Doug Deeson's musings

  It had been a number of years since I’d seen Barry.   After the divorce, he remained part of the family but more like a distant relative, not someone I’d see all the time. But we would see each other, he was after all the father of my sister’s children, so he was around. We never had the opportunity to repeat our night in the tent and I really, really wanted to despite what it might do to my sister, if she found out. Eight years after our night in the tent, I was looking for a new place to live, and he heard about that through my nephew.   He was just getting ready to move out of his house and contacted me to offer me first dibs on his place, if I liked it.   I arranged to head over there, have a few beers, watch a hockey game and tour the place. Of course, I wanted more than that, but I didn’t say anything, just agreed to come over and tour the place. When I got there, he gave me the tour.   It was a nice three-bedroom home, fireplace on the main floo...

  Many years ago, just after my sister and her first husband, Barry, had separated, our relatives came from England for an extended stay.   My sister didn’t want to let them know her marriage was ending, as she didn’t want to spoil their holiday.   And as it was an extended stay, she also loaned them her summer place for a few weeks, so they could get out of the city and enjoy the country.  The only problem was that they didn’t have a vehicle and would need regular groceries and other supplies brought up to them.   The first weekend after they’d gone up, I ended up volunteering to go with Barry.   This would be an overnight trip.   My sister’s place is small, so it was already crowded with just my relatives, as a result Barry and I set up a tent in the yard and we’d sleep out there for the night.  It was late May and still chilly at night and Barry suggested that we zip our sleeping bags together for warmth. My sister is older than me, by se...