Part One – Galas and Gardens

Nancy Bates slowly made her way through the well-dressed crowd clustered outside the main ballroom at the Fairmount Hotel Vancouver, waiting to get inside. She spotted her friend up ahead and waved and watched as her close friend Alice Berry spoke to one man guarding the entrance. The man looked her way and then split the crowd to allow Nancy to make it to the entrance. Posters on either side of the entrance broadcasted the Annual British Columbia Cancer Foundation Inspiration Gala.

When Nancy made it to Alice, she found her gloved hands gripped tightly and Alice air-kissed her cheeks.

“Nancy! What took you so long? The organisers were so worried!”

Nancy forced a small smile. “Sorry. The chauffeur had trouble parking…” She felt hot and a little nauseous.

Alice tutted. “It’s valet parking, my dear. You don’t fool me. You were dragging your heels again, weren’t you?”

Nancy looked away, ashamed.

“Seriously, my dear, you need to get out more. You can’t stay closed up in that house! It’s been a year! A year! Time to enjoy life. You’re too young!”

Nancy nodded. She had heard it all for the last year. Her late husband had passed from complications from rectal cancer. They had caught it far too late, and it took him in days. He had gone from alive and well to sitting in an urn on the mantlepiece in such a short time she never truly recovered.

They had met in the hallways at the University of British Columbia. He was an exotic American from New York, and her a shy girl from Tsawwassen (pronounced Tah-Wah-Son). He had swept her off her feet and they married. He had hidden his wealth from her and when she discovered she had married a Prince Charming, she couldn’t imagine her life getting any better. She had been thrust into the limelight of the rich and powerful, but throughout it all, they had remained true to themselves and grounded, always holding on to their love for each other.

Rectal cancer at age thirty-four was unheard of. She still couldn’t believe just how aggressive it had been.

It had shattered her.

They had enjoyed fourteen wonderful years together, but far too short when they had planned for a lifetime. The only blessing had been they were childless. She was barren due to complications with endometriosis as an early teenager. They had given her a partial hysterectomy. The scar still pained her. She recalled what George had said to her in their last year at UBC.

“That doesn’t matter, Nancy. We don’t need children. Besides, it just means we get to spend more time together…”

“Earth to Nancy! You have that faraway look again!”

Nancy shook her head and focused on Alice. She was pulling her through the tables set up all over the floor. The decorations were breath taking. Up ahead was a stage with a runway for the fashion show. Music was blaring loudly from speakers and people were already drinking and laughing all around her.

She felt out of place and wanted to leave. She felt so tired.

Nancy saw the table for honoured guests and was pleased to see Will had arrived, looking dashing in his tuxedo. He saw her and waved. Nancy had always admired Will. He had been the best man at their wedding, along with Alice as her bridesmaid. Will was a friend of George’s family and despite being twenty years older than George, they had been fast friends. They had shared a common appreciation for the same things in life. Will still had a full head of hair, but the grey had all but obscured the black.

“Will, good to see you,” gushed Nancy as she was brought around the table to sit next to Will. She kissed his cheek and then rubbed the lipstick away with her black satin gloves.

Will beamed at her and looked her over. “Darling, you are a sight for sore eyes! You still have the look! The one that stole George’s heart.”

Nancy could see the instant regret in Will’s eyes, and she tutted and pressed her hands into his arm to stop him. “It’s okay, Will. You’re not wrong.”

Will looked hopeful and glanced at Alice. “Alice, how are you? It’s been a while since I’ve seen you as well. How long has it been?”

Alice shot Will a look, and Will again looked embarrassed. Nancy knew exactly when it was. It was right after George had passed. Nancy grasped Alice’s hand and pulled her close.

“Enough! You convinced me to come out and here I am. Stop worrying about what you might or might not say. We are together tonight for a wonderful event. And I am so pleased you are here to share this with me. This will be a fitting night to remember George…”

The clinking of glass interrupted her, and she looked to the stage where the event organiser was clinking a glass held up to the microphone. The room went quiet and everyone turned to listen. “Ladies and gentlemen, please find your seats. We will begin shortly…”

The music started up and Nancy, Alice and Will took their seats.

