Race (25 page)

“Um…yes.
 
That incident.
 
Definitely.
 
In fact, let’s not talk about the police force in general.”

He thought about it and then nodded.

“Good,” I said.

We got out and went up to an old brick house.

I hid the package behind my back and pressed the doorbell.
 
I was really excited to see my mother.
  
I spoke to her occasionally but not as often as I used to.
 

The door opened.

***

My mother, whom I consider the most beautiful person in the world, was wearing a light green dress and an apron.

“Jonny,” she said with a big smile.

“Mom,” I said, and gave her a tight hug.

“You look weak,” she said.
 
“Have you been eating right?
 
You look skinny as a cat.”

Mothers, aren’t they great?

I pulled out the package.
 
“Happy birthday.”

“Oh, I bet I’m going like it.”

She was not going to open the present in front of me.
 
She never did.
 
But she always praised it.
 
She always praised me.

“Oh, who’s your friend?” she asked.

“This is Phillip
Beadsworth
.”

Beadsworth
smiled.
 
“How do you do?”

“Nice to meet you,” she said.
 
“Come in.
 
Come in.”

The house was the same as the day I left.
 
The same furniture, same decorations, same carpet—a little cleaner, though.

“Did you have it washed?” I said, pointing to it.

“I got it shampooed.”

“You got rid of that stain I made?
 
You know, it took me a long time to get that on the carpet.”

“Have a seat,” she said to
Beadsworth
.
 
She then disappeared into the kitchen.
 
I knew she would return with something to eat.
 
Some people never change.

“I’ll go help her,” I said.

I found her behind the counter quickly arranging snacks on a plate.
 
Aesthetics were very important to my mom.
 
Biscuits must be arranged in a pleasing way; so should the croissants and the cake.

“Mom,” I said.
 
“It’s okay. You don’t have to do all this.
 
It’s your birthday.”

“You should have told me you were bringing a guest,” she said, arranging the plate.
 
“Lucky I had these things to serve.”
         

My mom’s the perfect host.

“Now, take this outside,” she handed me the plate.
 
“What does your friend like?
 
Coffee or tea?”

Beadsworth
was kind of British, so I said, “Tea.”

I took the plate and went to the living room.

I placed the plate on the coffee table.

I sat down near
Beadsworth
.
 

“Have something,” I said, pointing to the plate.

“No, thank you.
 
I’m quite fine.”

“No. Really. Have something.
 
My mother would be insulted.”

He immediately leaned over and picked a biscuit.

My mother returned holding a tray with three cups.

***

Once we had all sipped our tea, my mother leaned back and spoke, “What do you do, Mr.
Beadsworth
?”

I interrupted.
 
“He works with me.”

“Oh, you’re also a broker?” she said, smiling.

Beadsworth
looked at me.
  
I smiled back with pleading eyes.
 
“Ah…yes,” he answered.

“Are you married?” she asked.

“Yes.
 
I have two children.”

“How wonderful.
 
Children are a joy.
 
We were only able to have one.”

I turned to
Beadsworth
.
 
That’s me
.
 

“But trouble equivalent to two,” she said.

That’s definitely me
.

“How long have you worked with Jonny?” she asked.

Beadsworth
turned to me.
 
“Just recently,” I said.

“Forgive me for asking so many questions?” she said.
 
“It’s not every day that Jonny brings a friend over.
 
I think…this is probably the first time.”

“First time for everything, Mom,” I said.

Beadsworth
took a slow sip.
 

“Have they promoted you?” she said to me.

“You could say that,” I answered.
 
I didn’t want to tell her I had just moved from parking enforcement to drug and narcotics.

“A promotion.
 
Really?” she said with excitement.

“Yes…but a lot of travel,” I said, feeling swamped with work.
 

“You see, Mr.
Beadsworth
, Jonny won’t help in my investments.
 
You would think working at Nesbitt Burns he would help his mother.”

“Nesbitt Burns?”
Beadsworth
whispered.

I beamed like a proud son.
 
Yes.
 
Nesbitt Burns.

