Lola and importantly she would join him. Matt stretched his legs out and leaned back with Lola lying alongside him on her back, her legs apart in the air while Matt very gently rubbed her belly. Jane looked out from the kitchen at Matt and Lola. She got Bill’s attention with a wave of a hand.

“I must try that one day. Just look at them. Not a care in the world.”

Matt closed his eyes and focused on his breathing. Feeling himself first sinking into the bean bag, deeper and deeper. Once he was completely relaxed he imagined himself floating in the sky. Lola wuffed loudly and Matt woke with a start. She wriggled free from under Matt’s arm and pranced, growling to the gate.

“Lola, Lola.” It was Jed. Matt heard Lola’s excited whimper and the sound of her jumping about. He sat up as Jed, Nikau and Kiana came around the corner. Kiana waved to Matt and sat on the edge of the deck beckoning to Lola. With great delight, Lola jumped onto Kiana’s back and licked her around the ears. Kiana giggled as she leaned forward, which encouraged Lola all the more.

Bill put two bowls of chips on the outdoor table with an intentional clunk. “Welcome, guys. I’m Bill.”

“Hi, Bill. Thanks for the chips,” replied Jed.

Nikau and Kiana smiled politely.

“This is Nikau and Kiana,” added Matt, “we’re all going to the same school next year.”

“That’s great,” replied Bill, “it’s always good to start with some friends. Help yourself, I know Jed will. Let Matt know what you’d like to drink.”

“I’ll have a beer, Matt, a cold one thanks,” said Nikau. The children all laughed loudly.

“Dylan is in charge of beer,” replied Bill with a grin, “when he arrives you ask him.” Matt looked at Nikau, smiling and shaking his head, a ‘don’t do that’ smile.

“Who’s Dylan?” asked Nikau.

“A friend of my big brother.”

“You got a big brother? What’s his name?”

“Simon, but he’s dead.” There was a brief silence with no one wanting to be the first to speak. Matt stood up. “I’ll get some drinks.”

“Where did you meet your friends?” Bill asked as Matt opened the fridge. Matt knew the tone. Bill did not know what to make of Nikau and Kiana. Particularly Nikau, who was already showing the signs of being not a boy, but a strong young man.

“With Gary, we towed them home when they broke down.”

Bill nodded. “Good on you, that’s a nice thing to do.”

“Yep,” replied Matt as he walked away with some juice and a stack of glasses.

Matt, Jed, Nikau and Kiana sat on the grass in a circle chatting and laughing with Lola in the middle. Lola roamed between them, mock fighting with whoever dared touch her. The sound of tires in gravel caught Lola’s attention. She leapt to her feet, growled and ran slowly and stiffly to the gate. It was Art, Dylan and Jude. Jude crouched down and put her hand through the gate. Lola immediately began wagging her entire body and jumping at Jude. A second vehicle arrived, it was Gary’s ute. Gary, Heather, Sandra and Allicia emerged and made their way through the gate and onto the deck with Lola running and jumping from person to person.

Gary and Dylan walked over to the children on the lawn. “Hello, I recognise you,” said Gary. Then to Nikau with a big smile, “The car salesman. How are sales going?”

Nikau smiled a little awkwardly and looked down. “All right suppose.”

“Car salesman?” asked Dylan.

Kiana excitedly interjected, “Yeah, he steals your car and sells it to someone.”

They all laughed and after a couple of attempts to break through the laughter Nikau replied, “Yeah, but not cars like yours. Good ones!” Again laughter broke out.

Gary shook his head. “Well, I’m glad you didn’t come to steal our cars. But I do hope you eat all our food.”

“Yeah, eat your food. Watch your fights.”

Gary rubbed his chin and folded his arms. “Fights? I’m afraid if you want a fight you’ll have to start one. What do you reckon, Dylan?”

Dylan nodded. “For sure. In fact, did you see Nikau look at me?”

“Yes,” replied Gary, “that was some look.”

“Indeed it was. It seems to me that Nikau has already started a fight. What do you think?”

“Well,” replied Gary with mock drama, “it looks to me like this fight is already well underway. When does it get to the bit where you take turns knocking each other’s teeth out?”

