A Curve in the Road(39)

“Oh, it’s nothing serious,” I assure him as I extend the length of Winston’s leash so that he can sniff the base of a telephone pole. “She has to have cataract surgery next Monday. I’m going to take a couple of weeks off and go stay with her because she won’t be able to drive for a while.”

“Poor Gram.” He pauses. “But wait a second. That’s right before Thanksgiving.”

“Yes, and that’s what I was calling about. I’ll be there for the long weekend. Are you still planning to fly home?”

“Of course. I already have my ticket. And we usually spend Thanksgiving at Gram’s house anyway.” He sounds confused.

“We do, so I’ll pick you up at the airport, and we’ll go straight to Lunenburg, if that’s okay.”

“It’s fine. Whatever works.”

As I stand there watching Winston lift his leg to pee on the pole, I remind myself that my son is no longer the little boy I used to cuddle at night when we read bedtime stories together. He’s a man now, living on his own. I’m proud of him and pleased that he’s independent, even though I miss him every day.

Winston sits down on the sidewalk, waiting patiently to continue our walk.

“Mom . . . ,” Zack says, hesitantly. “How are you doing? You’re not too lonely, I hope.”

I press my lips together and shut my eyes. “I’m great, Zack. Honestly. I’ve been incredibly busy with work, and I’m loving every minute of it. The change in focus has been good for me. And Winston keeps me company at home. So please don’t worry. Everything’s perfect.”

I want to kick myself for using that word, because nothing’s ever perfect. I should know that by now, but I want my son to know there’s no reason to worry about me. I’m amazed, actually, at how much I’ve been enjoying my life over these past few months. My work has been rewarding, and some days when I think of those terrifying moments when I plummeted into the ravine, I feel happier than ever and so blessed to be alive.

“I’ll see you soon,” I say to Zack, ending the call as I look forward to picking him up at Thanksgiving.

Secretly, I’m thrilled to spend the rest of the month of October in Lunenburg. It’s always been my favorite time of year. There’s nothing that compares to the sights and sounds of the busy Lunenburg harbor—fishing boats coming and going on crisp, sunny afternoons, familiar faces everywhere you go, the aroma of fish and chips from the waterfront restaurants, and a ship’s bell clanging in the distance at night.

My mother hugs me when I arrive at her door with Winston, and she helps me unpack for my three-week stay. For the first time, it feels strange to be back in my old room, knowing I’ll be staying for a while. I suppose everything is different now. I’m not here with my husband and son to enjoy a Sunday family dinner and return home before dark to tackle homework with Zack and make his lunch for the next day at school. I’m accustomed to being a widow now, just like my mother. So much of my life has come to an end. And yet, standing here, looking at my childhood bed, I feel as if I’ve begun a new chapter.

It’s definitely preferable to feeling as if my life is over.

On the Monday before Thanksgiving weekend, my mother is at home, taking a nap after her cataract surgery. It’s a gorgeous fall evening—warm like summer, without a breath of wind—so I take Winston out for a walk along the waterfront. We stroll down the boardwalk, past the red-painted Fisheries Museum and tall schooners and fishing boats moored at the docks. I breathe in the salty scents of the harbor and marvel at the beauty all around me.

Despite my condition, which still makes me sleepy sometimes, I feel more wakeful and alive than ever before. I’m enchanted by the simplest things—a dragonfly flitting by me, the wind in the treetops. I’m absolutely beguiled by the wonder of our existence.

Winston quickens his pace when he sees another golden retriever coming our way. He pulls me hard, so I start to jog. As we draw closer, I recognize the other dog’s owner. It’s Nathan, out for an evening stroll with his two young daughters, whom I’ve never had the pleasure of meeting before.

I feel a bright burst of happiness at the sight of him.

“Abbie,” he says with a dazzling smile as our retrievers greet each other with swishing tails and busy noses. “This is an unexpected surprise. How have you been?”

“Really good,” I reply, still marveling at the sweep of joy I’m feeling. “How about you?”

