The Weight of Snow by Christian Guay-Poliquin

Author:Christian Guay-Poliquin
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: fiction
Publisher: Talonbooks
Published: 2019-11-20T00:00:00+00:00

ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-ONE

By the time we pull up in front of the porch, I am frozen stiff. I can’t even lift myself off the seat. Joseph picks me up in his arms and carries me inside. I slump in the rocking chair by the fire, and weakness overtakes me. As if the cold wanted to keep me in its embrace. I hope I won’t get sick like the others in the village.

Matthias is still sorting supplies with great enthusiasm.

I thought you’d cut back on the provisions, he says. But there’s beef, a whole duck, maple syrup, pâté, dried mushrooms, all kinds of things. There’s even coffee.

I’m glad you’re happy, Joseph tells him as he measures the distance between the floor and the ceiling beams.

Matthias expresses amazement when he discovers two bottles of wine.

Why all this? And why now?

Little by little, my blood warms enough to start flowing through my body. But the pins and needles are intolerable. I can barely follow what the two are saying.

Jude isn’t the only one with a secret stash, Joseph points out. I wanted you to enjoy a little. Why not? But don’t talk about it, it might cause trouble. Once, Jude locked Jacques up for two days.

What happened?

I wasn’t there when it happened. Some people say that Jacques pointed a gun at someone who owed him some gas. Other people think it’s just a plot. He was let go, but it’s going to end badly if you ask me.

Matthias thanks Joseph and promises he will be discreet. But he tries to get more information about what happened with Jacques.

His whole arsenal was seized. Jude says it’s too risky to have weapons circulating. That sooner or later, someone will make a wrong move.

The snowmobile ride completely exhausted me. My neck muscles droop and I lose a large part of the conversation. When I can finally lift my head, Joseph is installing the cedar planks beneath the central beams.

That won’t straighten them up, he admits, driving in long nails with expert hammer blows, but it will keep them from sagging more. Now the clouds can dump their load on you, and you should be all right.

As I fight sleep, Joseph picks up his things. When he finishes he hands Matthias a key ring with a small plastic moose on it.

What’s this? Matthias asks.

A present. If you’re still here when the snow has melted, at least you’ll have access to a car. Third house on the left before the edge of the village, you know, right next to the arena. Third house on the left, he repeats, in the garage.

What about the expedition?

I think Jude and the others are seeing to the preparations, but I don’t really know how far they’ve gone. I’m sure you’ll hear about it before I do.

When Joseph puts his hand on my shoulder to say goodbye, I jump as if he had disturbed me in the midst of a dream.

I have to go. Get some rest. Rest up and eat your fill, it’s no time to give up.

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