TUESDAY, AUGUST 20
Patrick came in the front door after a walk to Squince beach just as I reached the kitchen. Every morning, through the five-dog days, I have had time to myself. Either a walk with the dogs, or at least an hour to write. It was disturbing to hear someone else’s words so early in the morning. I’m just not used to it. I savor my time alone.
We didn’t have much time before he caught the 11:30 bus from Leap to Cork, where he would fly back to Kent and his sister. Unfortunately, the electricity went out before Chloe fixed her breakfast. We had forgotten that it would be out from 9-6.
The day was simple…thank heavens. Olive came by to catch up on where things stood with the insurance and flood; we drove to Glendore for a late 4:30 lunch after walking Saffi around the loop. Back at home, we watched two episodes of “Orange is the New Black,” trying to kill time before we could go to bed.
I was exhausted, so much so that my body ached and my stomach was upset. I had rallied the day before, but to have a very intense visit from Patrick right after taking care of Olive’s animals, had taken it out of me.
And maybe, just maybe the dark cloud of return is starting to hang low. I have been spending my free moments getting car insurance, home owner insurance (transferred over from renter’s insurance), setting up dentist appointments, generally starting to put our Vancouver lives back in order…and worrying about money again.
We have been doing fine living off the rent from the apartment, but once we get back there will be no income, and there will be lots of expenses. I hate the intrusion of reality now with so little time to go. My heart feels squeezed and uncomfortable, my gut churns when I think about it.
