Amelie Beaulieu was overwhelmed by everything that was going on with her children. Genevieve had taken up with this Dante Mendoza who dabbled in a life of crime. There were condoms in her purse and she was openly telling this boy she loved him. The boy wanted to straighten out and Gen supported him, Felix supported them. She loved Felix but she wished he might take a firmer stance sometimes. They had to protect the children. She was only 15 after all. Sasha’s whirlwind romance seems to pale in comparison to his sister. At least Paige Page seems to be law abiding and had no profane finger tattoos. Cath needed to do some bridge the gap learning during the summer as her end of year grades from St. Pierre were way too low. She hadn’t flunked but it was clear she didn’t have a strong foundation in either Math or ELA. Rene had started a fire recently in the kitchen but of all her children his cooking disasters were manageable and few and far between. He didn’t fight her or withhold anything. Rene was still her baby, and open book, the boy who loved frogs. He kept her from totally losing it when the other three pushed her to the brink.
The dental appointments were only scheduled until 4 today and she decided to go for a walk to clear her head and try to meet her children with an open heart and mind at the dinner table. Felix was so good with the older ones. She needed to try to be on his team and not lose her connections. He had hung around after work chatting with the eye doctor, Dr. Greyson Page. Paige’s father, they had learned. The wife had died and Amelie was one of those women who befriended women more easily than men so she was struggling a bit with Greyson. She liked him, but clearly the budding new friend connection was between Felix and Grey, not the three of them. It was good for Felix to make a friend though. He needed that. She left them too it and wandered through the town still in her aqua coloured dental scrubs with her small grey and purple sporty purse and blue and white sneakers walking in a bit of a big circuit.
Amelie had a vice, especially when she was feeling defeated. She needed chocolate. She was looking at the coffee shop but it was crowded, crowded with teenagers and she was pretty sure at least one of hers was in there. Sure enough she saw Gen at a table with her friend Elise Girard. You couldn’t miss that tiny young woman and her ever present toques. “All that hair, she must be boiling!” Amele muttered to herself. But she chose not to go in and hover, causing more strife between she and Genevieve. Instead she turned and walked past the laundromat and noticed a pink and purple shop. Well if that didn't say candy what did? She casually stepped inside to a glaring moment of instant regret.
Seamus Reinhardt was working on a new display. Candy Kisses .. a new line of flavored lubricants and gels. He’d tried to sort them in alphabetical order, but that didn’t work. Then he tried by color and still … no go. He was considering other options when the door opened. He turned in his kneeling position. “Can I help you?” he asked as he stood, slowly. It was a woman, who he, of course, got on famously with for the most part, even if his flirtations these days were strictly professional.
Amelie heard a familiar voice and looked around and then down and did a little almost jump back “Seamus?!” She stared at him. He seemed to be working….in here. “This is a sex shop…” She stated the obvious but like she was trying to talk herself through it “I didn’t know this was here.” And then she looked at him again “Or that THIS was where you worked…” Her son’s best friend works in a sex shop. Her daughter is having sex with a criminal. God was testing her. She lets out a long breath.
Seamus is completely unperturbed. “Yup. Had to get parental permission, but yes I work here.” he motions around at the books, magazines, dildoes and vibrators, condoms and other sex themed items. “Well, there’s no sign on the door. DIscretion, you know how it is.” his smile remains light. “Can I show you anything?” He had helped his own mother with selections from the shop, so his best friend's mother was hardly a stretch. He'd sell a maturbation sleeve to Justin Trudeau if the man walked in looking for one.
Now Seamus was trying to engage her as a customer and she was completely flustered. As a devout Catholic woman her sexuality was very behind closed doors in the intimacy of her marriage bed, not to be discussed in a shop with a young friend of any of her children “No….” She tries to keep her tone polite, extra polite even “I don’t think this is the shop I meant to walk into today. You say your parents...gave you permission to take this job?” Her head is spinning. She liked this kid, but he was a kid and friends with one of hers. This was a place where the trains would NEVER meet.
Seamus gives a win some lose some casual shrug. “Innocent mistake. It happens.” and then he nods. “Yes. I was already a customer and I know what they sell, what it does and how it can help prevent pregnancy or disease … I explained it to my parents and I guess I impressed them with the straight up facts of the health benefits so … they signed.” he smiled at her. But if she wanted to leave .. and she sort of looked like she wanted to run … he’d be ok with it.
Amelie nodded along. She knew in her logical mind all of the health and medical things he was saying were valid. It just shifted her view a bit about how this young man might influence her son. Mind you, could things get any worse? At least Seamus would tell Sasha to use condoms, which she assumed he would already. “Your parents are very...modern thinking.” She took one more glance around and sighed “I’m going to leave you to your…” She looked at the candy lube display in front of her he was still near and the irony was not lost on her. She had been looking for candy, just not this kind. “Your work….” She trailed off “Stay safe Seamus.” She meant it in so many ways. The kids, hers and the towns seemed to be in a face for the festivals of flesh presented by the world at such a rapid pace. She really wanted to have an open mind. It was going to have to be something she walked with and prayed about. She gave a little wave and stepped out beginning to wander down the street again and ending up in the pharmacy, almost aimlessly looking at the display of chocolate bars there. She needed something, a kit kat even….
