Poles Apart (43 page)

Authors: Terry Fallis

When the woman in the headset poked me in the back and pointed, I figured it was time to go. The curtain was pulled back and I walked out, partially blinded by lights that I’m sure could be seen in San Diego if they just opened the doors. The audience was applauding. At least I assume there was an audience. But I could see nothing out there through the glare of the spots. It was as if a black velvet curtain had descended at the edge of the stage. But I knew where I was going. The floor director had given me rather explicit instructions. I follow instructions well.

We shook hands. I smiled. She smiled. Then I sat down on the couch. The ovation petered out. And here we go.

“Everett. It took us a while, but I’m so glad you’re here.”

“Um, thank you for having me. I guess it did take some time, but I’m very happy to be with you now, Candace.”

THE END

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I spent May 5 to 9, 1981, as a new and naive member of the McMaster Students Union delegation to the National Union of Students Conference held that year at the University of Lethbridge, in Alberta. Over the course of this annual gathering of Canada’s student movement, I experienced an awakening of sorts, not unlike the one briefly described by the narrator in this novel. It was my first real exposure to organized feminism, and it sparked an interest in, and a commitment to, equality rights that remain strong to this day. The seeds for this novel were sown that weekend, all those years ago.

As always, I owe more than just thanks to my editor, Douglas Gibson, for his friendship and wise counsel. I also owe a debt of gratitude to my stalwart literary agent, Beverley Slopen, who took a chance on me in 2008. I thank also the rest of the wonderful team at Random House/McClelland & Stewart, Ellen Seligman, Frances Bedford, Bhavna Chauhan, Wendy Thomas, and all the
others there who work so hard to bring my words to a broader audience.

Of course, I can never write this section in my books without noting the pivotal role in my writing career played by the Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour and the wonderful people behind it. They changed my life overnight in April 2008, and I will be forever grateful.

I also thank Michele Landsberg, Judy Rebick, and Elaine Lui, who kindly read this novel in manuscript form, and yet still offered glowing tributes.

Finally, to my wife, Nancy Naylor, and our two sons, Calder and Ben, I offer my love, gratitude, and, I hope, more time, as meagre return for all your patience, forbearance, support, and above all for anchoring me in my most important story.

Terry Fallis, Toronto, December 2014

WOMEN IN THE WORLD

• Globally, women make up just 22 per cent of parliamentarians.
(Source: The Inter-Parliamentary Union 2014)

• Only 7.4 per cent of countries have had female heads of states over the last fifty years.
(Source: The Global Gender Gap Report 2013, World Economic Forum)

• Women spend at least twice as much time as men on domestic work, and when all work – paid and unpaid – is considered, women work longer hours than men.
(Source: The World’s Women 2010: Trends and Statistics)

• Women work two-thirds of the world’s working hours, yet earn only 10 per cent of the world’s income.
(Source:
CARE.org
)

• Women account for 70 per cent of the population living in absolute poverty (on less than $1.00 a day).
(Source:
GlobalCitizen.org
)

• 603 million women live in countries where domestic violence is not yet considered a crime.
(Source: United Nations, UNiTE to End Violence against Women)

WOMEN IN CANADA

• In 2014, women held 25 per cent of the seats in the House of Commons, and 31 per cent of the Cabinet portfolios.
(Source: The Parliament of Canada)

• In 2008, women earned, on average, 83 cents to every dollar earned by men (an increase of eight cents since 1988).
(Source: Statistics Canada)

• Women spend more time than men on domestic work. In 2010, while women spent 13.8 hours per week doing housework, men spent 8.3 hours.
(Source: Statistics Canada)

• Women spend more time than men caring for their children. In 2010, women spent an average of 50.1 hours per week on unpaid child care, more than double that (24.4 hours) spent by men.
(Source: Statistics Canada)

• Half of all women in Canada have experienced at least one incident of physical or sexual violence since the age of sixteen.
(Source: Statistics Canada)

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