Together in the Clouds

Chapter 5

Two hours was an over-estimation. Within an hour, Lise not only has enough cash to buy hot dogs, she has enough to buy us each a Polish sausage and the vendor gives Tuff two free wieners that have been cooking too long to sell. Lise piles every type of condiment onto her sausage: onions, olives, hot peppers, relish, mustard, ketchup, chopped tomato and lettuce. It's clear that she's making as much of a meal of the condiments as the sausage and bun. I dress mine a bit more conservatively and then we walk to a nearby park and sit under a tree to eat.

"OMG! This is the best sausage I've ever eaten," Lise mumbles. Mustard and relish drip down her wrist and she licks herself clean between bites.

Lise is right. The sausage is so good I can't force myself to slow down and talk. I eat straight through the sausage and bun and moan with pleasure. When I'm finished, I pull a bottle of water from my daypack and take a long drink. Then I hand it to Lise and she takes a swig too. Finally, I pour a little into the coffee cup and offer it to Tuff. We laugh when he tilts his head sideways and laps at the water.

"I haven't felt this full in a long time," I say and stretch out on the ground. "All those donuts and then the sausage. That felt good."

"What have you been eating?"

"Soda crackers and canned tuna."

Lise turns up her nose but I know she wouldn't pass on any food that was offered. She can't afford to be picky and neither can I.

The campfire is small but cheerful and once it's going, I'm glad I let Lise talk me into taking the chance and lighting it. The glow from the flames flickers off her face, making her look more animated than she did during the day. She sits on the ground and breaks branches into small sticks that she feeds into the fire constantly, keeping the warmth and light at a steady level.

"I can't remember the last time I sat around a campfire," I muse.

"I know a couple of guys who camp down at the docklands and they have fires every day. I never get to sit around at night though. You know, cause I have to get to the shelter."

I check my phone and Lise notices. It's already past the shelter curfew.

"It's okay. I can sleep out tonight. It's no big deal in the summer. I have places to go."

"You can stay with me in the tent?" I suggest suddenly.

Lise looks surprised by my offer and, to be honest, I surprise myself too.

"Sure. We'll be like a couple of Girl Guides," Lise says. But before I can reply she adds: "You sure you don't mind?"

"I'm sure. I have two sleeping bags and some crackers and tuna for morning."

"Dude! What's with you and fish?"

I can't help but laugh. I do eat a lot of crackers and canned tuna. For one thing, they last forever and travel well. Secondly, tuna and crackers keep me full longer.

"Dad and I eat a lot of fish. Canned when the fishing's bad and fresh when the fishing's good. We catch it and eat it right on the boat."

"Let me guess, you cook it in the galley?"

I laugh. Lise has a good memory.

"Sometimes we eat it raw, fresh out of the ocean."

"Seriously?"

"It's sushi!"

"Canned tuna is one thing but there's no way I'm eatin' raw fish. Not even if it's free."

We lapse into silence and watch the flames dance above a glowing bed of embers. Tuff is curled up at my feet, keeping them warm, and Lise lies down on her side, cupping her body around the fire. She props her head on one hand and has a faraway look in her eyes.

"Where did you live before Toronto?" I ask.

"Out east in New Brunswick."

"Why'd you leave?"

"Nothing to stay for."

"Family?"

"Not really. I was with my mom 'til I was about eight. Then through a few foster homes. I got tired of bouncing around so when I turned sixteen I figured I'd take better care of myself."

The mood turns melancholy at the mention of Lise's mom and I know better than to press her for more information. The trick is to change the topic and the mood in one grand gesture.

"So you like music?"

Lise flashes a tough-girl scowl at me. "Everyone likes music."

I pull my phone out of my pocket and scroll down until I find what I'm looking for. Then I shift over and sit beside her.

"My dad's an insanely good musician. Watch this."

I press play and Dad's face appears. He's scrunched as small as he can make himself so he fits the screen and he's holding a Ukulele near his face, strumming and humming. I took the video on the boat one night when we were goofing around. I actually have a small collection of E.D. Mandrayke's Ukulele Serenades. After a few bars of music, he breaks into a jazzy version of Somewhere Over The Rainbow. He's smiling from ear to ear and singing right at the camera so that I feel like he's with me for real. My heart aches whenever I see his face and hear his voice but I can't help myself. I shift my gaze from the phone to Lise's face and I see her smiling in response. It would be impossible not to. She hasn't smiled all day. I mean, I've seen flashes of smile but not a sustained smile like this. When the song finishes I put my phone away.

"That's your dad?"

"That's him."

"Weird. I sort of thought you made him up. You know? The whole boat story and all? But that's really him, huh?"

"It really is."

"He's great."

"Wait 'til you meet him in person."