Page 22 of Patio Lanterns

“It’s only for a couple of hours, and it’d mean a lot to Aidan,” Lark said. “You don’t have to do anything but be your charming, bubbly self, dear sister. Well, that, and maybe try to do something with your hair.”

Dove put down the tin of tomatoes in her hand and made another one of her classic peacemaker pivots. “You know what? The rest of these groceries can wait. What do you say we all go outside and raise a glass to Mom in her chardonnay chalet?”

Serenity was restored as the sisters sat out on the sun-dappled deck that wrapped around the second storey of the cottage. Wine in hand, they lounged side by side, basking in the picturesque view of Lake Whippoorwill, framed by majestic pines and endless blue sky.

“Why do you think Mom wanted her cremains spread over the water?” Robin said, breaking the silence. “I mean, I know Mom and Dad both loved being here, but why wouldn’t she choose a spot next to him?”

“Being buried in the backyard wasn’t Dad’s choice,” Lark said, bouncing Nova on her knee to keep her from jumping on Mutt’s back and riding “that filthy animal” like a horsie. “Mom always joked that if he didn’t choose his own final resting place, she’d stick that son of a birch in a biodegradable urn and turn him into a tree. So she did.”

“Now that’s true love,” Dove said, hoisting her wine glass. “Here’s to Marc and Micki, together again. May you enjoy driving each other crazy for eternity.”

The girls clinked glasses and shared a laugh.

“You know,” Lark said, her chin trembling, “whenever I’m sad or feel cheated that we lost them both far too young and within such a short time, I tell myself it’s because they needed each other. And I take comfort in knowing that they’re together again.”

“Dad probably couldn’t keep track of his keys in heaven, either.” Robin sniffled as she smiled. “He always said he’d be useless without her.”

Dove nodded. “I really miss them a lot.”

“Me too,” Robin echoed.

“Me too,” Lark agreed. “Especially being here again.”

“Actually, speaking of the cottage,” Dove said, “the three of us really ought to decide if we’re going to keep it or sell it. We can’t keep its ownership in trust forever.”

“And we know what happens in this family when you can’t make a decision,” Robin said. “You get planted in the backyard and leaves sprout out of you every spring.”

Lark looked at her sisters. “Okay then. On three, let’s each say what we think we should do with this place. Ready? One… two…”

“Sell it,” Robin said.

“Keep it,” Lark said.

“Rent it out for extra income,” Dove said. “I mean, why not? Muskoka properties are an excellent investment. The rental market is solid, and it’s a sustainable revenue stream.”

“I don’t want strangers living in our family’s cottage,” Lark said adamantly.

“Not living in it, just borrowing it,” Dove said. “We can still keep it for when we want to use it, and rent it out the rest of the time, generating passive income for us all.”

“Income which we have to claim when we file our taxes,” Lark reminded her.

Dove bounced her eyebrows. “Not if we set up an incorporated business entity to report the rental income and generate dividends. I recently picked the brain of an estate lawyer who works with one of my clients. He told me that if one of us was willing to move out here and claim the Blue Canoe as their principal residence…”

Robin threw her hands in the air. “You know what? It doesn’t matter what you two decide. I can’t afford the upkeep or the property taxes, and don’t even get me started on capital gains, whatever the hell that is. I’m sorry, but I’m out.”

“What?” Lark questioned. “Just a few minutes ago, you were standing in the kitchen, crying about how your childhood memories had been erased. Don’t you care what happens?”

“Of course I do, but that doesn’t change the fact that I can’t afford it. You’re a doctor who’s married to a doctor, and Dove is… well, whatever the hell it is that Dove does. Both your credit cards may be platinum, but mine’s not even zinc.”

Dove shrugged at Lark. “Well, I mean, we could always buy her out.”

Robin gulped back her wine. “I’ll take a bank draft, cashier’s cheque, or you can deposit the funds directly into my account by e-transfer. The sooner, the better.”

“Not so fast,” Lark snapped. “Mom and Dad wanted us to have an equal share and equal say in the cottage. It’s all of us or none of us. And that’s why it’s a decision that should not be made lightly.”

“I’m not making it lightly,” Robin said. “You’re the one who suggested we say the first thing that came to mind. And what came to my mind first was to sell.”

“You’re only saying that because you want the money,” Lark said.

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