Levi sat at the defence table in the single courtroom in the Alexandra Municipal Building with his clients, Sasha Beaulieu and Dante Mendoza on either side of him and their family behind them in the gallery. Lydia, Felix, Amelie and Gen were in attendance to support both boys and Natalie was there as moral support for Gen. Hamilton Dorchester was at the prosecutors table and Michael Reinhardt stood nearby in the capacity of the bailiff. That put the room's capacity at 10 people … the limit in the era of Covid.
Judge Judy Harrison was on a screen set up in the area where she would have sat, had she been physically present. In the era of covid, she appeared to be in an office, most likely her home office. The same background from which Levi had spoken to her, giving his arguments for his clients. Now it was time for trial and sentencing. There would be no actual trial, as both of his clients had reached plea agreements, but this formality was still necessary.
Sasha’s case was the simplest. He pled guilty to simple assault and was sentenced to three months of community service. Case closed. It was exactly what Levi had expected.
Dante’s case was a bit more complicated and Levi had to fight for several things, including the placement. He pled guilty to Assault Causing Bodily Harm and was sentenced to 9 months in Prince George Youth Custody Centre. It was possible for the sentence to be reconsidered after 90 days depending on Dante’s behavior. He was ordered to turn himself in on Monday August the 10th at 9 in the morning.
The judges' gavel was no less powerful virtually. Once it sounded, Levi stood and turned to shake Dante’s hand, then Sasha’s. He waited for any questions from them, or from their supporters.
Dante shook Levi’s hand and had no questions. “Thank you. Seriously, thank you.” He knew this was the best he could have asked for given the circumstances. He then turned to Felix and Amelie, who made having a good lawyer even possible “And thank you.” He walked up to Amelie as if he was going to shake her hand and she hugged him like she would one of her own kids. Dante still wasn’t used to it but he hugged her back gratefully. Felix was beside her so next he reached to shake Felix’s hand, not knowing if he should be hugging or shaking hands but defaulting to a handshake unless the man chose otherwise.
Sasha shook Levi’s hand after Dante “Mr. Samuels, you’re a great lawyer. Thanks so much.” Sasha knew how lucky he was and watched Dante approach his parents after. Knowing Gen was probably losing her mind now, he walked to his sister and reached to hug her. Dante’s was the hug she needed more, but he could at least support her too. If she accepts the hug he will look over his shoulder and notice Detective Reinhardt again in his role. The interconnected web of Alexandra. Doggy detective, Tristan’s father. He had not long before had a very important conversation with his brother Rene where Tristan was his supportive friend.
Lydia was visibly emotional through the whole sentencing. This was expected but still the worst she’d helped Dante face. Her eyes were still red when she reached to shake Levi’s hand after Sasha “Thank you Mr. Samuels. For everything.” She watches Dante with the Beaulieus.
Levi watches his clients with their families. It was heartwarming, to be sure.
Felix shook Levi’s hand and then Dante’s and, thinking on it, pulled the young man into a hug. “Now remember, it doesn’t have to be the full sentence. You could be out by the end of the year.”
Gen hugs her brother and whispers. “Thank you.” and then turns to Dante. He’s gotten 9 months. She knows that the sentence is theoretically light, but it already feels like forever. As soon as she can, she will move to Dante and hug him tight. “Thank you so much! I wish things could have bene different.” She hears her father's words, but is still reeling a little bit. “I’ll visit if I can. And if I can’t I’ll call. I can call you at least, right?” she breaks off and looks between he and Levi.
Ham watches the families and slowly approaches Natalie. “Miss Sokal. I’m Hamilton Dorchester. At some point, I’d like to speak to you and your client. I’m prosecuting Brett Lancaster.”
Michael watches from a distance, but when the name Brett Lancaster comes up, he very casually moves forward, loitering a bit around Dante.
Dante nods at Felix “I know. I’ll keep my head down and behave. Believe me.” As soon as he lets go of Felix he’s hugged quickly by Lydia while looking past her at Gen. But then he closes his eyes and hugs Lydia “I’ll be ok…..Lydia I’ll be ok.”
Lydia lets go quickly and wipes at her eyes “I know. Just had to get one in. Go to your girl. I love you Dante.”
Now Dante choked up and hugged Lydia one more time before going to Gen “I love you too.” She was the closest to a mom he had now and for all intents and purposes, she was his mother. Then he pulls back and moves to Gen, still teary eyed from Lydia. He pulls Gen into his arms and kisses her before he hugs her hard “I’ll take what I can get. I don’t know how it’ll work yet baby.” He looks at Levi too and then as he hears Hamilton Dorchester speak to Natalie about Gen and prosecuting Brett he grips Gen protectively and his jaw tightens “Nail his ass to the wall please.” He looks between Natalie and Hamilton and then back to Levi.
Sasha hugs both his parents after Dante and Gen are in each others arms “Maman….Papa….I love you both so much.” Then as the prosecutor speaks and Dante replies he pulls back and turns, looking and listening.
Amelie had hugged Sasha and then patted his cheek “We love you too.” She became serious as the prosecutor spoke up and Dante answered and also moved protectively close to Gen.
Natalie had faced Hamilton in court as opposites but only once. It was her second case and a short plea bargain since her client had rendered her rapist unconscious with a brick after the assault. She didn’t expect him to remember her. Ham was known by his reputation though as a good prosecutor and for that she was glad. She crossed the space and nodded cordially “Mr. Dorchester. We’ve met before but it was a long time ago.” She looks at Dante and Gen and the look on Dante’s face after he requests Ham nail Brett to the wall. Natalie had inwardly smiled “Perhaps we could set an appointment for...later today.” She offered politely.
