Page 136 of Summer Holiday Lifeline

“What does he say?”

This time, she winked. “He vents.”

“But you’re not going to give me specifics.”

“If I thought it was something you really needed to know…”

“Okay, okay. Point taken.”

“Don’t fret. You’re doing great.” She jerked her chin at Shelly. “Look at her. She’s happy. Or at least, content. Calm. All that kinetic energy is gone.”

“How long before it comes back?”

“You seem calmer too. Less terrified you’ll do or say the wrong thing.” She smiled at him. “Way less sad.”

“I’m still sad. I miss her.”

“But it’s not eating you alive anymore.” Her smile became a grin. “Love can do that. This Steven…”

“He is amazing. Do you know he devised this whole plan for himself to get used to leaving his house again…” And he was off on an entire jag about his recent conversations with Steven, about his breakfasts at the Oaks and trips to the Cabin and whole afternoons out with his twin to shop for her house.

“Every time I talk to him, Pat, he seems… happier? Stronger, I guess. He’s enjoying himself when he goes out now. On one hand, I wish I was there to see it in person. On the other, maybe it’s good I’m not. He has to do it all himself, and he is. I can hear it in his voice, though.” A goofy smile took over his face.

“Can I offer a bit of advice?” she asked.

“Always.”

“Leave this place.”

“We live here.”

“It’s just a house. Even if you stay in Calgary, sell this place and buy a house you actually like. Maybe one that likes you back.”

He blinked at her. “Explain that.” Because outside of Griffon’s Elbow, he’d never heard anyone refer to a house’s feelings, much less do so in such a conversational way.

She drew her shoulders up near her ears and looked around the room, a bemused smile on her face. “You know how the feel of a place can change depending on who’s in it?”

“Sure.”

“And now don’t take this the wrong way, sweetie.” She put a hand on his knee. “But almost as soon as you left? This place started to detox. I kept finding windows open when I hadn’t been in a couple of days, full-on breezes blowing through. And the more I came, the less anxious I felt being here.”

“You like this house?”

“Starting to.” She glanced around the room.

He followed her gaze. So many thoughts of Natalie still permeated the place. He saw her everywhere. They’d been back two weeks and Shelly still hadn’t slept in her own room. Jet spent all his time hanging out with his little sister. Myles suspected that was to not be alone in any room.

“Maybe,” he muttered, following her gaze to a portrait of Natalie and the kids that could be moved to a new house, the blankets she’d knitted that could drape over a different couch, a framed photo of their father that could… sit n a box in some other attic. He smiled at the thought.

Time to start honouring the things that mattered and letting go of the things that hurt.

They were deep in a conversation about the progress on Pat’s tiny house build when Jet banged in the door, grumbling into his headphones about something.

“Hi?” Myles lifted a hand.

“Hey.” He was almost past them to the stairs when he noticed Pat. “Auntie Pat! Wyatt, I gotta go. Call you back in a bit.” He tossed the headset onto the couch, his backpack on the floor, and scooped Pat into a long, fierce hug.

“And what were you complaining to your new friend about?” Pat asked when he finally put her down.