Nancy felt the night had gone by in a blur. The organisers were thanking everyone for their support and declared the fashion show a success and thanked the many patrons. Nancy could feel sweat leaking from every pour in her body and hoped she was not glowing too badly. I’m a fright just when I can’t be, she cursed herself. George would laugh at her, she knew. She never sweated, but lately, it seemed everything was wrong with her. Her doctors just said grief has strange ways of expressing itself.

Nancy was nervous. She had grown up in a small house in Tsawwassen, never imagining she would be as wealthy as she was now. She used to watch the ferries disappear into the Gulf Islands off Vancouver to head to Swartz Bay north of Victoria on Vancouver Island with her best friend at the time. They imagined all sorts of crazy adventures. Her friend had been a sweet girl, thin and shy, but sharing a love for the wild open places and the smell of the Pacific Ocean in the air. They had known each other since kindergarten. She remembered their tightly held hands and secret kisses as they had roamed the beaches looking for pirate treasure.

I need to be strong for her and George, she decided.

The woman on the stage had just announced her name and Nancy looked up.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, it gives me great pleasure to announce our senior Patron for the British Columbia Cancer Foundation Inspiration Gala, Nancy Bates. She is likely well known to most of you. She comes from our very own Vancouver with a modest upbringing. She has been a strong supporter for our foundation since the passing of her late husband George Bates from cancer last year.

“What many people don’t know is that she also lost her childhood best friend from brain cancer when she was just sixteen. Nancy, let me share that with you tonight. A terrible tragedy, and sadly, this means Nancy Bates is no stranger to this terrible disease. She understands our cause. But tonight, we celebrate as we have raised a record nine million dollars!”

The crowd cheered and clapped, and for a time, the noise was deafening. Nancy winced at the volume of noise, and Alice gripped her hand under the table.

“Thank you! Thank you!” continued the woman. “Now, Nancy has asked to speak to you all this evening and asked to speak at the end. This will be a surprise for all of us, I’m sure, but how could I refuse our senior patron? Please give a warm round of applause for Nancy Bates! Nancy?”

The room erupted in generous applause. Most of the people here at the gala knew who she was. When she had married George, it had been an international sensation. It was the proverbial story of the poor marrying the rich. It had been the Cinderella story of the times. She had never truly been poor. Her parents had been highly successful, and her father had been a professor at UBC, gaining her free tuition into the university. She had certainly married up but calling it a Cinderella story had always rankled her.

Carefully, Nancy made her way up to the stage. Her high heels were always a discomfort to her. She would much rather be wearing a pair of Converse sneakers, loose jeans, and a casual shirt. Instead, she wore a designer black dress that hugged her form and accented her slim waist, full breasts, and a shapely, well-toned ass. Her legs shone in the lights on the stage and seemed to extend her height beyond her diminutive five feet and four inches. She had spent two hours in the salon that afternoon and her coif rose blond and stunning above her. Diamonds covered her neck and dangled from her earlobes. She was rich and looked it.

Being only age thirty-five and stunning made her the darling of the press. Ever since her whirlwind wedding and sudden international exposure, she was hounded for stories and she found her unauthorised pictures everywhere from newspapers to magazines. Par for the course, George had said. He had often apologised for her exposure. He said it was the worst thing he had ever done to her. In truth, she thought, the worst thing was leaving her behind to deal with it alone. She stumbled a moment on stage but caught herself. A few flashes went off.

She approached the microphone and smiled with practised ease.

“Good evening, everyone. Thank you for honouring me tonight and allowing me a moment to speak. I have enjoyed this lovely evening and would like to express my wonder at the fashion show. It was a delight, and I am so pleased to see it showcase all the wonderful female designers from Vancouver. Please give them a round of applause.”

She paused and clapped with the audience.

“This Gala and the BC Cancer Foundation are committed to changing the outcome for the over five thousand British Columbians who will be diagnosed with women’s cancer this year alone. BC Cancer was the first to sequence the DNA of breast cancer, leading to a new understanding of the disease and how to treat it. BC Cancer was the first to discover and implement a novel method to prevent ovarian cancer. A method now adopted by cancer centres around the world.”

