Omm Before Cheese

I guess it's my turn to pull Terence, says Surfing-with-Whales.

It is, says Gaius, but you have a sore foot, so I'll do it.

Yeah thanks, says Surfing-with-Whales. I'll get going and meet you in Burnie.

He heads off, in the direction of Burnie.

Time to say goodbye to Baby Bin Penguin, says Gaius.

Goodbye, says Baby Bin Penguin.

Goodbye, says Terence. 

Will you be back soon? asks Baby Bin Penguin.

I don't know, says Terence. 

We'll be returning this way, says Gaius. I don't know when exactly.

See you again then, says Baby Bin Penguin.

You should think up some better jokes, while I'm gone, says Terence.

So should you, says Baby Bin Penguin.

I thought your jokes were quite good, says Gaius.

Thanks, says Baby Bin Penguin.

He meant my jokes, says Terence.

I didn't, says Gaius, lifting Terence into the pullalong, and wedging the skateboard behind him. 

He rides off, in the direction of Burnie.

How's that, Terence? asks Gaius. Can you see better?

No, says Terence. All I can see is your bottom.

Look to your right, at the ocean, says Gaius.

Okay, says Terence.

The ocean is choppy today, with fast-moving white tops,

Surfing-with-Whales is way ahead of them, but has not not yet reached Burnie.

He looks at his watch.

Only five minutes until the reiki. Should he stop and lie down?

Yeah his foot hurts anyway. 

He stops at a tall pine tree, leans his bike against it and sits on the grass.

He looks out at the choppy ocean, awaiting the phone call.

He takes off his shoe and examines his foot. He wriggles his toes

Come on Lauren. 

His phone rings

It's me, says his mother. Are you sitting somewhere comfortable?

Yeah, mum, says Surfing-with-Whales.

Describe the ambience, says Lauren.

A pine tree, says Surfing-with-Whales. I'm under it. The sea's over there, kind of choppy.

Lovely, says Lauren. Now relax and receive my vibrations.

Surfing-with-Whales tries to relax and receive her vibrations.

But he can't stop thinking about that time she did the same thing for Nietszche, and afterwards, when Nietszche had to borrow his boardshorts.

This stops the vibrations from working as well as they might.

Omm omm omm, says Lauren. Sit up now. Your foot should feel better. Does it?

Yeah, thanks ma, says Surfing-with-Whales. Heaps better.

It does actually. In spite of old Nietszche.

How are things otherwise? asks Lauren. Where are you? 

Nearly in Burnie, says Surfing-with-Whales.

Don't they make cheese there? asks Lauren.

Probably, says Surfing-with-Whales.

Pick some up for me, says Lauren. I love Tassie cheese.