“Maybe you can talk some sense into him,” she continued.
  
She turned to me, “You know everyone at work would love to have you look into their finances.
  
They are always asking about you and all I can say is that Jonny is too busy.”

“But Mom,” I protested.
 
“Mr.
Chiklist
is doing a good job.”

“Yes, but you could do a better job.”

“Mr.
Chiklist’s
been watching over our finances since I was a kid.
 
He helped us pay off this house.”

“I have nothing against Mr.
Chiklist
.
 
He’s wonderful.
 
But when you have a son working in the industry—and working in a place like Toronto, you can’t help but think differently.”

I was about to say something when the phone rang.

“I’ll take it in the kitchen,” she said, “excuse me.”
 

“Nesbitt Burns?”
Beadsworth
looked at me.
 
“What do you know about Nesbitt Burns?”

“Not much in the beginning.
 
I thought they made cookies.
 
Now I can differentiate between the bull and the bear market.”

My mother returned.
 
“It was an old friend congratulating me,” she sat back down.

Beadsworth
spoke, “May I use your washroom?”

“Yes, of course, it’s on the second floor to the right.”

***

When we were alone, I said, “Mom I won’t be staying long…”
 
I let the words trail off.
 
Every birthday, my mom and I, went out for dinner.
 
But I didn’t think Aldrich would be too happy with us being in Guelph.
 

“Why not?” she said softly.

“We have to go…to…this meeting, you know, to meet new clients.
  
That’s how we make money, by getting new investors.”

“I understand,” she said.
 
She paused. “I was hoping you wouldn’t come alone this time.”

“See, I didn’t,” I said.
 
“I brought a friend.”

“No, it’s not that.
 
I mean a lady friend.”

“Come on, Mom.
 
Let’s not start with that.”

“Jonny, when am I going to see grandchildren? I’m getting old and I don’t know...”
  

“Mom, please.”

She leaned over and motherly rubbed my hand.
 
“Find a nice girl and settle down.
 
You already have a good job.”

I scratched my head.

“Jonny, you’re everything I’ve got.”

“I know.”

We heard
Beadsworth
footsteps coming down.

I got up.
 

“Happy birthday, Mom,” I whispered and hugged her.

“We’ll be leaving,” I said to
Beadsworth
.

“Thank you for the tea, Mrs.
Rupret
,”
Beadsworth
said and headed for the door.
 

In the hallway I stopped and said, “Mom, right now I’ve got a lot of things going on…I’m in a new position.”
 
This
was
true. I was no longer a PEO.

“I understand, Jonny,” she said.
 

“I’m sorry that I can’t stay.”

“Sorry for what?” she said cheering up.
 
“This means I’m free to go see Tom Jones.”

“What?” I piped.
 
“You got tickets to Tom Jones?”

“Yeah, Patty has two tickets.”

“Patty
McNicoll
? She still teaching grade six?”
 
Mrs.
McNicoll
was my teacher when I was in grade six.

“No, she’s retired and at home.
 
That’s why she got the two tickets, so we ladies can get out.”

“You know what?” I said.
 
“I’m not going back to Toronto.
  
I don’t need the money.”

“Is that right?” my mom said, putting her hands on her hips.

“As the man of the house I demand I get Tom Jones tickets, too.”
 

My mother laughed.
 
She was the most beautiful woman in the world.

She hugged and kissed me.

***

When we were out of Guelph,
Beadsworth
spoke.
 
I knew what he was going to say and I was ready.

“Your mother doesn’t know you’re a police officer?” he asked.

“Not exactly,” I answered.
 
He waited for more.
 
“My mother doesn’t feel law enforcement is a safe profession.”

“She is correct.”

“I just can’t get the courage to tell her.”

“My apologies, it’s none of my business.”

“I’m going to tell her.
 
I’m definitely going to tell her.
 
One day.
 
Soon.”
 
I was talking more to myself.

NINETEEN

The Lincoln jetted down the Gardiner at speeds well over one hundred
kilometres
an hour.
  
Hause
was behind the wheel.