She paused again for the applause and a little cheering.

“Today, BC Cancer is leading the charge to cure more women’s cancers through innovative therapies and precision medicine. We are on the cusp of more cures for women in BC, and I want to thank you personally for all that you have given and your support.”

The applause responded slightly louder in volume. Nancy looked out at the audience, who were predominantly women. Too many bald women were looking back at her.

“Many of you know me. You know my husband died from rectal cancer. It took his life so quickly…” her voice broke and she stopped and gathered herself. “So quickly.” She took a breath and calmed herself. The room was silent. “Many of you here have similar stories. Lost love ones. Lost to a cancer that is insidious in how it tears its victims and the victim’s families apart. Tonight, you heard that I also lost my best friend when I was quite young. She was so bright and so full of life and love…” Her voice broke again and for a moment she thought she saw her lost friend, standing in the back, wearing that silly sundress she loved. Nancy could imagine her making faces at her in this moment and laughing. Her red hair flashing and freckles standing out so boldly. Nancy could still remember the pattern of those freckles and how she used to draw pictures with them and get her to guess what it was she drew. Wrong or right, she was always rewarded with a kiss. A soft kiss, tasting slightly of salt from the air. Her first love taken by cancer.

Nancy fought the grief and felt her heart lurch painfully in her chest. She drew in a gasp of air, and her sob echoed loudly in the ballroom. The room was silent, witnessing her open grief. Flashes from the cameras of the gathered media popped and sizzled. Nancy looked up, with tears streaming down her face.

“I’m sorry, folks. My emotions are getting the best of me. Tonight, we must celebrate all that this organisation has done to combat this disease. It takes so much and gives nothing but grief and pain and anguish in return. I am now in a position where I can change that. To make a difference. In memory of George and my childhood friend, it gives me great pleasure to announce that I will match the generous contributions to BC Cancer raised by you tonight.” The audience gasped as one. Nancy turned to the organiser. “You said nine million?”

The organiser looked stunned and could barely nod in agreement.

“Nine. I hate odd numbers. Nine and nine are eighteen, but that seems short. I’ll contribute eleven million dollars, is that alright? To make twenty million total? Did I get the math right?”

The gala went nuts, and the organiser looked like she might faint. The press with their cameras surged forward, and the ballroom lit up with flashes. Nancy looked toward Alice and Will and saw their smiling faces. Nancy closed her eyes and thought of George and her friend. For you, my loves, she thought.

What happened next was a blur of activity. The organiser tried to speak again but could not do more than gush her gratitude and announced the dancing would now begin. The ballroom was transformed into a dance hall and soon the music was painfully pumping with a heavy bass and people got out to dance.

Nancy was swarmed by the press and everyone who wanted to express their gratitude. Nancy smiled through it all and answered questions and grabbed onto Will and Alice as a lifeline as they made apologies and whisked her away to a private corner for patrons that was roped off and guarded.

Nancy sank into a seat and grabbed the offered glass of water from the man who approached her and gulped it down. She looked up at the man and did a double take. He looked a little like George.

“Hi, sorry, we haven’t met. I’m Steve Fagin.”

Nancy stared up at him and wished Will or Alice would return with her wine. She suddenly needed it more than anything. “Fagin? Like from Oliver Twist?”

The man looked startled and then beamed a wide smile. “Exactly! Do you know how many people don’t know that? It’s really quite remarkable! People today have no taste for the written word.”

Nancy laughed then and was surprised to hear it. She couldn’t remember the last time she had laughed. She indicated the seat beside her. “Please, sit down. It’s starting to hurt looking up at you.”

The man nodded his head gracefully and sank into the seat. Nancy could see the relief on his face.

“It’s a bit much these things, aren’t they?” she asked.

“Yes. Too much sometimes. Still, it was a lovely night, and the cause is a just one. So much hope can come from so little.”

Nancy blinked. George often said those same words. She was warming to this strange man. “I’m sorry, I’m Nancy Bates,” she said and immediately regretted it. She felt foolish. She was so unused to her celebrity status, despite the years.