Hamilton gave Dante a sideways look but registered no emotion at the comment. He was seasoned, like Levi, who he definitely faced in court before as well as his father. Both formidable attorneys. “Yes of course.” He offered his card and gave Levi, Gen and Dante, Sasha and all supporting. “I won’t intrude but my cell is always on.” And with that he retreats to the door and exits. As a provincial crown prosecutor he wasn’t the enemy but emotions were running high and he knew well enough to step away. He had noticed the bailiff edging closer to Dante Mendoza as well.
Lydia had been moving toward the Beaulieu parents when the prosecutor spoke and she too stared at the interaction. Then she sighed as the man left the courtroom “Someday this will end...but it’ll take time, and all of our patience.”
Michael moved back to his position once the crown counselor left and it may even look like it was a natural move.
Felix watches the crown counselor speak to Natalie and then head away. He places a hand on Dante’s shoulder, giving him a pat.
Gen backs into Dante a bit as the other lawyer speaks, not sure how to react, really.
Levi watches him speak to Natalie and then walk off. He looks at them all. “No worries. He’s a good man to have on your side.” and he realizes he is speaking from the opposite as it pertained to Sasha and Dante. He grins. “If you no longer need me, I’ll head for my office. We have a new secretary starting .. as well as a new file clerk. So it would help if I knew what Iwas supposed to be training them to do…”
Dante feels Felix’s hand and looks back with a grateful nod. He sees Amelie flank Gen’s other side and reach to rub her back reassuringly even though she’s in his arms. Moms can do that and Dante was happy Gen had such loving parents, especially with him gone from her for so long. “See you Mr. Samuels and thanks again.” He’s happy Levi thinks well of the prosecutor. That has weight for him. He kisses Gen’s cheek lightly and then just sighs.
Amelie does try to rub Gen’s back but not intrusively, just to let her know she’s loved and cared for in all of this. Then she backs off gently and looks at Levi “Bon chance (good luck) Mr. Samuels. And take care.”
Natalie makes to follow Levi but looks at Gen “We’ve got this. You’ve got this. I’ll be in touch soon.” She gives the others a little nod “Goodbye and be good to each other. You’ve still got some time to spend.” She looks between Dante and Gen who are the opposite of who she often gets to deal with. She’s glad this young woman has such love, but what a terrible cost they’re paying too. She nods at Michael as she exits “Detective.” She half smiled as he was a friend of her fiance but she was on the job and keeping it formal.
Sasha watches Levi and then Natalie heading out “Bye….thanks.” He turns back to his family which to him now includes Dante too and even Lydia through him “Come on, let’s go home. I’ll text Paige to join us and make us poutine. You too Lydia. I know it’s still shitty but that lady lawyer is right.”
Levi nods at them as he heads out of the door, also nodding to Michael Reinhardt as he leaves. The family had a few days before he would meet Dante and accompany him to turn himself in for transport to Prince George. He offers a small smile and nod to Amelie.
Felix nods as well to Levi as he and Natalie leave the courtroom. He looks between Dante and Lydia. “Sasha makes a wonderful poutine.” he admits.
Gen has her arm around Dante with no signs of changing up that position anytime soon, but she does nod at Sasha and her father. “He does. No offence, Maman.” she grins. She gets ready to leave the courtroom .. with Dante.
Michael waits until everyone leaves the room before leaving himself. He moves across the street and calls the town cleaning crew to clean the courtroom now that it is empty.
Now in the Beaulieu kitchen Sasha takes several bags of frozen french fries from the freezer and puts them in the preheated oven on two large baking pans “Sometimes I do the fries from scratch too but this is the quick version.” He’s almost apologetic. Then he takes a few cartons of beef broth from the pantry and a bag of flour, some garlic cloves, an onion and a whisk and starts on the gravy at the stovetop. He had texted Paige on their way and told her the sentencings as well as inviting her to come have poutine.
Dante is sitting on the couch with Gen but at the end where he can hear and even see Sasha well “Oh Sasha you slacker…” He teases and then puts his arm around Gen. “I should cook for you before I go to the land of institutional food.” He’s determined to make the best of the time he has with her.
Amelie is sitting in one of the living room chairs. She laughs at Sasha being a slacker about the potatoes and then looks both supportively and curiously at Dante and Gen “Dante what do you like to cook?”
Lydia has a hard time not pitching in with cooking because she loves to cook. She hovers in the kitchen doorway “Sasha can I do anything? Peel garlic? Chop the onion….”
Sasha snickers “Yes Lydia...you can go and relax and let me cook for you. But I appreciate the offer.”
Dante chuckles at Sasha and Lydia and then answers Amelie “Lots of stuff but my favourite is Papusas. It’s like a corn pocket thing with beans or meat. It’s Guatemalan and Salvadoran…..they’re fun to make.”
“They’re delicious.” Lydia chimes in as she reluctantly sits at the other end of the couch.
Cath came downstairs after a few minutes of hearing people talking with Taffy the puppy running around and sniffing at everyone. She hesitated in the doorway to the living room “So what’s going to happen to Sasha and Dante?” She looked really worried.
