Her head shot up and she straightened in her chair. “Is this some kind of dumb joke?”
“No, Lisette. I spent the whole night thinking this over. I’m dead serious.”
“So what’s the catch? No offence, but nothing comes for free. Even life has a price tag.”
Nadine lowered herself into a chair. “Pretty bleak coming from someone so young.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever been young.”
“Believe me, there’s no catch. It’s yours. If you don’t take it, my uncles will.”
“What about the thing with Aunt Jan?”
“I’ll have to deal with that one day at a time. Papi might help me out with that.”
Lisette removed her jacket. “Well… if you’ve thought it over. But I’ll believe it when it’s in my bank account.” She hesitated. “It’s supposed to be… a big amount. You don’t have to hand it all to me.”
“I don’t want any part of it. You were right. He owes you. It belongs to you.”
Lisette stretched her legs out and pried her shoes off with her feet, a half-grin at the corner of her mouth. “My ankles are too swollen for shoes these days and it’s a bit too cold for sandals.” She glanced back at Nadine, uncertainty in her eyes. “You’re not just saying that, are you? It’s pretty cool and all that, but if you change your mind, it’d be a real letdown.”
“Don’t worry. My decision is final. I wish he hadn’t left me anything.” Nadine brought the percolator to the sink.
“So you could hate him good?”
Nadine shrugged. “I guess that’s one way of looking at it. But then again, he’d twist full circle in his grave if he knew where that money might end up.” She switched the stove on and reached in the cupboard for the loaf of bread. “That kid of yours must be getting hungry by now.”
Lisette smiled. “So am I. We did miss supper last night.” She watched Nadine take the dishes out of the cupboard. “I didn’t sleep much last night. I kept thinking you would have been better off ending the pregnancy. All I was then, and all I still am, is a hassle for everybody involved.”
Nadine looked back at her over her shoulder, incredulous. “Are you kidding? I was a scared sixteen-year-old surrounded by good Catholics. It never crossed my mind. It wasn’t safe or legal. In any case, I loved you from the moment your tiny feet danced inside my womb.”
Lisette stared down at her hands and focused on her fingernails until the toast popped up.
Nadine turned back in time to see her wiping her eyes on the sleeve of her sweater. “You want peanut butter or jam on your toast?”
“Both.” Lisette slid her chair closer to the table. “Butter, too.”
Nadine switched on the radio and they listened to the news while sipping their coffee. The broadcaster announced a $150,000 reward offered by both the Canadian and Quebec governments for any information leading to the arrest of James Cross’s kidnappers. Lisette’s face fell. Jail terms of up to five years still applied for members of the outlawed FLQ and for those aiding the kidnappers. The two women fixed their eyes on each other in silence for a moment. It was clear to them both that if Serge was still out there helping with the funding, the promise of the hefty reward would soon cut his activities short.
Chapter 27
The sidewalk in front of her apartment building was strewn with autumn leaves, wet and clinging from night rain. Nadine glanced up at the dark clouds before stepping into the back of the taxi cab.
Lisette slid in beside her with as much grace as her round belly allowed. Her doctor expected her to give birth any day, advising her to rest as much as possible. She had ignored Nadine’s earlier suggestion that they postpone the money transfer until after the baby was born. The Trust Company, located on the second floor of the bank building, was a mere half-hour walk from the apartment. They opted to take a cab so as not to overexert Lisette.
She looked on as her daughter fidgeted to find a comfortable position on the hard vinyl seat. Dark shadows under her eyes. Swollen ankles and feet. After struggling to force on her runners, she had tucked the laces into the inside of the shoes rather than tie them up. Nadine bit her lip, grateful that the doctor insisted on strict weekly visits. “What’s the sad face for? I thought you were happy about doing this.”
Lisette leaned back against the headrest. “Sure, I am. I’ll be able to afford my own place at last. Serge will move in with me and the baby… that is”—she looked at the driver and lowered her voice—“after all this business is finally over.” She turned to gaze out the window. “It’s a pretty good day for me, but it won’t be for Serge. If I told him my good news it would help make his day too.”
Nadine dug her fingers into her purse. “You’ve heard from him?” She had hoped he’d stay away longer. They were just starting to settle into a comfortable mother-daughter relationship.
Lisette shook her head. “I guess he still can’t call me. Today’s the anniversary of Louis Riel’s hanging. Wherever he is—unless he’s locked up—he’ll be burning a candle to commemorate.”
Nadine relaxed the grip on her purse, relieved to hear Serge hadn’t yet made any effort to contact her. The longer he stayed away, the faster Lisette would figure out she could manage without him. “No need to go on about something that happened nearly a hundred years ago. And you don’t have to look for a place right away. Not till you get your strength back after the baby is born. It might be a while before it’s OK for Serge to show up.”
“Maybe you’re right.” Lisette rubbed the back of her neck. “I don’t have the energy to go apartment hunting right now. This big tummy won’t let me sleep for very long. I’m always twisting and turning to find the right way to lay down. It’s like I’m scared I’ll squish the baby.” She glanced at the myriad of people strolling along both sides of the street. “Hope the toilets are close to that office. I’ve got to pee almost every five minutes these days.”
