(
Alternatively, the Book Store, Chapter 10.5 or so. It fits into both worlds
)
Alison always looked forward to her family's annual summer holiday at their cottage. It had been a mainstay of her childhood, something consistent, something familiar. Her father had travelled for much of his career, spending a year in Ethiopia, or France, Peru, Martinique; friends had been so transitory, Alison didn't have any growing up because she was never in any place long enough, and realized at a young age that forming these bonds was useless, she'd be half a world away and would never see these people again. But, their cottage on Ahmic Lake in Northern Ontario was always a place that she could return to. It wasn't so far north that you couldn't get there in more than a few hours but it was far enough from the cities and far enough removed from the highways that people didn't just stumble on it by accident.
Her parents bought the cottage when Alison's oldest brother was born and they knew that they wanted a place they could return to, that would always be home no matter where they were in the world. It had changed little since they bought it; new wiring, new furniture every so often, heaters for those unexpectedly cold nights, and even air conditioning for the outrageously hot ones. Alison had spent enough lazy summers there watching the kids next door grow up, the Christian camp across the lake change owners and denominations so many times she wondered why anyone thought running it was a good idea. She'd heard the same people singing the same songs, unseen, for years as their voices carried over the still waters of the lake.
Alison smiled as she kissed her fiance good-bye; Josh was dropping her off a couple days before the rest of her family was set to join her. Alison was looking forward to the peace and quiet after spending the majority of the summer covering for the new kids at Books and News, and when she wasn't working in the store she was working on her own writing and freelance projects, which left her with... not enough down-time, real down-time, do nothing but sit and look at a fire or watch mist drift over the water in the morning. Star-gaze and make up stories. Dance under the light of moon around a fire.
"Are you sure you don't want me to stay?" Josh asked.
"Are you sure you don't have to be back in Toronto in the morning for your presentation?"
Josh smiled. "I just thought I'd ask. I know you've been eager for some Alison-time."
"I have. It will be good. I have my laptop, and they got wifi installed last summer. I've been meaning to finish some of my short stories and I think I can polish a couple of them up before my parents and brothers arrive on Tuesday."
"Are you sure you have everything you need?"
"Positive."
"Everything?" Josh winked.
"Go!" Alison laughed. "Traffic is going to suck enough for you getting back."
"Alright," Josh smiled, "I love you. I'll text when I get back home. If you need anything just call, I'm only three hours away."
Alison kissed him again and hugged him close.
"I'll be ok. I'll see you next week, my love."
Josh got back in his car and did a lazy three-point turn in the cottage's driveway. He waved out the window before turning onto the road.
Alison's phone buzzed in her back pocket.
"Oh for fucks sake."
Did you make it to your cottage ok?
It was Chris.
Yes. Just got here now.
Her work-husband, occasional fuck-buddy, stress-reliever and she sometimes hated to admit, really good friend, had been feeling a little neglected of late.
Want company?
CHRIS. Stop. I swear I'm going to block you if you don't knock it off.
I know I know you're being good now.
She was; after getting engaged Alison had put considerable effort into being a better partner. It didn't deter Chris as much as she thought it would.
Besides you don't even know where I am.
Mmhmm.
Alison didn't like that
Mmhmm
very much, she didn't trust it. What was Chris thinking? She got her keys out and opened the front door. The smell, oh the musty, lived-in but only sometimes smell, the lingering smell of the woodsmoke. Alison started turning things on - the fridge was running already, her parents had been up a few weeks earlier for a jaunt, and the cases of craft beer on the floor spoke of her brothers having been as well.
Her phone buzzed again.
Does this look familiar?
There was a photo of Chris, a much younger Chris, standing in front of five birch trees.
Alison looked past the trees across Ahmic.
What the fuck?
Yeah I used to go to the camp across from your cottage. If you can see the cabin like.. to the left of the main one I used to sleep there. I had the best blowjob of my life there, lol.
*I* didn't suck your cock there, so it couldn't have been your best ;)
Haha no I mean like, best of my life at the time. I was 18. I told you about her, Good Christian Ex.
Oh yeah.
Small world though. Like when I was working out west and you were in Moose Jaw and I 100% ate at the restaurant you worked at. I would have remembered if you were my server so I think I wasn't in your section or maybe you were off. But yeah the world is full of weird coincidences. Especially when it comes to you and me.
Alison sighed.
I'll let you go... I know you're being good, but if you wanted to get drunk later I would be down for it.
We'll see.
And if you wanted to send me some pics I wouldn't say no.
No.
Dirty chat?
No.
Fine drinks it is. And if you change your mind I am ok with it. Be good and productive unless you don't want to be. If you do decide you want to see me I'm only 2 hours away.
It's a three-hour drive!