Friday afternoon and night often had more ferry traffic than other days of the week, as it marked the beginning of the weekend. Islanders returning for work for the day were joined with mainlanders who wanted to spend an evening, night or even the whole weekend on one of the many islands the ferry serviced.
Annette Hebert walked onto the passenger deck of the ferry and looked around. She was feeling so much better after her month of intense therapy. It was almost like she was a new woman. This was in thanks to not only her therapist Mary Henry, but her Tante Amelie, who had given her the therapist’s number. Mary had told her that they could meet in Alexandra in person if she was ever on the island to meet her family and Anette had decided to do exactly that. One of Ira’s best friends also lived on the island, so they decided to make a sort of mini-vacation of it. Isolation was getting frustrating, but they had both been told that Alexandra practiced social distancing better than most. It seemed worth the risks to the roommates. She took her coffee from the Lighthouse Cafe and moved with Ira towards the other end of the ferry, where there were more seats. It was also where the kids playlot was, and she didn’t mind kids, even though she never expected to be a mother herself. The area had a large sign in front of it, however, saying it was closed off. She wore a beige calf-length skirt and thin blue cotton boat-necked shirt with black flats on her feet. Her mask was simple and black with a zippered smile across the mouth.
Priya smiles as Reagan immediately got into her little kids’ tablet. That would make the ride much easier, especially if there was nothing exciting out of the windows. She looks in the bags they brought with them on this mini-honeymoon and nodded. They would be staying at a place called the Parthenon while Sajani and her boyfriend Patrick took care of the kids. She was wearing worn jeans and a simple t-shirt. No ffills ‘the baby will spit up on it and I’m too tired to care’ Her mask was dead simple black, although she’d heard she might be able to order nicer ones. The pandemic was either going to last a while or be over any second, depending on who you listened to.
Bertha sat with her coffee and looked at her companion. She and Petra had spent a lot of time together since they met but hadn’t seen their grandchildren. Now Marcus and Natalie had invited them to stay the weekend to play catch up. Looking at her newest friend she joked. “Well it’s not like they can spring any more surprises on us.” she gathered her long locs beside her, the top of which was wrapped in a rose-patterned scarf with a leaf green background. Her top was a rose pink dashiki with a long dark green skirt. With her was one of her larger tote bags.
Joseph Samuel sat near the children’s play area with his coffee, his children and all the bags that accompanied all of them. After his latest divorce, he was in need of a bit of a vacation. So he packed up the two children that he newly had custody of, Daniel and Ruth, and was taking them to see their brother Levi on Alexandra Island. That was where his newest satellite office was and, despite it being a vacation, decided he would check up on that while he was at it. He was dressed as casually as it got for him in black cargo shorts and a white button-down shirt with not one, but two buttons undone at the top. He had on white sports socks and white sneakers. He wore a face mask that was simple black.
Daniel Samuel sat with his father and his little sister, Ruth. He was excited about this trip. His parent’s divorce had saddened him, but he wasn’t surprised that he would up living with his father. Abba was a rich and powerful man, and Mom was just sort of Mom. She got annoying sometimes .. well a lot of times. With Abba working so much she often gave him a hard time about it and the older brothers would then give her a hard time. With this pandemic and being at home so much, his mother had given him a hard time about Covid, since the firm didn’t close. They still worked as safely as hey could. But it had ended with a very quick divorce and with he and Ruth, like all of his brothers before them, living with their father. He was in jeans and a JCC tshirt with denim runners on his feet.
Joseph noticed a shadow near him that was not moving. He eventually looked up to tell this person that they should be social distancing from his family when he recognized her and smiled. “Esther.”
Esther Fogel looked over her glasses at her son-in-law. She was mother-in-law number three. Talia’s mother and Levi’s grandmother. Dressed in a sky blue dress and matching flats, she carried a large and matching tote bag. “Joseph, did you think I wouldn’t want to come on this trip with you?” she demanded, hugging her grandchildren as they both flocked to her.
Joseph sighs. “We shouldn’t be on this trip.” he argued, or half argued. “And you should be home, where it’s safe.”
Esther snorted. “Don’t you worry about me. I want to see Levi and I will see Levi.” it was given like an order. She sat back and pulled out crocheting.
