Page 89 of Second Round

“So, will you think about living here? Near me? And maybe I could have Charlotte here on alternate weekends whenever I’m home, and one evening a week.” Like Hannah andTristan.

“I’ll think about it and discuss it with Wes. Much depends on my immigration status and if I can work intheU.S.”

Sophie was back to business now. For a brief moment, we were back to being two crazy kids, so much in love, and blessed with a beautiful baby. But we’d never discussed so many things. I’d assumed that she understood what my coaching career would entail, and she’d assumed that I valued her careerequally.

“Do you think if we talked more, we could have made it work?” Iasked.

She smiled. “You’re such aromantic,Leo.”

That wasn’t really an answer. It didn’t matter anyhow. We’d created Charlotte, and that wasenough.

33

Never Say NeverAgain

Jackie

“Fuuuuck. Are those ratdroppings?”

Sharon and I looked down at the wornfloorboards.

“Maybe someone was eating raisins?” Isuggested.

We were looking at yet another potential candidate for our flipping project. This was a former rooming house in Strathcona. It had been chopped up into a maze of rooms, and the main decorating theme was post-apocalypse.

She hooted. “Now I’m never eating raisins again. Seriously, Jackie, you are as optimistic as fuck. I’ve never been through houses with anyone like you. All I can see is the work that we’re going to need to bring the place uptocode.”

“But there’s so much potential.” I said. I’d always been able to visualize how things could be. I didn’t know if it was a gift or a curse. “If we opened up these walls, you’d have a wonderful open concept living/diningroom.”

Sharon trudged over and knocked on the wall. “Yeah, it sounds a little hollow, like this was addedlater.”

“And there’s a nice back yard with that beautiful maple. Put a patio and some plants in and add sliding doors in the kitchen to let somelightin.”

“Ka-ching. I’ll have to cost out all your ideas. Look at these floors, Jackie. They’re so damaged. They’re a gorgeous fir, but it looks like someone drove a rototiller through here. I think we’re better off with the place we saw inEastVan.”

I nodded. That home had been in a lot better shape, and Sharon figured that a lot of the repairs we needed to make were cosmetic. It needed a new kitchen and two new bathrooms, but the house was in good shape and it had a new roof. Besides, if the real estate market did crash—fingers crossed for not—the kids and I could move in instead. We’d be staying in the sameneighbourhood.

We thanked Carole for showing us the place, then hopped into Sharon’s truck anddroveoff.

“How you doing, kiddo?” Sharonasked.

“I’m good. I’m over it,” Itoldher.

Splitting up with Leo had been rough, but I’d bounced back quickly. It was over a month since I’d walked out of his place, and I’d been busy the whole time. Getting the kids settled into their new home and new school was a big task. And my project with Fiona had started, so I really had zero time to mope or reflect on all the what-ifs. Another good thing was that Amanda’s new condo was delayed, so I didn’t have to work with her and hear all about theVancouverVice.

“That’s good. No man is worth more than a week of crying. Brent’s got the kids this weekend,right?”

“Yup. I’m going to work on my paintings for the show.” My art exhibition was coming up. Sharon had rigged up the lighting for my basement studio, and I’d been painting my head off. The only problem was that I kept changing paintings that were supposed tobedone.

“Listen, Marco’s having a bbq tonight. You want to come by?” Sharon’s voice was toocasual.

“This isn’t a fix-up, is it? I hate thatstuff.”

“No, of course not.” She kept her eyes on the road, so I knew she wasfibbing.

“C’mon,Sharon.”

“Okay, Jesus, Jackie. You need to go out and have fun. Get back on thehorse.”

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