Felix is standing near Amelie and watching the family … including Dante and Lydia. “That sounds good. How about Saturday night?” he expects he won’t be seeing much of Gen, certainly not on Sunday, as Dante has to leave on Monday. Then he sees Cath and smiles, motioning her to join them. “Sasha got a few months probation.” he tells her. “And Dante only got nine months at a facility in Prince George.” he tries to make it sound far, far better than it actually is.
Gen smiles at Dante. “He is a slacker. Believe it.” she teases, trying to keep at least sounding light hearted. “And that sounds good. Is Saturday alright?” it is one of their last nights together. She keeps trying not to think how long nine months actually is when her father tells Cath the sentences, making it sound like summer camp or something. She knows she is doing it in a way that won’t scare Cath and she bites her lip and forces words out of her mouth. “Hardly any time at all.” she hears her voice crack.
Paige arrives at the front door, which was left unlocked for her. She opens it and is slipping out of her shoes when she hears Felix telling Cath about the sentence. Of course, she already knew and her heart went out to Dante. But with Cath around, she also smiled but headed into the kitchen to hug and kiss Sasha, then back up with her hands in the air. “I’m getting out of your way. I know better.” and she moves closer to the others.
Sasha had leaned back and kissed Paige and then turned to hug her properly. He grinned as she knew him so well “I love you.” When he wanted to cook he just wanted to cook. He kept working on his gravy now whisking away happily.
Cath can sense they’re trying to make Dante’s sentence sound not bad but it sounds bad to her. Not like 20 years bad. “Nine months is basically the school year? Will he have to take it over?” She steps into the room looking now between Dante and Gen. She smiles at Paige but then looks back at the two of them.
Dante forced a smile and nodded “Saturday...papusas.” He nods at Felix and Amelie and then Lydia and Gen as he gives her a little squeeze. Then he looks at Cath “I can do some of it there. Hell I might get really good grades because there’ll be nothing else to do right?” He tries to be positive but he feels defeated by the amount of time too. He smiles at Paige as she comes into view “Hey Paige.”
Amelie pulls Cath by the hand to share her chair. Cath was still small enough. She could sense her youngest’s anxiety about it all and she knew Cath freaking out would not help Dante and Gen. She smooths her hair and is glad she can still get away with this to try to calm her. “Hey Cath….Dante probably won’t have to be there for all of it. There’s that thing called good behaviour right?” She gets a small nod out of Cath and then looks up at Paige “Hi Paige. So glad you could join us.”
Now Lydia chimes in “And he’s gonna behave.” It’s not a question but an expectation from her tone. Lydia hasn’t met Paige properly but has seen her around “Hi I’m Lydia. Your sister runs the library story time. You two look a little alike.”
Felix listens to people trying not to scare Cath basically. When Dante suggests he could get good grades because there's nothing else to do, he nods and points at him. "And I bet that will even add to that good behavior that might lead to early release." he suggests. "Levi has high hopes he can get your sentence reduced with good behavior and I'll have to ask if there's some kind of letter writing campaign." he muses.
Gen actually feels a little hope as talk turns to early release and good behavior. “I’d write letters if I had to. I’d like to see an appeal.” she is still highly annoyed that either Sasha or Dante were found guilty of a crime against the guy who tried to rape her.
Paige waves at Dante and looks around. "If there's letter writing, count me in ... They'll probably think I am a phoney name. Oh ha ha Paige Page very funny." she rolls her eyes dramatically, hoping she can get a smile out of .. well anyone. She smiles at Lydia. "Yea ... our family genetics are strong, just like in this family." she giggles. Then she looks back at Dante. "But for sure find out what we can send you. No offence, Felix but I am not convinced that sugar free candy is the way to buy friends and influence staff. But neither will my father's tuna melts. But we'll think of something to keep you remembering the wonders of your little island home.'' She is ready to play cheerleader if she has to.
Sasha can hear bits and pieces from the kitchen as he grates cheddar cheese “i’ll write a letter if they’ll count it. Maybe we could start a petition?” The sound of baking pans being taken out and switched as the oven door opening and closing clank around behind the wall.
Dante looks both touched and slightly encouraged by all the suggestions and support “I’ll do my best. Thanks everyone. Seriously, thanks.” He noses into Gen’s hair for a second and then kisses her cheek, not caring that their families can see the affection.
Cath looks somewhat relieved about the good behavior idea “I’ll write a letter too and tell my friends to.” She nods at Lydia “Their two other sisters look like them too. Aislin and Thea. Aislin’s my friend and they have Taffy’s brother Toffee. My friend Mabel has another one...Dipper and the McLeods have one called BB8.”
From the kitchen Sasha calls out “BB8! Great puppy name!” The sound of dishes being laid out can be heard.
Amelie smiles between Paige and Lydia and then looks at Felix “Mon dieu I bet they have no dentists in prison. We should fit Dante in for a cleaning and check up.”
Lydia had looked curious about the name Paige Page and then has to laugh now as she looks at Dante “You’re dating into a family where you really have to face your fears eh?” She looks at Felix and Amelie “Dante’s mom used to have to hold onto him in the dentist chair so he wouldn’t try and make a run for it. And now it’s been….well going on 4 years…”
Amelie’s jaw drops “You haven’t been for a check up in 4 years? What’s with this town and avoiding dentists? A bunch of people said that they haven't been in 3 years too so you’re not alone Dante.”
Lydia looks awkward as she realizes she’s treading on unknown territory “Oh yeah right…..we’re a bit odd that way. Homebodies….” She tries to joke.
