Page 18 of Changing Tides
Their dad shrugged. “Will you bring me for my dinner?”
“Of course. It’s Monday. I’ll see you later.” They didn’t want him to become completely dependent on them cooking for him, so they’d got into the habit of bulk preparing a bunch of meals to store in his freezer. Once they’d bought him a microwave and taught him how to use it, he was able to take out a meal and cook it. But Mondays and Fridays, they dined together at Joey’s small dining table. Now the evenings were drawing out, they’d take him for a walk afterwards. He’d aged this winter and his walkhad become more of a shuffle. He’d just turned seventy-five, but to Joey’s eyes he appeared much older.
They left him in his chair and took the truck on the short journey to the harbor, parking as they always did outside the Waterside.
Kasia was walking up from one of the rental cottages with a basket of linen. She waved and Joey looked out into the harbor. The ferry hadn’t yet appeared around the lighthouse, so they had plenty of time. They jogged over and took the basket.
“Thanks, but you don’t have to make it look so easy.”
Joey grinned and hoisted the basket above their head with one hand. Kasia grasped them around the middle, digging her fingers into their ribs, just where she knew they were vulnerable. Joey dropped the basket onto the grass, bed sheets falling out, as they giggled and batted her away.
“I love how ticklish you are. Who’d have thought it?”
Joey picked up the load once more and they walked up to the doors of the hotel. They handed the basket to Kasia. “I’ll leave you to get on. The ferry will be here soon.”
“And who are you collecting from the ferry? Your brothers aren’t back, are they?”
“Not yet, no.” They paused, hesitant to expand.
“Well, who?” Kasia frowned.
“Marianne needs a place to stay for a few days while she makes a plan for the future.”
“Marianne the fancy chef?” Kasia dropped the basket. “Why is she still around? I’d’ve thought she’d be well on her way back to the big, glamorous city.”
“Her reputation is everything to her. She wants some time before she goes to face reality.”
“What happened to her wife? Amira, isn’t it?”
“She basically told Mari it was all her fault and then left to go back to her family. She’s not bothered about Denny, as far as Ican tell.” Joey was trying not to get involved but the thought of a parent who could walk away from such a wonderful little kid made them furious.
“So she’s trying to start again with a toddler in tow? Good luck to her with that.”
“It’s why I’m trying to help. She doesn’t have anyone else.”
Kasia rested her hand on Joey’s arm. “She must have people she knows better than you, Joey. A couple of weeks ago, she was just another customer.”
Marianne had never been just another customer, but Joey wasn’t going to get into that now. Or ever. “She’s staying a few days. It’s not much, but if it helps her, I’ll happily do it.”
“And where willyoube staying?” Kasia’s eyebrows raised.
“With Dad. The company will do him good.”
“Where will you sleep?”
“Remember I got him that couch when the O’Neills were refitting their holiday home? It’s pretty comfortable.”
“Oh, Joey, I know you like to help people out, but to give up your bed. Come here. We’ll find you a room.”
Joey kicked the doorstep. “I’ve already told Dad, and Marianne doesn’t know her way around.”
“How long for? You can’t sleep there for long, can you?”
“A few days. I won’t give her a deadline; she needs a break. It’ll work out.”
Kasia wrapped her arms around them and squeezed tight. “You’re a very special person, Joey. I hope Marianne appreciates you.”
Joey suspected Marianne would appreciate anyone who helped her out.
