Karen’s Killer Book Bench #Cozy #Mystery #Romance: KILLER COIN, A Toby Wong Novel by Elka Ray

Toby Wong. Definitely no nicknames I like.

2. Who is your best friend? What kinds of things do you do when you’re together?

I’ve had the same best friend, Quinn, since kindergarten. For Show & Tell I brought in a dead toad. It was dried out and squished flat – toad jerky, if you will. The teacher wasn’t impressed but Quinn was all over it. She’s a marine biologist now and one of the most curious people I know.

We don’t need to be doing much to be have fun, just meeting for coffee or going for a walk. Quinn has a newborn daughter so I’m seeing less of her than I’d like. I try to help with the baby but it’s tough.

3. If you have a family, how do you get along with them? If you don’t, are there people in your life that you consider family? How do you get along with them?

My mom, Ivy, raised me alone, after my dad left when I was fourteen. She’s a fortune teller and sort of out there – into crystals and tarot and stuff. While her New Ageyness drives me up the wall, there’s no denying her insights are oddly correct, once in a while.

She got sick last year, which is why I moved back to Vancouver Island. Luckily she’s doing well now.

4. Do you have a birthmark? Scars? Where are they? How did you get them?

Can we skip this question? Vancouver Island’s meant to be peaceful and dull but, since moving back, I’ve had a misadventure or two. Nothing too major, apart from that time I got shot… But like I said, let’s not go there. That was a one-off and the damage was minor.

5. When you’re angry, what do you do? Where do you go? How do you deal with your anger?

Sadly, I tend to get mopey instead of mad. I’m working on that. Self pity is like crack – destructive and addictive.

6. A penguin walks up to you, right now, wearing a sombrero. What does he say to you and why is he here?

Penguin: “I’m starving! Please feed me, lady!”

Me: “Um… Well, what do you eat?”

Penguin: “Brrrrrrritos.”

Me: [to myself]: I knew I should have skipped that last shot of tequila.

7. What’s the one thing you’re afraid of losing?

My mom. My job. My chance at lasting love. Wait, you said one? Impossible. Does anyone actually worry about only one thing at a time?

8. What makes you laugh out loud?

Only this morning I discovered that Colin – this guy I’m seeing who comes from Saskatchewan in the Canadian prairies – uses the word “gitch” for underwear. It made me think of pioneers in horse-drawn wagons telling each other to hitch up their gitch.

9. What’s your favorite food?

Mac and cheese made by my best friend’s mom. She uses crazy amounts of butter.

10. What’s the one thing you want out of life that you don’t think you can have? Why can’t you have it?

Seeing Quinn find a great partner and have a baby has made me realize I want that too. You’d think a big city would be a better place to meet someone, but back in Toronto, I was too busy working to date much. Here on the island, my love life’s picked up a lot. I’ve met two interesting guys… We’ll see.

As a divorce lawyer, I witness a lot of heartbreak and relationships gone wrong. I have to remind myself there are love stories that last out there too.