“Stay safe, Mrs. Beaulieu.” he calls after her and, not moving an inch, takes his phone out of his back pocket and sends a text to Sasha before going back to work;
You will NEVER believe who just came in the shop!
Colleen Reinhardt had gotten off work early, but she wasn’t willing to go home. She had a prescription to pick up anyway, so she stopped in. Brayden saw her and had it ready for her. He smiled at her and she smiled back as she paid and took her package. She turned to leave spotting a woman looking at the chocolate selections. Not really recognising the woman, she stopped. “If you want the good stuff, you want Earthcakes. Perfect place for a sweet tooth.” she chuckles. “I just talked my own into it right now.”
Sasha had just gotten off the phone with the community centre manager. His job interview for summer soccer coordinator had of course been cancelled due to the closure. He sighed and looked up the number for the deli, deciding to give them a follow up call. He was about to dial when Seamus’s text came through. He smirked at it and texted back:
Your mother?
It was a cheap trash talk pot shot but he couldn’t resist. He dialed the Deli and had a short but productive chat with Bobby Anderson, managing to schedule and interview for the next day’s morning,
Amelie heard a woman speak to her about the good stuff and dropped the kit kat back on the row “I need something stronger than a stale bar. Do you mind if I follow you?” She smiled warmly “I’m Amelie. Amelie Beaulieu.” She stuck out a hand to shake.
Seamus had arranged the display to his satisfaction in a rainbow pattern when the reply came through. He snorts at it, loving the trash talk. He replies.
No. Not my mother. YOURS. I swear to god! I think she thought we were some kind of candy shop. We ARE but if the look on her face was any indication, not the kind she was looking for. So if your mom looks at you funny … it’s because your best friend is a pervert who works in a sex shop.
Colleen smiles. “I don’t mind a bit. I’m Colleen. Lets go get something great!” she lead the way to Earthcakes and stops in the door to appreciate the place. Then she begins to browse … which was worth the time and temptation.
Sasha was puttering around now, doing a few chores around the house. He loaded the dishwasher and ran it and then started on the garbage and recycling when his phone chimed again and he almost dropped it into the blue bin as his jaw dropped too. HIS mother? He can’t help but crack up after as he texts back.
Holy shit! I’m amazed you didn’t need to call the paramedics, or that priest. I don’t think she’s ever been in a shop like that before. I hope she was polite….ah she’s always polite so we never really know. That’s so funny though. Don’t worry. She’ll live. Nothing can match what my sister is throwing at them right now so you’re golden, even if you are a pervert XD
Amelie steps into Earthcakes with Colleen and just inhales “Oh my…..this is much better….” She methodically scours every display and counter “how do I choose…” She’s momentarily forgotten all her parenting stress. Colleen had saved her “What do you recommend Colleen? I like chocolate.” He accent on the word makes it sound like the French Chocolat.
Seamus is leaning on the counter laughing as he reads. He continues to chuckle as he replies back.
She hasn’t … I know a virgin when I see one. She was very polite, even when I told her about parental permission then asked her if I could show her anything. She left then, for some reason. Which sister and what? Cath didn’t try and do homework, then go on a killing spree, did she?
He sends it, curious now.
Colleen agrees with the assessment of her new French friend. She straightens and looks around a bit, considering her favorites. “It depends. A simple chocolate chip cookie from here is fantastic. If you want more, go for the cube cakes. And if you want even more … for those days the husband is exceptionally good or bad, then you want the triple chocolate selections … Cakes, cookies or brownies.” she had noted the wedding ring.
Amelie listens carefully and then giggles “Oh the triple then…..not that he is bad. He’s way too good...at parenting our teenagers while I drown myself in my own failings. God I miss when they were babies.” She looks over the counter at the woman behind it “May I have a triple chocolate brownie please Madame?” She smiles back at Colleen.
Sasha is just coming back from rolling the recycling and garbage bins to the curb for the next morning’s pick up when he hears his phone chime again and checks his texts. He nods with a knowing look and replies:
Do you know a guy named Dante Mendoza? Gen is dating him. I knew but Mere did not...Dad knew. Long story. They got arrested. I think it was more about him but it’s not making my mother love the idea of him. Cath could wrap all kind of bodies in her failed algebra tests right now and my mother would just step right the fuck over them on her way to her rosary beads.
Colleen grins and cants her head. “Really? You’re surely too hard on yourself, Amelie, but I get it. Teenagers have a way of making you feel that of all your choices, being a mother is the worst because they buck you at every turn.” she sighs and nods to Zilpha. “Make it two, Zilpha. John’s been pretty good and we get the house to ourselves more.” she glances at a carafe on the counter.
Zilpha Ainsworth smiles at the women and gets them each a brownie. She sniffs when she looks at Colleen. “It’s Perkatory, Colleen. Relax. I learned my lesson on making coffee a long time ago.” she chuckles and tells them their total.
Seamus makes sure the shelves are neat and all. It was a lull. He reads the text and winces.