Steve grinned again at her and laughed, and Nancy joined him. The laughter felt good to her. She felt a little more at peace with the world. She grinned at Steve and saw a look of surprise cross his face and he stared at her. She cocked her head and raise an eyebrow.

“I’m sorry,” he said quickly. “I didn’t mean to stare. Your smile completely transformed your face. I apologise if this is rude, but I don’t recall having seen you smile in any photos for a long, long time. You really are quite stunning.”

Nancy felt her smile widen a little and felt a sudden empathy for this kind man. Just then Will arrived with Alice with her drink. She accepted it gratefully and introduced Steve to her friends. Steve rose and Nancy, feeling foolish still sitting, stood up as well.

Will looked at him a little strangely. “Steve Fagin? Sorry, I’m not familiar with the name.”

Steve gave Nancy a grin she shared and then Steve smiled at Will and Nancy thought he looked so very handsome. His tux was an expensive one. His hair was perfect without a touch of grey. She judged their ages to be very close. She followed the cut of his suit and admired his chiselled looks and tan. Her eyes roamed to his hands, and she saw the strength in them. Broad hands, with long fingers, that grasped and shook Will’s hand with purpose. His ring finger was bare and tanned. Nancy shook her head to clear it and sipped her wine.

“I’m not surprised,” said Steve. “I’m new to Canada and the West Coast. I hail from New Jersey. An American, I’m afraid. Please don’t deport me!”

“New Jersey? I don’t hear an accent. Don’t you folks have accents?”

Steve chuckled, and Nancy liked the deep baritone of it. “Sadly, or happily, no. I lost it in college. I studied in Florida in Tampa. That Jersey show made most of us learn to forget it fast if you wanted to not be a laughingstock or get lucky.”

Will and Steve laughed, and Nancy smiled and glanced at Alice and found her grinning at her. Alice looked at Steve and then back at her and waggled her eyebrows. Nancy felt the heat in her cheeks and quickly sipped her wine.

Steve turned to Nancy and then took her hand and leaned over it. She felt his lips brush it ever so slightly and she giggled and then slapped a hand over her mouth. “I’m so sorry! You are being the gentleman and I just laughed! I’m showing my upbringing!”

Steve flashed her a smile. “No harm done. I must be off. It was a very sincere pleasure meeting you this evening, Nancy. Your generosity is inspiring. Hopefully, we meet again. Alice. Will. My pleasure. Take care.”

And suddenly he was gone. He melted into the crowd and was lost.

Alice whirled on Nancy. “Who was that?”

* * *

Two weeks after the Gala, Nancy’s housekeeper, a young Canadian Chinese woman named Lan Chang, announced Alice Berry into the room they called the Gallery. Nancy rose from her seat overlooking the expansive Shaugnessy Golf Club and Country Club. She walked forward and smiled when Alice appeared. Lan remained by the entrance and watched Alice stride past her and embrace her employer.

Alice wore a tasteful summer dress that accented her still youthful figure. Her strawberry blond hair was tied back into a short ponytail, and it bounced with her walk in her lovely white pumps. Nancy wore loose clothing that looked like it came from a box store. George had always been after her to dress for her position, but Nancy had always had her way, especially in her expansive home.

Her home was massive. It covered over 17,000 square feet in the Shaugnessy area of Vancouver and boasted an indoor pool, underground parking, and even a 2,000 square foot maid residence. Alice knew the home was valued at over thirty-five million dollars and loved to visit. She had no idea just how many rooms it held, but knew the mansion was far too much for her best friend Nancy. Lan was the head of the household and oversaw dozens of staff who maintained the house and grounds. She was a recent hire by George, mere weeks before he had passed and while his health had not been in question.

The room Alice walked into was a favourite of Nancy. She loved the light and the view and her ability to see the Strait of Georgia. Alice looked closely at her friend and saw the bags under her eyes and her waxy appearance. She was too thin and needed to escape the confines of her house. This is why Alice chose to visit now. One of the servants, Beatrice, had sent her a text expressing her concern and Alice had rushed over.