Dante had looked nervous about the dentist and now just sighed at Lydia “Gen knows. Sasha knows….” He looks down at Paige in wondering “So Paige might know….we should just …...try to tell them about the fog. They’re family to me Lydia…”
Felix arches his brows. “I’ll see you tomorrow, then. First thing.” he announces. “And if you have any work that needs to be done, I’ll see if I can arrange to do it myself. It’s not that I don’t trust the doctors the facility might hire, but I’m biased. I admit.’ he looks compassionate about dentist fears. “We’ll find out the best ways to calm you. Tranquilizers can work, but so can ambient music and the like.” he looks curious about this fog. He’s heard the term babdied about but no specifics.
Gen smiles at the puppy names and then gasps when she realizes her parents don’t know about the fog. “I didn’t mean to keep it a secret .. exactly. It’s just … hard to explain…” she looks to Lydia for help.
Paige also looks nervous. “It can be hard to believe, but … when you hear it from people who you know have no reason to lie …. “ she shrugs.
Sasha emerges from the kitchen and starts passing out bowls and forks to people where they sit. “The fog is hard to believe but when you hear about it, a lot of things will make sense. Like the gap in dental care, and the sustainability of the island, all the gardens, the alternative energy. I mean yes it’s environmental awareness but, even look at the people in town…..you’ll see it.” He looks between Dante and Lydia “You’re the experts.” He goes back for more bowls until everyone has one and then sits down with his own.
Cath looks truly curious about this fog conversation and takes her bowl “Thanks Sasha.”
Amelie looks around at those who seem to know about this fog, including Sasha and Gen and then blinks at Felix “Have you heard of this? It is a weird island sometimes...alright...I’m open minded….or I’ll try to be. Thank you cherie...this looks delicious.” she says about the poutine.
Dante looks at Felix about the dental calming options “Your idea of ambient music might be a little different from mine…” He jokes. Dante was without a doubt, a punk rocker. “You might just have to tranq me.” Then as he’s given poutine he smiles at Sasha “Thanks man…” He looks at Lydia when they’re invited to explain the fog and shrugs “Where do we start….here? Cedar Point?”
Lydia takes her bowl “Thank you Sasha this smells wonderful….” She thinks “Cedar Point since it’s all connected.” She can’t resist taking a bite of her poutine first and points with her fork “Mmmm!” She chews and swallows “Ok that’s the best poutine I’ve ever eaten in my life. British Columbia as you know has earthquakes…..but usually little ones. Shake the china, knock stuff over, wake you up…..except two places. Here and what used to be our sister town, Cedar Point. Cedar Point had bad ones for years and then one big one which killed a lot of people and wiped out the town. There’s always been a strong connection so the survivors came to live here. That was in May 2017. Then in June, we had one, it didn’t level us but it was bad. People died or got hurt real bad…..but something else happened. And this is where it gets really strange. We were surrounded by fog, literal fog and then we got cut off from everywhere else, no phone, internet, we couldn’t leave and no one could get here. For three years. So we had to figure out how to work together and survive. Some people…” She looks at Dante “Some people had a really hard time…”
Dante interjects “My mom was already suffering from depression but she killed herself after the fog…..that was it for her. She’s not the only one.” He looks between Amelie, Felix and Cath “I know we sound crazy.”
Rene comes barrelling in late. He kicks his shoes off and realizes that Lydia is talking about the fog. He also realizes that he smells his brother's poutine. In his socks, he rushes to the kitchen to get himself some and moves to the living room, plopping himself onto the floor. He doesn't look surprised or doubtful, indicating he's heard the story someplace already.
Felix arches his brows at Dante. "Well, we'll figure it out. Maybe ear buds and your iPod or whatever... oh thank you, Sasha." and then Lydia begins to tell the story. He arches his brows and begins to shake his head. "Logically .. no it makes no sense, but ... remember that earthquake a few weeks back? Everyone freaked out. It was just a little tremor, but it felt like half the town was in hysterics until the ferry docked..." he continues to nod, putting pieces in his mind together to make the impossible possible.
Gen takes her poutine with a smile of thanks and begins to eat, still finding a way to snuggle with Dante.
Paige takes her poutine and Sasha sits near her. She listens to the story again. She nods. “We were on the ferry with Seamus. He completely freaked out. A few people on the ferry did. And when we got back his grandmother hugged him as if he’d just come home from a war or something. Like she was afraid she’d never see him again.”
Sasha nods “Yep...it was Seamus who told us. He was really scared. And he’s not the type to overreact to stuff. I mean he had already told me…..but then Iris and Paige….Dante I am sorry about your mother.” He smiles at Rene as he joins them “Good, you served yourself…”
Dante positions himself so he’s as leaned into Gen as he can be. He needs to be touching her in some way at all times right now. “Headphones is good.” He nods at Felix gratefully “Unless you like Green Day.” He nods “Quakes freak everyone out….like it might happen again. I mean I guess at least we’d know how to live with it if it did. Thanks Sasha. I do get a little freaked about something like that happening while I’m in prison….” He admits. “Hey Rene.”
Amelie works to take in all the information about the fog, unsure what to say at first so she stays quiet as it rolls around in her mind. She nods confirming what Felix said and then listens to Paige and Sasha. Then she frowns a bit at Dante before giving Rene a kind look “You don’t look surprised by any of this?”
Cath on the other hand is sitting beside her mother in deep thought. There were so many big thinking things this year, her parents had come through a tough time. She’d learned something really upsetting that happened to her mother and then it almost happened to her sister. But her brother and Dante had stopped it only to be held so far more responsible than the boy who wanted to hurt Gen that way. And now an earthquake might happen again and kill people and make it so they were cut off from the world? She set down her bowl half eaten and curled into her mom’s side looking upset.
