Читать книгу Against the Wind - Jim Tilley - Страница 13

It has stopped raining. Wearing her reflective vest, Lynn steps out of the house at six o’clock for her usual walk before school. Light from street lamps reflects off mist still hanging in the air and creates an eerie glow, the kind you see on a movie set to create a sense of impending doom. There is a strong earthen smell, the scent of wet, decaying leaves. Almost no traffic on the road. She loves it here in Picton, such a difference from Montreal. She walks briskly to the marina and makes her way to her favorite boat, a Daysailer about halfway down one edge of the dock.

Last night’s dinner unfolded as she had feared. From the moment he entered the house, Ralph had it in for Dieter. Not even someone like Dieter deserved that.

“Nice. I see that Germans are not above wearing fine Italian clothes. Brioni suit and Zegna tie, if I’m not mistaken. Not bad for an engineer.”

“Same old,” said Dieter. “Trying to keep up with you.”

Then the episode over Dieter’s offer to Jules. Handing Dieter a stack of plates in the kitchen, out of earshot of Ralph and Jules in the studio, she said, “What the hell are you doing? We’re on opposite sides of the wind farm issue and you barely step into my house before offering my son a scholarship for a summer internship?”

Dieter looked crushed. “I know what I’m doing. We’d be lucky to have Jules in the program.”

“C’mon. It smells like a bribe— You’ve put me in an impossible position with Jules.”

“How?”

“If the lawsuit I bring against your company succeeds, you’ll pull your offer of the internship and he’ll resent me forever.”

“Giving Jules this opportunity is the right thing. It has nothing to do with wind farms in your county— Or the fact that I still have a soft spot for you— ”

He waited for her to react, and when she didn’t, he finished placing the plates around the table. “Where’s the silverware?”

Lynn opened a drawer of the sideboard. “You’re saying that you’d have offered Jules an internship regardless?”

“Certainly— Especially after seeing his work— Ironic, isn’t it? I’d never have met Jules without running into you at your town meeting.”

“I’d like to believe you.” In a perverse way, she was glad that a contentious matter had already sprung up with Dieter, even if Jules had to be at its center.

Dieter turned out not to be a vegetarian. Lynn served them both generous slices of tourtière and took a smaller one for herself. Dieter heaped on ketchup from a small dish that she’d placed on the table beside a cruet of molasses. Ralph waited, watching her pour some molasses onto the side of her plate, then followed her lead. Looking directly into her eyes, with no lead-up to it, he asked whether she believed that wind power is part of a sound energy strategy for the country. It caught her off guard.

“Ah, Mr. Prosecutor, the framing question! No wonder you went into law. By the way, how’s the tourtière?”

“Seriously— ” said Ralph, “that’s the place to start. If you think it’s a bad energy policy, it becomes a different discussion.”

“Seriously— How’s the tourtière?”

“Delicious. Perfect with molasses. I presume that’s the Quebec way.”

“Yes— I thought this was supposed to be purely a social visit. A chance for Dieter to meet Jules.”

“I’m glad I did,” said Dieter, “and I love the meal you prepared for us, but while I’m here, I’d like to talk about the proposed wind farms a little more than we were able to at the town meeting.”

“I can’t tell whether it’s the tourtière you like or the ketchup you’ve slathered all over it,” she said, wishing as soon as the words escaped her mouth that she could reel them back before they reached his ears.

Dieter looked crushed again. He’d been caught masking the taste of a favorite food of Quebecers that he couldn’t stand, but was forced to eat solely out of politeness—the only thing he found worse was French-Canadian poutine.

“Sorry— I don’t like the taste of molasses.”

“In principle, I don’t think it’s a bad policy,” she said to soften the blow. “The ketchup I mean.” Dieter put on a weak smile. When Ralph stopped laughing, she continued. “Okay, Ralph—seriously. I don’t think we should place wind farms where there are tourist attractions, recreational parks, or wildlife preserves. We have all three in this county.”

“If you take the emotion out of it,” said Dieter, “you’ll— ”

She interrupted him mid-sentence. “We’ve looked at it the only way residents can. We don’t want to see the towers. We don’t want to hear the thump-thumping of the blades whipping the air. We care about our wildlife. We thrive on tourist business. Could it be any simpler?”