Yea. I know Dante. He’s with … Gen? WOW. He must have done something right in another life. UGH on the arrest. And in comparison … I can see that with the rosary beads. I hope she’s met Fr O’Keeffe .. don’t tell her he’s kinda a friend of the family. She’s been through enough don’t you think?
He sends and puts his phone in his pocket, then moves to get the ancient vacuum. He hates vacuuming but the job can’t be great all the time.
Amelie glances at the carafe as well “I’ll have a coffee too please.” She gets out her card ready to pay. She nods at Colleen “It’s just been one of those weeks…..” She sighs after she pays “And looking for chocolate, I inavertanely walked into a sex shop. I didn’t even know we had that...low and behold my son's best friend works there. I just about fainted.” She crosses herself, half jokingly but not totally.
Sasha heads into the garage and wheels out the lawnmower. He casually wanders around the yard first picking up the bigger sticks so they won’t get caught and when he’s part way through he gets Seamus reply. He texts back:
I’m a little freaked by the arrest part of it myself. I don’t want my sister to have a record because she falls for the wrong guy. She says he’s trying to go straight. I fuckin hope so. And they met Father O’Keeffe...they might know all that. It was the Sunday after Coffee Ink, and my sister was in the police station.
Colleen nods in understanding as they pay. She nods them to tables by the window and sits. She chuckles as she chokes a bit on her coffee. “Oh .. that pink and purple building? Yea …. That’s the Love Shack…” she clears her throat when she mentions that her sons best friend works there. There’s only one male employee at the Love Shack. “Small town’s, right …. Um … because that would be … Seamus. My youngest. I’m Colleen Reinhardt….” she looks equal parts sorry, amused and afraid she might have just lost a chocolate buddy.
Seamus happily stops cleaning to read and reply to the text.
Dante’s troubled. He saw shit no one ever wants to see at the beginning of the fog. Wasn’t perfect before that but after it was bad. So Gen might be the angel he needs? And Fr Liam is cool. Not like most priests. Not getting ME in church but cool anyway.
Amelie sits and nods with a little unintentional eye roll. Then Colleen goes on and she freezes with her mouth open and the brownie bite in suspended animation. She sets the brownie down and looks ashamed “Seamus...is your son? Oh…” She sighs and smiles “He’s a wonderful boy. Colleen I’m sorry, I was raised very Catholic. I have to wrap my head around how young people have changed….maybe they haven’t. Perhaps I am narrow minded. Small town but NOT like this one at all. This is my struggle right now. And I feel like I’m pushing my children away…” Suddenly she chokes up and just cries. She hasn’t had another mother to talk to in a very long time. Felix is there for her but he’s so effortless with all this she feels like he doesn’t understand her. “I’m sorry...I know I just met you…”
Sasha does the front lawn and stops before moving to the back, towing off his shoes and going in for a glass of water. As he drinks it against the counter he reads the next text and lets out a little sigh. He hoped Gen was strong enough for what Seamus meant by troubled. He answers him:
I know Gen has a good heart. Hopefully hers doesn’t break healing his. And you and me both on the church front. I made a decision recently that my mother won’t like. I don’t want to go to Christmas mass. I know we have many months...but she won’t like it. I’ll still be with them, but for the home part. Although I don’t know here for ferries and the holiday, maybe no one will go unless it’s online. I don’t want to do that either.
Colleen listens and when her new friend starts to cry takes her hand. “No sorrys, Amelie.” she soothes. “We’re pretty much Catholic on paper only, except for Kaitlin, my mother-in-law. And Seamus…” she sighs. “He was my baby, but then he hit thirteen it all blew up in my face, especially with the sex. I’m a mother AND a nurse and I was convinced he’d get someone pregnant .. or worse catch something that would kill him.” she shrugs. “But they surprise you. Now he has a steady girlfriend … it turned out his older brother got the girl pregnant. He’s 18 … and she’s an older woman with a child of her own. But Owen … he has always wanted a family just like his … I try and take that as a compliment.” She smiles softly. “At least with Seamus as Sasha’s best friend you know your son is safe on that front?” she offers and then laughs. “Did I just call my son responsible?”
Seamus finishes the cleaning and moves back to the counter, checking his messages.
I hope so, too. And I get you on the church thing. The ferry damn near runs 24 hours so people can get to mass. I don’t even know what I’m going to do, since the family is all over the island now. I’m stuck on Halloween when Fi and Vincent have their wedding. FUCK I didn’t invite Iris and I should. Will she get ideas?
He sends it and blows out a breath. Then the door opens and Kitty Carmichael walks in. She was always fun, even if she was one of the owners.
Amelie squeezes Colleen’s hand “Oh mon dieu...that came so much sonner for you than me. Thirteen? I don’t think my heart would survive that. My Rene is 13, he’s still such a child. And even at 18….getting someone pregnant….do they all live with you?” She sighs as her head spins “I knew Sasha was having sex around 15...he doesn’t think I knew but in our car. My husband is either in denial or I don’t know. The girl wore patchouli and it was in the carpets in the trunk...the back seats fold down all the way in a Subaru you know….I knew. Now Gen is 15….Colleen it’s too much. And this boy…Dante Mendoza....yes for condoms. I am not one of those Catholics. But I want my children to have love, and safety, real love, not some meaningless roll in the hay. And yes, I think you did call him responsible…” She laughs “He is good for Sasha. I haven’t seen him laugh so hard in a long time, and he’s a goofy guy.”
