“You weren’t the one who ripped up the picture, Jo.”
“But I was the one who took it to the Brokaws’ home.”
“You had no way of knowing… ”
“The truth is I didn’t care. I just wanted the whole mess to be over. You were sick. We were both exhausted, and I was scared.”
“That’s not a crime,” Zack said quietly.
“Maybe not, but what I did to Theo was stupid, and now there are consequences.”
“The consequences may not all be bad,” Zack said. “What kind of professional help is Theo getting?”
“None that I know of. Myra anticipates Theo’s every wish. I think she enjoys the role of caregiver. She told me yesterday that a wise man realizes that when he’s lost everything else, his wife has to be enough.”
“But Myra isn’t enough. Theo’s problems are complex. I’m no expert, but I imagine that there are medications and therapies that could help him.”
“So you’re saying I can stop feeling guilty because Theo had to hit bottom before he could get the care he needs.”
“That’s about it.”
I kissed my husband. “Nice try,” I said. “But I’m not buying.”
When I got back from my run with the dogs, Zack was on the phone. “Ready for some good news?” he asked.
I peeled off my outer layers and flopped on the bed.
“God, yes.”
“That was Noah on the phone. He’s coming over later. He wants us to stop investigating Nadine Perrault.”
“Hallelujah,” I said. “I take it Nadine’s side will reciprocate.”
“Nadine has already agreed. Darryl Colby will shit bricks when he sees his golden goose slip from his slimy fingers.”
“Glad to see the flu hasn’t robbed you of your way with words,” I said. “So what happens now?”
“I guess that’s what Noah’s coming to discuss.”
“Will Delia be with him?”
“He didn’t say, but I can’t imagine this is a unilateral decision. Anyway, Izzy’s coming.”
“Taylor will be happy to hear that.” I looked at him carefully. “Are you sure you’re up for this?”
“Yeah, I’m feeling better.”
“Honestly?”
“Absolutely. I had an erotic dream last night. That has to be a good sign.”
“The best,” I said.
“Kym’s coming over in a few minutes to give me a shower and shave.”
“Really,” I said. “So was the erotic dream about me or Kym?”
Zack smirked. “You know how erotic dreams are – everyone just kind of swims together.”
I turned so I could see Zack’s face. “What does Kym look like anyway?”
His expression was noncommittal. “Nice-looking, I guess – not as nice-looking as you.”
“That was the right answer,” I said.
He tapped his temple with his forefinger. “That’s why I earn the big bucks.”
The doorbell rang. “That must be Kym with a y,” I said. “I should have put on makeup.”
“Kym with a y doesn’t wear makeup.”
I groaned. “Now I really hate her.”
I opened the door to a red-headed bodybuilder with a brush cut, rosy cheeks, and a killer handshake. “You must be Joanne,” he said.
“And you’re Kym,” I said. “You have no idea how glad I am to meet you.”
I stood aside to let him come in. After he’d taken off his boots and jacket, Kym rubbed his hands together. “This warmth feels good. I had a cold walk from home.”
“Where do you live?”
“In the old nurses’ residences down by the General.”
“Nice digs,” I said.
“They are,” he agreed. “Hardwood floors, high ceilings. Big rooms. Neighbourhood’s a little sketchy, but you can’t have everything. How’s Zack this morning?”
“Trying to do too much, but I don’t say anything.”
“Very wise,” Kym said. “Why don’t I go spiff him up? Give you a break.”
On the way down the hall, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and decided I could use a little spiffing up myself. Taylor was already in her studio so I showered in her bathroom, and helped myself to her copious supply of beauty products. The result was a decided improvement. I made coffee, tried to call Taylor, but her cell wasn’t on, so the dogs and I walked through the snow to her studio. This time when I knocked, my daughter came to the door instead of inviting me in. “Troubles?” I said.
“No. I just want to work on it for a while before you see it again.”
“Fair enough,” I said. “Isobel’s coming over.”
“That’s good. She can come out here and read while I work. She’s interested in that poetry book you got me for my birthday.”
“That’s okay with Isobel?”
“Yeah,” Taylor said. “She and I like doing separate things together.”
“I underestimate you,” I said.
Taylor frowned and turned back to her canvas. “It evens out.”
“Meaning?”
She gave me the Sally smile. “Sometimes we underestimate you.”
Kym met me by the hall linen closet when I came in. “I changed the sheets,” he said.
“Our washing machine’s getting a workout,” I said. “I just changed those sheets last night.”
“I know, but Zack still has a fever, and clean sheets feel good.”
“I’m enjoying them too.”
“Zack tells me you’re still sharing a bed – despite the coughing and sweats and chills.”
“That’s part of the deal, isn’t it?” I said.
Kym nodded. “So they tell me. I’d better check on Zack. He wanted to shave.”
“Why don’t I go in and keep him company with that,” I said. “He must be the last man in the world to use a straight razor.”
When I went in, Zack was wearing a robe and sitting in his wheelchair shaving.
Being a paraplegic is expensive. Zack’s bathroom was, in the phrase of the day, “universal,” which meant it could be used by pretty much anyone whatever their physical limitations. We had been adamant about not having the bathroom look like a hospital, so all the features Zack needed to function independently had been incorporated into an innovative design that was sleek and beautiful.
I sat down on the edge of the bathtub. “Need anything?” I asked.
“Just someone to talk to,” he said. “What are you up to today?”
“I thought since Kym and the Wainbergs are going to be here for a couple of hours, I’d get all my errands out of the way. We’re supposed to get more snow this afternoon, so I thought you and I could crawl into bed and watch Tim Burton’s
Zack rinsed the soap off his razor. “I thought we were living The Nightmare Before Christmas.”
“This version has songs,” I said. “And it’s funny.”
“Bring it on,” Zack said. He placed his razor back in its case, and turned his chair towards the door.
“After you’re settled, I’m going to pick up groceries,” I said. “Anything strike your fancy?
“Do we have any more of that chicken soup?”
“No, but I can make some. No problem at all. And I have to hit the mall – briefly. Mieka called, and the Core Rec Centre has seven boys between ages of fourteen and seventeen on their list and not a single present for that age group. I thought I’d get some Sports Mart gift certificates.”
“Wise choice. Sports Mart has neat stuff. Jo, I’d like to make a donation too. Falconer Shreve’s had a good year, and when I was a kid, I spent a lot of hours in places like the Core Rec Centre. The Christmas party was always a