“Nancy, how are you, darling? Have you left the house since the gala?” Alice held Nancy by the shoulders and looked her over. “You look like you should be gardening dressed like that!”

Nancy gave her a weak smile and hugged her friend again. “Don’t worry about me. I’m fine. I’m just relaxing and enjoying the view.” Nancy steered Alice over to the couches facing the window. Alice glanced out past the golf course and spotted the many ships and pleasure craft darting along the Gulf.

“I can see the appeal but sitting here all day and doing little else will not do you any good. You need to get out of this house and do something with your life. You caused quite a sensation with your donation at the gala. CBC has been recycling the news daily. You’d think they had something better to talk about. But no, you sit here, brooding. When did you eat last?”

Alice sat on the couch and Nancy sat beside her. “Who’s snitching on me?” asked Nancy.

“Never you mind that. You have people who care for you, Nancy. They worry about you.”

“Yes, yes. I know. I just can’t seem to find anything to interest me. I’m getting emails and texts all the time from every charity on Earth. All wanting money. Or representation. Or… anything. It's too much. I wish I had donated that money anonymously. Such a pain.”

“We both know you wanted it given in George’s name. Anyway, ignore them. The Country Club would love to have you round. They asked me specifically to ask you.”

Both women looked out the window at the Country Club sitting predominantly at the golf course. The sprawling green and towering pines were a beautiful sight. Tennis courts could be seen with their bright blue surfaces and white lines. The club itself represented the best in Canadian architecture. The club had hosted a couple of Canadian Open golfing events, and it was renowned worldwide. Alice was jealous of the view. It was magical, but she knew Nancy only had eyes for the water and the ships that sailed the Gulf.

“Yes, I’m aware. I’ll be round soon, I promise.”

“Good.” Alice looked over as Lan came into view in a way only exceptional staff could. She was unimposing but made her presence known. Nancy smiled at her.

“Miss, would you care for some refreshments? The chef has prepared a small service and is eager to provide it.”

Nancy nodded. “That would be lovely, thank you. Please give our chef my thanks. We’ll take it here, please.”

Lan gave a small bow and slipped away like a small breeze.

Alice looked her friend over. She was ageing before her eyes. “How are you managing?”

Nancy looked at her, bewildered. “Whatever do you mean?”

“The businesses. All of George’s affairs.”

“Oh! That. Bates Enterprise is fine. I guess? Why?”

“You haven’t sat at a board meeting since George passed. You really need to keep your finger in it. I know the board will take care of things, but you need to steer things. Push them.”

Nancy grimaced. “I hate all that. They know what they’re doing.”

“Probably. But who knows what is happening?”

Nancy said nothing.

Alice tried another tack. “I’m meeting with the Vancouver Troubled Youth Committee tomorrow. Would you care to join me?”

“Remind me who they are again?”

“A group dedicated to improving the lives of our youth. Many live on the street. Terrible addictions. A lot of young women doing terrible things for money to feed those addictions. They are preyed on. The committee tries to help them. I think it might help you to help others. It’s what you excel at, Nancy.”

Nancy looked thoughtful. “I remember them. Fine. When is it?”

Alice blinked. “I just said. It’s tomorrow.”

“Okay. Pick me up.”

Alice smiled to herself, pleased she could pull Nancy out of the house. Alice looked around the room. “Besides this room, where do you go in here?”

Nancy gave a small laugh but didn’t notice the delight it gave Alice to hear it. “George said the same thing to me. Many times. You know me. Small-town girl. I don’t want for much. To be honest, I don’t think I’ve ever truly seen the entire place…”

“No doubt.” Alice was about to say something more when Lan emerged, pushing a small catering cart. On top was a layered dish containing small sandwiches and pastries. A gorgeous bone china teapot sat on a silver tray with cups, saucers, milk, and sugar.

Nancy and Alice watched Lan place the items on the expansive coffee table before them and looked to Nancy to continue. On her nod, Lan poured the tea and fixed them to both their tastes. Lan placed cloth napkins on their laps and then put two small bone china plates on the table. She went to pick up the silver tongs when Nancy stopped her.

