Page 79 of Second Round

The view was incredible. The house was situated on a low bank waterfront property, and there was a small island in frontofus.

“I think we can kayak over there,” Jackie told me as we walked around the property with the kids. “The place comes with two double kayaks, and we can rent one more.” We made our way to a provincial park where there was a lighthouse and a wide channel. Freighters could be seen in the distance. Breathing in the fresh ocean air and being so far away from the city was invigorating. Kayaking, swimming in the ocean, or running a forest trail; there were so many tempting possibilities to fill myvacation.

“Papa! Look at thestarfish!”

“They’re actually called sea-stars,” Tristancorrectedher.

I crouched down and amazed at how many were revealed by thelowtide.

“Those ones are purple, and that one is orange,” Charlottetoldme.

“Why are you telling him that?” Tristanasked.

“Because he can’t see colours,” she explained proudly, like it was a specialdistinction.

Tristan was amazed and proceeded to ask me the colour of everything we passed for the next tenminutes.

“Should I tell him to knock it off?” Jackiewhispered.

I laughed. “It doesn’t bother me. It’s not like I can do anythingaboutit.”

She frowned. “But you could. You could get those colour correcting glasses I told youabout.”

“I’m fine with things the way they are.” Jackie was so expansive and emotional. But life was about choices. To succeed in the way I wanted, I needed to focus. Even this holiday was a deliberate attempt to relax, store up memories with Charlotte, and then be rested for theseason.

We turned back towards the house, but Hannah and Kayla decided to stay longer. They said they were hoping to see whales, but perhaps they wanted a littleindependence.

“I like that the kids can have that freedom, to run around on their own. Like the old days,” I toldJackie.

She nodded. “The Gulf Islands are prettylaidback.”

We looked ahead where Charlotte was skipping along with some seashells she’d collected, but Tristan had his hands shoved in his pockets and hisheaddown.

“He’s unhappy because Hannah has her best friend, but Wyatt couldn’t come,” explainedJackie.

“Yeah, that sucks,” I agreed. But I had already planned for this. Jackie had done so much for Charlotte; it was time to repay the favour. “Hey, Tris. You want to shoot some puckswithme?”

He turned to face me. His face shone, then fell. “I would. But I didn’t bring my stick oranything.”

“I brought some gear for both of us.” I leaned in closer. “I also brought you a special stick. Signed by someoneyoulike.…”

His eyes went wide. “Your boss? You got me a signed Lucky Luczakstick?”

I nodded. “It’s a nice one too. Not for road hockey, but you can use it when you play inthefall.”

“Wow! Whereisit?”

“I’ve got everything in the trunk.” And I’d brought enough sticks that everyone could play if they wanted, even Jackie. She threw her arms around my neck and kissed my cheek. “You are thesweetestman.”

“Moooom,” Tristan groaned. “NoP.D.A.”

“Get used to it, squirt,” she replied and kissed me onthelips.

Then Hannah and Kayla began yelling and wavingatus.

“Are they all right?” Iwondered.

“They look fine.” Jackie was calm as we hurriedtowardsthem.

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