RICKY'S POV:
Casey and I sat at the table, him busy with his homework and me helping when he needed it. Glancing up at Brax, I saw he kept looking at the clock as 4pm drew closer, Heath walking through the door a couple of minutes later…
"We got any food in? I'm starving" he proclaimed
"There's some pasta in the fridge" I informed him
"Grand" he replied, dumping his bag and making his way to the fridge
"You okay, Case?" I questioned
He looked up at me and nodded his head, signalling yes. Stroking my hand through his hair, I moved over to Brax, wrapping my arms around his waist… "What're you thinking?"
"She's not gonna show, I know it" he sighed
"Who's not gonna show?" Heath questioned
I bit my lip as Brax turned around to face Heath and I…
"What's going on?" Heath asked
"Mum came by last night" Brax admitted "and I met up with her this morning and she's meant to be popping in anytime now"
"What? And you didn't think to tell me?" he inquired
"I didn't wanna get your hopes up" Brax informed him
"Get my hopes up? That woman made our lives a living hell, Brax" he proclaimed
"Guys, why don't you go outside, eh?" I suggested, motioning to Casey who'd looked up from his homework
"Heath?" Brax questioned
Heath sighed and followed Brax into the back garden and I made my way back to Casey…
"Why are they shouting at each other?" he asked
"Nothing for you to worry about" I assured him "now come on, you're almost done"
BRAX'S POV:
"Why did you invite her then?" Heath asked
"Because she's changed" I informed him
"How can you, of all people, say that?" he questioned
"She's going to help groups and she's stopped gambling" I replied
"You're an idiot to believe her" he scoffed, shaking his head in disbelief
"Shouldn't we give everyone the benefit of the doubt?" I inquired, raising an eyebrow at him
"Have you forgotten everything she did? She was out every night at the pokies and you were forced to become a Dad to your brother. That's what she made you do. And you can forgive and forget just like that?" he questioned "that's you, but I can't"
"Heath" I sighed as he stood up from the table and walked to the gate to leave the garden
"I won't be here and I won't be forgiving her" he informed me, opening the gate and walking out
RICKY'S POV:
Brax made his way back inside and threw Heath's now empty bowl of pasta into the sink and leant against the worktop, staring out of the window into the garden…
"Case, can you go and get changed out of your uniform and put it into mine and Brax's wash basket please?" I asked him
He nodded his head, signalling yes and walked in the direction of the bedrooms. Shutting his book and putting his pen in his pencil case, I stood up and walked over to Brax…
"I guess it didn't go very well?" I questioned
"You can say that again" he replied "Heath thinks I've forgiven and forgotten everything that she did but I haven't. I'm giving her a second chance. Everyone deserves that, right?"
"Most people, yeah" I stated
"But looks like she's blown it" he sighed
"Why do you say that?" I questioned
"It's gone 4pm and she's not here" he replied
"Did you give her an exact time?" I inquired
He shook his head, signalling no…
"Well then. How about a cup of tea?" I suggested, raising an eyebrow at him
He nodded his head, signalling yes, smiling at me warmly…
BRAX'S POV:
It was now 7pm and there was still no sign of Mum. Ricky walked out of Casey's room after putting him to bed and sat down next to me, resting her head on my shoulder…
"I'm sorry" she sighed, entwining her hand with mine
"So am I" I replied
A knock at the door sounded and I stood up, making my way to it…
"Give me a chance to explain, please" Mum begged as I opened the door to her
"Fine" I stated, motioning for her to come in
"I'll make us a drink" Ricky informed me, making her way into the kitchen
"So?" I questioned as I took my seat on the sofa once again
"I'd gone back to the house to get the presents I had for you, Heath and Casey, and a loan shark showed up" she informed me "he wanted $500"
I sighed and ran my hands over my face… "What happened then?"
"They started to take things like the TV and the microwave" she admitted
"So what did you do?" I asked, raising an eyebrow at her as Ricky walked back into the living room
"I told them I'd be able to get their money within the hour" she informed me
"What? How?" I questioned as Ricky sat back down next to me. Looking at Mum again, I shook my head in disbelief… "You went to the pokies, didn't you?"
"I had to, Darryl, I had no other choice" she replied
"Of course you did" I proclaimed "you could've asked me for help, you could've rang me. You could've done something but no, you took the easy way out as you always do"
"Darryl, please" she begged
"No, I'm not falling for it anymore. I'd like you to leave please" I informed her
"Ricky…" she whispered
"I'm sorry, Cheryl" she replied
"Just know that I'm so, so sorry" she informed me as she stood up and left the house
So Cheryl gambled. Any surprise there? What does this mean for Brax, Heath and Casey now then? And what about Ricky?