Ira walked with Annette after they got coffee and they ended up in the seating area near the kids play area. He was about to just sit down and chat and drink coffee when he spotted a familiar family. He had a mask on that was utilitarian grey with black trim and elastics. He was wearing a plain black tshirt and worn blue jeans with black runners. His black brown curly hair was recently trimmed by his own clippers so under control today. He had a takeout coffee in his hand too and used it to gesture at Joseph while nudging Annette gently with his elbow “Hey it’s a lawyer in disguise over there. That’s Levi’s Dad and his two youngest siblings and his grandma. Come say hello with me?” He gave her the option to say yes or no but moved to the grouping. “Hey Samuels family. Almost didn’t recognize you out of a suit Joe.” He looks to the others “Danny...Ruthie…..having a good summer?” He did know about the divorce but they were on a trip today so maybe it wasn’t all bad. “Esther, nice to see you again.” He gestured at Annette “This is my…..”He hesitated for a second and then said “ friend Annette. She has family on Alexandra and uh I was hoping to see Levi but I may have to take a number eh?” He jokes.
Ruth sat between her father and brother again after she had hugged her grandmother. Esther wasn’t technically her grandmother by blood but she treated she and Danny as grandchildren and was always kind to them. Ruth’s straight hair was pinned back on one side by a brown barrette as if she had tried to contain it’s messiness but failed as the rest looked a bit wild. Ruth had an intensely serious expression most of the time for a girl of 10 and reserved her smiles. Grandma Esther got one, her father and her brother did. She was wearing a mid sleeved length hoodie with apples printed on it over a plain light grey t-shirt and light blue jeans shorts. She had little white trainers on her feet and a small backpack on her lap covered in various buttons. She didn’t have a smile for Ira at his question “Ok I guess….better now..” She said with a shrug.It hadn’t been a good summer at all, better now with her dad but she was still reeling from the fast divorce and being free of her mother. Her life with her dad was better but she was almost afraid she’d get sent back, like she was shell shocked. Her mother had been extra controlling after Covid which seemed to be the straw that broke the camel’s back. She was wearing a pink flowered mask but they were out and that was extremely interesting to Ruth. They were going to an island, somewhere small sounding not like Vancouver at all. Her mom wasn’t there, her school wasn’t there, although she’d still have to go back to that awful place eventually. But today was a new adventure and she would get to see Levi. Except his friend Ira might compete with their time with Levi and that made her a little grumpy. She loved her older brother. He was almost like an uncle but also never spoke to her and Daniel like they were little kids. Ira also called her Ruthie, which she hated but was too polite to correct him on. He was introducing them to a friend, a woman. Was it a girlfriend? She didn’t care but he had hesitated. Growns ups were so boring and obvious that way sometimes.
Shaun was wearing Connor in a baby carrier that faced in so they could protect him from the virus. There was no masking a baby so they had a blanket they tossed over him when the crowd was dense. Shaun had a mask, a dark denim blue mask with black straps. He had on a maroon shirt and black jeans shorts with simple checked slip on sneakers.He had a backpack on his back too and beside him was a rolling suitcase with an easy handle to pull it by. He looked over at Priya and grinned at her and then over to Reagan who was playing a little game where she had to feed fish to penguins and then the penguins would sing a cute little song. He chuckled “Wish we had had that in the back of the car when my brother and I were little. We just punched each other for fun.” He smooths Connor’s hair “Not that our children will ever do anything like that.” He was looking very forward to this getaway and some kid free time with Priya in a hotel room.
Petra Sokal was sitting beside Bertha in a brightly flowered babushka and a matching mask. She had on a mint green housedress and her usual beige stockings that ended in her red high top sneakers. She had her patchwork over the shoulder purse with her and a rolling suitcase that she had converted from an old brown leather one, some bungee cords and a small dolly. It looked like a mad and precarious contraption. “Maybe it’s twins?” She laughed because that would be a surprise. “I just hope she’s eating enough. I know he cooks so it won’t be all that frozen crap she used to buy.” She scrolls through her phone absently looking at the news “Oh good they’re going to make masks part of school for the kids at least to some degree. I don’t know what they’re sending them back at all…..so stupid….”
