Tiny Trillium Tales

By C. D. Melley

Romance, Ontario-style.

Author C. D. Melley shares this collection of fifteen short stories, set in various Ontario communities, as an homage to the province where he used to call home.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Douglas J. McLeod
• Release date: Mar 23, 2019
• ISBN: 9781386242352

Book preview

Meet Me on The Hill

Did he stand me up? I hope I didn't make a fool of myself for asking him to meet me here.

The late evening sun was setting behind the crowd who had gathered, and she still hadn't found him. Sandra paced the sidewalk outside the gates hoping he would show up. It was on a whim she asked the handsome stranger out to see the show tonight. Sandra wouldn't have asked him to join her tonight in the first place. She wasn't the type of young woman who would propose a date with someone she met in a coffee shop a few hours earlier, but the seating in this particular store on Bank Street was hard to come by. With the holiday, there weren't many places open to begin with.

This morning, Sandra was sitting at a table enjoying her usual medium double-double when he walked up to her.

Excuse me, he inquired, is this seat taken?

Without looking up from her newspaper, Sandra replied, Sure, go ahead.

It appears to be quite busy in here today, the male remarked.

That's usually the case on Canada Day, she noted. All of the tourists come into the city for the celebrations on Parliament Hill.

His Francophone accent sounded like most of the others from the Gatineau side of the river. However, when she looked up, Sandra was transfixed by the young male who sat across from her. His trimmed black hair and brown eyes pierced into her soul.

The young man introduced himself, I'm Patrick, by the way.

Sandra, she responded while shaking his hand. I can't say, Patrick, I've never seen you here before.

Patrick smiled. That's because I'm one of those tourists you mentioned earlier.

Oh? Judging by your accent, I presumed you were from the Gatineau side of the river.

Patrick shook his head. Nope. I'm actually from Montréal.

Really? I thought Montréal was a predominantly French-speaking city.

It is, but there are some neighborhoods that speak English quite well. I live in one of them, called Westmount. 

The young woman, with flowing blonde hair and emerald green eyes was mesmerized by his charm. So, Patrick, Sandra flirted, what's a young man like yourself doing in the Nation's Capital on this holiday?

Patrick chuckled. I'm visiting my family over in Nepean, he explained. So, I decided to come downtown today to take in the festivities and soak in the atmosphere. People don't normally celebrate Canada Day in Québec.

I guess they're still hung up on that whole 'distinct society' part of the Constitution. Not that there's anything wrong with wanting to be different. So, what do you usually do on July 1st instead?

Most people actually spend their day moving from one place to another.

Sandra was confused. What do you mean? They actually pack up their things and relocate?

Patrick nodded. It's a weird tradition from the Nineteenth Century when the province used to mandate fixed term leases on rental properties. Leases used to expire on the same day, July 1st. It's not mandatory nowadays, but some people still use it as a benchmark to shuffle from apartment to apartment.

That's a crappy way to spend a holiday, Sandra commented. I'd rather relax instead of worrying about scheduling a move.

Actually, Patrick pointed out, most Québécois celebrate a holiday a week earlier, St. Jean-de-Baptiste Day.

Ah yes, Sandra recognized. Québec residents are historically of a Catholic religion, so it makes sense to celebrate a holiday after one of their patron saints.

The two young adults continued to chat about various topics. Patrick learned that Sandra was studying journalism at a university the south part of the city, nestled between the banks of the Rideau Canal and the Rideau River. She discovered Patrick was a university student, as well. He was studying to become a lawyer at the prestigious law school in downtown Montréal. The whole time during their conversation, Sandra was transfixed on the gorgeous man sitting across from her.

After talking for what seemed to be an hour, Patrick finished his coffee, and got up to leave.

Thank you for the conversation, he appreciated.

Can't you stay longer? Sandra begged. I was enjoying our chat.

Unfortunately, not. I have to head back to my parent's place, and pack up my stuff. I'm heading back home tomorrow.

Sandra began to panic inside. Tomorrow? But you'll miss all of the festivities on Parliament Hill tonight. There's going to be a big firework show to end the show.

I'd love to go to that, Patrick stated, but I don't know if I'll have time to take it in.

Tell you what, Sandra offered. I don't normally do this, but meet me at Parliament Hill tonight. We can watch the fireworks together.

Patrick hesitated. Are you asking me out?

I suppose I am, Sandra confirmed. So, what do you say? Is it a date?

Patrick paused. I can't promise anything, but I'll see what I can do.

That was earlier in the day. The front lawn was becoming crowded and Sandra worried her whim was all for not. Suddenly, she heard the dulcet tones of Patrick's voice.

Sandra, he called out. Over here!

Sandra was relieved to see him. Upon recognizing Patrick, she rushed into his arms for a tender embrace.

I'm so glad you were able to make it, Sandra commented.

And miss the opportunity to go out on a date? he responded. Not a chance.

The pair made their way onto the grounds to take in the concert leading up to the big finale. The skies over the Peace Tower lit up in a kaleidoscope of color. As the light show continued, Sandra nuzzled into Patrick's arm, and prayed the night would never end. It was remarkable how two people came together on that Canada Day night in the Nation's Capital; one English, one French in a symbol of the unity our country possesses. A national relationship that has spanned over 150 years, and continues to do so to this day.

Trent Trepidations

The waning days of August bring a trying time to children and young adults alike as their summer holidays draw to a close for yet another year. While those in elementary and secondary schools have upwards of a fortnight to prepare for the commencement of autumn classes, those who embark on a schedule at their community college or university of choice, begin attending their classes in the twilight of the eighth month of the calendar. For students who are entering a new scholastic chapter in their lives, the transition can be a daunting one for them. This was the case, at first, for Cynthia George, a newly-minted freshman at Peterborough's university campus.

On the day Ms. George moved into the student residences overlooking the Trent River, she was understandably nervous and timid. It was her first time away from home, save for family vacations. A whole new experience was opening up to her; yet at the same time, it was an opportunity for her to venture out on her own. It was also the first time she would be sharing a room with someone she never knew. Would the two of them mesh, or would they clash? Cynthia hoped for the former, but feared the latter would be the case. The freshman took a deep breath and unlocked the door to the room that would be her temporary home for the next few months.

Cynthia surveyed the space to get an idea of the layout.  It was a typical room in a student residence: plain white walls with a couple of beds and basic furnishes; nothing