Amelie felt Cath move into her and wrapped her arms around her and stroked her hair. She couldn’t shelter her, but she could offer comfort.
Rene eats like he hasn't in a coupe of days. When his mother speaks to him, he shakes his head. "Tristan told me a long time ago. I wasn't keeping secrets it's just ... weird . but true. Tristan would never lie." finishing one bowl and going for another right away.
Felix listens to the story and grins. "Well ... lets just pray nothing happens while you're away, then." and he refers back a bit. "I like Green Day. The environment is important and I'm glad to know you're aware. But when did they change the name from Earth Day?"
Gen eats and listens, but when Dante mentions the idea that it could happen again while he's in prison, she stares wide eyes at him. "No .. it won't. It'll be fine." she seems to be telling herself. Her father distracts her with his opinion on Green Day. "Papa ..... Papa .... oh .. Papa..."
Paige reaches towards Gen to calm her and then hears Felix get a little confused with the differences between Green Day and Earth Day and simply begins to giggle.
Ameiie nods at Rene “It’s….well it sounds unbelievable but...I….what can I say? It actually makes some of the stuff on this island make sense?” She sighs looking around at everyone and then kisses Cath’s temple. Then she looks at Felix and has to laugh a bit “Felix...how are you from the city and I’m from the small town? Dante means the band I’m sure. They’ve been on the radio. Are they still a band?” She gives Gen a loving look too “I’m sure nothing like that will happen when Dante’s away.”
Sasha raises a brow at Rene and then smiles “Tristan. Of course Tristan told you.” Then he notices Gen and looks sympathetic and puts his hand on Paige’s knee seeing her reach to calm her. Then he titles his head at his dad and laughs after nodding at his mother “Oh my god...Mom just proved she’s cooler than you….”
Amelie points at Sasha “Hey!” she laughs and then nods “Yeah I know it’s rare.”
Cath giggles now just about what Sasha said. She’s not really sure who Green Day is either.
Dante shifts his food to his outside hand and slides his inside hand to Gen’s back “I’m sorry. I just get stressed….I don’t mean to share it…” He looks past her at Paige and Sasha and then to Felix and his stress is briefly broken but the humour of Green Day and Earth Day. “Felix…..what kinda music do you listen to? I’ll make you a playlist before I’m gone....And you’re not far off. They’re a punk band and yes still together. And they’re also environmental and social justice activists. So yeah I’m sure they love Earth Day.” He tries to be encouraging and help Felix save face.
Rene shrugs at Sasha. "Well him and the other guys. Tony and Mason. They all lived through it." he laughs at his parents, mostly to make Gen feel better.
Felix rolls his eyes. "Hey!" he says it at the same time as Amelie. "She sings better than I do, that much is for sure. But I am more a jazz and blues man, myself." he tells Dante. "But if you'd like to share your music, I do have an open mind about it." he listens to the description of the band and points at his children "See! Not that far off."
Gen snorts at her father and sighs. "I'm sure you're right, Maman." Paige's hand is helping some, and she tries to tell herself that the fear of the island getting cut off again is silly. Dante's hand on her back also helps her. "No. It's OK ... I'm stressing too." it's not all over, she knows, and she is afraid of what she might have to do in regards to Brett's case.
Paige leans into Sasha a little bit. His sentence wasn't anything near what Dante's and she was glad of it. She looks at Gen, knowing what she's stressed about.
Sasha nods at Rene “Yeah. They would have. It’s awful...like with..” He gestures at Dante “With people who died during and after. There’s also a lot of interesting stories I’m sure. I mean eventually everything ran out right? Toilet paper…..toothpaste? I mean the food you all grew….deodorant…” He pretends to hold his nose.
Dante nods at Felix “You’re on…” Then he kisses Gen’s cheek again before laughing at Sasha “Yeah...we probably stank a bit but hey it was all of us at least so eventually you get desensitized. Plus we made stuff, lye soap, even natural pit stick and the grossest toothpaste you could imagine.”
Cath looks amazed “So like going back in time? Some of that might be cool…”
Amelie frowns “What about things like insulin...epipens, asthma inhalers…..anesthetic for surgery? That could all be life threatening. I mean we’re so reliant…”
Lydia nods and answers this “That was all a lot more complicated and rationed for as long as it could be. I think we came back to the world just in time on some things.” Lydia shrugs “You get used to charcoal on your teeth and just cloth and water. But I won’t balk at toilet paper and toothpaste now.”
Rene listens. Tristan and the guys had told him a lot about it, but he still liked listening to it.
Felix runs a hand across his face. "That's why there is a greenhouse behind the clinic, isn't it?" he asks. "Herbal medicines. They could get by on that ... I suppose. Even in a pinch ... I could do dental work, even surgery with .. herbs but ... wow..."
Gen tried to imagine it ... Dante had told her about the fog, but some of the things her parents were talking about, she had not considered.
Paige nodded slowly. "And reusable pads and the like." she blew out a breath. She knew such things existed ... even long before disposable pads and tampons. "And birth control ..." she pursed her lips. "Seamus knows Iris's periods better than she does."
