Homecoming and Other Short Stories

By Samantha Fase

Remember the Five Minute Fiction section in Womens mags of old? In this anthology by Australian writer Samantha Fase, you will be transported back to the days of enjoying a quick laugh (or cry!) as she takes you through a range of emotions from humour to sadness, romance to reflection. Samanthas subject matter is as diverse as teething, dementia, gluttony and blind dates; theres even a couple for the kids. Whether its over a coffee or a chardy this collection of unabashed chick lit is sure to appeal.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris AU
• Release date: Sep 11, 2012
• ISBN: 9781477151624

Samantha Fase

Fans of Samantha’s first book, Homecoming and Other Short Stories, will love her second foray into the world of chick lit with her feisty novella, Confessions of an Office Confidant. Like Homecoming, Confessions has been a long time coming and is somewhat of a labour of love for this Cairns-based author. When Samantha is not helping her husband with house renovations, sewing dolls’ clothes, or meeting the demands of Jesse James the Wonder Cat, she spends time honing her writing skills in her newly refurbished study. Stay tuned for Samantha’s next great read!

Book preview

HOMECOMING

& Other Short Stories

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Samantha Fase

Copyright © 2012 by Samantha Fase.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris Corporation

1-800-618-969

www.Xlibris.com.au

[e-mail]

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Contents

The Birthday Surprise

THE GREENER GRASS OF HOME

THREE’S A CROWD

HOMECOMING

GLUTTONY

NO TURNING BACK

TEETHING PROBLEMS

ONE MOMENT

QUESTO PICCOLO GRANDE AMORE

THE SWIMMER

THE DATE

A PERFECT WEEKEND

CRICKLE CREEK

A FRIEND FOR LUCY

LUCKY BREAK

To my Darling husband Len.

As always My Rock!

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The Birthday Surprise

Helen didn’t mind turning thirty! In fact, she had looked forward to it ever since her totally underwhelming twenty-first. That party had been small and unimaginative. Beer for the boys, Westcoast coolers for the girls, and dancing to a hired jukebox under a cheap disco ball. She had been young and broke and had not aspired to much else. Now she was happily married with three year old twins and proudly juggled motherhood with a successful part-time career as a party planner. She had the means to host a special celebration and what she wanted was a sensational thirtieth bash. She wanted a marquee and caterers, lovely food and wine, and lots of guests to help her share the occasion. More than this though, she wanted it to be a surprise. She wanted to arrive home on the day from a decoy excursion and be suitably overcome. She wanted Brad, her devoted husband, to organise it all.

Brad, however, was not playing the game. Normally, his astute accountant’s mind missed nothing but lately he had become annoyingly deaf to Helen’s constant hints.

Look Brad, we’ve been invited to a surprise party for Cheryl. Lucky thing . . . Greg going to all that trouble so she can have a lovely time. Or, Goodness me, I’ve found the Christmas Card List. All the names and addresses of our best friends! I’ll leave it here in the top drawer so we know where to find it.

That’s nice Hon. Brad would answer, looking at her with soft grey eyes over the top of the Financial Times. Helen hid her frustration. Although only thirty-four, sometimes Brad seemed positively middle-aged. He was tall and lean, with sandy hair and a kindly, handsome face. They had met when Brad did her tax return for the first time. He had seemed so serious, until he smiled. Then his whole face lit up and she had been instantly smitten. He was an attentive husband and a model father, but lately, Helen feared he was growing staid.

As her birthday approached, Helen grew more agitated and Brad increasingly obtuse. In desperation, she sunk to using the twins. Prepped by Helen, they toddled up to their unsuspecting father. Daddy, can we give Mummy a s’prise party? We like parties.

Of course you do, Brad laughed, stooping to give them both a kiss. But Mummy’s too old for parties so we’ll do something special instead.

Helen groaned. She was not too old. She was fit and trim and pleased that no grey streaked her hair or wrinkles creased her sea-green eyes. She felt youthful and disappointed that Brad didn’t share her desire in wanting to let his hair down for a change. Besides, something special for Brad meant the same restaurant no matter what the occasion. It was intimate and romantic, but they had celebrated their birthdays and wedding anniversaries there every year for six years. Just once she wanted something different. It seemed nothing could make her husband see this.

The big day arrived and Helen had given up all hope of a surprise party. There had been no furtive phone calls—not even the whiff of a small white lie. She had resigned herself to a birthday no different from any other.

Lying in bed she smiled as her family brought her the obligatory breakfast in bed. In his chubby arms Jesse bore a bouquet of red roses and Anna carried a large, elegantly wrapped gift-box. Brad, looking shy, carried the breakfast tray and a small, wrapped parcel. Helen knew it would be her favourite French perfume. Happy Birthday Mummy, the children chimed, giving her wet, affectionate kisses.

Happy Birthday Darling, echoed Brad. He kissed her, not on the cheek as she expected, but a long, lingering kiss on her lips. The children giggled. Ooh, yucky!

Well, murmured Helen, delightedly. I think I’ll turn thirty every year from now on.

She opened the expected perfume and turned her attentions to the larger box. Unwrapping it, Helen was surprised to find an exquisite negligee and matching robe. Of soft spearmint satin, it fell in silky folds when she held it up to be admired. The children, expecting a train set, weren’t impressed, but Helen was awestruck. It’s beautiful Brad . . . almost too good to wear. Thank you.

By the time her parents arrived that evening to mind the twins, Helen had long forgotten her dreams of a marquee. Her birthday surprise had been the nightgown and Brad’s unexpected public display of affection. She treated herself to a blow-dry and manicure and had not even minded when Brad had disappeared for an hour to watch the last quarter of the local football. He deserved some peace after all her recent nagging.

They ate, as she knew they would at La Trattoria, and afterwards Brad suggested they go for a stroll. Their walk took them past a luxury hotel and peering into the elegantly furnished lobby Helen sighed. Just once I’d love to spend the night there.

And you shall Darling. With a flourish, Brad produced a room key. Surprise!

But Brad she remonstrated, what about the babies? He winked and slipped his arm around her waist. Your parents are staying the night. Helen was silent as her husband escorted her through the foyer and into the plush, noiseless