Return to Kirk's Landing by Mike Young

Author:Mike Young
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: police, canada, summer, rcmp, rural, first nations, graffiti, spirit possession, northern town, manitoba
Publisher: Mike Young

Chapter 23

Rosie turned from the cash as Junior whistled at him. “Wow, Rosie, looking pretty fly. Is that a new shirt?”

“Might be. Nothing that unusual. Sometimes I just like to dress up.”

“What a coincidence,” said Junior, “because today’s the day that cute outdoor-ed teacher is coming.” He laughed and walked back into the youth centre.

“Smart-ass,” said Rosie. He started setting up for lunch, carefully, so as to keep his new shirt clean. He was looking under the counter for more menus when he heard a woman’s voice.

“Hello? Is anybody here?”

He straightened up quickly, wiped his hand on his apron, and held it out.

“Hi, I’m Rosie. You must be Ms. Goodall.” Junior was right, she was cute.

“Ah, hi,” she said. “Rosie?”

“It’s a bit of a story,” he said. “I can explain it later over coffee, if you’ve time. But you’ll be looking for Junior, right? He’s out back in our youth centre. This way.”

After he showed her back to the centre, he returned to his lunch prep, with the occasional glance toward the back room. Just as he was finishing up lunch service, the two of them came back out. Rosie smiled and set a couple of coffees out for them.

“Can I tempt you with a bit of dessert, Ms. Goodall?” he said.

“I haven’t had lunch yet,” she said. “Junior raved about your food so much I was about to faint from hunger, I think.”

“I have some Leek and Potato soup left. I can do you a salad too.”

“I’m sold,” she said. “And call me Sharon, please.”

“You got it. And Junior will be taking a piece of pie, I’m sure.”

“No, I’ll just take my coffee with me in back,” said Junior. “You can pump her all about her proposal.” He picked up his coffee and gave Rosie a smile and thumbs up behind the teacher’s back.

Sharon sipped her soup and watched Rosie as he quickly put together the rest of her lunch.

“This is good,” she said. “I like the added nutmeg. Obviously homemade.” She reached out and touched his arm. “So, tell me the story behind Rosie.”

Rosie filled her in on his saga—the early marriage, successful business in Toronto, loving relationship, unexpected death of his wife and partner, and his new home and friends in the north.

She shook her head. “Wow, such highs and lows. But you’re happy now up here?”

“Very much so,” he said. “So, what about Junior’s plan? Does it look doable? He’s really quite an accomplished young man.”

“Yes he is,” she said. “He told me of some of his earlier problems growing up as First Nations in a small town, and the strong influence from his grandfather. And his lifetime love of nature, and the bond he feels with it. I think he’s well qualified to relate to the youth, be they troubled or not, and use his outdoor program to do it.”

“He’s just starting to realize his own capabilities,” said Rosie. “It’s good to see him grow.”

“It’s a good proposal,” she said. “I’ll try this in the fall as a pilot program.

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