“This is lunch-hour traffic, but we’re almost there. Only four more traffic lights.” She listened to the soft rustle of Lisette massaging her belly through her blouse, wishing she could reach out and feel the life stirring within her daughter’s womb. But Lisette hadn’t encouraged such closeness and Nadine didn’t feel she had the right to impose herself.
“My doctor says he doesn’t want to do any testing before the baby comes.”
“Makes sense.” The traffic had started to slow down. Nadine checked for signs of flashing police lights ahead. An accident could bring traffic to a standstill. “Worrying about this won’t help. The baby might not inherit the problem. Sometimes these things skip a generation—not that it would make it any easier on future grandchildren. Let’s take it one day at a time.”
“Still. I’d sure like to know what I’m up against.”
“They have newer treatments now.”
“They only treat the symptoms. It isn’t a cure.” She crossed her arms and stared outside. “It won’t stop my kid from ending up deaf and blind. That old pervert should’ve had his prick sliced off.”
“I second that… but—”
Lisette turned to face her. “Don’t tell me you’re sticking up for the creep.”
“Never… but I’m still thankful to have you. The first time you started kicking inside of me I stopped focusing on what he had done. The love I felt for the life growing inside of me overpowered the hatred I felt for him. You became my reason to get up in the morning. When they took you away, the only thing that kept me going was knowing we’d meet up one day.” She reached out to touch Lisette’s shoulder but stopped in mid-air when she saw her arm flinch. She’d have to be patient. Her daughter wasn’t ready—or willing—to accept her affection. “Try to relax and think of the good things in your life.”
“You mean like being close to nine months pregnant, kicked out on the street and dumped by the baby’s father? Have I missed any other wonderful things happen
ing to me?”
“For starters, you’re young and healthy. Grandpa’s inheritance will take care of your money problems for now. Once the baby is old enough, you can go back to school. The rest will take care of itself.”
“You forgot about Serge.”
“Did I?” Nadine hesitated. “He’ll be back in your life as soon as he can. So relax and enjoy the free time before the baby comes.”
“You might have a point.” Lisette leaned back and closed her eyes.
Nadine gazed at her. If only she had the courage to tell her she’d be better off without Serge—that she’d always come second to any cause he might give his heart to.
Apart from Grandma Stella’s funeral, the past two weeks had gone by without a hitch. Her supper with Aunt Jan and Papi had been a success. Lisette, as well as Peaches, had enjoyed being the centre of attention all evening. For the first time in her life, Nadine felt she was part of a real family.
Lisette had decided to take a break from school and Nadine opted to skip her lunch hours, leaving work earlier to be with her. Besides being nervous about giving birth, Lisette was much less moody. At odd times, Nadine witnessed a considerate, gentle side of her daughter that hadn’t been evident when they first met.
She suspected her daughter’s lack of sleep wasn’t all due to her pregnancy. Lisette often stared into space or scanned the daily paper for any mention of new arrests. The justice minister had insisted the FLQ remained a threat and requested that the army stay in Quebec for a longer period. The coroner’s inquest into the death of Pierre Laporte, as well as the testimony of arrested members, made the front pages of the daily newspapers. A few members had made headlines when they avoided arrest by hiding behind a false wall in their closet during a police raid. The police and the army intensified their search. A letter received at a local radio station was proof that James Cross was still alive. Negotiations with the kidnappers continued. Lisette read every word written in the newspapers and stayed glued to all radio and television broadcasts.
“You won’t forget to deliver that note?”
“How can I?” Nadine grinned. “You remind me every single day.” She pointed at her purse between them on the seat. “I’ve got it ready in my bag. As soon as the doctor tells me the baby’s on the way, I’ll make sure it’s delivered to Serge’s boss at the taxi stand.”
Lisette straightened, stretching her shoulders back. “He wants to be there when the time comes.”
“Don’t worry.” Nadine noted that the traffic had slowed to a crawl and frowned. “If he gets the message, I’m sure he’ll drop everything to be with you.” Lisette was convinced Serge would soon come stay with her once the baby was born. But the FLQ crisis was far from over. The manhunt was still in full force. The kidnappers demanded all political prisoners be set free without penalty, safe passage to Cuba and a sizeable gold ransom. James Cross wasn’t about to be released.
“I wish he was here with us to sign those papers. He’s the one who convinced me to contact you after his roomies kicked me out. He made everything happen.”
“I suppose.” Nadine paused, pensive. “He also encouraged you to ask for the inheritance money.” She pulled at her sweater, uncrossed her legs and crossed them again. The thought of Serge doing a search on her still made her blood boil. He had used her personal information to manipulate both her and her daughter. If the inheritance had come from another source, it would’ve been less complicated. Handing everything over to her wouldn’t have happened. The money she was about to transfer was going to benefit a man who thought little of her daughter’s welfare. If Serge wasn’t arrested, he was about to be. A man on the run wasn’t what she wanted for her daughter. But she knew it was that or nothing. When this political crisis was over, he’d find another thing to fight for. Saying anything against him would just alienate Lisette. She’d have to stick by her daughter and help her pick up the pieces as they fell.
