The Lake Season Read Online Free Page B

always pitied the seasonal work staff Millie hired. Like the meeker species in the garden, most didn’t survive the summer. Except for Ernesto, who for some reason returned year after year, as robust as the hedges that swelled around the family house’s foundation.
    â€œMom, can we talk?”
    There was a pause, followed by another thud. Iris imagined the tomatoes screaming. “Isn’t that what we’re doing?”
    Iris did not bother rolling her eyes. She was used to her mother’s impatient efficiency. “Well, yes. I suppose. Anyway, I was thinking the kids and I would come up there. For a couple of weeks.”
    â€œOf course you’re coming. The wedding’s the first week of August. If we all survive until then.”
    Iris ignored her mother’s invitation to indulge her complaints. She had bigger problems than bridal favors. “Actually, Mom, I was thinking sooner. And that we might stay a bit longer. If that’s okay with you and Dad.”
    â€œSooner? Longer?” Millie did not sound pleased by the idea. But then, she did not like surprises, even when they involved grandchildren. “What’s going on?” Millie Standish’s nose was sharper than her rat terriers’. She was onto Iris.
    After two weeks of passing each other in their own halls like strangers, Iris had had enough with her and Paul’s détente. She’d not spoken to anyone about it, except her childhood friend Trish, who’d told her to come home for a while. And soon. But after summoning the courage to call her mother, Iris could see that wouldn’t be easily accomplished.
    â€œIs something wrong, Iris?”
    Iris began circling the kitchen island, picking up the leftover breakfast dishes, then setting them down again. “Not really. Paul has a law conference coming up, and he’ll be busy, so I thought it would be good for the kids to come up early.”
    Silence. “Good for the kids?” Millie was sniffing the air, picking up the scent. “What about Sadie’s cheerleading camp? And isn’t Jack going to lacrosse?”
    Iris groaned inwardly. Leave it to Millie to remember. Not that Iris had forgotten. Not entirely. She’d just neglected to realize how soon next week was.
    â€œWell, yes. But they can go to camp, and then join Lily and me later.”
    â€œBut doesn’t Lily have swim team?” Suddenly Iris hated her mother’s good memory. It’s not like she wished full-blown dementia on the woman, but couldn’t her mind wobble just a little, like so many of her friends’ aging parents? She was not ready to let the cat out of the bag. Not yet.
    â€œMom. Yes, the kids have camp, and I’ll see that they get to them.”
    â€œSo this is really about you.”
    The cat was out. “Yes. Yes, I suppose it is.”
    Silence. “What about Paul?”
    Iris chewed her lip. “What about him?”
    â€œWhat does he think about this plan?” Once more Millie sounded disappointed. Her daughter, who could not seem to remember her own kids’ camp schedules, or manage a happy marriage, had been caught running away like an adolescent summer camper herself.
    â€œPaul’s especially busy at the firm this summer.” And covering his tracks, whatever he was up to.
    On the other line Millie took an audible breath. “I see. ”
    The cat was dead.
    â€œWell, the farm stand just opened last weekend. And of course, there’s Leah’s wedding . . .” Her voice trailed off.
    Leah. Iris’s sister, younger only in years, who was more seasoned and sophisticated in all ways. Leah, who’d effortlessly gotten into every top-tier college to which she applied, but ended up transferring three times anyway before going overseas for a semester in Greece, which turned into two years of spotty communication from abroad. Leah, who’d charmed every eligible, good-looking athlete