“I guess I will have to make a point of stocking up more supplies in the future.”
Seri turns her face up toward me, and I lean in to press my lips to hers. I
kiss her softly and hope that I can demonstrate with actions what I can’t seem to put into words.
In the back of my mind, I’m already picturing us curled up by the fire next winter.
Chapter 23
I’m restless.
Seri is curled up on the bed with Solo keeping her warm. I woke before sunrise and couldn’t get back to sleep, so now I stand, staring out the window and trying to sort things out in my head.
I seem to be doing that a lot lately.
More than once, I discover that I have to repeat what I’ve said, just to make sure everyone is on the same page. Though Iris and Netti know of Seri’s presence, they don’t always hear the same thing she hears. And Seri…well, Seri doesn’t know about the others, and I have to constantly check what I’m saying to make sure I don’t blunder into the wrong conversation.
I’m bad enough at normal relationships, but trying to organize myself around three women is nearly impossible.
It’s been a full week since I spoke with Margot, and I need to get back to her to find out what she’s learned. The snow is still piled high, but the weather has been tolerable. I should be able to get into Whatì without any issues, but what do I do with Seri in the meantime? What happens when I’m not here? Will Iris appear or Netti? Do the two of them talk to each other when no one else is around?
Many aspects of the women inside her body continue to elude me. I still need to make myself a list, but that isn’t something I can easily do with her in the room. So I am left with these bits and pieces all jumbled up inside my head with a lot of questions and seldom any answers. I remember how I wanted to make a timeline about the woman who has been living with me, much like the ones I had made to help me sort out the clues in a mystery novel. Perhaps it could help me answer the prevailing question that has been on my mind: When did Seri become more than one person?
As the sun begins to rise, I finish my second cup of coffee and get myself dressed for the outside. As I pull on my boots, Seri stirs. She sits up, yawns, and gives Solo a good morning cuddle.
“I’m going into Whatì,” I say. “Breakfast is in the pan next to the fire, and there’s coffee ready.”
“Oh, okay.” Seri looks over at me with a sleepy and confused expression. “Do you want me to come with you?”
“No reason for you to.” I grab my parka off the hook. “I just want to pay back the clinic for their snowmobile gas. I won’t be gone too long.”
“All right.” She rubs the kitten’s head. “Has Solo eaten?”
“No, he’s been as lazy as you this morning.” I smile at her as I pull on my parka and gloves. “There’s enough cooked meat for him, too.”
Solo meows and jumps off the bed to run into the kitchen. I swear he knows when we are talking about food.
“Is there anything you want me to do while you’re gone?”
“Not in particular.” I open the door a crack. “Relax. Read that romance book you know you’ve wanted to dig into.”
“I might.” She gives me a playful smile. “Maybe I’ll get some ideas.”
“I’ll grab you some donuts on the way back.” I wink at her and head out the door.
The Jeep starts on the second try, and I’m grateful that I don’t have to charge the battery again. The trek to Whatì is bumpy but otherwise uneventful. I go to the clinic first and leave a can of gas for their snowmobiles and then head for the fishing lodge.
The lodge is on the docks and one of the more modern buildings in town. It’s one of the few places large enough to hold a good-sized gathering, and Margot prides herself in running the community events there. I park the Jeep and head through the doors.
Margot is already inside, dragging mats to the center of the room.
“Drumming tonight?” I ask as I pull off my gloves and parka. I hang them up near the entrance and head towards Margot.
“Hand Game,” Margot says with a smile. She adjusts the mat and wipes her hands on her jeans. “It’s nearly time for the tournament. We have to practice if we are going to have a chance at beating those guys from Garneti.”
“Where is it this year?”
“Behchoko`. They’re really going all out this time.”