The Peacock 1074

 "What was your father's line of work?" say I

"He was CFO of a network of internet providers.  Then he got into crypto currency, was found out by the authorities for doing some things that were not considered legal and from there..."

The young man seems awkward and uncomfortable and this clearly must be embarrassing to him.

"I heard about it on the BBC", says Carl.  It was just over a year ago?"

"Yes,."

And now I really feel it is time to rescue the young man from Carl's obvious lack of tact.  "Do you plan on recontinuing your university studies?"

"I am studying some courses online.  I was going to major in business management, but I find psychology much more interesting.  I live with my aunt now, since I had to give up the apartment that my father had purchased for me, and she is kind enough not to charge me rent, so with my earnings in real estate I am still able to pay for some classes."

"What would you say about the current real estate market in Greater Vancouver?" says Carl, who still wants to push the boundaries.

the Peacock1073

 We are in a Starbucks, with limited seating due to the pandemic and we are drinking our americanos from paper cups.  As Carl goes over the papers and begins signing his name here and there I find myself engrossed in conversation with Will our real estate agent:

"You are probably the youngest real estate agent I have ever met", say I, "But I also have to admit that I have never known a lot of real estate agents in my life."

"Next month I turn twenty-two."

"Is there a story there?" says Carl without looking up from the papers he is signing.

"I got into the business thanks to my aunt who lives in Vancouver.  I myself moved here from Taiwan three years ago to begin university."

"What happened?" say I.

"I ran out of funds.  You see, my father is, or was, very wealthy.  He is now under investigation and unfortunately all his assets have been seized or frozen and it looks like he might be facing prison time."

"What happened?"

"He has been indicted and convicted for committing fraud."

"And so your funding for school got dried up."

"Exactly..."

The Peacock1072

 "You may call me Will", he says.  His English is lightly accented and I am curious about him.  How long has he lived here?  Is he from China, Hong Kong or Taiwan, which would be three rather distinct entities.  How did he get into the real estate biz, especially given that he couldn't be older than...twenty-two?  We have just had another tour of the house, and really, it didn't seem as bad this time.  In fact, but for a few minor repairs and some paint, it could be inhabited right away.  And it turns out there are twelve bedrooms, not ten, or at least twelve rooms that could serve as bedrooms.  Carl appears to be driven by some kind of exterior force, as though he is under divine mandate concerning this house.  But he is acting very decisively here.  We have agreed to do the paperwork in a café nearby, walking distance, which is fine because I really want to move my legs right now...

The Peacock 1071

 I have never known any multimillionaires in my life, much less have one for a friend, even less as a best friend, though given that we have known each other a bit more than a week, maybe that would be stretching it.  But Carl and I both seem to be in it for the long term.  One might almost think that we are becoming more than friends, but here it is very hard to say, plus, Francois is something of a wild card.  My friendship clearly is with both, but Carl and I seem particularly fused to each other.  We are turning now into Queen's park, just  a couple of blocks from the house.  I really can't imagine why he'd want to buy this place.  We have just turned a corner passing a couple of particularly sumptuous Queen Anne Specials, and there is Wee Willie Wang waiting for us on the front lawn....

The Peacock 1070

 "We would need the whole day, and we would probably miss the one o'clock ferry anyway."

"We could stay overnight at the Empress then have high tea there tomorrow afternoon.  "Let's go."

"No."

"Why not."

"Lots of reasons", say I while savouring a  mouthful of pancake and syrup, "One, you are upset and in shock about your mom and should be taking it easy right now, two, I don't have a change of socks and underwear with me, neither do you, and we don't want to attend high tea feeling gross, and three, it would be unfair to Francois who would likely feel abandoned."

"Correct on all points as always, brother Christopher", he says with a slight moan.  His phone is ringing and he picks it up.

"Hello?...  yes, fine thanks....yes, I am...when?...today...I don't see why not...We're in Richmond right now, we can get there in an hour...okay...Thanks."

To me, he says, "That was Wee Willie Wang, the real estate agent.  He wants us to come see him today at the house again and then sign some papers."

"You're buying it?"

"I am buying it, Chris", he says, reaching for his credit card and signalling for the waitress...

The Peacock 1069

 The Pancakes are delicious, whole grain with nuts and smothered, in my case in boysenberry syrup and Carl is having his drowned in maple.  Lunch fit for a diabetic coma, and despite the upset of his mother being almost gravely ill and in hospital his appetite appears robust as ever.  In fact, he could easily compete with our friend Carol for prowess in recreational gluttony.  He hasn't said anything about his mother since leaving the hospital and I feel too discreet and compassionate to want to bring her up.  What remains open is how are we going to spend the rest of the day.  Carl wants to take us on a long tour drive of the entire Lower mainland of Greater Vancouver, and maybe stop somewhere that is quiet and in nature for a walk.  I couldn't agree more.  Then suddenly he says, his eyes lighting up like two candles in the dark, "Chris, I have a brilliant idea.  Let's go to Victoria..."

The Peacock 1068

 Astrid Maria Vancoevorden cannot receive visitors right now.  Her condition has been upgraded to stable but she is still on the ventilator and is in a medically induced coma, likely until sometime tomorrow, and Carl has been asked to try again on Friday, which is two days away.  Everyone, us included, is wearing at least one medical msk, in our cases two, because the covid security didn't deem as aceptable the washable cloth masks we came in wearing.  On my suggestion we are going into Richmond Centre for lunch, and it is only a ten minute walk, so I have persuaded Carl to leave his van in the hotel parking lot for now.  having taken off our masks, we appear to be the only two people walking around outside bareface, as though we are two rebel kids trying to make a point.  And of course, it is difficult if not impossible to get covid outside, but everyone seems to be hobbled by fear.   I know from personal experience how beneficial walking can be when we are feeling sidelined by grief.  Naturally it would be nice to have more attractive surroundings.  I really do agree with him.  Who would ever want to live in Richmond?