“Thank you, Lan. We can manage from here.”

Lan put down the tongs put placed them near Nancy. “Yes, miss.” Lan quickly left them alone.

Nancy picked up the tongs. “Hungry?”

Alice’s eyes were a delight to watch. She scanned the layered dish and pointed at a few items. “Oh, yes.” Cucumber finger sandwiches, open-faced smoked salmon sandwiches, scotch quail’s eggs, and a number of fine pastries filled the dish. Soon, Alice had a little of everything and nibbled.

“I still want to steal your chef. She’s a delight.”

“Well, hands off. I picked her out myself. A wonderful gal I knew in Tsawwassen. I had to beg to have her join the staff. I promised her only one year and then a glowing review to wherever she chose to go from here. Now she won’t leave. Insists I need her.” Nancy took a small bite and savoured the smoked salmon. “She might be right!”

Alice was pleased to hear her friend laugh again.

“Well, you might want to put her under lock and key. How did you meet?”

Nancy’s eyes fell for a moment and Alice mentally kicked herself. “I knew her from before I met George. She was always so brilliant, but she couldn’t find work. Every place she tried demanded she come with papers or a referral from a restaurant. She tried so hard to break in, but being a woman, and with a disability, closed all the doors. I heard from an old friend that she was out of options, and I paid her a visit with George. One meal and he was convinced. It’s been ten years now. It’s funny, actually. She gets calls from all over now, all trying to steal her away” Nancy looked out the window. “She’s so loyal. I can’t convince her to leave for her own good.”

Alice reached over and grasped the top of Nancy’s closest hand. “That’s a good thing.”

Nancy smiled weakly at her. “I suppose. She only cooks for me and the staff. Such a waste of such brilliant talent.”

Alice smiled at her friend and released her hand and picked up her tea. “She’s a grown woman. Allow her her own choices.” She sipped her tea and enjoyed the strong bergamot flavour of Earl Grey. “Anyway, eat. I want to see you eat something substantial. You’re wasting away.”

Nancy nodded, and they grew quiet, enjoying the high tea. Finally satiated, they leaned back and enjoyed the last of the tea. Finally, Nancy spoke.

“I was wondering if you knew how I could get in touch with the person behind the invitations to the gala?”

“Well, yes. Quite easily arranged. Why?”

Nancy blushed and Alice found that remarkable. “I would like to get in touch with that Steve Fagin fellow.”

Alice opened her mouth and closed it. Then she opened it and squealed like a much younger version of herself. Nancy gave her a timid smile. Alice smacked Nancy’s hand closer to her. “Nancy! That’s wonderful! It’s been a year now and look at you! Are you ready to start looking again?”

Nancy’s smile grew a little broader.

“I’ll see what I can do. Leave it with me. A top priority.”

“Thank you. Please be discrete.”

“He was quite the handsome fellow. Strong, secure, and well-spoken. Those great big hands…” Alice waggled her eyebrows in a suggestive manner and then giggled. “Oh my God. I feel like a teenager again! Do you think?” Alice leaned in to whisper theatrically. “Do you think he has a big penis?”

Nancy squealed, shocking Alice. “Alice! Don’t say that!”

“I bet it is. Long, thick, and hard. So very tasty. Mmm. I might be getting a bit damp thinking about it!”

Nancy giggled and then looked at Alice. “I can certainly hope so!”

* * *

Alice pulled into a parking space near the door to the community centre and put her car in park. She looked over at Nancy who was pressing her hands into her lap. She pushed the button on the dash and the car stopped running. She reached over and grabbed Nancy’s hands.

“Relax. This will be fine,” she said to her.

Nancy nodded, seemed to brace herself and exited the vehicle with Alice. Alice smiled at Nancy’s back as she faced the door. Nancy wore jeans and a sweatshirt. On her feet were her Converse sneakers. Alice was comforted knowing Nancy was dressing down. She was always her most comfortable dressed like that. It was a good sign.

They entered together and were met by the organisers; all of them women. Hands were shaken and hugs embraced. Nancy’s smile grew a little larger.

