Two basketball teams were warming up at opposite ends of the room. I recognized Mission City Collegiate’s light blue and gold. I squinted to readAbbotsfordon the opposing red-and-white team jerseys.
“Old rivalry?”
Finn gestured to a corner of the bleachers away from everyone else. Once we were settled, he spoke. “Yeah.”
“And the black armbands on the Mission City team?”
“For David.”
“Yeah, okay.” Now his wanting to be here—no matter what—made sense.
A couple of the boys moved toward us and waved.
Finn gave them the thumbs-up.
They returned to their warm-up.
I scanned the crowd carefully. “Is that woman related to David?” I pointed to a woman wearing all black and dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief.
“Yeah. Marcia. His mom. She’s got three kids and a police-officer husband. He works for the Abbotsford Police Department.”
“Not Mission City RCMP?”
Finn shrugged. “Not everyone wants to be associated with the baggage of Canada’s national police force.”
“Good point.” The Royal Canadian Mounted Police had both a storied history and, thanks to some truly bad apples, a notorious reputation. Especially in racialized communities.
A group of girls clustered in a corner caught my notice as well. “Who are they?”
“David’s younger sister Patrice and three of her friends.”
“Aren’t two of those girls from your rec league?” I was pretty sure I recognized them.
“Yes, Rue and Tenyce. Good memory.”
I shrugged. “I try.”
He chuckled.
Then the game began, and he grasped my hand. Part of me was surprised—not that he was willing to show affection, but that he needed some kind of support.
Several times he clearly wanted to yell encouragement, but his chest rattling kept him relatively peaceful.
“I hope you don’t get pneumonia,” I whispered into his ear.
“Worth it. Had to be here.”
Although I understood the sentiment, I couldn’t say I had anyone in my life that I’d risk further illness for. Not even my intrepid Spring. Well, if she was in trouble, then of course. And if Finn needed me. But just two people after forty years on the planet. That felt…pathetic. Still, two more than I’d had when I’d ridden into town— “Is that…?” I knew who he was, of course, but I wanted Finn’s reaction.
He nodded. “Marlon. I, uh, don’t remember ever seeing him here for a game before.”
“Might he be here because of David? Of his death? Did he respond to the call?”
“I’d have to ask. I just don’t remember.” He eyed me. “I’m getting to know that look. You’re about to go to the bathroom again, aren’t you?”
I shrugged. Then headed to the bathroom. By the time I returned, Mission City was leading by ten points and halftime neared.
In the end, they won the game.
