Marina ”Perhaps next time?”

They pass by a lady in a black hat, seated at a table alone.  She is reading Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro.  She manages to innocently capture their attention and looks up to see two ladies now looking at her, curiously.

Claude ”Yes?”

Marina ”I was just noticing your book.  Is this your first time reading it?”

Claude ”It is, yes.  Why do you ask?”

Marina ”It’s good.  I read it earlier this year.”

Francesca ”Oh yes, the Never Let Me Go one.  There were times where I thought I’d have to pry the book out of her hands.”

Francesca and Marina laugh.  Claude lights up a cigarette which serves as a turnoff for Francesca.  Marina gives Francesca a look not to make a scene.

Claude ”Does the cigarette bother you?”

Marina ”Francesca, she doesn’t find the smell appealing.  It’s fine, though.”

Claude ”So you are Francesca?”

Claude blows the smoke away from Marina and Francesca before putting the cigarette out just as quickly, finding herself intrigued more by the conversation.

Francesca ”And she’s Marina.  And you are?”

Claude ”Claude.”

Marina ”Are you familiar with the works of Anne Carson?”

Francesca ”Marina.”

Marina grins, innocently.

Francesca ”She likes to ask that of all the girls.  Don’t mind.”

Claude smiles.

Claude ”I do not mind at all.  You are free to join me if you like.”

Marina and Francesca look at one another.  Francesca shrugs.  It becomes apparent for Marina and Francesca both that they have made a new friend on this journey to Canada.

Day passes to night.

Shane’s Bachelor Party.

Peggy, Helena, Shane, Alice, Lara, Tonya, Mark, and soon, Bette and Tina join up.  They join with Kit and Angus, with Kit informing Angus of her possible pregnancy.  Marina and Francesca arrive late.

Tonya ”There they are!”

Francesca ”Please accept our apologies for the tardiness.”

Marina ”We made a new friend and have just finished a very exhilarating conversation.”

Mark ”Who doesn’t love one of those, right?”

They all gather at the long table and are seated.  Bette is to Shane’s immediate left with Alice to her immediate right.  Alice and Mark stand to give the toast.

Alice ”To our dear friend, Shane.  We have been through a lot together as friends.  Especially in the last few months.”