WARNING: This story contains adult content
Chapter Fourteen: “If you knit your boyfriend a sweater, something very bad will happen.”
The Sweater Curse
Chapter Fifteen
It’s dark, except for the light emanating from a bare bulb hanging from the ceiling. Shelves line the walls of this small room, making it appear cave-like. Boxes of various sizes are stacked on these shelves. I know this place.
Locked in an embrace in the middle of the room are two figures. Long hair, small waist—one is a woman. I see her face, illuminated in the dim light. Pathan. Tears stream down her face. The other, taller and broader with shorter hair, is a man. His face is buried in the nape of Pathan’s neck. They support each other as their bodies quake. They gasp for breath between sobs.
The man lifts his head. Jay. His right hand reaches into his pocket, produces a tissue, and dries his eyes. He holds Pathan as she continues to cry.
“I wanted to sing at your wedding. Instead, I’m singing at her funeral.” Pathan’s high, piercing sob slices the air like a knife.
She inhales sharply. Her body stops quaking. She wipes her nose on her sleeve, always the lady.
They leave the storage room and enter the restaurant. It’s full of people. Jay and Pathan walk slowly past table after table. Nearing the bar, Jay stops at my mother’s table. She offers him a weak smile and dabs her dry eyes with her lace-trimmed handkerchief. What an actress, what a show.
Jay leaves her to join Pathan to stand beside a small round table. On the surface of the table, tea lights encircle a large framed photo. The picture is of me.
“Please,” I pray. “Remember me like this: smiling, happy, alive.”
Jay picks up his guitar. His fingers dance over the strings. Pathan begins to sing “Into the Mystic.” Tears threaten her voice. Jay squeezes her hand. She struggles for control and wins. Her song fills the room, wraps around the mourners, comforting them. Pathan reaches the last verse and steps back.
Jay pushes his guitar to behind his back and steps forward. “Dear family and friends, thank you for coming. It’s a difficult day for us all.
"Gwen was so full of life. She embraced it. This energy is not gone. It did not leave. It is here with us as we celebrate her life. The time we had with her was too brief.” Tears slowly trickle down his cheek.
“I was captivated by her personality, her talent, her passion, her beauty. I will always remember her. I will always love her.”
Hear those words, Pathan. He loves me. Me. Me…
Jay steps back, and once again his fingers dance over his guitar's strings.
Pathan steps forward and begins to sing “I Will Remember You.” She begins quietly, but with each verse, the volume increases. Other voices marry with hers.
Tonight on Mayne Island...
St. Mary Magdalene Church and the Dance Wellness Program
Invite everyone on Mayne Island to join in celebrating poet Robert Burns
with a Community Dinner at 6 PM and a Caleigh at 8 PM
There will be poetry
There will be whisky
There will be shortbread
Oh, yes, you bet your boots. There will...
For more information read the MayneLiner
Who was Robbie Burns, and why does he get his own day each January?
"my heart's in the highlands, my heart is not here" -Robert Burns
Items of interest for writers and readers...
Sunday, February 1, at approximately 4:40 PM PT
The Sweater Curse
Chapter Sixteen
The sweater—it’s Jay’s! I designed it for him. It’s the one I gave him at Christmas.
"Open to all Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada who have reached the age of majority in their province or territory of residence, whether living in Canada or abroad."
Canada Reads 2026 longlist
Book Launch
Sharing the Light: Stories and Reflections by bestselling author Monique Gray Smith
Thursday, January 29
7pm
Munro's Books
1108 Government Street, Victoria, BC
free admission
"Join us at Munro's for an exciting evening with one of Victoria's very own, and Canada's best fantasy writers!"
As a dyslexic, I commend publishers who make their articles available both in print and audio.
The Giller Mantella Scholarship
"supports Black, Indigenous, and racialized students pursuing English Literature, Writing, or Creative Writing at Canadian post-secondary institutions"
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(And so... the book I chose didn't make the cut. And so... I will be listening carefully, hopeful that one these fine people will be able to sell me on the book they chose.)
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