My brain’s frozen again. But before I can answer, my grandfather jumps in. ‘What are you talking about? How many pain meds did the hospital give you?’

Melody appears at the bottom of the stairs. ‘What’s going on?’

‘Adam seems to be on drugs, that’s what’s going on,’ Mike tells her, twirling his finger around his ear. ‘La La Land.’

‘I’m not high on anything but life,’ my father says. ‘What’s happening, Melody, is I’m joining you and Sky, if she’ll have me, in the land down under.’ He sings the last three words to the tune of the famous Men at Work song. He has gone mad.

‘Australia?’ Melody asks.

‘I managed to find a last-minute seat. That travel agent you recommended last year, Mom, she’s magic— got the last remaining business seat from LA to Sydney. So, I can sit with you both.’

‘You’re telling me you’re out of a job,’ Mike says, ‘and flying to Australia business class?’

‘That’s right.’ My dad grins, making the bandage crumple slightly.

‘For how long?’ Melody asks. I’m glad someone’s asking the important questions; I’m too overwhelmed to say anything. I close my mouth, which was hanging open like a cartoon character’s.

‘For however long I feel like. I got a three-month visa without any trouble, so let’s start there. I’ll take up my photography again—already dusted off my old camera. Hotels in West Creek can’t be too expensive, can they?’

‘I’ve never stayed there, but I’m sure the pub has rooms above it,’ Melody offers. ‘They’re likely cheap as chips, but probably smell like beer and vomit.’

‘There you go,’ Adam says. ‘Cheap as chips. And I love chips.’

‘And Jaxon?’ my grandmother asks.

‘He’s had some great news,’ my dad says. ‘Yesterday he got an offer to record a first single. The band’s flying down to LA next week.’

What? I want to say, but my brain and mouth still aren’t talking to each other.

‘It’s perfect timing because Doug’s gone to rehab, and by the time they’re back from their recording trip, he’ll be out.’

‘Doug’s gone to rehab?’ my grandmother asks.

‘Admitted this morning,’ my dad answers.

‘Adam, I don’t know if this is a good idea,’ she says.

‘Bad idea,’ Mike says. ‘When you have a setback you don’t run off to another country to lick your wounds, you get up, try again. There are plenty of other hunting lodges here, aren’t there?’

‘Spending time with my one and only daughter is hardly bad,’ my dad says, beaming at me. ‘And yes, I could get another job if I wanted to. But this seems as good a time as any to pause for a moment.’