Sasha is about to head out to the back and gets Seamus next text and fires off a quick one before mowing the back:
Just bring Iris as your date? Do you really think your sister would mind? Is it like family only? I mean dude, if she’s it for you, then she’s pretty much family. Know what I’m saying. I’d bring Paige if it was my sister. Not that she’s marrying Dante. If that’s going on we really will need an ambulance for my mother.
Colleen nods. “Yes. All of our kids were young. Even my daughter, but she was responsible .. asked me for permission to take the pill before she and Vinent had their first time. She chuckles about the Subaru. “Well, I met John at school here. I lived here but he was from the mainland. His parents paid a bit extra but worth it … well for me, anyway. He and I were 15 when he took my virginity.” she has no idea but assumes for maternal sanity that her Gen had been a virgin before she met the boy. “And we've been together ever since.” she shrugs. “Rare, I know … but my daughter and Vincent haven’t ever been with another, so maybe it's not. Just tell yourself that they are in love and never look at another.” then she gasps. “Dante…..” her mouth forms a little O. “Oh, Amelie … think it even more with Dante. Three times as much … Five…”
Seamus shoots the shit with Kitty for a while and basks in her praise of how he's been doing as an employee. He loves the job and isn’t at all worried about it coming back to bite him in hte as, as his father seemed to think it might. Kitty goes into the office after a while and Seamus reads Sasha’s reply and considers.
I sort of don’t care what my sis thinks. Iris is it! I know it! Haven’t told HER but … and my mother is a nurse and my brother an EMT, so we got your mom if the whole Dante/Gen thing becomes too much for her. Maybe if Dante marries her your mom will relax? Its not waiting but it proves he loves her?
He sends the text and leans back, thinking more about marriages and Iris than he wants to.
Sasha finishes the back so it’s awhile before his next reply. And by then he’s boiling so he lets the mower rest while he takes off his shoes and socks and his shirt and just lays on the cool of the fresh cut lawn in his blue jeans with his bare back sinking into the earth and his legs splayed like he’s simply collapsed. Summer days! It’s almost sleepy but as a red blooded technology addicted teen he has to check his phone and sees Seamus’s latest . Iris is it. He knew that of course. He laughs about the medical family support offers. Tiredly he replies:
She’s it huh? Totally called it. Have you dropped the L word on her? Not to make it all mush...but hey, I like the mush. I think it’ll just be good if they can keep the cops out of it for now.
Sasha stretches out his arms now and lets himself have a well deserved light snooze while he was still gainfully unemployed.
Amelie sighs, looking pained “but they told you. My problem is mine shut me out. I mean I’ve said some crazy things I admit, trying to keep them safe. Wait until marriage….” She sighs “Haven’t heard a peep since. Maybe if I put up signs with condoms that say have all the sex they’ll tell me everything? I don’t actually want to know details and positions, just….are they ok...emotionally….I have a lot of baggage. I know i just met you but maybe you have one of those faces?” She laughs. “Maybe it’s a nurse thing. You were 15...I was 18. Felix and I did not wait...and it was love. It got complicated awhile later…” She frowns and looks away and then tunes back in looking alarmed “What do I need to know about this Dante? I mean besides his criminal history and that he’s sleeping with my Gen?”
Seamus was resting against the wall daydreaming when the reply came in. Kitty comes through and is out the door. He waves absently as he reads. The L word?
I haven't. It's too scary for some reason. Shit, we haven't even had sex. Everything BUT sex. I'll have to think of a place. You know Iris and I love to live dangerously. Maybe camping? No, that'd be TOO secure. LOL Where do you and Paige go?
He rereads and sends, then picks up a magazine. He's always amazed ... the articles aren't half bad.
Colleen shakes her head and snorts. "Seamus didn't tell us. John caught him in the woods with a girl against a tree." she rubs at her temple and takes a large swallow of coffee. "It may be my being a nurse, or it's that we've bonded and big time .. all without having to have sex with each other." she giggles. “It sounds strange but .. do your KIDS know that? That it's OK if they’re in love .. and your still together so .. complicated is that test that proves the love, you know?” she paused at the Dante question. “Dante’s mother lost everything but Dante after the earthquake we had here in ‘17. She left him at home, rented a room at the Olin and hung herself. After a while Dante came looking for her and saw her … hanging there. He was only 12, Amelie. He’s been with Lydia ever since, but he lashed out. A fight club mostly … and some crime I’ve heard.” she sighs deeply unable to fathom the life Dante had led.
Sasha feels the phone vibrate in his hand and stirs. He was mostly just resting. He blinks a bit and then reads and has to laugh before he replies.
Not to kiss and tell...or...whatever but we haven’t either. Other things yes. And I dare not tell you our spot or you’ll occupy it. LOL but probably not at the same time. The seawall behind their house. There’s a big flat rock below. Maybe take a softer blanket. Camping would be good though. And better than getting arrested right?
Sasha grins thinking about that big flat rock and feels compelled to text Paige after Seamus:
You’re probably working but I just wanted to remind you that you’re beautiful and I love you. Thinking about you XOXO.
