Her happy life vanishes forever.

Renata starts the four-wheel drive, doesn’t see Little Josh tottering in the driveway, doesn’t hear him yelling, mummy wait.

NIGHTSHIFT BY LINDSAY SMITH 34THPARALLEL MAGAZINE ISSUE 91

They park the car under the trees, the ground carpeted with pine needles, sunlight filtering through. Limeburner unpacking sandwiches, handing one to Little Josh, here Josh.

Little Josh wanders through the trees munching bread and peanut butter, discovering the world.

Renata with a cheeky grin asks peanut butter for me too? Limeburner laughing, kissing her. Sure, the same.

Handing her dark rye bread, an avocado sandwich slathered in her favourite mayonnaise, tomatoes, and alfalfa sprouts, Renata sinking onto a park bench, takes a bite.

Their son finishing his sandwich, throws away the crusts, the birds flying for a feast, running to Renata, his sticky fingers grabbing her dress, a peanut butter smile. You love me don’t you mummy.

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Renata takes the pumpkin bread hot from the oven and cuts a piece to taste. Oh, Rickie Lee, it really does need sugar!!

I told you so, Limeburner says.

Well I’ll make it again but we’re out of sugar, watch Little Josh while I go down to the store, okay?

No trouble, he’s on the couch singing to the Wiggles.

Renata picks up the car keys and on the way to the garage she plants a kiss on Little Josh’s head.

Mummy I’m singing with them. He turns to her his hands outstretched, but mummy’s gone already. She climbs up into the family four-wheel drive.

Limeburner hears a commercial break on the Wiggles. Little Josh you wanna drink? No answer so Limeburner goes back to the laptop.

Renata starts the four-wheel drive, doesn’t see Little Josh tottering in the driveway, doesn’t hear him yelling, mummy wait.

She backs out of the garage and her happy life vanishes forever.