“That’s a self-serving view,” said Dieter, apparently unwilling to adopt a lighter touch. Not much of a soft spot for her after all. “Opposition groups tend to agree that the country needs to harness wind energy, but then turn around and say, ‘Take your projects somewhere else, thank you. Not in my backyard.’”

Lynn savored a mouthful of meat pie and took her first taste of the wine. “Now that’s a good Nuits. Who brought this one?”

“I did,” said Ralph.

“You should have opened mine,” said Dieter. “It’s a better vintage.”

Turning to Dieter, she asked, “What’s wrong with that view?”

Jules, who’d been standing unnoticed in the doorway to the dining room, answered for Dieter. “If everybody thought that way, the country would never solve its energy problems.”

“I don’t think I need your help on this,” she said. Jules retreated to his studio.

“Smart kid,” said Ralph.

“Smart ass— There are plenty of places where wind farms could be located that wouldn’t affect people’s lives as directly.”

Dieter drained his glass and refilled it. “Let’s finish this bottle so that I can open the better one.”

“You’re thinking of places where few people live,” said Ralph.

“Exactly.”

“Sadly, for reasons of cost, we don’t always have that luxury. We tend to site farms in rural areas. From my tour this afternoon, I’d say this is a rural area. Except for the town itself.”

“Not rural enough. I meant places where there is virtually no population.”

“I guess you don’t understand,” said Dieter, “how expensive it is to transmit power from remote areas.”

“Then build massive farms there and transport a lot of electricity. Make it an economy of scale. Hey guys, there’s nothing new here— All you big-energy folk are set in your ways and won’t listen to reason.”

“I think the same could be said of you,” said Dieter.

Lynn bristled. Got up and started to clear the dishes from the table. “Anybody want dessert? I’ve made mille feuilles.”

“From scratch?” asked Ralph. “You didn’t pick it up at the bakery?”

“All by myself. I can’t tell you how many times I helped my mother make it. It is my father’s favorite.”

“Let me help you clean up,” said Ralph. “We need a break.”

But Lynn refused to let the matter drop. “What you’re both overlooking is that people who live here—or merely visit—consider it God’s country. Why ruin it for everybody?”

Ralph, obviously still trying to divert the discussion, or at least keep it on an even keel, said, “Are you saying that if God had wanted us to have windmills here, He’d have built them Himself?”

“You mean She and Herself, don’t you?” By the grimace on Ralph’s face, she could tell that her tone had too much edge for his taste. They both let it go and rejoined Dieter who was still sitting at his place, topping off his glass.

“Easy there,” said Ralph, “you have a long drive back tonight.”

“Maybe we should all get as drunk as we did on prom night,” said Dieter. “See where it goes.” He glared at Lynn.

Ralph noticed and gave her a puzzled look. She returned his look. “We might as well finish the argument we’ve started,” he said, “and move on to something more pleasant.”

If only you knew, she thought. “Okay, go ahead.”

“I had a chance to view three of the major sites today on my way here, two on land and the one off Sandbanks.”

“What did you conclude?” she asked.

“The proposed onshore farms are located exactly where such farms are typically found. Like Wolfe Island across from Kingston. Essentially farmland. Or Maple Ridge in Upstate New York. Farmland, rolling hills, wooded areas.”

“Those developments were highly controversial,” she countered. “Many residents were upset with the prospect of turbines near their homes and they’re no happier now that the farms are operational.”

“Both developments got a clean bill of health from regulatory authorities,” said Dieter.

“Despite the protests, those projects eventually got built,” said Ralph.

“It ends up being a losing battle to fight them,” said Dieter. “You merely forestall the inevitable.”

Looking straight at Ralph, Lynn asked, “What about the offshore sites? You’re still a sailor, aren’t you?”

“I am indeed, and I’m concerned that part of the site off Sandbanks will be seen directly from the beach.”

“Wait a minute,” said Dieter. “That’s my company’s project. It’s Crown Land—we worked closely with the Federal Government to get that approval.”

“I know,” said Ralph, “but erecting turbines in plain view of the beach could be devastating to the tourist business.”

“Obviously we disagree,” said Dieter, “and the government did too when it gave us the nod to proceed.”