And just because his hormones get the better of him he takes a shirtless selfie of him lying on the grass and grinning at her and sends that too. But to his horror he realizes he’s on the wrong contact and has in fact sent the sweet shirtless selfie to Seamus instead, without realizing it. The words at least went to Paige.
Amelie’s eyes go wide and she slaps her hand over them in solidarity with Colleen and John’s experience with Seamus. Then she laughs hard about bonding without sex. She hadn’t had another gal pal to joke with in far too long. She nods “You mean I should admit I said the wrong thing?” She nods a bit. Then the story of Dante cuts right through her and her entire being fills with compassion for his pain “Oh my god….he was 12…..” She looks like she’s been winded. “It makes more sense now. Lydia...Lydia is so good with him….thank god for her in his life….” She holds onto her heart “I wonder if Gen knows all that….”
Seamus gets the text and is reading it when a picture pops up. He laughs for five minutes before he can read the text and can finally reply.
Noting the seawall for later. How and why are we going so slow with these girls? I mean … Iris and I .. I can’t explain it … but the time is near. If you have a tent, go to the NW corner of the island .. deep in the north woods. Theres a clearing, campfire and room for a tent. I'd go there not with girls .. to think. If you don't have a tent, I do. Oh and you look sexy in the grass but the girls would kill us if they knew you felt this way about me.
He sends it, smirking over his last line.
Colleen nods. “Better your kids know you’re human than to open yourself to being called a hypocrite, I think.” then she nods about Dante. “Lydia is good with kids .. more than good. One of her fosters still lives here and he is a good man.” she squeezes Amelie’s hand. “If he loves her, he told her.”
Sasha is feeling pretty good about himself, having just sent a shirtless picture to his girlfriend. He hears a chime and is ready to flirt or more if she wants and then he sees it’s from Seamus and can see his picture in the wrong thread above it “Motherfucking son of a bitch!” He types as fast as he can.
Fuck fuck fuck fuck. That was for Paige! Wrong window! I’m mean dude, you’re a looker but you’re not the droids i’m looking for. Thanks for the camping info though. Got a tent to pitch a tent XD
Sasha can’t help but laugh as he hits send. Thank god it was Seamus at least and not someone in his family, his mom would be a bad mistext. Now he very carefully goes to Paige’s thread, attaches the picture and double checks her name before he hits send. Then he falls back and slightly dies.
Amelie squeezes back “That’s good to know, about Lydia’s fosters. The scary thing is...I think he...and they do….love each other.” She lets go of the hand and begins to eat the brownie finally. Then she has to point at it and exclaim “Triple! Absolutement!”
Seamus reads the reply and winds up on the floor, literally rolling with laughter. When he finally replies, he does it still laying on the floor.
I’m glad to know that. Paige will be too. Enjoy your camping … Let me know when and I might check out that ledge behind their house … or some of the trees behind my own. Pretty dense trees down by the water.
He sends it and looks up. Nicodemus Caito is leaning over the counter looking at him. “There isn’t a sane Reinhardt in the whole bunch, is there?” he asks mildly.
Colleen smiles. “Then be happy they have love. Because … they might need it. I know about his tattoos, but I think every one of them is meaningful. Even the ones on his knuckles.” then Amelie reacts to the brownies. “Right? Like I said … if he’s been good these are perfect for a night with him … if he’s NOT … these are perfect for a night WITHOUT him.”
Amelie has to giggle “Chocolate vs sex...oh i don’t know…..with the age of our kids I think chocolate is still more likely...and we’ve been so stressed lately. I shut down...it’s not fair to Felix really. Who is Selena? On Dante’s arm in a heart….is it an ex girlfriend?”
Sasha reads all the places around town and makes a mental log as well as looking to the trees behind his own house. Mind you with his luck Rene would come out looking for frogs. He can feel the sun singing him a bit now and pulls his shirt back on as he takes a walk around in his bare feet.
Seamus rolls his eyes and gets off of the floor. “Not one.” he agrees. “What can I get for you, Nico?”
Colleen nods. “It happens sometimes. John and I actually separated for a while … every day was like swimming through ground glass.” she looks at Amelie across their table. “Selena … was his mother’s name. As if he could forget he loved her.”
Amelie shudders and winces “You separated…..that’s so scary. How, if you don’t mind my asking, did you work it out?” She closes her eyes about the name Selena “Selena...of course. That makes more sense as a permanent name on his body than someone he dates in his early teens. Colleen I wish I had known all this...I would have been much kinder. I don’t think I was rude but I...I mean we were coming from the police station.”
Sasha runs back briefly for his shoes and puts them on again and ends up walking down by the water now enjoying a solitary exploration of this extended part of the yard. He realizes he’s essentially looking at the inlet where Seamus said Owen fell through the ice. He took a picture in the direction of the Reinhardt house and sent it to Seamus:
You guys really skate on this in the winter?
Colleen nods. "It worked out. John is in therapy ... his father was ... horrible. Racist and homophobic and abusive to his wife and sons." then she nods. "Maybe someday your daughter will have a place. I have a place on John's and his brother Michael has a tattoo commemorating his love for his wife.
