Gawain raised an eyebrow.“So are we…?”
“Yeah.”I cleared my throat.“Yes, we are.”
“Great.”He bounded off his seat and was at the front cash register before I managed to struggle back into my coat.
I discovered he’d paid when Sarabeth waved off my card.She wished us a goodnight, and we headed out into the encroaching darkness.Mid-February in British Columbia still meant early darkness and late light in the morning.We were making our way toward the equinox and, more pleasantly, the warmer weather.
It was then I realized Gawain only wore a light coat.“You must be freezing.Where’s your car?”
“I, uh, don’t have one.”
Proverbially, I smacked my forehead.“Duh, of course, you don’t.Where’s your suitcase?”
“Don’t have one of those either.Look, can we get into your car?I’m not accustomed to these cold temperatures.”
I was downright confused.Japan had held the Olympic Winter Games in…1998…?Something like that.I wasn’t sure they were known for their abundance of cold and snow, but I also didn’t see them as being warm enough for a light jacket in the dead of winter.Still, what did I know?
“My SUV’s over here.”I pointed to the well-used and well-loved drive I’d had since my parents died.Mom had been driving Dad in her car during the crash.Maybe if they’d been in this—Not going there.They never stood a chance.The drunk driver had been driving a massive pickup truck.He, of course, had gotten away without a scratch.
“Nice ride.”
This was an older vehicle that still operated off a remote.I planned to replace her—either when she died or when all my siblings were independent.Given Andie had four years of veterinary school ahead of her, that felt more like a pipe dream.
A thought occurred.“Hey, where’s your bag?”I couldn’t think of any public lockers.Maybe the hotel was holding it for him?
“I’m, uh, traveling light.”
My mind struggled to process that information as we got into the SUV.I had it turned on, and the heater was on full in the blink of an eye since Gawain had started to shiver.“It’s not far to my house.”
“You still live at the top of the hill?”
“Uh, yeah.It’s a big house for what is essentially just one person.Well, Deanna still lives at home, but she’s talking about renting a condo with a friend over in Abbotsford.Closer to the airport.”
“Pilot, eh?”He blew into his hands.
“Hold them by the vent.”I pulled out of the parking lot and headed toward the center of town.From there, I’d take James Street up the first hill.The land sort of flattened out a bit, and then there was another steep hill.Our house sat on the top of that.It had a magnificent view and was above the pollution level most of the time.
We didn’t speak as I drove…past our high school…past the street where Gawain and his family had lived.I’d have offered to take him by to see the place, but I didn’t get that vibe from him.In fact, I couldn’t get a read on why he was here at all.If his parents were in Italy, why not go there?If his brother… “Hey, where’s Gio these days?”
His gaze snapped to mine just as I glanced over quickly at him.
“Uh, nowhere.”
I blinked as I focused on taking the next hill.“Like…” I swallowed.“Did he die?”I hadn’t heard anything, but that wouldn't be surprising given they’d all left.I hadn’t kept up with anyone from high school.I hadn’t enjoyed myself there, and when I’d gone briefly to university, I’d believed myself beyond that world.
“Oh, no, not dead.Just…you know…”
I didn’t know.I had no idea what he was talking about.But obviously, this was a sticky topic.As I pulled into my driveway, the motion sensors triggered the lights to come on.
“I always loved your house.”
After parking the vehicle, I cut the engine and then gazed over at him.“Really?I mean, you were only here a couple of times.You always came over with Gio.”For a couple of birthday parties, I seemed to recall.In grade school.
“Yeah.”He motioned to exit the SUV, and I nodded.
Together, we headed toward my home.I’d always thought of the place as kind of crowded.Kind of chaotic.The one time I’d been in Gawain’s house, the pristineness of the house had struck me.The décor had been more like out of the design magazines my mom loved to read as opposed to our less-than-fabulous home.
We entered the downstairs.As soon as I shut the door, I shucked my boots and jacket.
