Sat. January 12

The next Saturday, before Bobbie could curl up on the couch with her coffee, her phone pinged. It was Lorne. The text read, “Trixie sent me the picture of the big empty space with all the windows and I’m coming to Crow Harbour right away!”

“Lorne, will you help me design my apartment? We’ll do lunch.” She texted back. She started to text Trixie and hesitated; was she even a little annoyed that Trixie had scooped Greg? No, I’m so over Greg! And sent her the text about lunch with Lorne. Lorne told her he couldn’t wait to see the space and they agreed to go right after they ate.

Trixie arrived at the restaurant first.

Bobbie joined her, “Hi Trixie, I’m surprised you’re still in town. When are you headed home? Will they miss you at work?”

“Greg’s been staying at my hotel. He’s really great Bobbie. I hope you don’t mind that we are getting serious.”

“Trixie, don’t be silly. I always thought he was great too. I can’t stop thinking of Alex so I can’t consider Greg anything but a friend and I think you guys are perfect for each other.”

“How much do you really like him Bobbie? Greg is pretty sure you guys dated and had a relationship in college.”

“No way! I barely spoke to him! I think he’s confused, but maybe that was why he was little overly familiar with me.”

“That’s funny! I told my boss that I was courting Greg as a client and he told me to take all the time I need. Little does he know, right?”

“If I remember correctly, he’s great in the sack.”

“Bobbie!”

“I’m just kidding, we’re really not that close. It’s nice having you around anyway Cuz. Speaking of cousins, here’s Lorne.”

“Hi Lorne I really like what you’ve done to your hair.” His longer pony was gone and his hair was trimmed to an even length, along his square jawline. It was parted on the side and framed his handsome face nicely. Bobbie wondered if he’d had his eyebrows darkened and he was wearing new glasses. “You look great! I wanted this to be a working lunch, sorta, but I forgot my drawings.”

Lorne laughed, “Thank you darling, I just needed to update my look. I’m interested in these drawings.”

Trixie laughed too, “You have no idea!” Bobbie has plans, sketches and Pintrest images tagged in her PowerPoint procedures and printed out for good measure.

“So Trixie, who’s got you staying around Crow Harbour?” Lorne wanted all the details surrounding Greg Thurston. “I knew him in college you know. I was Vanessa’s neighbour and he was hot on her tail back then. Then she married his brother.”

Trixie waved her hand. “He’s told me all about it.”

Bobbie wondered if Trixie was just trying to save face. They finished lunch and headed back to Bobbie’s to get her plans.

They got home and Lorne said he’s always loved the quiet elegance of the McNally family home. “The house looks great and so do you Aunt Florence. I’m so sorry about Uncle Walt.”

“Why thank you Lorne. If you are all heading out to see Bobbie’s mote,l I’d like to come.”

They stepped out of the car and Florence was excited that the sliding doors to the rooms looked so much better.

“The pool area is going to be so nice when it is all done!” Florence always wanted a pool and liked to visit Bobbie when she lived in Citadel City in the summers to enjoy the pool there. “I guess we’ll have to share with all the guests” she said a little wistfully.

“Mom I think you are warming to the idea of me being a ‘Motellier’”.

“’Motellier? That’s cute Bobbie, but I was never really against it.”

They started up the metal stairs and Bobbie explained she was getting custom stairs that would be wider and have concrete treads.

Once they got in, Bobbie laid out her plans and they discussed light and finishes and spaces. “Essentially, I want the dining room, kitchen and living room in a row across the west side of the building. On the east side, there will be 3 bedrooms and and office. Down the centre, will be storage, bathrooms, utilities and laundry.” She pointed at the back stairs that came up from the parking lot were about 3/4 of the way across the back wall. “On the other side of the stairs, I want a big family room and the primary bedroom.” She pulled out more plans and said, “I have architect drawings and everything.”

“Oh, did you use the architect that I suggested?” asked Trixie.

“I did, she was great! She is helping me get the exterior of the 2 parts of the motel to work together better and they turned the sketches of my apartment into plans. Once we’ve settled on all the windows and balconies and stairs, we’ll get the new siding and shingles and stuff done.”

They agreed it was getting cold so Trixie ordered some Chinese food and they took it back to Florence’s.

Walking in the door with her Mom and her cousins she couldn’t help but think Alex and her Dad for that matter, would have enjoyed all this so much. She wondered, again, if coming home so soon after Alex’s death was making things worse now that she missed her Dad more on top of missing Alex.