“You mean, it’snot a joke?”
“No,” he says,still chuckling. “It’s not.”
“No way. Thisis crazy. I feel like I just won the lottery or something. I can’tbelieve it.”
“Some cases areharder than others. The one you just solved could have been verydangerous. Not everyone would put themselves at risk like you did.You earned the money.”
He says goodbyeand I drive to my bank.
Afterdepositing the cheque and pulling out a couple hundred, I head hometo wait for Dad. When I get through the door and take off myjacket, I pull my phone out of my pocket and notice a missed callfrom Katie, instantly my heart sinks. I’ve got to keep myself busyuntil she tires of trying to reach me and the calls stop. With afew more hours until Dad gets home, I decide to go to the pool fora swim. After I put my things in a locker, I walk out into the poolarea. A guy in his thirties is doing laps. He has short black hairand an athletic build. He briefly stops and looks up at me when Ienter the water, “Hey,” he says, before continuing swimming. I pickthe far side of the pool to dive and swim.
My musclesimmediately feel strained. I don’t get as much time in the waterwhen I’m away from my summer job in Halfmoon Bay. There, I spendcountless hours flipping my kayak and swimming to help clients getin or out of their boats. It can be a real pain in the ass takingcare of novice kayakers, but I wouldn’t quit that job for all themoney in the world. Being in nature and away from the cement jungleof Vancouver, I always feel healthier and more connected to myself.I’d love to move there one day, maybe start my own adventure guidebusiness.
The swimmerfinishes doing laps and jumps out of the pool and sits on theledge, “Do you live here?” he asks in a friendly voice.
“No, I justwalk around Yaletown in my swimsuit until I find water.”
“Oh, she’spretty and funny?”
Oh great. Notthis.
“Give me abreak. I’m just trying to be neighborly,” he says, smiling.
“Yes. I livehere, at least for the time being. I’m staying in a friend’s suitewhile they’re away.”
“You’re verypretty. What’s your name?”
“Lesbian, andyours?”
His eyes widenand his smile fades a little.
“My name isJules, and yours?”
“It’s Shayne.Nice to meet you Jules,” he says, less enthusiastically thanbefore.
“Well, I guessI’d better go,” he says, standing up. “See you around.”
Gee, was itsomething I said? I laugh to myself.
Finally, alonein the pool, I do as many laps as I can before heading to thejacuzzi. When my hands start turning prune like and wrinkly, Idecide it’s time to head back to the apartment.
I have a quickshower and get changed. As soon as I walk into the front room, Ihear keys in the lock. Dad walks in looking tired but satisfied.“Hey kid, how are you?”
“Oh, I’d sayI’m pretty fucking great, actually.”
“Jules, honey.Don’t say that word so much. You’re better than that.”
“Ok. Ok.Whatever. Anyways, I have something to tell you, but first, how wasday one on the job?”
“It lacksstimulation,” he laughs, “It’s repetitive as heck, but it’s a joband it feels pretty good to be earning honest money.”
“That’s great,Dad. Speaking of money, you’re not going to believe what I got paidfor solving that case.”
“Did they payyou well?”
“Let’s justsay, I’m taking you for a swanky dinner tonight, so go have ashower and get cleaned up.”
“We’recelebrating?” he says.
“We’recelebrating,” I answer.
While I sit onthe couch and wait for him, my phone rings. Oh no, it’s probablyKatie again. I wish so much that she would be coming along with ustonight, but I know I can’t let that happen. I look over at thephone. Jason’s name is on the screen. I quickly answer, “Jay. Howthe hell are ya?”
“Hey, girl. I’mjust making a quick call to congratulate you on kicking ass on yourfirst case.”
“I know. It wasa trip. I’ve got so much to tell you.”
“And I want tohear everything, but I’ve got to get some shut eye. The days startearly around here.”
I forgot aboutthe time difference. I feel bummed that we can’t talk longer. “Whenwill we be able to connect?” I ask.
“I’ll give youa call when I get some free time.”
Just as we’resaying goodbye, I remember, “Jason, wait! I have to tell yousomething.”
“What isit?”
“My father.He’s been staying here. It’s a long story. I just want to make sureyou’re cool with that?”
“Jules, I trustyour judgement, plus, I told you when I left, it’s your apartmentuntil I come back.”
“Thanks, Jay.Also, I want to give you some cash for me staying here.”
“I won’t hearof it. You’re doing me a favor by watching the place. Gotta go,Love ya,”
“Love ya too,Jay.”
Just as thecall ends, Dad walks out looking clean and ready to go. I feelguilty for thinking it, but because of the poor condition of hisclothing, I’m not sure if a fine dining place will let us in.
When we reachdowntown, I decide to take Dad to the Five Sails Restaurant in thePan-Pacific Hotel. The place has great mountain and water views andit’s not too ritzy, so they shouldn’t have a problem with howscruffy Dad’s clothes look.
Dad’s eyeswiden when we walk into the restaurant. I’m not sure when the lasttime was that he dined at a nice place, maybe never. The maître d’walks us to a table by a window and hands us both a menu. When thewaiter comes, he asks us if we’d like to see the wine list. Beforemy father can answer, I say “No.”
Dad and I talkabout everything and nothing over dinner. He tells me about his joband a fella who works with him named, Jim. Apparently, Jim used tobe a druggy on the street back in the days Dad was around, but theynever knew each other. Apparently, Jim knows Slinky, my parents’old friend. Jim, told Dad that Slinky is still an addict and is nowholed up in a downtown hotel.
I order us twoplates of grilled salmon and rice, my dad’s favorite foods. As weeat, he looks out the
