He had splurged on candied sockeye for her birthday. Goat cheese with basil leaves, tapenade, a creamy Brie. In the grocery store three times in four days, treats in fine China, bouquet of shimmering blooms.

That night, he walked into a pub, ordered chicken wings and a beer. Then another.

Suzanne Aubin is a retired language teacher who loves all things artistic and the great outdoors. She lives in Kelowna, BC.