After supper, when everything was cleaned up and put away they all sat at the table and played Hearts.

Bob was still rather quiet and not really into the game while everyone chatted and drank pop.

"Lisa," said Dottie. "We thought we'd go downtown tomorrow and show you around. Maybe do some shopping. Just us girls I mean."

"Sounds like fun," said Lisa. "I think I'll pick up some souvenirs."

"Good idea," said Julie. "Dottie says the Southland Mall has a good souvenir shop."

"We should also check out the Saskatchewan Science Center," said Natasha. "They have some neat things. Especially the dinosaur exhibits."

"I think I'll check it out too," said Bert. "Maybe buy something for Bentley."

"They sell some nice posters," said Bonnie.

"Thanks for the suggestion," said Bert. "Oh no."

"What?" said Johnson.

Bert sighed and stared at his cards in disapproval.

"Oh," said Johnson, who realized Bert had the Queen of Spades.

"Hey it's no game over," said Henderson. "It doesn't always mean you'll get her. Besides, it's only a game."

"You're right," said Bert. He changed the subject. "So what are we going to do tomorrow?"

"We thought we'd go to the Science Center too," said Dennis. Also, look at some fishing equipment and go fishing the day after. Did we tell you Dad got a new boat?"

Bert looked at Bob, surprised. "A new boat? When did you get it?"

"A month ago," Bob answered without looking up.

"That's great," said Bert. "I'm glad I brought my equipment. How is it?"

"It's good," answered Bob. "Runs good and handles pretty well."

"Dad and I have been fishing in it on weekends," said Dennis. "We were looking forward to taking you out this summer."

"Great," Bert answered excitedly. "I'd like to see it later."

"You'll like it," said Dottie. "We've had some fun water skiing too. Next time you two are down here, we'll have to take you out."

Bert looked at Lisa. "What do you say?"

Lisa smiled. "Sounds like fun. Where do you go anyway?"

"Last Mountain Lake," answered Dennis. "There's a town called Regina Beach about 40 minutes from here. A good place to boat and get a tan."

"Sounds good," said Lisa. "I look forward to it and thanks."

"You're welcome, said Dottie. "It'll be nice to have the family together for a day out like that."

Lisa smiled again.

After the game, Bob and Dennis showed Bert the boat.

"It's nice," said Bert looking it over. "Looks fast."

"It is," said Dennis. "It's lots of fun water skiing and tubing with it. The fishing is nice too."

"Looks like it," said Bert. "I see you got a fish finder."

"It's nice to have," said Bob. "We found some good hotspots with it."

"Nice," said Bert.

"Dennis," Dottie called.

"Yes, Mom."

"Have you seen the movie we rented?"

Dennis thought for a moment. "Oh, I think I remember where I put it. I'll get it." He hurried back inside.

"What movie are we watching?" asked Bert.

"We rented Pure Luck," answered Bob.

"I saw the trailer," said Bert. "It sounds pretty funny."

"Yeah," Bob answered quietly.

Bert decided this would be a good time to talk to him.

"Dad, what's going on?" he asked in a slightly demanding tone.

"What are you talking about?" Bob asked confused.

"You know what I mean. You've been so quiet since we got here. You've barely spoken to Lisa and you've hardly looked at her. Why are you acting like that? You're still mad at me aren't you?"

Bob sighed. There was no point in denying it. "Maybe a little. I...I miss you."

"I know that," said Bert. "I miss you too, but I'm also talking about Lisa. Why aren't you talking to her and getting to know her like everyone else is doing? It's bothering her and me you know. You were exactly the same towards Natasha when you met her. Don't you remember how much it upset her and Dennis?"

Bob didn't know what to say. "Being out here and you, having been on your own since you graduated has been really hard. I just wish we were still in the forest. It just isn't the same without you."

"Well, I'm sorry," said Bert. "I agree, but I'm grown up now. I'm dating Lisa because I love her. And I have to take care of myself eventually. I can't be a kid forever. We all grow up."

"Yeah, I know," Bob answered slightly annoyed. "I'll try to talk to her."

"You should," said Bert. "It's not nice to ignore people like that." He sighed and went into the house.

Bob leaned against the boat and stared off into space.

Bert went downstairs and found Lisa in their room. "Hey," he said unable to hide his depression.

"I couldn't help overhearing," said Lisa in a lowered voice pointing at the open window. "Thanks."

"No problem," said Bert as they kissed. "I hope he will understand."

"I'm sure he will," answered Lisa. "As I said if he's like you then he will."

Bert smiled. "Thanks." They embraced. "I love you."

"I love you too," she said adoringly.

They went back upstairs and found Dennis had started the movie and Dottie had made popcorn. Bob came back in and joined them but was still pretty quiet. He did laugh along with everyone else as they watched the movie.

At bedtime, Bert and Lisa felt better but they knew the problem hadn't been solved yet and decided to just sleep on it. Lisa wrapped her arms around Bert and kissed him. "Thanks again," she said. "I hope you guys have a good time on Sunday."

"My pleasure," said Bert as he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her back. "You girls have fun tomorrow."

"We will," said Lisa. She nuzzled her head under his chin and slowly fell asleep. Bert lay awake for a while thinking.

Upstairs in Bob and Dottie's room, the mood wasn't so happy.

"Has Bert talked to you about what's going on?" asked Dottie.

"Yes," said Bob who didn't want to discuss it.

"I'm not surprised," said Dottie. "How can you act like that? First, it was Dennis and Natasha and now Bert and Lisa. I thought you'd understand by now."

Bob sighed and didn't answer.

"I know what you're thinking," said Dottie. "I miss them too but they're grown up now. They can't be kids forever. Eventually, they have to start taking care of themselves and now they're in love. You should be happy for them. Everyone else is. They're still our kids and always will be but now we have to think about what they want. I wish they were still kids but it doesn't work like that. If you keep this up it's only going to make things worse. Not only for you and them but for us too. Don't you remember how my aunt was after her kids moved out? She got that dog and obsessed over it like it was a baby and took it out on her kids and husband. No wonder her kids wanted nothing to do with her anymore and it didn't help her marriage either. I'm not saying you'll end up that way but it's still not good. They need us on a different level now."

She sighed and lay down without another word.

Bob said nothing and he lay down thinking. Dottie had always been a voice of reason.