Lisette looked daggers at her. “You make it sound like I put a gun to your head.”
“Sorry. That didn’t come out right. I was just thinking about how angry Uncle Denis was after I told him I had changed my mind about accepting the inheritance.” She stared down at her folded hands.
“That money has always been yours. If you don’t want it, it has to come to me. Peter and Denis can get lost. Aunt Jan will figure out a way to see you.”
“I’m not too sure about that. Papi tells me her last checkup didn’t go well. The doctor told Uncle Denis to make sure she doesn’t stress too much.”
“Seeing you can’t upset her.”
“No, but he’ll take it out on her if we visit each other. Not in a physical sense, but sometimes making a fuss or constant nitpicking can do a lot of harm.” She let out an impatient sigh. “This money business is putting a strain on her. I wish I could’ve found a way to make my decision a little easier on her.”
The traffic came to a halt just as they passed the corner of Stanley Street, a few buildings away from the trust company. Lisette fidgeted in the seat. “Let’s get out here and walk the rest of the way. It looks like the road is under construction up ahead. Why stay stuck here when we’re only a short block away?”
Nadine stretched her neck to see beyond the stopped cars and noticed a city employee holding up a stop sign. Lisette was right. She reached in her purse for her mother’s black wallet. She had opted not to place it back into her wooden box but to give it a new life. It had kept her secrets long enough.
Lisette reached down for her purse. “I need to stretch my legs before they start cramping again.” The cab driver put the car into park. Lisette swung the door open and stepped onto the street. “I’ll go to the other side and wait for you in front of the building.”
“Watch yourself crossing Sherbrooke Street. The traffic might start up again and you’ll be smack in the middle of these crazy Montreal drivers.”
“Don’t worry.” She laughed. “Nobody’s going to ram into a mother carrying her child across the street. And by the way, we’re on Ste-Catherine Street. They’re not as crazy here.”
Her words made Nadine’s heart skip a beat. Why had she said Sherbrooke Street to her? She handed the driver his fare and her head shot up. Lisette was weaving her way through the idling cars towards the Trust building, a protective hand over her belly, hair dancing in the autumn breeze.
No, Lisette. Come back.
The impatient whir of car motors. The noxious smell of gasoline. A chill surged from the back of Nadine’s neck down to her knees.
Isa bolts through traffic clutching her newborn in her arms.
The nuns chase her across Sherbrooke Street, their black gowns billowing behind them.
Nadine sucked in her breath.
Get a hold of yourself.
This is Lisette.
She’ll be fine. No one’s chasing her.
She pushed the door open, rushed around the back of the cab and charged across the two lanes of idling cars, her stomach in turmoil.
Lisette paused on the sidewalk to massage her lower back and continued walking.
A compelling urge to touch her daughter took over Nadine. She wasn’t dreaming. Lisette was safe, but she needed to be sure. She sped up, her heart drumming through her chest.
The traffic started to pick up. Lisette approached the front of the building and stopped.
Nadine stretched out her hand to touch her daughter’s arm—
An alarm bell sounded from inside the building.
Pedestrians stopped to gawk from the sidewalk on both sides of the street. The door to the bank on the ground floor burst open. Two masked men dashed out, charging towards the alleyway between the buildings. The first one carried a bulging duffle bag, the second one waved a gun.
Lisette hesitated a moment. Her face fell. “That’s Serge! Serge! Over here!”
Nadine grabbed her arm. “Let’s ge
t out of here.”
Lisette brushed her off. “Serge! Wait! It’s me!”
Serge glanced at her over his shoulder. He lost momentum for a split second, then picked up speed again.
“Wait.” Lisette stumbled forward. “You don’t have to do this.”
Goosebumps ran down Nadine’s arms. “Don’t Lisette! They’ve got a gun.”
Please! Don’t take my daughter away.
The first man disappeared into the alley. Serge stopped to tear off his mask beside the mailbox in front of the building, a frantic look on his face. He made a wild gesture for Lisette to go back. “Stop Lise! You’ll get hurt.”
She continued towards him, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Please don’t do this, Serge.”
He fumbled turning towards the alley, dropped the gun and sprang to pick it up.
Nadine charged through the onlookers who had gathered to watch.
Don’t take my daughter.
Not again. Please.
The mailbox blew up like fireworks, shooting slivers of red metal and bits of burnt paper into the air. The bank’s glass walls and upstairs windows burst out into a thousand glistening shards.
Lisette!
Nadine rushed to her daughter’s side. She lay in a pool of blood among the debris of glass and charred metal, her arms stretched towards Serge’s limp body.
The acrid smell of sulphur.
The taste of lead in the air.
Sirens.
The surgeon nodded to her, turned and headed back towards the operating room. Through a blur of tears, Nadine watched him disappear. A painful tightness in her throat and a numbness in her chest immobilized her in the plastic chair in the waiting room.
He’s made a terrible mistake. Lisette’s strong. She just needs to come home with me. I can take care of her.
The Daughters' Story Page 27
