The Birds that Stay by Ann Lambert

Author:Ann Lambert
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Second Story Press
Published: 2020-09-14T16:48:39+00:00

Twenty-Three

Marie sat in her father’s old den, drinking the dregs of the last bottle of single malt. She was so exhausted it felt like someone had drained her blood. She’d spent the day cleaning up her little cabin and listening to Louis Lachance lecture her on living alone dans le bois when there were such nice apartments in the village. He was not making things better. Marie had arranged for Louis to supervise the locksmith and the alarm company, if she could not be back up north in time. There was really nothing left to steal, anyway. Marie noticed a tremor in Louis’s hands as he worked the screwdriver into the old lock he was repairing. She didn’t remember seeing that before. Normally, Louis was a man from whom conversation had to be extracted, but today he had actually offered up information. Marie learned that Kutya was Madame Newman’s dog. That Madame Newman was a very gracious and kind person. Always respectful, always thoughtful. “If Madame Newman is not safe in her bed at night, then no one is,” he claimed. He explained how the shock only hit him two days after he’d found her. Marie continued to sweep up and listen.

“My wife, Michelle, is so scared at night now that she made me buy a baseball bat at Canadian Tire—it’s not easy to find this time of year—and keep it by our bed.”

He stopped tinkering with the lock and straightened up his back, which had gone stiff. “I have an old hunting rifle, but I haven’t fired it in years.” Louis trailed off. Marie was reminded of the tragedy with his grandson. They had never spoken about it beyond the usual condolences, and they were not going to now. Louis returned his attention to her door. When each of them had fixed and restored what they could of her house, Marie announced she had to get back to the city. The traditional Québécois greeting or farewell is a kiss on each cheek. This would be unthinkable with Louis Lachance. Marie extended her hand for him to shake, but he pulled her to him and hugged her, their faces uncomfortably close. He smelled like wood smoke and coffee.

“Everything has gone to hell around here. I wish you would think about moving into the village. I don’t think it’s safe out here for you.” They separated abruptly. Louis was obviously embarrassed by this display of affection. Marie was too surprised to know how to feel.

•

When Marie finally got back to her mother’s house in Montreal, Ruby was sitting in the kitchen, waiting for her impatiently. She had her coat on, a small backpack and her car keys on the table next to her. Marie kissed the top of her head.

“Thanks so much, sweetheart. Sorry I’m late—”

“Is everything okay at the cabin?”

“Well, it’s a long story and you look like you’re in a hurry—”

“Yeah, I got something on in the city and I’m late already.”

Marie pointed up with her index finger.

“Is she all right?”

Ruby stood up and slung her bag over her shoulder.

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