Almost three months have passed and Alex has been unable to get away from the farm every time he's planned to go to the city his Father has needed his help but he has written to Stevie almost every day and she writes just as often. Her letters smell and sound just like her she writes as she speaks and he finds himself laughing out loud at the funny things she says. As the long weekend approaches they've arranged to meet and then together they'll go to Stevie's house so he can meet her parents. Alex finds himself thinking about her constantly and wills the weekend on so he can go into the city and see her.
Stevie loves receiving Alex's letters and she reads them over and over they are filled with the farm, his humour and his love. If she closes her eyes she can remember his kiss, his embrace. She rises from her bed feeling nauseated again and quickly runs to the bathroom and vomits. Her parents are aware of the sickness and are beginning to become suspicious. Stevie thinks she must have picked up a virus somewhere. She's happy about it though days off school and more time to read and reread Alex's letters.
"Alex, where are you going?" Liz asks. "Down to the city to visit some friends for the long weekend." He replies. "Will you be gone all weekend?" She inquires." Yes Mum I might even take Monday off too.' He answers. Liz busies herself with other things so Alex continues to pack, picking up the small jewellery box he opens it and smiles to himself. Stevie turned sixteen while she was here but he never gave her anything. He's sure she'll love his gift for her it's a silver necklace with a fine heart and arrow and a small diamond embedded in the arrow point centred in the heart, he smiles as he returns it to his duffle bag.
"You filthy little tramp. How could you do this to your Mother and I after all we've done for you? Who is he Stephanie? Is it this Alex Ryan that has been writing to you for months ? His Father seems to think he only met you once? Her Father angrliy throws a letter to her. How many others were there? Do you even know who did this too you? " Stevie sits silently, tears streaming down her face. Her Father waits for a response and gets none. "Go and pack your bags and get out of my house you're not welcome here ." Stevie has never seen her Father so angry and her Mother says nothing just looks at her with disappointed eyes.
Alex has driven for hours and is exhausted he books into the Motel showers, shaves and dresses. Picking up his phone he dials Stevie's number it rings out so he dials again. Unusual he thinks maybe she's in the shower or something he waits another ten or fifteen minutes and dials again A man's voice answers Alex begins " Oh G'day it's Alex Ryan here I was wondering if I could please speak to Stevie." The voice becomes angry and says "Don't ring again she doesn't live here anymore." Alex is shocked and says "Do you know where she went." The line goes dead. He redials the phone rings answers and goes dead...
Stevie packs her clothes and Alex's letters including the one her father threw at her she'll read it later.. Her Mother stands by and watches her with her arms folded tightly across her chest ,"Stephanie how could you do this to us. I'm so ashamed of you. You are no longer a part of this family." As Stevie moves through to the front door her Father watches her until she looks at him, then he turns his back to her. She opens the front door and moves through it. As it closes so does the safety of home and family. She is now completely alone.
Alex grabs his phone, keys, wallet and his hat and heads for the door. Quickly he checks the map and heads for Stevie's house, her address is embedded in his memory from all the letters that have passed between them. Pulling up outside his heart beat quickens. Placing his hat on his head he enters the front gate of the neat little house. As he knocks he's praying she'll answer, that the phone call was a prank.
A pretty older woman answers the door. "Yes can I help you?" She says without smiling. "G'Day my name's Alex Ryan I rang earlier I've come to see..." she holds her hand up stopping him mid sentence. "Just a moment."
A man appears at the door opens it steps out and closes it behind him. Alex holds out his hand to shake and as he does he says "Hello my name is..." Angrily the man says "I know who you are and if you're not off my property in the next ten seconds I'll call the police." Alex has fired up and retorts "Listen mate I have no idea what's going on and I don't even know who you are, I'm just looking for Stevie Hall. I've tried being polite but you are just so damn rude." Alex watches as the man appears to get even angrier "Listen Ryan she's gone I don't know where she is and frankly I don't care, and don't you dare lecture me about manners when you did what you did to my daughter. Now get off my property." He moves quickly back inside and slams the door closed behind him. Alex is confused and stunned. He moves back to his car collects his belongings and drives back to Kilarney.
