The Light Across the Way
"Yes, that's my house," said Lonnie Burford. "And the shed at the edge of the cliff, that's where we keep the lawn mower. I mow the lawn now. I'm old enough."
"I see there's a fence," said the woman in the black sedan. "Has anyone ever fallen over?"
"My dog," said the boy. "Only he didn't fall over. He jumped. There was a pheasant, and the pheasant flew up on the rail because my dog was after him. And then the pheasant took off. And so did Remi. Only the pheasant could fly. And Remi couldn't."
"Oh, I'm sorry," said the woman. "Did you get another dog?"
"No, I didn't need to. I still had Remi. It was high tide. He landed mostly in the water. Had a broke leg. That was all."
"I see. So, you rowed over to get some lobsters. Why didn't Remi come?"
"'Cause," said Lonnie, "he don't like the water anymore."
"I guess not," said the woman. "Well, sorry to bother you."
"It ain't a bother. Lots of folks asking directions today."
"To Peggy's Cove?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Is that unusual?"
"I'd say so. Yeah. Most folks, they know the way."
"You think it's because the borders re-opened?"
"I don't know. You'd have to ask my mom and dad."
"That's why I'm here, you know. I'm from Toronto. I want to buy a house here. You know of any for sale?"
"Yes, ma'am. That one right there."
"That one? That little lighthouse? Really?"
"Yes. And if you buy it, I will get ten dollars. That's what I get when I help sell lights across the way."
"How fine to have a light across the way, then."
"Yes, ma'am. I guess."
"Well, Mr. Lonnie Burford, it was a pleasure to meet you. I think I will wait and buy a bigger house, but here's ten dollars anyway, for being so friendly. You're like a light across the way, yourself, you know that?"
"No ma'am, but I'll take your word for it. Thank you for the money. I hope you like the real lighthouse."
"I do," she said. "I'm very lucky that way."
It made him blush to see the lady look at him so intimately, like they had some shared secret, but he thought he could bear it. Ten dollars! He could shine on everything! He would! He was a light across the way!
It was a little letdown when he got back home and had to tell his mother he forgot the lobsters, but after she kissed him on the forehead and told him not to worry, that he really was a shining light, he rowed back across the way again as if it were his favourite thing in all the world to do. His mother heard him singing as he rowed and felt a lightness in her own heart and began to sing herself as she put away dishes, the clean ones from the sink right along with the dirty ones from the counter, which was a boon for the mice of the kitchen that night, who were not usually so lucky.