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conference
last winter in LA. Do you remember when I went? I gave him my cell phone number
because I was going to be in the area for a few more days.”
    “How
would I know that if you don't tell me?” Grant said finally.
    “You
wouldn't. But that doesn't give you the right to accuse me of being unfaithful.
I've never told you about my family because I don't want to talk about them.
I'm done with it. I used my anger to get through university and med school.
I've used what happened to me as motivation to help others. And I do. It's hard
work and long hours but I help people. I'm sorry if that's not what you were
looking for. I never claimed to be mother material.”
    She
was almost at the door when she remembered.
    “Which
sister called?”
    “There's
more than one?” Grant shook his head. “Doesn't matter. Your past is one dark
hole.”
    “I
have two living sisters,” Rachael didn't even turn to look at him. “One died.”
    “Nadia,”
Grant said finally. “She said it was urgent and for you to call her
immediately. The number is on the table.”
    Nadia.
The only one who I email with. The only one who has this number. I shouldn't
have had to ask.
    She
walked through the doors and walked directly toward the kitchen table. Without
looking at the time she dialed the long distance number and was surprised when
the desk at a Toronto hotel picked up. Nadia had given permission for all calls
to be put through and the hotel connected them right away.
    “Nadia?
It's Rachael.”
    “Thank
you for calling me back,” it was obvious that Nadia had been crying.
    “I'm
sorry I couldn't call you sooner,” Rachael said over the sound of sniffling. “I
just got home and got your message. What's the matter?”
    “This
is a bit awkward,” Nadia replied. “Sorry. I just hung up with Marianne and she
kind of set me off.”
    “It's
all right,” Rachael told her calmly. Behind her she heard Grant step into the
kitchen. The light turned on.
    “I
was just calling to tell you that something happened tonight and I thought you
should know.”
    Rachael
listened in silence as Nadia explained everything. Her cool gray eyes stayed on
Grant's face as she considered what she was about to say.
    “I'll
make my arrangements,” Rachael replied after a moment.
    “There's
an investigation, so Dylan and Troy want to deal with that here,” Nadia
explained.
    “That's
not why I'm coming,” Rachael said. “I actually want to come to the funeral.”
    “Oh,”
Nadia was surprised.
    “Can
I stay at the house?” Rachael asked.
    “Of
course,” Nadia replied. “The others are as well. Marianne was reluctant but I
told her it would be okay.”
    “Well
I'm sure that will be hard for her.”
    “She
sounded all right,” Nadia said. “She sounds a lot more stable than she was
before.”
    “It's
been a long time,” Rachael replied.
    “Yeah,”
Nadia mumbled.
    “I'll
make my arrangements,” Rachael repeated and hung up the phone.
    “Is
everything okay?” Grant asked when she said nothing.
    “No.
My parents are dead.” Rachael ran her hands through her hair. She felt dirty
and tired and numb. How was she supposed to feel? What was she supposed to say?
She hadn't spoken to her parents in years and now they were dead. Now she would
never speak to them again.
    “When?
Tonight?”
    “Yes,
I have to go home. To Toronto. Tomorrow. Maybe later today.”
    “What?
Why? You can't just go.” Grant was startled.
    “Of
course I can go. I'm not one of your children,” she turned to look at him.
    “We
have some serious problems, Rachael. I don't think you're interested in solving
them.”
    “Right
now, no I'm not.” Rachael told him. “Tonight my concern is going home and
dealing with the drama and the upset waiting for me there.”
    “So
don't go,” Grant answered. “Stay here and help me fix this.”
    Rachael
stared at him. “I have to go home. We were estranged but they were still my
parents. I can't just ignore this.”
    She
turned