The host, Gabrielle Roy, a middle-aged, grey-haired woman with a slight Quebecois accent, was someone Nancy had met before. They got along famously, and Gabrielle didn’t hesitate to take Nancy’s hand and pull her inside.

“So glad you came, Nancy. You mean the world to these young women. You give them hope for a brighter future. Come meet some of them. We just put out coffee and some Timbits. There is one young woman I would like you to meet.”

Nancy nodded and allowed herself to be pulled inside the large gym where dozens of young women and girls were clustered in little groups of three to four. A couple of tables were set up along the closest wall and coffee, tea, juices, and doughnut holes were available.

Gabrielle turned to another woman and asked her if she would fetch a tea for Nancy and Alice. The older woman nodded and went over to the table.

“Come,” said Gabrielle. “Let me announce you. Don’t look like that! It will be fine!”

Gabrielle kept a firm grip on Nancy’s hand and pulled her to the centre of the room and Alice smiled. Gabrielle knew Nancy all too well.

“Everyone!” called out Gabrielle. “Attention! J’ai le plaisir de vous presenter Nancy Bates. Everyone this is Nancy Bates. She has decided to come visit and say hello. She has been a contributor to our organisation for many years but does not often find the time to come see us. Today we are truly fortunate. Please don’t mob her! She’s a gentle soul. But please speak to her and share your stories. Be honest with her. She’s really just a girl from a small town. She’s known women like you all her life. Nancy?” Gabrielle turned to her. “Please mingle.”

Nancy nodded and looked at the expectant faces. She could see the marks of years of abuse and self-abuse. Most of the women were between sixteen and twenty-five. Their clothing was from second-hand stores. Most were dressed to expose parts of their bodies. Piercings and tattoos covered them from ears to lips to who knew what else. They clustered by age and many held hands.

Nancy smiled out at them although her heart was breaking seeing these poor women. “Hi everyone. I am so glad to be here. It has been a long time for me. If you want, come speak with me. I will listen. You all have stories and maybe I can help. But only if you want that help.”

She looked at Gabrielle, who smiled at her and then gave her a little push, which had a few girls giggling. In moments, the surer women, typically the older ones, came forward and started to introduce themselves. Soon Nancy was surrounded, holding a Styrofoam cup of weak tea, and trying to memorise names and situations. Alice wrote some things down every time Nancy glanced at her in a meaningful way.

Alice noticed Nancy kept looking over at a woman sitting by herself on the collapsible bleachers. Gabrielle had noticed as well. Over time the crowd dwindled as the women wandered away outside and back to their fractured lives. Nancy watched each of them sadly.

Alice saw that the woman sitting by herself was still there. She managed to free Nancy and met with Gabrielle.

“Who is that woman over there?” asked Alice, glancing over at the bleachers.

Gabrielle glanced over and her face looked sad. “Ah, that is Angela Hickman. She’s the one I mentioned earlier. She’s from Calgary and has been in Vancouver for a little over a year. She always comes to these events but never says anything. She does ask about you, though, Nancy. A couple of times. I thought she should have a chance to meet you, finally.”

Alice looked at the girl closely. She was a redhead with short hair, overly thin, with checks splashed heavily with freckles. Nancy was staring at her and seemed shaken. She looked about twenty-five, certainly one of the older women here.

Gabrielle took Nancy’s hands. “Would you like to meet her?”

Nancy hesitated and then nodded once, quickly.

Gabrielle brought them over to her. Alice could see the woman fidgeting as she noticed their approach. Alice looked at Nancy and saw a little fear. What is the matter? she wondered.

The woman rose and stood awkwardly. She was very thin. Her cheeks were hollow and dark rings stood out prominently under her eyes against her pale skin. Alice heard the small intake of breath from Nancy.

Gabrielle took the woman’s hand and turned to Nancy. “Nancy. Alice. This is Angela. I thought you would like to meet. Angela, I told Nancy you were hoping to speak to her.”

Angela looked frightened. She kept looking at Nancy and then away. Nancy, on the other hand, couldn’t stop staring at her.

