Page 37 of The Woodcarver's Model
Rob’s heart beat a little faster. He closed his notebook and said, “I understand. I promise.”
“After Mitch went to college, that was after his folks died, he became the toast of the school. He was brilliant, talented, handsome—the picture of success. He led a charmed life until he met a guy who got him hooked on drugs. It nearly destroyed him.
“It was at that point that his Aunt Sarah adopted him. I mean, actually adopted him. She brought him over here to get him away from that evil man, away from the drugs and the pressure the college was putting on him. We all protected him. Francis and Frances kept an eye on everyone who was coming to the island, and on several occasions refused passage to someone they thought might be that guy.
“He had good times and bad, sometimes sinking so low he’d disappear for days on end. Once, early on, he’d been gone for weeks. We knew he hadn’t taken the ferry off the island, and he couldn’t have swum off. He was always shit in the water. Sarah was at her wit’s end. She figured he’d drowned or something. Turned out whenever he was at his lowest, he’d escape to the Peak. Sometimes he’d hide out in a small cave he’d come across. I found out later from him that he’d been living off plants and bugs and spring water. A voice had come to him in a dream and told him what to eat and what to avoid. Crap, there are lifelong woodsmen out there who’ve died eating the wrong berry and this kid from the city survived.
“I found him out there on the highest rock once, sitting cross-legged like a guru from India, just staring out at the sea. On his face was the most angelic look of peace. It took him a moment to acknowledge me. He smiled and said ‘I’m going to be okay, Sheila. The mountain has transplanted part of its soul into me.’ I was sure he must have been on something, but he stood up, took my hand and led me back to where I left my car. The only other thing he said was ‘Don’t worry. Everything is going to be okay.’
“The people of Marsh Island helped him live and, when Sarah died, helped him survive, and in turn, he has taken personal responsibility for everyone on this island, and the island itself.
“I ask you to keep this in mind, body and soul in your relationship with that boy. Do anything to violate his trust and you will have to deal with each one of the residents of this island. Do you understand?”
“Yes. I do. And I promise I won’t hurt him.”
“Good. The inquisition is now over. And if Mitch ever finds out that we had this conversation, I will euthanise you faster than a sick old dog.”
* * * *
Rob walked through the door. Mitch was standing at the kitchen counter washing up some dishes.
“Hey handsome,” Rob said as he wrapped his arms around Mitch from the rear. Mitch’s hands were still in the dishwater. “Got you just the way I like you. Helpless.” Their heads twisted as they kissed.
Rob noticed something was wrong. “Hey. Are you all right? You’re so tense.”
“I’ll be all right. Just…”
“The meeting. How did it go?” Rob asked.
“We’re doing battle with a big developer from Victoria. Somehow they managed to convince the province to support a bid to build a resort on Admiral’s Peak.”
“What? How can they do that? Isn’t it protected?”
“You only protect what you think’s at risk. It was Crown land. No one thought anyone would be interested in it. We’re a small island that no one ever comes to and now they want to buildthat.” Mitch nodded towards a pamphlet on the counter.
It was a well-produced brochure promoting Admiral’s Peak, a boutique lodge of one hundred rooms, with spa, gourmet restaurant and health club. A development project that would create one hundred and fifty new jobs and bring prosperity to this small, unexploited jewel of the Salish Sea.
“They’re going to destroy the island and hand it over to the rich.” Mitch was on the verge of tears. “My beautiful mountain—they’re going to rape it. Bulldoze what makes it precious and turn it into a fucking theme park!”
Rob held him. Mitch’s hands dripped soapy dishwater down his pants. Rob wiped away the tears.
“There’s something else,” Mitch added.
“Oh?” If he’d believed in a god, Rob would have prayed that it had nothing to do with the RCMP. He’d avoided telling Mitch he’d been part of something that resulted in the death of a man. Just then he heard the washroom door open and the sound of the toilet refilling. A man walked into the room.
“Hey, Robby. What a small fuckin’ world.”
There, before Rob, stood the one person that had almost ruined him.
“I guess you can imagine the surprise I had when I came here and found out you were seeing my baby brother. That’s what it is, isn’t it? You and him together, like you and me used to be? Sounds a bit…weird, don’tcha think? Almost kinky.”
“That’s enough, Kevin,” Mitch snapped. “Rob didn’t even recognise me when we met.”
“But I bet you jumped him the moment you found out who he was, just to get back at me.” Kevin’s eyes burned into Rob.
“This has nothing to do with you,” Rob said to Kevin. The age-old hurt bubbled back to the surface.
Kevin looked much older than his forty-five years. Booze, drugs or a combination of both had taken their toll on the once handsome face and hard-muscled body. He stood there, paunched stomach, creased face, stooped, looking more like he was sixty. He held on to the corner of the counter, balancing himself.He’s fucking drunk,Rob thought.