Lydia nods at Felix “That’s exactly why. There was very much a shift towards natural medicine as some pharmaceuticals just couldn’t happen. Prevention, common sense and rationing. No non essential procedures. I’m not a medical person of course but we were all told in town hall sessions.” She nods at Paige “And yes about birth control and cloth pads. It all had to happen. As far as I’m aware we had a surprising low number of unplanned pregnancies. I mean some will always happen of course.” She can’t help but give a warning look between both Gen and Dante and then to a lesser extent Sasha and Paige. It’s just the mother in her.
Cath’s eyes are like saucers about Paige’s comment about Seamus. He had a kid so she knew he had had sex but Paige confirmed he stil did that. Of course he did. He was a grown up, too old for her and less crush worthy by the day as she couldn’t relate. “People could just hold hands too.” She had to comment. She still couldn’t imagine wanting much much more.
Amelie had to hug Cath now, her youngest and sweetest “Yes sweetie they could. But at a certain age that can feel challenging so eventually you need to be wise about safety in other choices.” She can’t help but chuckle “Catholics would have loved all that though.” She sees Lydia’s looks at the young couples, her children included and again reveres the woman for her boldness in just calling things.
Sasha smirks at Paige “Seamus didn’t even know he didn’t want to chance that again….” He listens to Lydia and then gulps a bit at her look. He suspected most of that was directed at Dante and he and Paige were careful.
Dante sighs at Lydia after listening to her “Don’t worry Lydia. We’re careful.” He says it for Gen’s parents too without shame. Better they all not worry about one more thing between them. He smiles at Cath “They could, but big feelings are complicated.” Then he feels awkward and looks around and into his bowl “Good poutine Sasha.”
Sasha snorts “Thanks.” He got that Dante was trying to change the topic. “So what are those corn things you make again?”
Rene is listening and when she mentions holding hands, he gives a sort of laugh that is equal parts nervous and disbelieving, while blushing at the whole direction the conversation has taken. He perks up. "Corn things?" food was always a welcome change of subject.
Felix is fascinated by the step back in technology. He grins at the look Lydia gives the older kids and laughs at Amelie. "Ah they would say all pregnancies were gods will." he physically shuts his mouth, still not exactly sure where his wife was on the whole Church thing. He grins and looks at Rene. "Dante will be making us dinner on Saturday night." he explains.
Gen catches the look Lydia gives her and Dante. He assures Lydia, but she knows that right now the last thing they needed to do was get pregnant. "Well now they have birth control pills again. Not that just anyone can get on them." she comments. The idea occurs to her that being on the pill by the time Dante gets out would help them with not having a kid before anyone was ready, including themselves. She smiles at the change of subject.
Paige watches without commenting about birth cotrol or sex or feelings. "I'd love to come and experience it, if that's alright?" she says.
Dante looks visibly relieved to be talking about food instead of birth control and sex with present company. “Papusas…..we’ll have a papusaria.” He says it jovially. “And unlike Sasha here who likes to hermit in the kitchen, you can all help if your hands are clean. They’re fun to make. Please join the fun Paige.” He briefly explains again, looking at Rene “It’s a corn pocket filled with beans, beans and cheese or meat…..it can be shredded seasoned pork or chicken.”
Sasha looks mock affronted “I like my space when I cook.” He admits freely and grins. Then he points with his fork at the poutine “any complaints?” He looks around Paige and Gen at Dante with a bit of a challenge. “That does sound fuckin delicious though.”
Dante smirks “No complaints mon ami (my friend).” It’s clear Dante and Sasha have really bonded.
Cath smiles “I like all those things to eat. Can I bring Taffy over with your two dogs?” She looks between Dante and Lydia for permission.
Lydia nods briefly at Felix and Amelie about the Catholic and God’s will comments and then listens and nods at Cath “Willow and Bean are great with other dogs. I’m sure Taffy would have fun. Plus Stone and Elle would love to hang out with your puppy. And you know Mina’s 12. She’s a bit antisocial sometimes but she might enjoy some time with someone her own age.”
Dante raises a brow at Lydia “A bit antisocial? Yeah good luck with that Cath….Mina’s a good kid but she’s in a goth phase or something I dunno.”
Amelie looks briefly at Felix about his God’s will comment and then at Gen longer about her birth control one. Conversations for a private and more immediate family chat clearly. She sighs and then gratefully shifts her mind to the food conversation. It has been a hell of a time already lately. She smiles at Paige, glad she’s included. She’s trusted that she and Sasha are mature enough to be wise about birth control and Dante did announce he and Gen were careful. She’d seen the condoms. But the pill was a new topic. Then she blinks about the other foster girl being only 12. “Mina’s 12? I thought she was much older….closer to Gen’s age? I also haven’t seen her that much so I wasn’t sure she was one of yours Lydia.”
Lydia looks a little tired “Yeah...she is. Like I say antisocial but we’re working on it. You know every kid has a different set of challenges.” She darts a looks at Dante “No offence of course.” She smiles a bit “I love you all.”
Rene looks a little excited. "I can cook!?" he wonders eagerly. He looks at his brother. "It's fantastic. No complaints, but you never let me help!" There's a reason for that, but he doesn't mention it.
Felix watches the interaction, especially between Dante and Sasha. But he shakes his head and points to Rene. "Everyone can help except Rene because I cannot afford for Rene to cook ... but he is learning to make much better salads." he admits. "And Sasha, your position of poutine king is not in danger, my son." He listens to the news about Mina and admires Lydia all the more.
Gen looks eager for the pupusas, but cannot help but to laugh at her little brother. "He is making fun salads, but well .. he has a reputation with food that requires . you know ... heat ..."
