“She takes Thursdays off, but I can tell her you came by. Is there a name I can give her?”
Thursday. Right. I know what that is, I think.
“Tell her Kayla came by. Kayla…” I almost say my real last name, before realizing it will mean nothing to her. “Kayla Charles. And, um… Carlos said I should try one of the scones.”
He did. A long time ago. He said he could never get the batter as fluffy and light as hers.
“Carlos? Oh, well then, you’ve got to try his favourite!”
The girl picks out one decorated with the last of the summer blackberries and I pay an exorbitant dollar for it. But within my first bite, it’s worth it.
It’s hard to justify spending resources on something that brings only pleasure. Eating this scone has not increased my odds of survival. But it’s beautiful, in the same way a sunset over the ocean is, or the smell of rain on raw cedar. And unlike so many things that make me happy, nothing about it conjures up dark memories of those I lost in my past. It’s new and remarkable and entirely rooted in this place.
I savour every crumb, chasing the traces around my plate with my finger. When I return the dish to the girl at the counter, she flashes me the kind of grin that can only come from someone who already knows the answer to their question. “Good?”
“It was wonderful.” My heart thuds. I know I need to say something more. But I’m not bold enough to ask. I’m so beneath this place—a wild girl tasting the best civilization can offer her. “Does… Mrs. Buckerfield offer cooking classes?”
“Sure,” says the girl. “I’m not sure when she’ll run another set, but maybe when you come by again you can ask her? And you should bring Carlos. Shealwayssays yes to Carlos.”
“Maybe I’ll do that.” A hopeful bubble lifts my heart. The classes might cost something, but I’ll cross that bridge later. For now, it’s enough to know they exist. Maybe April isn’t the only one interested in going back to school.
“Thank you,” I say to the girl. “Truly. I needed this today.”
“Aw, it’s no problem.” She has the sweetest, prettiest smile. “You’re Sid’s wife, then?”
“Yeah, that’s me.”
“That’s so great. I’m Becca. Say hi to James for me!”
Why am I not surprised? She does look like one of James’s girls. He always goes for these delicate beauties, slinking up to the acreage with him for who-knows-what carnal nonsense. It’s a minor miracle there aren’t a million copies of him running all over the island, but that’s James for you. Lucky bastard.
I feel miles better as I leave the café. Nothing about this fixes my situation with Sid, but at least I can go home and say I did it. I talked to someone and started planning something new. I practically deserve a second scone for my bravery. Except I have to save my money. Until I’ve got my own income, I can’t be silly with it. April might grow out of her current clothes and need something new and how would I take care of that?
At the thought of April, I think of one more thing I could do. We got a letter a couple of days ago saying she’s due another batch of insulin which Sid or I can pick up when it’s convenient. I haven’t been back to the hospital since we first came to the island, but I find it easily enough. The same Desk Lady who helped me on that day so long ago is seated at the reception. She perks up when she sees me.
“What brings you to Emergency today, hon?”
“Oh… sorry, I’m just here to get a prescription. Should I be somewhere else?”
“It’s fine for now. We’ve got a pharmacy at the other end of the building, but I can take care of you,” she says, with a wink. “Isn’t this a treat for me! I haven’t seen you in an age.”
“I’m surprised you remember me.”
“Are you kidding me? That’s the most excitement we’ve had here in a while.” She beams. Excitement is not the word I would use to describe my confused rampage through thehospital, but I’m grateful she found it entertaining rather than terrifying. “And then I heard from Doctor Tremblay you got your sister’s medication under Sid Charles’ name!”
“Um… yes.” Doctor Tremblay sure does love to gossip about my business—one more bit of evidence of those privacy breaches Tom told us about.
“I always wondered why no one snatched him up sooner. Those border guards come in an awful lot, but it’s been a while since he’s been around. Heard he’s running for office, so I guess he’s moving up in the world! That’s attractive. Shame about the broken nose, of course, but—”
“There is nothing wrong with his nose.” An objectively untrue statement, but I can’t help feeling protective of Sid.
“Gives him character, doesn’t it?” Desk Lady leans in, her voice a conspiratorial whisper. “By the way, this is where you come when you find yourself on the nest. We’ll set you up with a midwife real quick.”
“Is there any chance you can get me April’s medicine?Please?”
“I’ll just tell Riley you’re here. You wait for me.”
The hospital is quiet, with the occasional person passing as they scurry between hallways. Nurses with clipboards. Doctor Tremblay. He gives me a quizzical glance as he hurries by and I smile back, daring him to say anything. Of course, nothing happens. That sneaky bastard is too much of a coward to mess with me in public.
