“Ah.”
“I don’t think it’s me,” she said.“And Dad would look at me weird if I called him that.”
Sarah smiled to herself, imagining Graham’s face.“Are you hungry?”
“No, and Dad will take me out to dinner when I get there.”
So they settled into seats at the front of the ferry and watched as the boat pulled away from the terminal.Only then did she relax, realizing that she had been more than a little concerned she would have to phone and let Graham know they would be late.She would have been blamed for obstructing his access, and a fight would have ensued.
She blew out a breath and turned toward Riley, who was looking out the window.“Do you think we’ll see whales today?”
“There were some sightings earlier this week, so maybe.”
“I’m going to watch,” said Riley, peering out at the passing water.
Sarah’s phone buzzed.It was Graham.
“Hi.We’re on the ferry, so we’ll see you in about an hour.”
“Damn.”
“Damn?”She frowned.“What’s going on?”
“It’s Tanis.She’s in emergency.I was hoping you could bring Riley next week instead.”
“Is she okay?”Sarah asked, though she really didn’t want to know the answer.The less she knew about Graham’s new wife, the better.
“They’re worried about the baby,” he said, his voice strained in a way that was familiar but rare.Graham never worried about much, which had been part of their problem.She was the one who was always left to take care of things, while he would say, “It’ll get done.I don’t know why you worry.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” she said, her gaze straying to Riley, who was still watching out the window, hoping to see whale spouts in the distance.She lowered her voice.“Do you want to talk to your daughter?”
“Umm.”
Her chest tightened.He was planning to let Sarah deliver the bad news as usual, and for a split second she thought it might be easier that way.Then she shook her head.No, it was his news.He was her parent too.He needed to take responsibility for not calling them earlier.Before he could say anything more, she added, “I’ll hand her the phone so you can talk.”And, before he could say more, she held out her phone to Riley.
“Your Dad’s on the phone.”
Riley turned, smiling, and Sarah’s heart squeezed as she watched her sunny smile of anticipation fall to a frown.Her eyes filled with tears as she said, “It’s okay, Dad.I’ll see you in a couple of weeks.”She glanced up at Sarah and said, “Okay,” before handing her the phone.“Dad wants to talk to you.”
Sarah took the phone, “Hello?”
“Did you have to do that?”he said.
“What?”
“You know what.”His voice was short.Staccato.
“Put you in the position of having to take responsibility for your own actions, you mean?”she said, in as calm a voice as she could muster.“Yes, I guess I did.”
“Don’t fight,” said Riley, her eyes pleading.“It’s okay.Dad’s just worried about Tanis and the baby.”
Sarah nodded at Riley and said to Graham, “We’ll be heading back on the next ferry.Let me know when you’re able to come and see her next.”
“That’s not the deal,” he said.“You bring her to me, I pick her up on this side, and then I take her back.”
“Well, given what has just happened, I think it’s best that we do it the other way around next time.Sorry to hear about Tanis.I hope she’s okay.”
“Thanks,” he said.“I’ll be in touch when we know more.Then I’ll arrange another date to see Riley.”