One of his daughters drops to her knees and strokes Winston’s sumptuous golden coat. “My gosh! They look so much alike! They could be brother and sister. What’s your dog’s name?”

“This is Winston,” I tell her. “He’s six. How old is your dog?”

“She’s twelve, and her name is Dorothy. We got her a few months ago.” By now both girls are spoiling Winston with attention. He sits down to bask in it blissfully.

Nathan gestures with a hand. “These are my daughters, Jen and Marie. Girls, this is Abbie MacIntyre. Her dog, Winston, was a patient of mine last year.”

“Cool,” Jen says, smiling up at me. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“It’s nice to meet you too.” I glance at the younger one, Marie, who looks to be about nine or ten. She wears a sparkly purple headband, and I think it’s the cutest thing ever.

Nathan pats their dog, Dorothy, who sits patiently at his side. “Dorothy is a senior dog who needed a home after her owner passed away, so we adopted her.”

“She’s lovely.”

He nods and meets my gaze. “Are you just visiting? Here for the long weekend?”

“I’m here for three weeks, actually. Mom had cataract surgery, so I’m keeping her company for a bit. And Zack’s coming home from Western on Saturday, so I’m excited about that. He’ll be here for dinner on Sunday.”

“Zack went to Western? I didn’t know that. Good for him. How’s he finding it?”

“He loves it, and I can’t wait to see him.”

“I’ll bet. I don’t know what I’m going to do when these two are ready to zip off to college. It’s hard to imagine.”

“All the more reason to appreciate the time you have with them now,” I say.

He smiles knowingly. “Absolutely.”

Another couple with two smaller dogs pass by us and say hello, and then Winston lies down and rolls onto his back for a belly rub. The girls giggle and stroke him adoringly.

“How’s work going?” Nathan asks me.

I realize how long it’s been since we last spoke. There have been so many changes. “I’m working at a family practice now. I’ve been taking a lot of sleep disorder cases, which is new territory for me, so I’m learning a lot.”

“I can imagine. How do you like it?”

“I love it. Much better hours than surgery at the hospital. And I’ve been doing some research as well. I’ll tell you about it sometime.”

“I’d like that.”

The girls rise to their feet, and so does Winston. They all seem eager to get moving.

“Winston and I should probably mosey along,” I say, looking up at the twilight sky splashed with colorful bands of pink and blue.

“We should get a move on too,” Nathan replies.

Dorothy and the girls start off, leading him away. I start walking in the opposite direction, feeling pleased to have seen him, but at the same time regretting the fact that we didn’t have more time to chat, because there’s so much to catch up on and I really loved rekindling our conversation. My heart sinks a little.

Then Nathan calls my name. There’s a pleasant rush of heat in my belly. I stop and turn.

He hands the leash to Jen and approaches me. “Abbie. This feels weird and awkward . . . seeing you like this. I’d really like to catch up some more. No pressure, and feel free to say no, but would you like to have dinner with me while you’re in town?”

I’m surprised and flattered by his invitation, and I’m glad that I took Winston for a walk this evening. “I’d love to.”

“Great.” His eyes light up. “When would be good for you?”

“Well . . .” I pause and think about it. “Zack’s not coming until Saturday. How about tomorrow night?”

“Tomorrow’s great. I can pick you up at seven, if that works?”

“I’ll be ready. Do you remember where my mom lives?”

“Of course. I remember everything.” He turns to go. “I’ll see you tomorrow night.”

“Okay. I’ll look forward to it.”

As I continue along the boardwalk with Winston, I can’t stop smiling. Winston looks up at me happily.

“Oh, stop grinning,” I say with a smirk. “It’s just dinner.”

He starts to trot with purpose and exuberance, and I am keen to pick up the pace as well.





CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

I’m not sure where Nathan will take me for dinner, but I decide to gussy up a bit, just in case it’s somewhere nice. As it turns out, I’m glad I wore heels, because he takes me to my favorite restaurant on the south shore, which overlooks the yacht club in the village of Chester.

By the time we’re seated, I’ve told him all about my involvement with the narcolepsy organization and how I’ve been accepting speaking engagements all over the world.