Mandeep Singh was taking a journey, probably his last big one of his life. He has an over the shoulder bag and a black rolling suitcase. He’s sent some books already by courier but he doesn't have too many possessions. He’s reconciled with Gursahn and is moving into his son's home. He just took the plunge. It might have had something to do with seeking peace and quiet as Arjun and Chani’s house was in such constant chaos. He was getting too old for that. He wanted his serenity. He walked around the ferry a bit. He had on a bright yellow turban and a traditional long linen shirt over loose navy blue cotton pants but on his feet he had sneakers. He did wear a simple disposable medical face mask that was light papery blue. Mandeep sat down a few seats from two women talking, one black woman with very long dreads and her white friend wearing a head covering. They were a curious pair but seemed engrossed. He could see the children playing on a structure down at the end and it made him smile.
Joseph looked at the sound of the voice and smiled. "Ira! How are you, son?" he starts to offer his hand and then withdraws it at the last minute. "Right .. we don't do that anymore." he looks at the kids and his mother-in-law. "Well the kids have been missing Levi, so ... but we'll be staying a while. I could use some time out of an office. Maybe on that ... what’s it called .. with the sand?"
Daniel looked around as another voice chimed in. Small world, indeed. On their way to see his brother, they ran into their brother's best friend. Well one of them. The one that wasn’t a rabbi. Not that anyone in his household had been to synagogue lately, which suited him just fine.
Esther sees Ira and moves to him, hugging him as if he were one of her children. "Ira! Where have you been hiding." she sees the woman .. friend... "Hello there. You're new .. or new since my son decided to try and wall me on my own apartment for my own good."
Annette glances up when Levi nudges her. "A lawyer? I paid the rent for the month." she jokes and is amazed she is joking. Humour wasn't always her thing. She moves with him and stands not too close to him. Close enough so they look like friends. The ... grandmother says she is new. Like ... girlfriend new? "No .." she nearly stammered. "No, we're roommates ..a nd .. friends ... of course." she explains. Badly.
Priya smiled tiredly at Shaun and chuckled. When says it was only in fun, she grins. “ Let's hope so.” She watched Reagan and leaned her head back a bit, trying not to nod off. Connor was being her beautiful baby boy, but he'd had a rough night of it. Shaun had given at least 50% which was something she loved about him, but they still missed the last ferry for this one because even with the two adults, they had run late. The idea that she would be in a hotel room with Shaun. Alone. Part of her hoped they could do more than sleep, yet part of her thought that a romantic weekend these days WAS sleeping. Holding each other and not worried what time the baby would wake up.
Bertha laughs aloud with joy. "Twins! Oh that would just beat all, wouldn't it?" she nods about how Natalie is eating. "Oh, he will be feeding her," she predicts. "Because if he doesn't, he'll have me AND you to face." she huffs. Then she glances over at the news about the schools. "I'm guessing its the poor folks. They can't go to work and leave their kids home, cause that's illegal. Poor folks can't afford computers for virtual learning and some kids don't eat if they ain't in school." she offers.
Ira starts to answer Joseph and pt hsi hand out too instinctively “Aw man….yeah. Hate this stupid virus. I’m ok. Been missing Levi too.” He had noticed a less than enthused reply from Ruth. Then he’s hugged by Esther and he politely pats her back and then steps back “Esther ...too sly. The social distancing fuzz will be on us.” Esther addresses Annete in a way that makes her sound like a girlfriend and it seems to make her uncomfortable. Ira sighs and all he can do is joke what’s actually a truth “I should be so lucky….yes roommate and friend.” He pretends to snap like he missed at anything more and then winks at Esther “What about you sweet lady? Any gentlemen callers?” He teases Esther and steals a look at Annete like he’s holding back a world of emotion just below the surface.
Ruth gives Ira her intense stare about his joking around, both about the roommate and his teasing of Grandma Esther. Ruth is a hard read at the best of times. She look pointedly at her brother for a moment as if trying to gauge his take on it all and then from her backpack she takes out a little notebook and a pen and pulls her knees to her using her thighs as a surface as she begins to write and gets engrossed in what she’s doing.
Shaun’s head did droop a bit as Connor worked his sleep magic on them. Course he hadn’t slept the night before. He forced his eyes open and rolled his head towards Priya and smiled at her with love and exhaustion “You’re still beautiful….you know that Priya….” Shaun’s devotion radiated from him to her.
Petra chuckles at Bertha and then nods “I know it’s true. Maybe this virus is a truth teller for our world….things we could not see become obvious.”
Mandeep has completely tuned into the conversation between the two women friends a few seats down from him but he’s trying to make it look like he’s not listening in. But Mandeep has a hard time keeping his views to himself and chimes in, turning towards the women “You know some provinces sent food home to the families….they should do it everywhere if they didn’t run out in the spring. The truth is there whether people see it or not.” He gives a little smile.
