excerpt
you’d been drinking.”
“No one noticed – except Cam, of course. I was so embarrassed.
And he felt terrible.” Tyne put her elbows on the kitchen table and
covered her face with her hands.
Moe grunted. “Serves him right for asking a personal question.”
“But he had a right to know.” Tyne lifted her head and regarded
her roommate seriously. “After all, he asked me to dinner and I accepted.
Whenever he’d done that before, I’d refused point blank.”
“Well, it proves one thing,” Moe said as she spread jam on a slice of
toast, “you haven’t got Morley out of your system.”
“I’ve tried, God knows. In fact, as I sat in that lovely place with
Cam last night, I told myself I was over Morley completely.”
“Yeah, sure.” Moe motioned with her head towards the gas range.
“Coffee’s getting cold.”
Tyne sighed and got to her feet. “He’s never even called to see how
I am or … or anything.”
“Look, kiddo, I know how you must feel, and I’m sorry. I liked
Morley and I wish you two could have worked things out.” Moe
stabbed the air with her toast. “But, from what I hear, these mixed
religion things just don’t work. Better you find that out now than
after you’re married and fighting over whether the kids are going to
attend Sunday School or catechism classes.”
Tyne popped two slices of bread into the decrepit toaster. “I suppose
you’re right. Oh, Moe, why is life so difficult? I’ve known Morley
for years, and I liked him as a friend. Why did we have to fall in
love? He should be marrying someone from his own faith, and I …
well, I ….”
“Should at least be going steady with that good Catholic boy, Dr.
Cam Tournquist. You do like him, don’t you, kiddo?”
Tyne allowed herself a brief smile as she stirred cream into her coffee.
“It would be very hard not to like him. He’s a real gentleman, and
fun to be with. But … help! That stupid toaster again.” She slapped
the offending appliance on the side to make the blackened toast pop
up. “I don’t have time for this,” she said angrily as she tossed the
burnt pieces into the garbage.
With tears close, she grabbed her coffee and headed for her bedroom.
“That settles it. We’re going to get a new toaster. And I’m going
to get a new boyfriend!”
Hellenic Canadian Literature 