Page 97 of Here & There

“Then for God’s sake, son. Tell me what’s got your nets in a knot.”

That actually makes me chuckle. “That’s not a real saying.”

“My father said it.”

I sigh, leaning back and rubbing my forehead with my open hand.

Before I can say another word, he says, “It’s the woman, isn’t it?”

“That obvious?”

“Course it is. You were moping about her a couple of weeks back, then when I asked you about her the last few visits, you suddenly had nothing to say. So tell me, what happened?”

I drop my hand, considering what to share with him. Finally, I decide on all of it. It’s a little weird talking to Dad about how she saw me naked that time, but he’s one of very few people Itell everything. Maybe he was a therapist in another life, because he’s one of the easiest people to spill your guts to.

“I see,” he says when I’m finished.

“I don’t expect you to have any answers,” I say. “I just needed to get that all out.”

Dad nods. “Is there any reason you didn’t tell her how you felt?”

“Yes. Because she’s only here for two months, Dad. She’s got a whole life waiting for her back in Vancouver.”

“What about your life?”

“You know I’d never leave Redbeard Cove. Can you imagine me in a cramped condo in Vancouver? I’d be like one of those tropical birds that drops dead when you put in a cage.”

Dad raises an eyebrow. They’re a lot thicker than they were when I was growing up, underscoring his skeptical expression. “Don’t you think that’s a little dramatic?”

I scoff. Shelby’s dramatic. She’s fling-yourself-into-the-ocean dramatic, slam-a-door onto-my-head dramatic.

I love it.

I’m not dramatic. I’m sensible.

“You used to love visiting the city, Mac. Just because my mind is going doesn’t mean I don’t remember details.”

I scowl and get up to stand at the window. There’s a beautiful view through the glass. Beyond the care home’s grounds is a forested area—Crown land, which means it’ll never get developed. Past that is a rocky shoreline and the gray chop of the ocean. “That was fifteen years ago, Dad. Anyway, none of that’s the point. Nobody’s uprooting anyone for anyone. It’s only been a few weeks, and we’re not even—we’re not together at all.”

Dad’s other eyebrow flies up. “I thought you were courting her.”

“Courting? Dad, what is this, the 1940s? You didn’t even court Mom.”

“Sure I did. We just didn’t call it that anymore. That boy of ours should bring it back.”

I chuckle softly. I like how the minute I told him about Nate, he didn’t judge me for making that big mistake with Nadine all those years ago. He just welcomed him in with open arms. They play chess together now. I look over at the game they’ve got going on the card table against the wall.

I sigh, taking off my cap. “I just like her, Dad, and she doesn’t feel the same way about me.”

“What makes you so sure about that?”

“She said as much. She wants space.”

“Did she tell you she needed space from you?”

“Not in so many words?—”

“Did you suggest that, Alasdair?”

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