Page 8 of His Reward
Dad’s familiar laugh breaks the moment and my eye-contact with Malcolm.He’s sitting at one of the tables, chatting with a woman I don’t know.
They look like two people having a friendly conversation, but I know my father too well.There are clues that things aren’t so innocent between them.They’re sitting too close.She touches his arm too much.Dad’s head is cocked, that stupid smile on his face he always thinks is so charming.
How can he be so shameless?He’s blatantly flirting with another woman at his daughter’s engagement party.I have half a mind to go over there and tell him to have some class, but I don’t want to make a scene.
Out of sight, out of mind.
I take a deep breath and head for the exit to the balcony.
5
June
A cool breeze sweeps away my disgust with Dad the moment I’m outside.The music and voices become muffled when the door closes behind me.
Other guests are on the balcony, but it’s quiet out here.I lean against the metal railing and admire the breathtaking view of the night skyline.Jeremy’s parents must have paid a pretty penny to book this rooftop restaurant for the party.
My phone pings from inside my clutch.I take it out and read the new text message in the notification bar.
Denise: How’s the party?Met any cute guys?;)
I make a face, hesitating to respond.The party was going well until I saw my dad flirting with a woman who isn’t his wife, and the only cute guy I’ve paid attention to is forbidden.
June: None that are available.:( How’s your night going?
Denise starts typing.Several seconds pass as the ellipsis animation plays, then her message finally pops up.
Denise: Looking at apartments.
I smile.All that typing for just three words?I thought she was tapping out a whole short story.What she said is surprising, though.
Denise and I were in the same year at high school, but we shared different friend circles.We became good friends after we wound up living in the same apartment building by coincidence.
When she and her boyfriend—well,ex-boyfriendnow—got evicted, her stepbrother Isaac generously offered his basement to them rent-free.Matt went to prison, and Denise ended up dating and living with Isaac.
Why would she be looking for an apartment?Denise calls me as I’m typing out the question.
“Because Isaac and I are moving to Vancouver,” she says, as if she read my mind.
My smile falls, my shoulders slumping under the weight of the news.
“What?That’s so far away!Why?”
“Isaac got a really good job offer from a company there.”
“Oh.”I pause.“But that’s a newprovince.Are you sure you’re ready for a big move like that?”
“Yeah, I’m ready.”Her excitement infects her voice, which worsens my disappointment.“I’ve never been outside of Ontario my whole life, so this will be interesting.I also found some salons there that pay better than where I’m working.It’s not so scary since I’m not doing it alone.Isaac and I will be together.”
We chat some more about her impending move, then end the call on a promise to meet up before she leaves Toronto.
My eyebrows pull together as I stare at Denise’s text.This night is truly like a five hundred dollar vacuum cleaner.Itsupersucks.
It’s bad enough Penny moved out three months ago.Now my closest friend is moving several hours away too.We’ll keep in touch, but I’ll miss seeing Denise and hanging out with her.What worries me the most is that the long distance might weaken our friendship.
No, I should be happy for my friend.She’s living her best life.She found a man who is crazy in love with her, and she’s about to go off and start a new life with him.
What’s funny is that Denise hid her relationship with Isaac from me for a while.Which is understandable since it’s taboo.But I knew they were dating before she admitted it to me.