Nancy seemed to recover. “I’m so sorry. You remind me of someone. How are you?”

“F-fine,” stammered Angela.

“What did you want to speak to me about?”

“Nothing really. I just wanted to meet you. I… I’m a big fan. I used to read about you when I was younger back when… Well, back then.”

“I see. You are from Calgary?”

Angela nodded and looked at Gabrielle. Gabrielle drew her in closer and gave her a squeeze.

“So shy. You’re just like Nancy, Angela. She overcomes it. Forces herself to do what she needs to do. Isn’t that right, Nancy?”

Nancy nodded slowly. “In a way. It’s true I’m shy. I’ve always been that way. I’m only truly myself with my friends, like Alice here. Have you many friends here in Vancouver?”

Angela shook her head. She looked at Alice and then Gabrielle, keeping her eyes from Nancy. “Um, no. I’ve been here for almost a year now? Maybe longer? I had to leave Calgary. I came here for work. I did a lot of waitressing. Cleaned dishes. You know.”

Nancy nodded. “And you have a place to stay?”

Angela looked down.

Gabrielle spoke for her. “No. She lives on the streets.”

Nancy tutted. “Are you clean, Angela?”

Angela looked up sharply at Gabrielle and Alice could see a flame there. “Yes!”

“Good. Sorry I had to ask. It’s okay if you weren’t. Gabrielle has a great programme to help with addictions. Are you working now?”

Angela shook her head.

“Do you have an education?”

Angela nodded. “Yes. Some.” She was back to looking at the floor.

“What is it?”

“I took some classes at Robertson. In the School of Technology.”

“Some? Did you not complete your studies?”

“No. Like I said. I had to leave Calgary.”

Nancy moved forward and took Angela’s hands in hers. “Look at me, Angela. Really look at me.”

Angela lifted her head and tried to look at her but couldn’t.

“Why won’t you look at me?”

Tears started to fall from Angela’s eyes. She didn’t cry or shake. The tears just formed and streamed down her face.

“Tell me.”

“You... You’re so beautiful! I can’t!”

Nancy lifted a hand to Angela’s chin and Alice saw it shake a little. Nancy gently lifted her chin until Angela had no choice but to look at her. “So are you, Angela. Beautiful. I could trace pictures with your freckles.” Nancy held her eyes for a moment and then Alice saw the beaming smile that erupted on Angela’s face. This time her sobs broke free and Nancy pulled her to her and held her.

“Shh. It's alright. You’re coming home with me. We need to fix you.”

Gabrielle looked shocked. “Nancy? That is not necessary. We take care of all our women, you know that.”

Nancy looked over Angela’s head and smiled. “I know, Gabrielle. You are wonderful. I’ll be sure to write you a generous cheque as always. Your cause is dear to me. But Angela is a special case. I think I understand her. Will that be alright? You can call and come over every day to check on her. I insist. Please?”

Gabrielle looked nervous. “Nancy, of course it's alright. But it's one thing to help us here and another to bring a woman into your home.”

“I understand. I’ll be fine. Come, Angela. Let me take you home.”

Alice was unsure of what was happening. “Nancy, what’s going on?”

“I am bringing Angela home with me. Isn’t that right, Angela? Let me take care of you for a little while. Just until you find your feet. You need to be off the streets, right now. You won’t last a week. Come.”

Nancy turned and called out to the women left in the gym. “Bye, ladies. Please take care of yourself. See Gabrielle if you have problems. You can trust her.”

The women smiled and waved and called out their goodbyes. Nancy held Angela and brought her outside. Alice opened the doors to her car, and they got in.

“Why are you doing this?” sniffled Angela from the back seat.

“As I said, you remind me of someone. I’m doing this for you, but also for me. If you want to leave, I will understand. But let me get you back on your feet. Please. Give me a week.”

Angela sniffled. “I’m not a charity case. A doll to play with.”

Nancy turned in her seat to look at her. “No, you’re not. You’re a bright woman with a bright future. Let me help you find your path again. Alright? One week. It’s all I ask.”

Angela nodded. “One week.”