Seamus took care of Nico, selling him a small box of condoms. Once he is alone again, he checks his texts and sees Sasha’s. He laughs as he replies.
Yup. Most of it freezes solid. Owen tries speed skating and usually winds up flying out into the ocean.
He grins as he sends. He could hardly wait for winter.
Amelie listens with a look of great sympathy “How awful for him.” She sighs “They are young. We shall see. That is very sweet about your family and tattooing. It took me so long just to pierce my ears..” She moves her tiny little sleeper hoops around. “Do you have a tattoo Colleen? I’ve never even considered it myself. It looks so painful when I’ve seen it on TV.
Sasha ends up walking along through the trees behind all the houses. He’s got time after all. He wanders along the shoreline. It’s so peaceful. This will be his nexx romantic walk with Paige. He’s lost track of time now and ends up passing the back of the library and notices an odd looking tree. He walks a little closer. It’s big and old with a hollow near the bottom. Something could totally live in there. Sasha lets his imagination have a jaunt and leans to look in “Hello? Otters?” He enjoys his little joke and then looks totally confused “What the actual fuck?” He takes out his phone again and snaps a picture and sends it to Seamus with a caption.
OK this town is really fucking weird. This tree is full of shoes, single shoes of all sizes.
Collen chuckles. "I have stretch marks. That's enough for me." she admits. "I think I'd need a lot of wine to get a tattoo. And I still have John, so ... now that the kids are moving out we almost have the house to ourselves." she sighs, almost dreamily.
Seamus stretches as his day comes closer to an end. Megan would be taking over soon. She felt better in the afternoons. He looks at his phone and looks at the picture Sasha sent. He thinks and then laughs.
OK … my uncle was telling us about this. There’s beena rash of shoe thefts. I shit you not only one shoe. So .. yea … send that pic to my uncle. He’s a cop. I won’t let them arrest you, honest.
Amelie laughs “Oh don’t get me started on stretch marks. My stretch marks have stretch marks. My sister Marie-Christine...MC we call her seemed to be spared them...I swear I don’t know where she grew her baby…” She looks fascinated by the house with space “Mon dieu what will you do with their rooms? I can’t even imagine that.” She’s truly curious.
Sasha reads the reply and shakes his head around. Only in this town. He shoots back:
Some kind of crack pot? Can you text me his number please?
Sasha looks into the tree again and marvels. Only one of each shoe.
Colleen laughs. "Sounds like she had ONE baby. You had .. how many? I had four ... three of them are Irish triplets. One after the other. John was so ... fertile." she laughs and then looks dreamy. "I'm not sure. John and I are still talking about who gets it an what they'll do with it. But Seamus has a regular girlfriend now so I expect she'll be hanging around but maybe he'll spend the night with her and we'll be able to have more fun." she grins.
Seamus reads the reply and gives his opinion.
In Alexandra? Probably. Take your pick!
He gives his uncle's number and sends it along.
Amelie laughs and nods “Yes one for MC. And goodness me...well good for you two with the Irish triplets.” She looks amazed Colleen is hopeful that Seamus spends his nights away “You’re very good at seeing the bright side of all things. Yes I had 4 as well..I...I had another pregnancy...it was..” She breaks off and drinks a fortifying sip of her coffee “It wasn’t Felix’s….we were together...I didn’t choose it. But I also don’t...beleive in abortion. I lost it….god’s will…” Her gaze is on her cup and her voice is shaky.
Sasha nods and texts Michael Reinhardt with a caption and the picture.
Hi there Officer Reinhardt. I’m a friend of Seamus’s. I just found a tree full of shoes, single shoes. He told me the cops were looking for a shoe thief. I’m behind the library, just happened upon it.
Colleen smiles. "I've shared the house with them. Now .. Logan has an apartment with his boyfriend that’s attached to the house, but not in the house, Fiona lives with Vincent .. they're getting married in October. And Owen lives with Slaine. They're having triplets ... so I'm okay with not having them in the house plus Liam, her five year old." and then she sighs. As a nurse she's heard many many ways for rape to be called rape and she reaches for Amelie's hand again. She says nothing, as there’s nothing to say.
Michael Reinhardt is at his desk, typing up reports. He’s in civilian clothes, but his badge is on his jeans for all to see. His phone goes off and he reaches into his back pocket for it. Reading it and looking at the picture, he can’t help but laugh. “Hey Ryan .... I think we’ve solved the missing shoe case…” he replies, but then hands his phone to his partner chuckling.
Thanks. We’ll be there in a few.
Sending it, he waits. He figures they can take a trash bag or two … maybe take some prints … mostly because … do they really want to take this case into a court of law?
Amelie squeezes the hand back “Thank you. Did you say triplets? Not Irish triplets but triplet triplets? Owen is the 18 year old?” She blinks “I could not imagine Sasha with triplets next year...and they have a five year old? That’s 4 almost instantly……”
Ryan Yamada looks up from his monitor and smiles “Really?” And then he makes a face “I hope it’s not something gross like an old guy wanking in a closet with them.”
Sasha sits down by the hollow tree. He’s a little curious as to how it will all go. He texts Seamus back.
The cops are coming to look. I feel like I’m on one of those crime shows. It’s so exciting!