Paige giggles. "No worries Rene.'' She encourages him. "There all sorts of things you can make without having to use heat. For example canned tuna or salmon. Smoked salmon. And all the different lettuces or vegetables you can put in food." she encourages him, having heard about the menace he is in the kitchen. She listens to the stuff about Mina, but doesnt know the girl so remains silent.
Sasha extends both arms with a peace sign made with each hand “Poutine King!” He hams it up for everyone. Then he looks sympathetically at Rene and shakes his head a bit” He points to Paige after her words “All the fishes are delicious…..from a can?” He knows it’s weak and not totally true but he’s rolling with it.
Cath makes a face at Sasha “You’re so weird. And Rene can’t cook….it’s ok Rene. You’ll just have to marry someone like Maman.”
Dante laughs at Sasha and then thinks, looking at Rene and then everyone reacting to Rene. He knew about the stove “How about this Rene? You can help form the papusas, fill them even and I’ll do the cooking part. There’s also a kick ass salad you can make with them called curtido….you could do that. In fact you can make it the day before and then it’s even better. It’s an important part of the meal Rene.” He’s trying to make him feel that salad is special, sensing his need for more involvement.
Amelie listens to all the options for Rene and firmly says “He can make that salad.” She shakes her head at Sasha “A dose of humility mon cheri…” she laughs. Saturday will be a curious night for sure. Two before Dante is taken from Gen. She looks worriedly at her daughter wondering how it will be for her...after.
Felix grins. Rene has to learn what a good thing it is to be able to make a premium salad, and it looks like Dante has the answer for him. He looks at Cath and smiles. "Marrying someone like your mother would be a very good idea indeed."
Gen beams at Dante when he includes Rene into the kitchen. "See .. and you DO make good salads, Rene. We should eat more than we do."
Paige rolls her eyes and gives Sasha a mock punch. "Oh my god, Sasha. Modest much?" she huffs. but she starts laughing.
Rene looks encouraged by Dante's offer. "I could? Really? Helping?" That's all he wants. He gets that he is a menace in the kitchen but there has to be a way around it.
Cath has to be the little sister now and taunt Rene “I know someone who LIKES Rene. I’ll ask if she can cook.” She teases. Although the thought of what Mabel might cook could be as bad as Rene in the kitchen. Maybe she’d want to cook with a flamethrower while suspended from a tree. Cath winces at the thought but doesn’t explain.
Amelie can’t help but smile sweetly at Felix “Yes more salads. In fact after this poutine….which of course was delicious, I think some salad for supper would be good.” She nudges Cath “Rene is handsome. I’m sure lots of girls notice. Could be embarrassing when you’re in the same class next year Cath.”
Cath makes a face “I am not! He’s a grade older…..tell me it’s not true?” She was objecting but then realized Aislin and Mabel might be in her class too then and softened a bit.
“Small school.” Amelie shrugs. “Back home in St. Pierre when I was a kid, same thing. I was with Gaetan one year and MC another. Trust me it was better with Gaetan but he got in a lot of trouble in school.” She laughs.
Sasha pretends to wince from the punch and then hugs Paige “So modest, and thank you Maman.” Then he catches Cath and their mom bugging Rene about girls and purses his lips, making a point not to look at Rene and keep his mouth shut. But when his mom talks about being in class with her brother and sister he snorts “Oncle Gaetan got in trouble? I can’t imagine why….better him than Tante MC..” He comments.
Lydia just listens and chuckles along.
Felix chuckles. "I think a salad is a good idea ..." he looks in Rene's direction as Amelie and the girls start in a bit. "And an even better distraction." but he can't help. "We'll have ot see how things work out in Drama for you this year Rene."
Gen snuggles into Dante. "Yes, I seem to remember a regular fan club for you last year, and you've grown some since then." she snorts. "What would Tante MC get in trouble for .. correcting a priest?"
Paige giggles at the whole family. She is in many ways looking forward to meeting all of the aunts and uncles.
Rene turns a deep shade of red at his sisters teasing. As it continues and he realizes he could be facing multiple girls in school, he groans and buries his face in his hands, mortified. When his father mentions the salad, he begins to collect dirty plates and head for the kitchen, only for his father to then mention Drama from last year. "Mon Dieu ...." he groans, moving to the sink and setting the dishes inside, then going to the fridge for lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers and mild peppers.
Amelie chuckles at Rene’s teasing. He was a confident boy and she was sure he’d survive the blushing. “Yes the leading man I expect again….” Then she turns to Gen “Tante MC never got in trouble in school. She was the teacher’s pet and a self appointed hall monitor even though our school didn’t have them. It was a little horrifying being her sister sometimes in school. Gaetan and his fart sounds at the back of the room were bearable although he got much better grades when he was in a class with JP. JP has a way of talking Gaetan out of things that I don’t.” She points around at Sasha, Gen and Cath and calls out so Rene can hear in the kitchen “You should be glad for your siblings…..you’re all relatively normal!”
Sasha snorts “Relatively.” He peers at Gen and wiggles his eyebrows. In truth he was probably the weird one to them but he didn’t care at all. He looks at Paige “What about you and Iris in school? Did either of you get in trouble? I can’t see it…..you both seem so studious.”
Amelie looks curiously at Paige “Studious? Like Sasha...he begged to go to school since he was 3 so we sent him early. I was worried but he was always at the top of his class even though he was younger. He was just ready early. Gen always did well too, and Rene. Cath needs a little more time and that’s ok too.”