Lynn noticed the sudden flush in Dieter’s face. “Hey boys, it sounds as if this is heading toward a bad place. We’re grown-ups now, aren’t we?”

“Some of us,” said Ralph, “are capable of appreciating the merits of both sides and see good reason to strike a balance.”

“What the fuck!” said Dieter.

“Tone it down guys. Jules is down the hall. No floor hockey finals in my home, thank you.”

They all laughed. “Got any spare broomsticks?” Dieter asked. “I’d like to show Ralph how to take a proper shot.”

“At the net or at me?” said Ralph.

“Let’s finish up business before dessert,” she said. “Since you’ve asked, I’ll tell you where I stand.”

Both Dieter and Ralph, sitting on the same side of the table, moved to the edges of their chairs.

“Here’s my little sermon. Listen up—obviously this is what you came for. If the wind companies can demonstrate an openness to other viewpoints, some flexibility on how to protect the wildlife preserve, and a willingness to revisit the location of offshore farms, that may be enough for us to reach an accommodation. We’re not unreasonable. But until we see signs that your industry is willing to consider those possibilities, we’re going to insist that the entire county be declared off limits, land and lake. We’re going to file suit to that effect.”

“That’s a totally uncompromising position,” said Dieter.

“Hardly. I’ve told you what we’ll consider constructive movement on your part.”

“Thank you for that,” said Dieter. It didn’t sound as if he meant it. He managed another weak smile. Both Ralph and Lynn could feel him seething. “And thank you for a lovely dinner. I’m going to pass on dessert— You’re right, it’s a long drive back. You two can enjoy my bottle of wine.”

“That’s it? You’re leaving?”

“I suspect you and Ralph need to sort something out— Anyway, please consider the summer opportunity for Jules. It would be a great experience for him. And I forgot to say it as I walked in— Lynn— You look absolutely spectacular. You’ve taken good care of yourself.”

After Dieter left, Ralph started to rinse the wine glasses, china, and silverware. At the sink, his back to Lynn, he asked, “What did Dieter mean that we’ve got something to sort out? And what was that about our prom night?”

“I think Dieter was talking about having to carry you on his back up to your front door and hand you over to your parents. You were too drunk to remember it the next day.”

“Is that all?”

No, that wasn’t the half of it, but the rest would have to wait—she wasn’t going to talk about the post-prom party, not in her own home, not with Jules down the hall. “Yeah, that’s all— ”

“Well, Dieter’s right, you know—you look stunning.”

“Thank you. Not so bad yourself, eh?”

“I can stay a while and help you clean up. Maybe another glass of wine? Let’s see if Dieter’s right about his bottle.”

“Thanks, I can handle washing up. You also have a long drive back. Look—it’s started to rain.”

“I’m in no hurry,” said Ralph. “Let’s sit down and talk.”

“Some other time— I’d love to, but I’m tired and I need to speak with Jules about Dieter’s offer.”

At the door, Ralph gave her a firm hug, then kissed her lightly on the lips. Holding her by her shoulders, he looked into her eyes. “Sorry this ended up being only about business. We didn’t even get to your mille feuilles. I’d like to take a rain check.” He looked outside and chuckled at his choice of words.

“Sure, why not?”

“I’ll give you a call.”

She stood at the door, watched him back out of the driveway, and waved goodbye. Didn’t go inside until his taillights passed from view. Didn’t wipe the kiss off her lips. Wished that Jules had been staying with a friend that night.

Standing on the dock and looking out at the bay, she realizes that something good had come from the evening: the compliments about how she looked had made her feel good about herself. Good, but not altogether good. She wasn’t thrilled that Dieter had been the first to comment. It made Ralph’s compliment seem forced instead of freely offered, perhaps a response only to make sure he hadn’t been completely one-upped by Dieter. The more she thinks about it, the more troubled she becomes. Dieter is going to continue to pose a problem. He doesn’t seem to understand that she will never forgive him. And Ralph—would he still be interested if she hadn’t kept herself trim? What if she’d put on another thirty pounds over the years? Had let her hair grow long, making her look more like an old witch than an older version of her graduation photo? Would he fall for her today if they hadn’t been sweethearts in high school and college? Even more troubling than those questions is why she keeps rejecting his overtures. How long can that continue before he’ll walk away? For good this time. She wonders if he is thinking the same thing.