Now he takes a selfie with the shoe hollow behind him and sends that to Seamus with the words.
Collen nods. “Triplet triplets. I saw the ultrasound before they did.” she scoffs. “I think I would have killed John .. as it is one of the reasons I left was because I was afraid I’d get pregnant again. And part of it was … John had a vasectomy .. he isn’t Catholic enough to risk his marriage, thank god.” she sighs and nods. “Yes … Owen wants a large family but … I expect to be leaned on quite heavily. John and I. And I wouldn’t blame them.”
Michael sorts and stands getting into his suit jacket because it looks professional. “God please no. It’s a tree behind the library.” he heads for the break room, grabbing a couple of garbage bags. Then they head out, taking a cruiser to the library and parking their car.
Seamus gets the text and replies.
I’m kind of jealous. I’m stuck at work on a boring day. Keep me informed!
He sends it and looks for another shelf to straighten up or something.
Amelie sighs “Wow, congratulations.” She laughs a little “I’m sure they’ll lean on you a lot.” She doesn’t comment on the birth control part of their conflict. “I do of course want grandchildren someday but I hope it’s when the kids are ready. I know young people don’t marry, but your daughter is and that’s fantastic.”
Sasha sits and looks at the ocean and then reads another reply from Seamus and types back:
Well if it makes you feel better I have a job interview tomorrow so my carefree days might be over. The Deli. The community centre soccer is on hold because of the issues after the quake. Oh I see them….holy it’s an older you!
Sasha can immediately tell who Seamus’s uncle is and stands up smiling at both cops to greet them “Hi there. You’re an older Seamus. That’s fantastic!” He looks at the other officer who looks nothing like Seamus “I’m Sasha Beaulieu. Seamus is my best friend….and this is the tree.” He gestures.
Ryan gives the kid a smile and nod as he starts walking up and then snorts at what he said about Mike “Old man Seamus.” He chides. “Hi Sasha, I’m Ryan Yamada. Actually related to Seamus too as Mike here is married to my sister Steph. Small towns eh?” He steps to look into the tree “Oh that’s a lot shoes…..”
Sasha loves the small town thing. “Ah yes I know it well….the only difference from where I’m from is everyone’s related and French. This is way more interesting. Only one of each shoe!”
Colleen smiles at being leaned on. She still wanted to be needed. It was important to her. "Vincent is a bit more Catholic than we are." she admits. "I've heard he was talking marriage early in their relationship. she chuckles. "Fiona told me he wanted to wait until marriage to have sex. His father was an ass and abusive." she remembers Gino D'Antoni and clears her throat. "He wanted to be a better man. Well they didn't wait but Vinent is still an amazing man."
Seamus double checks the hand sanitizer stations and finds them alright. He looks at the replies and reads then chuckles.
Cool! Seamus and Sasha! Sex and Sandwiches! We’ll start up the promotion of a lifetime! Yea …. Thank god … that’s the brother that still has hair!
Michael walks up to the young man and laughs, the snorts at Ryan. "Yes. Michael Reinhardt. The genes in our family are strong. Good to met you, Sasha. Good to finally meet you." he moves with Ryan to look at the tree. "Yea, Ryan's a rebel. His wife isn't even Canadian. Oooooo." he looks at the shoes. "Alright .... I suppose we could cordon off the area, take pictures and prints. Full scene of crime stuff. But I think a few pictures and get the shoes." he pulls a small digital camera out of his pocket. "Then look and see who's missing shoes." he looks at one after the pictures. then sniffs. "Yes, I am looking for clues, shut up." He holds one of the shoes up. “Ryan. Teeth marks.”
Amelie looks pleased about this Catholic future son in law. This town had little pockets of them “And your mother in law as well? Father Liam came to see Felix and I. Sasha and Seamus and Paige and Iris ended up having dinner with her and the priest, and does she have a husband, the one who made your husband need therapy?” Amelie’s not clear on that part and now she feels a little wary of this event her son partook in. She’s still trying to catalogue all these new connections in this town. She circles back to the Vincent topic “Perhaps Vincent’s father, and again that’s awful, and John’s father being awful helps them, Vincent and John relate?”
Sasha is loving this. “Can I stay and watch you guys? Like a ride along?” Sasha nods sagely “Teeth marks yes…”
Ryan snorts at Michael’s shot at India “You make it sound like she’s an illegal immigrant or something. Cordon off the area? For shoes….teeth marks? See now it’s just a sicko with a tree hollow.” He doesn’t explain the joke to Sasha and is amused by the kid’s enthusiasm “Since there’s no people involved, yeah you can watch. But let us do the analyzing.”
Sasha straightens to his full height and nods with a little salute. He desperately wants to text Seamus but now he’s in the crime scene. He casually takes out his phone, laughs and replies:
Sandwiches to refuel your energy for round 2! I’m probably not supposed to talk about the crime scene but they’re letting me watch. It’s practically a ride along!
Colleen nods. "Yes. Heinrich is dead. It wasn't ... well ... honestly it was a shock, but no one was sad. I feel like Kaitlin feels free now. I'm very glad she came to live with us here on the island." she clears her throat. "Vincent's father is still wanted on sexual assault charges, but I think he may be in prison now. But yes, John and Vinent relate very well. And I know Vincent loves Fiona. It's in his eyes when he looks at her and even when he talks about her." and that makes Colleen very happy.
