When KJ feels his marriage crumbling apart, he...
You may want to read "Mrs. Kenneth James Stevens Wants a Baby" (this link will lead you to my 26-chapter story) before reading "Aster's Husband," although it's not necessary to read the first one to enjoy the second.
Chapter one
A car engine roars, cutting through my sleep. So that’s how she says goodbye—no more kisses, no more parting words. I throw back the covers, shower, dress and make coffee.
I put the mug in the sink. The clock on the microwave says 8:30 AM. If I leave now, I’ll get there way before any cheery faces do. I pack my laptop and walk to the door. I’m crossing the threshold when...
B-r-r-ring.
Who’s phoning the landline? My students only have my cell number.
B-r-r-ring.
It’ll go to voicemail.
I step back into the house.
B-r-r-ring.
If it’s important, they’ll try my cell or email me.
I answer the phone.
“Good morning.” The voice is like a gentle melody. “You won’t believe it. I got it. I finally bought it.”
The voice is so infectious, I feel compelled to ask, “It? What it?”
“You know—the laptop.”
“Oh, great.” I grin—I still have no idea who this woman is.
“Yeah, I’m so excited.”
“Oh, excited is good.”
“It’s my first one.”
“Really?”
“Ye-s. You know... Wait. Who are you?”
“That depends. Who are you?”
She laughs, and I want to capture the sound in a bottle.
“Oh, I’m so sorry. I dialled the wrong number.”
“Are you sure?” I can be so charming.
"No. I mean, yes. Oh, I don't know." She laughs again. "Your voice sounds so familiar. Maybe we do know each other."
“Nah, I couldn’t be that lucky.”
“I’m sorry for bothering you.”
“Not at all.”
“Good-bye.” She’s still there. I can hear her breathing. This wrong number could lead to something so right. We both want it to. But I can’t step out of line again without paying for it. That’s been made clear.
“Bye.” I hang up.
photo by ldyck
One innocent phone call, that's all or...
Chapter 2
Sunday, June 29
4:40 pm (ish)
Canada Day 2025 Remembrance...
On July 1st, my husband and I went to Miner's Bay Park on Mayne Island to celebrate Canada Day with friends and our neighbours. As part of the celebrations, a BC Ferries worker named Keith Stewart had arranged a flyover by the Royal Canadian Air Force. What an experience that was! I initially thought they would fly over the crowd once or twice. They had travelled from their base in Comox, on Vancouver Island, and needed to conserve fuel to fly over their other destinations and still make it home. They were squeezing us into their busy day.
We were encouraged to show our appreciation by waving. They flew over us once, then twice, and before long, they flew over so many times that I lost count. With each flyover, my appreciation grew, and my wave became larger. In the end, I found myself giving them a "full-body" wave—not just with one hand, but with both arms.
Keith asked us to imagine being lost at sea. He said something like, "That's a sight you want to see when you're in the middle of the ocean."
I couldn't help but think how impressed my dad would have been to see that big yellow bird. My dad served in the RCAF during World War II and had always dreamed of being a pilot—an unfulfilled dream. His love of planes lasted his entire lifetime. I thought to myself, Dad should be here to see this. With each flyover, I felt my dad closer to me, as if I could hear him whispering in my ear, "I'm here, Kid. I'm right here."