“I used to, but not as much anymore. My parents actually moved to the city back in January.”
With Mom’s cancer, and Dad nearing retirement anyway, it made sense for Dad to retire early and for them to move closer to me. Plus, there are better healthcare options in the city for Mom.
Nolan nods along. “So, Val-d’Or… are you Cree?”
“My father’s Punjab, actually.”
“Ah, right, I wasn’t sure.”
“Are you Cree?”
“Nah, Mohawk. I’m from here, but my extended family’s from Kahnawà:ke.”
“Oh, cool. And are you…” I lower my voice, then glance over at Tania, who’s gleefully lost in conversation with Avery and Logan. “There’s something between you two, isn’t there?”
The way they keep stealing glances at each other, all smiles and blushes, says everything I need to know.
“Oh.” Nolan smirks. “No, we’re just having fun.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Really.”
“Definitely. I’m happy staying unattached.”
Somehow, I doubt it, but I don’t know Nolan enough to keep arguing over it. Instead, I keep the conversation going, and before long, hours have gone by with this group, like a gust of wind.
“What do you think’s going on between Tania and Nolan?” I ask Rachel once we’re back in our hotel room.
She’s fresh out of the shower, in which she rushed as soon as we arrived, without a single word to me.
She furrows her brow, then sits on the bed—specifically, the bed I’m not sitting on. Still wrapped in a towel, her skin glistens, still slightly red from the heat of the shower.
“I really don’t think that’s any of our business.”
Her bitter tone takes me aback. “Hey, I’m just trying to make conversation.”
“Hmm.” She starts combing her fingers through her wet hair to break up the tangles.
“Did I do something wrong?” I ask as I stand to join her on the other bed. “I feel like you’ve been icing me out all day.”
Rachel stiffens at my proximity. But she doesn’t answer me, opting to bite her bottom lip instead.
What’s going on inside my wife’s head?
“It’s just…” She lowers her head. “It’s the first time in months I’ve seen you this happy.”
“Well, today was a good day, wasn’t it?”
“I know.” She still won’t look at me. “I’m not upset that we had a good day. I’m upset that it’s the first good day in months.”
My heart sinks. It’s true that there has been a lot going on. Mom’s still getting treatment, and though her cancer has shrunk, she’s not out of the woods quite yet. But it’s mostly the new job that’s taking up most of my time. I want to make a good impression, so when my boss asks me to stay a bit later to help him with something, I don’t dare refuse.
Just then, my phone starts ringing. My thoughts immediately go to Mom. I fish the phone out of my pocket and see Mom’s name on the screen, only reaffirming my first fear.
“Mom?” I say as soon as I answer.
“Karan, honey!” she chimes in response. “How was your day at the sugar shack?”
Next to me, Rachel’s concerned gaze hovers.
