Free Outback Exodus by Dawn Millen Page B

you have had. No one could ask more of you, you have always asked more from yourself than anyone could ever expect.” Gavin held me tight and his bass rumble filled my ears. Tears sprung to my eyes as my pent up emotions from the last few days start to overflow.
    Gavin hands me a ragged and grubby handkerchief as my sobs subside. “Blow your nose girl and wipe your eyes. Do you feel better now that you’ve had a good cry?” He asks gently.
    “I’m not sure about better.” I gulp, “But I think that I did need to let some of it out.” I say as the sobs subside. I look down and Gavin’s shirt and see the tear stains there. “Sorry mate, I made a wet mess of your shirt.” I say with a wry grin.
    “Not t he first time though is it mate?” Gavin reminds me as we sit companionably on the sofa.  The soft rumble of his voice takes me back to the last time I cried like this on his shoulder and I look at him and nod my head.
    “The night that you came to tell me Ken had died in that car accident. I remember, I don’t think I will ever forget your kindness then. You were a rock when I needed something solid to cling too. I don’t think that I’ve ever thanked you for that either, not properly anyway.” I can feel the sadness in my voice, the apology and thanks though are very genuine. “With everything that has happened recently it feels such a long time ago. I feel so much older than I did then. When I think back it was only five years ago.” My voice sounds weary even to me as I say these last few words.
    “Jenn, no thanks are necessary for what I did. I have been there too, as you already know. When Steph anie died in that accident fifteen years ago I went through a lot of the same things that you did. I understood and only did what others did for me.” Gavin continued. “I think though that you should head back and get some more rest. You still have the meeting tonight and a shift to put in at the hospital, mate.” Gavin finished speaking and stood up, pulling me to my feet at the same time.
    “I think I will take your advice mate.” I yawn and laugh at the same time. “If I don’t get some sleep soon I will be sleep walking tonight. I will see you at the meeting mate. I say, hugging Gavin goodbye.
    I head off back to the campsite feeling a little better for having talked to my friend of many years and comforted once again by his understanding. Sleep beckons me and I am more than willing to go along with it. Tonight is going to be another very long night.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

Chapter 18
     
    Sleep came quickly once I tumbled onto the sleeping bag in my tent. My eyes closed and I heard and felt nothing for four solid hours; not the heat of the summer sun burning down or the restless buzz of the ever present flies. Rest and recovery were so necessary for me. Physically and emotionally I was drained and in the days since the first earthquake I had not had time to rest properly. I think that talking with Gavin was a big help too. Our old friendship and the comfortable way we talk meant that we could see each other’s stresses and work towards getting them sorted out.
    I woke as the sun started it’s decent into one of those beautiful orange/red sunsets that light the outback brilliantly during summer evenings. The sun was just a red ball on the horizon as it started to sink out of sight.
    Krystal and I walk once again down to the creek to wash and freshen up after our daytime sleep. “Do you feel any better after a rest?” I ask as I notice Krystal yawning widely.
    She smiles and says “Yes mate, but not perfect by any means. I am missing my bed for sure. Sleeping on the ground was never my thing. I wonder if we can find enough mattresses when we get to the other end.” She muses aloud.
    “Truth to be told honey I am not sure what we will find at the other end.” I tell her with a wry grin. “With no contact with the outside world at all not one of