Cath looks a little self conscious after her mother talks about how easy school was for her siblings and how she needs more time and just stays quiet. Rene had walked off so she couldn’t bug him anymore. That had been fun. “I hate school.” She says again. She said it a lot.
Now Lydia tunes into Cath “What do you hate about it Cath?” She had such a range of fosters. School could be a tough deal for some kids. She can’t help but look at Dante and then back at Cath.
Dante nods at Cath “I sometimes hate it too Cath. But not all the time anymore.”
Cath shrinks into herself “I’m just not smart.”
Amelie puts her arms around Cath “You are smart. People learn at different paces Cath….and you can draw like nobody I’ve seen.”
Felix looks at his youngest daughter. "I think you're plenty smart. Maybe your mother and I are biased, but I had some trouble in school before high school. And now I'm a doctor, so .. there."
Gen watches her siblings and Dante. "Maman is right about drawing. Cath is better at it than I am, and I'm pretty good." she places her hand on her chest. "I designed this myself." she looks at Dante.
Paige shrugs. "Iris and I were very good students. I even tutored in high school." she looks at Cath. "You'll find your lane, I'm sure of it."
Rene is listening but not participating in the conversation. He slices and dices and tears and, finally, he adds an entire container of bacon bits to the salad. Then he sets the big bowl on the island, gets three kinds of salad dressing out and calls. “It’s ready!”
Amelie nods at Cath “See? You’re not alone and we’ll help you with the tough parts.” She doesn’t get up immediately because she wants to make sure that Cath is ok but she does call out “Thank you Rene!”
Cath looks somewhat encouraged and then surprised at her father “YOU had trouble in school?” Then she nods at Gen “It’s pretty but you can’t show it all without…” She gestures at her chest which is really nonexistent “Showing them everything.” She blushes and nods at Paige. Then Rene announces salad is ready and she waits to see if everyone is getting up before she moves.
Lydia hasn’t seen Gen’s tattoo but knows Dante did it for her and she now knows where from Cath’s reaction about her revealing it. She gives a little nod because it’s already done. She listens and looks towards the kitchen when Rene announces salad is ready but waits for the members of the house to head there first.
Sasha laughs about Cath’s worry that her sister has to flash people to show the tattoo “I think she wants if for her, and Dante obviously so it’s not meant to be a show to everyone Cath.” He looks at Paige “Maybe we should get Otters….great big furry otters…”He’s got his muppet smile on so he means it but the great big furry part is just Sasha being Sasha. Then he does jump up and head for salad “Rene the Salad King!”
Dante gives Sasha a head shake and laughs and then looks at Cath “I’m getting one too...before I go. But Cath you’re smart and you must be a hell of an artist.” He looks at Gen and smiles about her tattoo design ” Don’t ever let anyone tell you you aren’t and don’t tell yourself that. There’s school smarts and life smarts. Sometimes people get both…..but school isn’t the only kind. We have to do school, but life is a lot longer than school.” He looks at Gen “a lot longer than I’ll be away too. I promise.”
Felix nods. "Yes. I did. I HATED reading." and he is known to do a lot of reading now. "I got past it and so will you." he chuckles about Gens tattoo and agrees with Sasha. He moves to the kitchen and grabs a bowl and the tongs. "Ohhh .. bacon bits!" he makes himself a large salad and sprinkles pepper on it, grabs a fork and returns to the living room.
Gen grins at her sister and then looks pointedly at their brother. "I bet me and Cath could design something for you ...." she offers, then beams at Dante and his advice to Cath. She bites her lip when he reminds them that he won't be away all that long. "Maybe even before Christmas..." she allows herself that small hope.
Paige smiles at Sasha and then looks at Gen. "Oh, I sort of like that idea!" she points at Dante. "As soon as you get out .. well once your back AND your sisters design a good otter tattoo." she calls after Sasha "Blue cheese dressing on mine, please."
Rene smiles as people start going for his salad. "I'm going to look for fire free recipes." he announces. "Be more than just the salad king!"
Sasha ends up standing beside Rene for quite awhile as he’s fixing up both his own and Paige’s “Ok Baby.” He calls back about her salad dressing choice. Then he starts suggesting titles to Rene “Salad Godfather? Salad Lord…..Salad Overlord! Salad Pimp…..oh no….” He laughs at his own joke “You can be a Salad Overlord and use your superpowers for good or evil depending on the salad.”
Cath looks shocked that her father hated reading and then slowly gets up “Come on everyone….I think I can draw a good otter. I’ve been working on squirrels lately. Taffy found one big fat one he likes to tree and it just sits there chattering at him.”
Amelie stands and gestures for Lydia to go before her “Don’t be shy Lydia. Our kids devour food, even salad so you best get in there.” She overhears part of Sasha’s weird Salad persona naming ramble and just gives her oldest a look.
Sasha smiles awkwardly and scoots past his mother with the two dressed salads “Thanks Overlord.”
Lydia cracks up as she walks up behind Amelie “I’ve heard it all. My boys...Gareth mostly. Theo and Simon were polite...or smart enough not to let me hear as much.” She laughs and then looks at the salad “Ooooh this looks good Rene. Thank you.”
Dante looks sweetly at Gen “Can I get you your salad?” He sees Sasha sit and pass one to Paige. “ He’s been joking around and enjoying the time with family but he really just wants to focus on Gen and reassure her that he can come back to her “Before Christmas or at least Christmas?” He snuggles into her before he goes for food “Consider it our Christmas wish together. I’ll do anything I have to to come home to you, as soon as I can.”
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