Dylan pretended to look at a watch on his arm. “Gosh, is that the time? Nikau we’re late. It’s time to start knocking each other’s teeth out.” Dylan sat down next to Nikau, casually putting his arm around his neck. Dylan smiled at Nikau before rolling backwards pulling Nikau onto the grass alongside him. “Fingers in the eyes, fingers in the eyes,” said Dylan as he gently rubbed his fingers in Nikau’s eyes. Nikau tried to wriggle away but Dylan casually pulled him back, gently punching him in the ribs. Dylan had his legs wrapped around one of Nikau’s legs which stopped him from getting up. Nikau laughed as he squirmed and wriggled with more effort.

“Arhhhh,” yelled Nikau, “I’m stuck in a cobweb.”

“Wait, wait, wait,” said Gary, “why aren’t you smashing his ribs?” Gary squatted down and grabbed Nikau’s arm. “Here try this.” Gary used Nikau’s arm to bang Dylan in the ribs. Nikau started pounding Dylan as hard as he could. They were both laughing. Dylan quickly changed positions and rolled Nikau over. Back and forth they rolled with Dylan locking Nikau up in different ways.

“Okay, I’ve had enough,” said Dylan, “Nikau is the winner.” Matt, Jed and Kiana laughed loudly. Lola barked and pulled while Kiana held her collar.

“Did you see that, Nikau?” asked Dylan. “Jed is laughing.” Dylan quickly rolled over, grabbed Jed and pulled him onto his chest. Dylan wrapped up Jed until he could not move and was just looking up at the others.

“I’m stuck,” he said.

“Release the hounds!” said Dylan. Lola sprung forward as Kiana let her go and started licking Jed’s face. The children laughed uproariously. 

Gary bent down and grabbed Matt by the ankles, lifted him and dangled him upside down. “Got another one for ya,” declared Gary.

“Excellent,” said Dylan, “I was really hoping I’d get to work up an appetite. You hold em, while I punch em.” Dylan started punching Matt in the stomach, gently at first then a bit harder once Matt had set. Lola licked Matt’s upside-down face. Jed, Nikau and Kiana wailed with laughter as Dylan pounded Matt while he tried to defend his face from Lola. Gary lowered Matt to the ground.

“Arhhhh,” groaned Matt in mock pain, “I couldn’t breath with Lola.” Matt sat up and pulled Lola onto his knees. “You’re a meanie, Lola.”

Dylan rubbed Matt’s hair then turned to Jed and Nikau, shaking their hands.

“Let us know when you are ready for some more fighting,” said Gary as he smiled and rubbed his hands. “That was great.” Dylan and Gary joked to each other as they walked back to the deck.

“Those dudes are crazy,” said Nikau through laughter. The children again sat in a circle with Lola in the middle, it was just the way she liked it.

“Well, so much for ironing your shirt,” said Jude as Dylan sat next to her.

“Thanks, I really appreciated you doing that.”

Gary laughed loudly and Heather slapped him on the leg. “That was very naughty, Gary. We’re visiting.”

“It’ll give them something to laugh about,” said Gary. “Break the ice a bit. That’s a mighty shirt you have there Art.”

“Yes,” said Art looking down at his shirt. It was a floral shirt of the brightest possible colours. “This is my bee stealing shirt. I walk around town with it on, then hang it up by my hives.”

“It seems to work best with bumblebees,” added Dylan.

“That’ll be the blue, they love blue,” said Gary.

The sounds of voices heralded the arrival of more guests. Art stood up. “I’m going to see what I can do to help in the kitchen.”

“I’ll come too,” added Jude. “We should let Bill and Jane socialise.”

“Just what I was thinking,” smiled Art.

Matt briefly watched the adults mingle and chat then turned back to look at Lola. Lola was lying upside down on Kiana’s lap, enjoying a gentle tummy rub. Her head was tipped right back and her eyes were closed.

“How do you know those fellas?” asked Nikau, tipping his head in the direction of Gary and Dylan.

Matt picked a blade of grass and rolled it in his fingers. “Well, Dylan went to school with my brother and Gary is his karate teacher.”

Nikau gave Gary and Dylan a long look. “Choice. Done any karate?”