Joseph watches Ira joking with Esther. He can't imagine his mother-in-law with another man, although he knows part of that is selfish indeed.
Daniel watches the adults, which is easy, as they rarely notice children. But at least these adults didn't get offended. He looks between Ira and his roommate. There was something weird there. He looks at his sister and gives her a small shrug, and then she goes and starts writing.
Esther grins. "Oh, I miss hugging." she admits. "Hardest habit to break.'' Ira asks about men in her life. "None worth mentioning, dear boy. I will let you know that I have the love of my son-in-law and grandchildren, because anything more would probably drive you right into therapy." she winks at him.
Annette bites her lip when Ira looks at her. He was a pipe dream. If she were smart, she'd go back to her apartment ... which was probably rented to someone else by now, but she'd leave and stop torturing herself.
Priya looked at Shaun and smiled at his compliment. "No." she answered honestly. "I'm still not sure how I fot the most handsome man in school to love me." she knew he loved her but sometimes it felt like a dream. Like she might wake up and he'd be gone.
Bertha snorts. "It might be ... but since when to the people in charge care about the truth?" she snorts. A man nearby suddenly cuts into their conversation. She turns and looks at him. "They shouldn't have to." she proclaims. "But guilt has its place at least.'' Then he talks about the truth and she points at him. "Damn right brutha."
Mandeep chuckles as the closest woman to him answers him and then points at him and says damn right brutha. “Sorry to butt in but your conversation is interesting. And as my kids would say I am not good at butting out.” He gestures in the direction the ferry is travelling “I’m Mandeep. I’m moving to Alexandra to do some more butting in on my son Gurshan now. It’s his turn.”
Petra leans around Bertha and smiles at the friendly conversation joining man but you can only see the crinkling of her eyes. “Petra. Good to meet you Mandeep.” She nods at Bertha “Guilt is good. And we’re going to butt in too…..not on your son...on our grandchildren.” She laughs heartily “It’s good for them.
Shaun looks almost shocked “I’m flattered but you’re also biased..” He chuckles and reaches a hand to grab hers if he can. “You deserve all the love in my being and more. I know what the kids take out of us….out of you more because you’re on with them so much more when I’m at work. Don’t get me wrong I love them. And they won’t always need this much…..I don’t know what I’m saying it’s not like I’m some sage parenting expert on the older years…” He laughs “Maybe I’m just delirious.”
Ira snorts at Esther “I’ll try not to let my mind run wild then. And family is good, real good.” His own family, his blood family was so absent from his life. His parents both gone and his sister and he had drifted. As messed up as Levi’s family sometimes seemed with all the divorces there was a core of cohesion and caring. He craved that but didn’t know how to find it or make it. Although his intense friendship with Annete and his feelings for her made him think about it all the more lately.
Ruth scribbled away in her notebook and looks again at Ira’s “roommate”. She seemed shy. And she was a young woman who dressed like a mature woman. But her clothes were pretty and they suited her. Ruth had been enticing people’s clothes more and more lately especially ladies and girls. Her mother had always chosen for her and now living with her dad she was allowed to pick out things she liked and wear what she wanted. It was interesting. No more hair bows and matching dresses with little knee socks. Her mother made her feel like she was in her school uniform all the time. And she hated that thing.
Joseph gave Ira a smile. "Family is everything." he knew Ira's history and had been glad to see him with a woman. Then that woman said she was only a roommate and friend, but Ira's look ... and the girls, for that matter .. said something different to him. He grinned at the young man. "Be careful, Ira. My mother is a shadchanit ... a matchmaker. Always wanting people to find their love."
Daniel pulled out his phone and sat beside his sister. He considered family. His was at the same time close and distant. Turning it on, he put in a single earbud, so he could still hear the talk around him and listened to music.
Esther reaches out for him, then draws her hand back, but then reaches out for him again. "Oh, Ira..." she sighs deeply and looks at Annette as if she should be hugging this man who was like another grandson. She looks at her son when he calls her a shadchanit, then looks at Ira, then at Annette and finally back to her son. "It doesn't matter if people don't listen." she chides him.
Annette looks at Levi, but then he talks about family and she looks away. He deserved it all. The love ... the family .. all of it. He was her best friend, and she knew that whoever she was, she would have an incredible man. She blinks and looks out of the ferry windows as the woman is called a word she does not know, but means matchmaker. The whole conversation is frustrating for her ... but she is not running away ... she is very much healing in that area.
