She nodded. “I do want to seeMaman. But I love being here with you too. I won’t see you untilChristmas.”
That thought hurt me as well. Getting to see Charlotte was the best part of my day. All the problems of the Vice disappeared when I saw her face brighten as I walked in. Yet, I felt guilty that I had worked the whole time she was here. She was happy, but I’d been shirking myduties.
“Why don’t you call Jackie and ask her?” Charlottesuggested.
“Jackie’s pretty busy now, getting everything set forthemove.”
“Yes, but she likes it when you call,” Charlotte pointed out. “Her face gets smiley andhappy.”
“You’re such a monkey. Anyway, your mother is not going to like this. She doesn’t like changes to the schedule.” I was supposed to take Charlotte back to Montréalnextweek.
Charlotte pulled a long face, while I ran the idea over in my mind. I could phone Jackie once Charlotte was asleep. If it was okay with her, then I’d broach the subject withSophie.
Jackie was as relaxed about the cottage as she was abouteverythingelse.
“Sure, we have tons of room. Sharon can’t come until next week, and now Wyatt’s cancelledaswell.”
“That’s too bad forTristan.”
“Believe me, I know.” There was tension in hervoice.
“Look, I was thinking that I’d like tocometoo.”
“Really? For two whole weeks? The great workaholic is going onvacation?”
“Yeah, well, Lucky’s going away, so it’s going to be quiet around here anyway.” In fact, my boss suggested that I take some time and rest up before the final push to training camp. Originally, I’d intended to stay in Montréal, but this would be an even betterbreak.
“I’m sure you can plug in your laptop there. But I’ve been warned that the Wi-Fi sucks.” Shegiggled.
“Stop laughing at me. Work hard, play hard. But look, I haven’t run this by Sophie yet. Let’s not say anything to Charlotte untilIdo.”
Jackie agreed, and since Sophie was on the West Coast too, I called her right away. To my surprise, she wasamenable.
“I promised Marc-Andre that I would fly out to Vancouver with him to evaluate sites, so that works perfectly. I can pick up Charlotte after I’m done.” Sophie had flipped a switch since her honeymoon. She was completely relaxed and mellow right now. Apparently being out on the ocean for so long was lifechanging.
“Okay, that’s great. Thank youverymuch.”
“Pas d’ probleme.It’s been good for her to spend so much timewithyou.”
“Ouais, je sais. It’s been good for me as well. But she misses you,” I replied. But that wasn’t quite true. Charlotte had missed her mother intensely for the first couple of weeks, but after that she slipped easily into her new life. The chaos and freedom of Jackie’s home had challenged my daughter to be moreindependent.
“Have you thought more about where you and Wes are going to live?” Iasked.
Sophie sighed. “Franchement, non. We’re going to stay with the status quo for now. I’ve applied for jobs in California, but I’m not willing to leave my position until I get something firm. Wes is not too happy, but we need both ourincomes.”
I was relieved to hear her taking a hard line with him as well. Maybe it was Sophie’s personality and not only ourmarriage.
We tookthe ferry to Saturna Island in a convoy. Charlotte and I went in the Audi, while Jackie’s van held her kids and Hannah’s friend, Kayla, as well. Sharon and her boyfriend would be joining us in the second week. This trip reminded me of my big family. When I grew up, there were always kids around to play with, and I enjoyed the buzz of a big group. It was something I’d always wanted for Charlotte. She loved being with her cousins when I took her to family gatherings, but normally she was the only child amongadults.
The house Jackie had rented was perfect, at least once she hadredecoratedit.
“I can’t believe you’re making all these changes. The place looked fine before,” I complained as I helped move a sofa to face the ocean viewwindow.
“I could tell from the photos that it needed a few tweaks. And I’ll put everything back when weleave.”
After we put down the couch, she unpacked some cushions and blankets. I shook my head, and Jackie laughed. “You mock me. But it’s the little things that make a place comfortable. And then everyone can relax and enjoythemselves.”
I had to admit that, once she was done, the place looked one hundred percent better. Charlotte immediately curled up in a chair, reading a book she had found here with a throw wrapped around her and Mao on her lap. Of course, she had insisted on bringing the cat. By now he was a seasoned commuter who had slept the whole trip. Minx was here as well since her home had been sold out from under her. The two cats were wary of the new place, but everyone else had settled in five minutes after weunpacked.