This afternoon Jacqui called us over after our Aus post truck left with the day's orders. With reddened eye's, blotchy face, a smoke clenched between lips, bottle of wine in one hand and some tumblers in the other she offered us a drink. Why not, hey?.
Later and a little light headed, we stood back from a truck taking away the last of their cafe & play equipment, signage etc, anything that was once the iconic Time To Play indoor play centre.
Our community just lost a gem. A gem lost to the greed and malice of corporate business. Now where will our children play when it rains? or its too hot? where will the mothers group meet? especially with relaxing comfy couches and no clean up afterwards.
Parks are great, but there is no one there to serve you a delectable cappuccino with focacia of the day, while you're keeping a dutiful eye on the little ones in relaxation mode. It just doesn't happen.
Fortnightly Friday night was disco play night. This had become our routine since it opened, Maurie, little Miss Mischief and I would spend our night there. There were always children from her class, her school and other schools that she quickly made friends with and played the night away, along with some dancing and karaoke too.For Maurie and I it was a chance to catch up with friends, have a chat, laugh, unwind and relax while the kids where having an absolute ball. It was a cheap night out loaded with fun and revelry. Summer evenings, a part of the car park was sectioned off, bring the skateboard, roller blades or skates, there were games and comps for the older children and some adults like me. I'm proud to say I got my first skate boarding lessons and grazed palms there. Now its all gone.
On a sinister side that can't be mentioned due to legal gagging, but Jacqui & Ro have lost everything including their homes, all that they own, to a group of unscrupulous business men that saw a lucrative business. An attempt using legal loopholes to oust the women from their business and claim it as their own. An apparently legal way to steal someones business.
Jokingly, Jacqui did try to give them her oldest son Joel to settle the case, but they found the house far more appealing. Jacqui held up her own spirits throughout the battle with a quirky sense of humour. Joel, she said, is priceless, she should get some money back too trading him in. If you know Joel, who is an outstandingly amazing teenager, you'd agree. It amazed me, Jacqui & Ro's sense of resolve throughout the last 12 months, but today I saw Jacqui weep for the first time.
At the sister's cost, our rural community has had a great deal of fun, joy rounded off with social engagement for all, employment for many and a huge economic influx for the area. Our complex car park will be somewhat the emptier, not just for the lack of cars, but the marked absence of the echoing sounds of children's laughter & mirth that once filled it.
Though I can't give specifics, (summoning every inch of self discipline to hold back) what I can say is that, if one of these gentlemen come to the next Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting, sits next to me and rubs his hand along my leg again he will be returning to his office missing a crucial male appendage.
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