Priya giggles. "I may be biased, but I'm also right." she proclaims. Leaning into him, she kisses his cheek. "Overdose of baby fumes." She rests her head on his shoulder and looks at their children. “Well, we make beautiful babies, at least.”
Bertha smiles. "Good to meet you, Mandeep ... we're headed for Alexandra, too. And definitely butting in. They need to know they are loved."
Mandeep nods at both women “Pleased as well Petra….and you are?” He asks the woman closer to him for her name. “I do have one grandchild on Alexandra too. A granddaughter, Sajani, she’s an occupational therapist and a yoga teacher and her fireman boyfriend Patrick.” He chuckles as he likes Patrick. “But then 15 more. How many grandchildren do you have ladies?”
Petra looks impressed “Fifteen? That’s prolific. I have one. My Natalie. She’s a lawyer and marrying Bertha’s grandson Marcus. He’s a police officer. And they’re having a baby. Funny order the kids these days but they’re getting it all done. Yoga teacher? I tried yoga once. It seems like a lot of fuss when I can just go for a walk instead.”
Shaun leans into Priya’s kiss on his cheek “Definitely baby stoned here. And we do…..the most beautiful.” He agrees.
Ira laughs nervously about the matchmaking conversation “A woman of many talents Esther. But Joe, she might turn that talent on you now that you’re a free bird again.” He teases. Then he gulps a bit, not sure how the kids feel about it since the divorce was recent. Not knowing how to salvage after the potential blunder he randomly changes topics and looks at Annette like he’s asking her for a lifeline “So Annette’s French, you kids studying French in school?” He knew they went to the same private Jewish schools Levi had so it might be a futile question but French was of course taught up to a certain grade level.
Ruth eyed Ira with a scrupulous look “Oui…...un petit peut. (Yes a little bit). Honestly I think it would be better to learn Manderin Chinese than French in BC. And my father doesn’t need another wife. Thank you very much.” The last part was a bit snippy and then she went back to her scribbling.
Ira deflated a bit “Hey...I was kidding around. Bad timing. Sorry.” He holds up a hand at Joseph and Esther, guessing Danny might not have liked the joke either “We should leave you to it. I just wanted to say hello.” He looks ready to head back to where they were originally about to sit down.
Joseph chuckles a bit at Ira and shakes his head, even as Ruth announces that he does not need another wife. He nods at her. "The lady is right. I am too old for more wives and more children."
Daniel hears Ira over his music, as well as his sister's almost bitchy reply. She's right, in his opinion, and his father says so as well. He rolls his eyes in the direction of his father, silently agreeing with his sister, then puts the other earbud in his other ear. He nods to the music, looking in parts out the window and in parts over his sisters shoulder.
Esther nods slowly. "God wanted 5 more beautiful grandchildren for me to love. That's enough." she proclaims. She pats his arm as he apologizes. Then she turns her attention to Annette. "French, eh?" she looks the girl up and down. "You are very beautiful ... and you dress very modestly. Thats a good thing." her eyes cut to Ira again. "I assume you are Catholic?" she asks just as Ira looks like he wants to move away. Not taking her eye off of Annette, she reaches out and social distancing be damned, pulls at his shirt to bring him back. "I do not hold it against you. It's not an easy thing to do. Two of life's biggest challenges are being Catholic and keeping Kosher." she smiles.
Annette looks like she is ready to go along with Ira after he puts his foot in his mouth. It's sort of cute, but definitely uncomfortable. That, however, is nothing compared to having Esther's eyes on her. "Oui, ma'am. I am French.'' She is a little nervous until the woman goes on to talk about how hard it is to be Catholic. The laugh is surprised out of her. "That ... is probably true." she agrees. "I've studied kosher cooking. It looks like it can be difficult but also not, if that makes sense." and then she realizes she mentioned she'd been looking at kosher cooking and pointedly does NOT look at Ira.
Priya smiles at Shaun. "We're getting days off ...." she murmurs, sounding a little stunned. "Just me and you." she sounds as if she's waiting to tell her that's not how it's going to work. "Like ... I could ... you know ..." it sounds like she might suggest something dirty. "Eat at a table ... with both hands?" is what comes out of the young mother's mouth.
