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“That’s what Mom says.”
She cut right to the chase. “Matthew, what’s wrong? Your voice sounds different.”
“Have you spoken to Mom and Dad today?”
Her voice dropped lower. “Yeah, I did. They told me their plans.”
“Yeah,” I breathed out. “I was expecting it, but somehow not this fast.”
“I think with Heather’s wedding coming up, Penny being pregnant, they decided it was the right time. They want to be here and go to England. Spend some time with Gavin and Amanda.” She paused. “She’s pregnant. Mom and Dad don’t know yet.”
“That’s great news.”
“Yeah, he’s excited. So is Penny. Their kids will be close in age.”
I laughed. “Not in distance. England and Alberta are pretty far apart.”
“They talk every couple days. Message daily. Zoom. They’re already planning trips to see each other. The twin thing never stops. They’ll make sure their kids are tight.”
I sighed. “I wonder if Mom and Dad ever thought we’d all be scattered like this.”
Gracie laughed. “If they could arrange it, we’d all be together in one place, but they know we’re all grown up and have our own lives. They will miss you terribly, though.”
“I’ll miss them.”
“Are you okay?” she asked quietly. “You sound sad.”
“I’m fine, really. I just have this weird feeling about the house. Their selling it. Like a piece of our childhood is gone.” I cleared my throat. “I can’t say that to them. They’ll get all worked up and change their plans. And I’ll get over it. I just feel…” I trailed off. “I don’t know what I’m thinking. Maddy says I’m very open with my feelings, but I think she sees something in me others don’t.”
“I heard about this Maddy,” Gracie said. “Dad says she’s lovely. Mom says you’re spending a lot of time with her, and she’s glad you’ll have her once they leave.”
I sighed. “I might not. She has two more years of nursing school in Alberta.”
She was quiet. “If it’s meant to work, Matthew, it will.”
“I know. I guess it’s just everything that is worrying me, Mom and Dad leaving. The hospital is crazy.”
“Are you really serious about her? Already?”
I paused. “I am. And don’t start with the lectures, Miss I-married-my-boss-while-drunk.”
“That’s Mrs. I-married-my-boss-while-drunk,” she replied haughtily. “And we redid it sober.”
I laughed at her levity.
“Maybe you should move here,” Gracie suggested hopefully.
“Aw, miss me, big sis?”
“I always miss you.”
“I miss you too, but I like it here. I’d hate Toronto. It’s too big. And I don’t think the little hospital in Port Albany would be enough for me.”
“Lots of sick people here. And the ERs are full all the time,” she argued. “And a quieter life isn’t a bad thing, Matthew VanRyan.”
I scratched my chin, smiling at her bossiness. “Not yet.”
“I’ll keep hoping. Kylie would love to see her uncle more.”