“Just started,” replied Matt quietly.

“Me too,” added Jed excitedly, “but Matt’s done heaps.”

“Not really,” added Matt sheepishly. “What’s college like?”

Nikau shrugged his shoulders. “Alright s’pose. Rugby’s good! Do you fellas play rugby?” Matt and Jed shook their heads.

“You should sign up anyway. Get some mates.”

Matt looked at Nikau in silence. ‘Get some mates,’ what an interesting idea.

A loud whistle interrupted their discussion. It was Gary, smiling and beckoning. “Food’s ready, team. Come and get into it.”

Lola yawned and did a long stretch, her back legs jiggling as she lifted her head. “A bit tired, Lola. Time for a sleep,” said Matt.

As they walked over to the deck Gary held out a plate to Nikau, it was piled high with food. “Here you go. Thought I’d get you started, just in case you were shy.”

“Choice,” said Nikau with a big grin.

Gary turned to face Matt, Jed and Kiana. “Now guys, the only reason you were invited was that we had too much food. So please don’t let us down.”

“Okay, but I wasn’t going to eat anything. I’ll do my best though,” joked Jed.

Dylan sat down on the edge of the deck and beckoned Nikau over with a wave. “I need a friend, Nikau. One who doesn’t want to eat my food,” said Dylan while rubbing Lola’s neck with his foot. Lola licked her lips and sat up perfectly straight with her head held high. “Good girl, Lola, good girl,” said Dylan as he held out a small piece of sausage. “Gentle.” Lola very gently took the sausage from Dylan’s hand and wagged her tail.

“Okay, Nikau. Your turn next, but don’t give her much.”

The other children sat down on the side of the deck and Lola made her way back and forth, politely soliciting for food and gently taking what was offered. The adults chatted amongst themselves and the women made plans to walk together and catch up at a cafe every week. Bill watched Jane chat and laugh, “How did things get so bad?” he wondered. However, this was just what the doctor advised, gentle social interactions and a small group of supportive friends.

Gary walked around the yard with Bill and pointed out where some garden sleepers would be helpful. He also reminded Bill they were going to build a woodshed with Matt and Jed. Lola was now sleeping in the shade. She had eaten just the right amount of too much. Matt and Jed showed Nikau and Kiana Matt’s old sleep-out.

Dylan called out, “Hey, guys. Want some dessert?”

“Not if that Gary fella’s dishing up,” said Nikau quietly to Matt and Jed, “think I might burst.”

“Coming,” Matt called back. “Come on, let’s get in first. Then we can take Lola for a walk.”

Kiana jumped up and headed to the house. “Let’s go.”

The adults were sitting quietly, chatting in small groups. The warmth along with full bellies had slowed them to a near standstill. There was no rush to the dessert.

“Man, this chocolate stuff is awesome,” observed Nikau.

“It’s Art’s chocolate mousse,” said Matt. “I helped him make it.”

“Hmmm, I like it more than salad,” said Jed  to much laughter.

“Ready to go?” asked Matt.

“Yep,” chimed Nikau and Kiana.

“Okay, I’ll get Lola. Come and say goodbye.”

They wandered outside onto the deck and Matt walked over to Bill and Jane, who were sitting together on a couch. “We’re going to take Lola for a walk.”

Bill stood up and put his hand on Matt’s shoulder. “Okay, catch you later.” Then turning to Jed, Nikau and Kiana. “Have you had enough to eat?”

Nikau laughed. “Yeah, for today and tomorrow. Cheers for the kai.” Kiana smiled and nodded.

“You are most welcome, we look forward to seeing you back again.”

Gary got up and walked over and held out his hand to Nikau. When they shook hands Gary put his hand on Nikau’s back and pulled him in close.

“Good to see you again, Nikau. Be good eh.”

“Or good at it,” laughed Nikau.

Gary smiled and looked at Kiana. “Now remember, your job is to dob him in whenever you can. That way he’ll know you care.”

“Yep,” replied Kiana while looking at Nikau. “Should be able to do that every day.”

Dylan held up his hand and waved. “Cheers, guys. Thanks for the beating.”

Matt slapped his leg and called Lola. She ran across the deck and leapt up at the leash. They were off.