Vacation

“Just got a question. Didn’t want the kids to hear. I mean…” Jack looked Ed right in the eyes. “Ever have any problems here?”

“Problems? You mean, like the septic backing up?”

Another joke, but Jack didn’t smile this time.

“No. With what’s outside the fences. With the Can Heads.”

Ed nodded. “Jack, something happen to you folks on the way here?”

“At a rest stop. A break-in. One Can Head. I took care of it.”

“That’s what you do back home, right? Being a cop and all?”

“Yeah. And I was hoping to get away from that. Which is why I asked.”

“You’ve seen a lot, hm?”

Jack paused before answering.

“Enough.”

“Listen, Jack, Paterville has amazing security. Since you’re a police officer, you’ve probably noticed it. And that’s only what you can see. The fence is fully electric, and the turrets see everything. We got other things all around—motion detectors at the perimeter, cameras checking the woods outside.”

“I imagine you do.”

“And yes, they’re out there. But that’s where they will stay. So, I hope you can forget that stuff that you’ve dealt with in the city. You and your family can have a real good time here, Jack.” Ed put a hand on Jack’s shoulder. “You just got to relax and enjoy yourself. We’ve thought of everything.”

Jack nodded.

Then, over Ed’s shoulder, halfway to the lodge, he saw Shana watching them. The camp director seemed to notice as well.

“Hey, gotta dash. See you at dinner.”

“Sure.”

Jack went back inside the cottage.

17

Tom and Sharon

Christie wriggled her toes in the sand. Not quite the beach sand of her childhood summers at the Jersey shore. Grittier, coarser.

But still, after everything—wonderful.

She looked over at Jack.

“You look like the lifeguard.”

“Hmm?”

They both sat on the sand, not caring that it would stick to their pants. It felt so good to be here.

“The way you—I don’t know—scan the waterfront. No, I got it. You’re the sheriff in Jaws.”

He laughed. A good sound.

“Gonna need a bigger boat.”

Christie pointed at a scattering of rowboats and canoes over by the dock to the right of the swimming area.

“That’s as big as they get here, I’m afraid.” A beat. Then, more seriously: “Gorgeous, isn’t it?”

“Oh yeah. Sure.”

The sun was slipping behind the mountains. Dusk would come early. The lake captured the last hour of golden sunlight, the water sparkling as if alive with lights. Squealing kids of all ages ran in and out of the icy lake water.

It was cold—Christie had confirmed that.

Simon had been brave, running into the water, then spinning around when fully wet and running out again. It may have been the biggest smile she had ever seen on him.

And that felt good.

And Kate?

Kate went in just up to her calves. She wore a striped one-piece, though she had pleaded to get a bikini. Christie vetoed that.

She wondered if she did that because she knew Jack would have said, quite simply, take it back.

Then: “That’s some assistant Ed Lowe has, hm?”

Jack nodded. “Yeah. Guess so.”

“She seemed to check you out.”

Jack turned to Christie and grinned. “Maybe she’s part of security.”

“Or maybe she’s here to keep the dads happy.”

Jack laughed.

A little too casual. Jack was a guy. He’d have to be crazy to not have taken in Shana.

Probably never see her again, Christie thought.

After all, this was supposed to be their vacation as well. For the two of them.

And we need it.

Something to let us recharge before we go back to life at home.

Home. She’d like to forget about that life for a while.

“Guess we should head back. Change for dinner.”

Jack nodded and stood up.

Christie did as well. She didn’t want to leave, but there would be other afternoons, other sunsets, other days ahead filled with the shimmering water and the squeals.

“Kate, Simon, come on!” she shouted.

The kids both turned to her as if her voice came from miles away.

“Can’t we stay just a little bit more?”

Simon looked to both of his parents for a reprieve.

Christie noticed Kate seemed a bit distracted. Jack looked as well, following Kate’s gaze.

To one of the lifeguard chairs.

No, she’s way too young for that.

Kate—just out of eighth grade.

She knew her girlfriends talked about boys.

But there was no real socializing.

Kate turned away from the lifeguard chair.

“Mom, there are lifeguards. It’s safe. Can I stay?”

Christie hesitated.

“And I can watch Simon, too. You guys always take so long to get ready. Can we stay just a little while longer?”

“I don’t need watching,” Simon added. Then, as if remembering the point of the argument, added, “Can we stay just a little bit more?”

A look from Jack. The decision deferred to her.