Michael nods Sasha over. "Sure. Come take a look. This isn't the most secure crime scene, but I don't think I'll lose my badge over it." he smirks at Ryan. "India is legal ... I checked YEARS ago." he teases and then rolls his eyes. "Dog teeth marks, Mister Clean." he laughs. "And a big one, by the looks of it." he looks up and around, as if expecting them to be surrounded by large dogs all growling and after their shoes. "So who has a big dog with a shoe fetish?"
Seamus reads the reply and laughs.
And Round 3 ... we're still young! You could become a cop. Here that's usually more social work than anything but still LOL
Amelie grimaces “Poor Vincent and your husband and mother in law. I will pray for their continued healing.” She looks curious now “How did you let go….you talk of Vincent looking at Fiona with love, which in my logical mind is beautiful. But when I saw Dante looking at Gen that way I felt panic, I mean the whole crime thing and the hand tattoos….I felt some of that when I saw Sasha with Paige but more worry than panic. How do I step back Colleen? I mean you have an older one too? He prepared you more perhaps?”
Sasha walks over and looks in “You can see the teeth marks in the leather one more. Some of them look chewed. Look at the laces though on that trainer…” He points “Definitely chewed. I agree, it's a dog.
Ryan chuckles and then thinks “Well I don’t know about shoe fetish but big dogs? I mean we have Daisy but she doesn’t tend to wander lately. The Alvins have those labs….Simon has that dane, Leroy, always thought he was more of a drooler than a chewer but hey he’s a dog. Teeth marks look too small for his pug. What about that grey one Kira Delmonaco walks? I mean do we round up all the dogs and put them in a line up?” He laughs. He’s trying to think up any more dogs in town and drawing a blank.
Collen gives a small smile. "Thank you. I know they'd appreciate it. Even John." she considers. "Fiona has always been her own person and I've always trusted her. John ... he worried more about Gino. Vincent's father. He'd heard him talk in the bars about his son's conquests with girls and worried that Vinent would take advantage of Fi. Of course he soon loved Vinent like one of our own sons." she looks at Amelie. "You have to trust them. Logan is the oldest and he dated a lot of girls. Snuck out of the house sometimes I think. But I had to trust him. Now, he and Kurt are so happy. All of my babies are happy now." she smiles. “And yours will be too. Trust them. Believe me .. like Seamus … they’ll surprise you.”
Michael nods. "Contact the Chief for an application, Sasha." he half jokes. He nods at Ryan. “The labs … maybe. One is older and one younger. Kira’ dog is also young … and there’s Kester … George’s dog. Henry, but he’d have to move all the way down the street and I find that unlikely. And of course …. It could be Daisy … nesting mother … nest of shoes...” he shrugs. “Maybe we can ask one of the Doctors about the teeth marks?” he looks at Sasha. “Small town police work. Besides the humans you have to know the dogs, too.” he pauses and looks around. “Let’s bag the shoes and take them to Dr Alvin.” he suggests. “You want to come with, Sasha? Or would you rather stake out this tree until the perp returns?” he half grins.
Amelie takes in Colleen’s advice. She listened to her new friend talk about the strength of her own daughter and thought of Genevieve. “Gen is strong too...more than I give her credit for.” She takes in what she’s saying about Logan, dated a lot of girls but now the partner’s name is male? Sexuality was different now, but with their family’s connection to Marc she had become more open minded than her upbringing. “Trust them. I do...I try to. Sasha has such a pure heart like Felix. In a way it’s both of their strength. I’m hoping Rene and Cath give me a little more time, two at a time is enough for me. I will pray for them, but also for my own trust to grow.” Her brownie and coffee are finished. “Our boys are friends, best friends I think. I could use one too...can we exchange information Colleen. This has been the most wonderful conversation and connection I’ve made here. Thank you.” She pulls her phone from her purse and opens her contacts, offering for Colleen to share hers so they can exchange.
Sasha looks excited “So many dogs. I wish I could bring my girlfriend Paige...she loves dogs.” He sighs and laughs “Ah but she’s at work so I will have a wonderful story for her later. Let me text my parents so they don’t wonder where I am when they get home. But yes I’d love to come. Thank you.” He sends off a series of texts, a group text to both his parents:
I may be late for supper. I discovered a crime scene and I’m helping the police. No bodies or anything, stolen shoes. I can’t say more. I am part of the team today. More later. Love you.
And then his rapid teenage texting fingers fire one off to Paige:
I am helping to solve a police case about missing shoes. I’m going to meet all the town’s dogs! I promise pictures. I love you.
And finally one to Seamus:
Best day ever! I’m really going on a ride along now. You’re uncle rocks...and whatever Ryan is. And there will be dogs - many dogs! If this is being a cop here, count me in...the dog detective is on the case!
Sasha pockets his phone “Fini. Should we have biscuits to guarantee confessions? I could take off my shoes as bait….” He follows the two officers to the cruiser and happily rides along ready to solve all the mutt mysteries of the town.
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