“HARPER!”  I was jolted awake by the loud booming voice. Gabriel was still in my bed and I rushed to grab my clothes on the ground to dress.  “Harper!” the voice came again. This time I recognised it as Matteo’s. Gabriel must have recognised it too as he groaned and pulled the covers over his head.  “Be right there Matty” I called out pulling my hair back into a ponytail and trying to look decent. I heard the screen door open and my friend stepped in as I pulled the door to my room shut.  “Baby Girl!” He called out with a joyful smile on his face. He pulled me into an embrace and I returned the warm affection “I missed you so much Harper!” he announced, “You look good, home was good for you!”  “O

Maria continued to do the bare minimum and though I complained to Matteo a few times about her, there was little he was able to do about her behavior. He threatened to fire her several times but Maria and I both knew he wouldn’t do anything to go against Gabriel. This was a matter for Gabriel to solve and since he and Maria were sleeping together, she felt her job was secure.“When is Gabriel coming back?” I asked Matteo one day as he came to collect my weekly budget sheets.“Sometimes next week I think,” he shrugged.“I’m probably going to have to meet with him for budget stuff again” I groaned.“You’re over aren’t you?” he asked with a hint of amusement.“Oh yes….” I said.“How do you manage that?”“What do you mean, how do I manage that? Food is

Remi and I had sex a few more times the next morning and each time was better than the last. His size made up for the lack of experience and his enthusiasm at pleasing me was endearing.“You’ll be coming back with me tonight then?” he asked after breakfast.“That’s the plan, Ace” I said, “Maybe we should grab a box of condoms before heading there, what do you think?” I asked. His head perked up at this.“Really?” he asked eagerly.“Wouldn’t hurt, you know, for emergencies” I teased.We went to the pharmacy to get some supplies for the week, while I browsed the shampoo and body wash aisle, Remi had wandered off to the condoms. He returned crimson faced and empty handed.“Uhm, Harper…” he began uncomfortably, “there’s like fifty different kinds of condoms. Does it mat

Remi drove me to work for my first week at the diner where I learnt everything Sally had to teach me. She was eager for me to be on my own so that she could migrate to Florida for the winter. We had discussed my impending surgery and she had assured me that someone would take over for my two weeks of convalescence.I enjoyed living with Remi because like everything else in our relationship it was easy and simple. He was uncomplicated and doted on me. Before starting his job in Newfoundland he worked at his dad’s shop as a mechanic. I had met his parents and immediately adored them. They were very supportive of their son and incredibly sweet with me. I was sad when he left in September but I also had a nagging feeling of relief that filled me. Remi had lent me his truck to travel to and from work while he was gone and added me to his TV, internet and electricity account as a shared user so that I could contact them if I needed to.On

I returned to Remi’s apartment and took stock of the place. I would most likely be able to move all of my things out in one trip. I did not own any furniture, electronics, blankets, or any household goods, all I had was clothes, a few toiletries, my phone and the plant Gabriel had bought me. I didn’t particularly want to move back to Manitoba and besides, I would need to wait for my biopsy results before I could make up a decision about leaving New Brunswick. I laid in bed cuddling up to a pillow that smelt like Remi and fell into an exhausted dream filled sleep. I did not feel rested when I woke up but decided that I should start looking for an apartment and a car the same day. There was not a whole lot of choice when it came to furnished apartments but in the end I contacted an elderly lady who was renting a room in her house. It would be appropriate lodgings for me as I had very little to bring along. Her house was also close to Sally&