Bertha places her hand on her ample chast. "I'm Bertha." her eyes widen at the news of 15 grandchildren. "Well look atchu." she beams. "I'm with Petra. Just the one. But who knows how many great-grandchildren they might give us." she chuckles. "Yes ... I prefer walking .. and of course talking ... and then there's eating." she rolls her eyes. "But I'm in shape. Round's a shape." she proclaims.
Mandeep gives the ladies a twinkly eyed look “Yes great grandchildren are next.” He seems very amused by the comment that round is a shape and pats his own slightly rounded belly “Eating is good and all the shapes. I hope they have some interesting food on the island. My son isn’t much of a cook. My grandaughter yes, but she moved in with the boyfriend.” He shrugs “Funny order, I agree. A cop and a lawyer. You won’t get in any trouble.” He teases. “My Gurshan is a psychologist, a therapist I guess they call themselves. Everyone seems to need it these days.”
Petra beams about the great grandchildren “Oh I hope they have a few.” She laughs at Bertha and looks at her own robust figure and back at Mandeep “Diets are die with a T. People don’t eat properly...that’s why their brains don’t work…”
Shaun has to laugh at Priya’s assessment of what days off together means and then he just says what’s on his mind quietly to her “Priya we could make love on a table...with both hands.” He bites his lip looking at her “Or on the bed, the floor, a chair, in the shower with no baby monitor trying to make as go as fast as we can.” He’s whispering now and glad for the chatter around and the songs of Reagan’s little penguin game being a little loud and annoying.
Ira grins at Joseph and then Esther and then gets pulled back by his shirt before he can escape as Esther is telling Annette she’s both beautiful and a modest dresser. He couldn’t agree more. Then Annette says she’s looked up Kosher cooking and he fixes his gaze on her with an unintentional but intensely tender look. “You gonna be a Kosher Catholic?” He lightly teases but he’s also touched.
Ruth looks relieved her father won’t go off on some foolish matchmaking set up or look for a new wife. Things were just getting normal. She notices Danny looking over her shoulder and writes him a note in the margin How are grown ups so clueless. Ira and Annette like each other. It’s boring. Ruth was a keen observer. She had been told to be seen and not heard too many times by her mother so she had learned to sit quietly and watch the world.
Annette bites her lip. "Well ..." she doesn't look at him. "We're roommates ... and friends ... so ... I try and be inclusive in my cooking."
Joseph watches Annette and Ira with the slightest of grins on his face. "How considerate of you, Annette." his voice is a bit dry.
Esther laughs at the idea of a kosher Catholic and then playfully hits Joseph in the arm at his comment. "Consideration is one thing YOU only got in a wife ONCE." she huffs. Then she looks back at Ira and Annette. "Roommates and friends are a start ... of course." she grins. "Meeting the best friend is also very sweet. Not many ... friends ... will come all this way just for that."
Annette stammers. "I have aunts on the island .. family." She is almost defensive.
Esther arches both of her brows. "I am sure they will approve of this friend who happens to be your roommate, too." now it is her voice that is dry, even though she is smiling. “He’s a good man.”
Daniel reads the message his sister writes and shakes his head, as if to the music. Then he looks over the aforementioned adults before turning his attention back out the window.
Priya listens, her eyes growing wider. They'd never made love anyplace but the bed. Well, the couch in the beginning and sometimes the floor. She looks at him, knowing he's the more adventurous of them. "A table? The shower?" she giggles. "And not ... oh Shaun when was the last time we felt like we had ..." she blows out a breath, feeling bolder the closer they got to )this time truly alone. Her voice drops as well. "I want to ... let you .. explore." she says, almost afraid of what that might mean, but she feels emboldened.
Bertha nods about the food. "I hope so, too." She agrees with them both. "Good food, good thoughts." she arches her brows. "Oh, that's a good profession, especially these days. This pandemic is the most depressing I've ever seen."
Mandeep nods “This island is supposed to be a little safer but the virus is everywhere. And it’s taking a toll on people.” He looks out the window ruefully.
Petra nods along “Good food and thoughts will keep us sane. And the love of our families. And masks. Those people and their stupid anti mask protests will be the death of us.”
Shaun’s pupils dilate at Priya’s words and openness to it all. He can’t even form a sentence to come back on and just grins at her with a blush and an “OK…..” He feels like an eager teenager again.
