Buddy, Books, and Bittersweet Days

Arriving at their Ocean Grove house-sit, Sophie and Sal were immediately engulfed by the enthusiastic greeting of Buddy the Malamute—nearly fifty kilograms of muscled energy wrapped in fluffy fur and powered by puppy brain. His whole-body wiggle of welcome promised a week filled with canine companionship, exactly the kind of "dog fix" Sal craved during their nomadic adventures. The contrast between their recent solitary camping and this suburban responsibility felt jarring yet welcome, stationary walls and enthusiastic pet offering different rewards than wilderness freedom.

As days unfolded in Ocean Grove, Sal noticed with some alarm how quickly time accelerated within routine's comfortable embrace. Each morning began with her favourite ritual—preparing coffee for Sophie and delivering it bedside, these simple moments of mother-daughter connection carrying profound sweetness. The act itself took mere minutes, yet the joy of nurturing her adult daughter in this small way extended far beyond the gesture, creating daily touchstone of care and connection.

"Best alarm clock ever," Sophie would murmur, accepting the warm mug with sleepy gratitude.

Beach walks with Buddy provided daily adventure and occasional chaos. The massive Malamute attacked each outing with unbridled enthusiasm, his strength testing their leash-handling skills as he powered toward the sand. The stairs down to the beach proved particularly challenging—Buddy's excitement transforming him into a grey-and-white battering ram threatening to topple his handlers. Only the discovery of his intense treat motivation provided solution, strategic biscuit deployment ensuring safer descent.

"He's like a furry freight train," Sophie gasped after one particularly energetic stair negotiation, grateful to reach level sand without injury.

On the beach itself, Buddy's daily reunion with two similarly sized canine friends created spectacular displays of rough play. The three massive dogs tumbled and wrestled with complete disregard for surrounding humans, forcing Sophie and Sal into defensive dancing to avoid being bowled over. Their caution proved justified—on the first day, Buddy's exuberant collision had sent Sophie sprawling into the sand, a lesson in spatial awareness around playing giants they carefully avoided repeating.

Meanwhile, in Melbourne's clinical confines, Anth and Torrin discovered unexpected community through Anth's favourite social deduction game, Blood on the Clocktower. What might have been tedious medical routine transformed through this shared activity into genuine social connection. Each evening, trial participants gathered around tables, assuming roles of villagers and demons in elaborate battles of wit and deception.

"This actually makes being locked up almost enjoyable," one participant remarked during a particularly intense game session, echoing sentiments Anth had heard in every trial where he'd introduced this pastime.

New friendships formed across the gaming tables, participants bonding through shared storytelling and strategic betrayals. Yet despite these pleasant diversions, both father and son felt the walls pressing closer with each passing day. The financial rewards motivated persistence, but hearts yearned for open roads and family reunion. Anth particularly missed Sal's presence, their nightly phone calls inadequate substitute for shared space and companionship.

Back in Ocean Grove, academic obligations dominated daylight hours. Sal faced two looming assignment deadlines while Sophie prepared for counselling role-play assessments—both women transforming the house-sit into temporary study sanctuary. The proper kitchen proved blessing for their commitment to brain-fuelling nutrition with whole foods and healthy meals.

Physical wellbeing balanced mental exertion through their distinct exercise preferences. Sophie maintained her stretching routine with yogic dedication, while Sal pursued her specific goal—ten unassisted pistol squats by her approaching fiftieth birthday. Each successful single-leg descent and rise marked progress toward this personal milestone, physical strength mirroring growing confidence in all life areas.

"Seven down, three to go," Sal counted after one morning session, muscles trembling but determination intact.

The emotional complexity of this period—missing absent partners while treasuring present company—created bittersweet undercurrent to their days. Sal felt Anth's absence acutely, his steady presence and shared decision-making replaced by phone conversations that never quite satisfied. Sophie similarly missed Shea across the geographical divide. Yet these absences somehow intensified appreciation for their mother-daughter time, each shared meal and study break carrying extra significance.

Sal's final assignment submission marked significant transition. Academic obligations fulfilled, she turned attention to preparing for their next journey—online grocery orders placed, bus systems checked and readied, house-sit cleaned to pristine condition for returning owners. The systematic preparation reflected hard-won nomadic wisdom, each task completed with efficiency born from experience.

Saying goodbye to Buddy proved unexpectedly emotional. The week's walks and cuddles had forged genuine attachment, his goofy enthusiasm and demanding affection having brightened their suburban interlude. He watched their departure preparations with apparent understanding, tail drooping as bags moved toward the door.

"We'll miss you too, big guy," Sophie assured him during final ear scratches, his soulful eyes suggesting mutual sentiment.

The bus welcomed them back like an old friend, its compact familiarity contrasting with the house's spacious rooms. As Sal settled into the driver's seat, preparing for the longest solo drive she'd attempted—three and a half hours to their next destination—confidence radiated from her movements. This journey would test her growing skills, but she approached it with anticipation rather than anxiety, each kilometre adding to her expanding capabilities.

Sophie assumed navigator position with equal confidence, their partnership now finely tuned through weeks of shared travel. As Ocean Grove receded in mirrors, both women carried mixed emotions—gratitude for the comfortable interlude, satisfaction in completed obligations, excitement for coming adventures, and underlying eagerness for full family reunion when the trial finally released the men. The road ahead promised new discoveries, but first came the simple challenge of distance, Sal's hands steady on the wheel as mother and daughter continued their unconventional journey together.Read more