Ira hears all the dry tones and comments and sees Annette getting defensive. He’s not sure how to take her reaction but feels like she’s maybe feeling pressured by all the romantic suggestion and counters with “People can be friends...it’s ok.” He tries to look reassuring. If she’s not into it, he will never push her.
Ruth rolls her eyes but discreetly and keeps scrawling.
Joseph watches this girls reaction. "Of course they can." he slaps Ira's shoulder. "Ignore us old people, young people." he looks at Esther. "You have tplenty of grandsons to matchmake without harassing a cute Catholic girl."
Daniel snorts without moving from his position. Suddenly he jumps. "Ruth! Look! I think that's it!"
Esther grins at the young roommates. "Just always be friends, no matter what else. Life is too short to lose something that precious." she looks at Joseph. "All my attempts to matchmake are failures in my own family." she laments. Then Daniel spots their stop and a chime sounds as the PA system announces it. "Saved by the bell." she winks at Annette.
Annette looks at Ira and nods. She nods at Esther. "I will always be Ira's friend." she promises softly. It's all she believes she can ever be.
Priya blushes a bit and chastely kisses his cheek. Connor is limp and asleep. Leave it to him to do it in public.
Bertha looks at Mandeep."Quite the toll..." she leaves it open if he has a story to share. "Well, according to Marcus thay ain't had none of that nonsense in Alexandra. Good people, for sure."
Mandeep has heard the chime and the announcement. He can see Alexandra “That’s good to know.” He starts to get ancy to start his new adventure and begins to collect his things “Very nice to talk with you both. Perhaps I will bump into you while you’re here visiting. Enjoy your time with your family.” He stands up and begins his walk to the exit zones a little impatiently. He’s had 3 years stolen from he and Gurshan. He believed Patrick. And he wants both his feet on the land before he believes that can never happen again. Soon the ferry docks and he’s int the throng of passengers exiting. As he gets to the landing his eyes fill with happy tears and his son is walking towards him with open arms. Then to his surprise his grandaughter it here to btu she’s meeting Priya and her husband from the other side of her family. He waves to them all. She gives him a wave and blows him a kiss but then tends to Priya and Shaun and picks up their daughter as they walk and talk.
Petra gives Mandeep a little wave “Nice to chat with you too.” Then he hurries away “He wants to be at the front of the line I guess. Let the crowd go through. She has her hands ready to pick up her things but Petra was relaxed. “They’re sane here…..good for our great grandchild, a safe place.” Eventually the crowd moves through and thins at the end “It’s time Bertha…” She looks excited. Both Marcus and Natalie are watching for them and happily waving as they step off.
Shaun gives Priya a little eyebrow wiggle at the chime and head juts “We’re up Babe.” He looks over at Reagan “Hey sweetie you need to turn off your game ok? We’re here…..give the tablet to mommy for the bag. Reagan pouts a bit but complies and then stands up on her seat looking at the now big island approaching with curious enthusiasm. They manage to get the kids and their gear sorted and make their way through. At the platform Sajani is practically jumping up and down to see them arrive and scoops Reagan up into her arms. Then Shaun sees Mandeep Singh and Gurshan and waves “Was he on our ferry?” He snorts “Small world.”
Ruth closes her notebook and shoves it into her pack and zips it up as Daniel spots land She can see a lot of trees in the distance and the beginnings of the town which looks welcoming. She’ll give her brother a rare smile. This was a true freedom for her this trip. Away from her mother and all the places and people that put her in their little boxes that suited them. No one knew them here. No one would tell her who to be. She settled into that ignoring the conversation around her and exiting with her family. She keenly observed everything around the ferry landing as they walked off but then tucked it away and ran to her older brother Levi and hugged him around the middle.
Ira heard the words from Annette. I will always be his friend and while he loved those words, they were also a nail in the coffin of his dreams of he and Annette being so much more. But if that’s what she wanted, he would be a damned good friend. As the chime happened and the island was before them his agony over Annette’s declaration that she was only his friend caused his heart a physical ache. And as they stepped onto the solid ground of Alexandra he fought his thoughts and feelings as if they seemed to amplify. Shake it off Ira. She doesn’t want you that way. He forces himself to make nice and make chit chat with Esther as they walk and then teh Samuels of course head to Levi. Ira hangs back with Annette letting them have their greetings but he does give Levi a little cheeky salute. Then he recognizes Amelie as she runs towards them apologizing that she had a cleaning that ran overtime and made her late. Amelie hugs Annette and then in a gesture of welcome hugs him too.
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