Page 118 of Vegas Duology

ChapterThirty-One

The next morning,I wrapped myself in an old afghan and settled into the porch swing on the back deck with my mug of tea to watch the sun rise.The old chains protested and creaked with my weight.All of the living took place at the back of the house.The wide-wood planked deck was in good condition and held my favorite spot, the swing, as well as a variety of other chairs meant for lounging and relaxing.A cedar table, hand crafted by Uncle Ray, stood at one end of the deck, surrounded by chairs.It had been the center of many family meals as we watched the sun set behind the mountains.My chest tightened to think there would be no more dinners with Uncle Ray at his table.

My gaze traveled off the deck to the lawn.We were lucky to have such a large piece of lakefront property.Uncle Ray used to say so, until he had to cut the grass with his manual mower.Secretly, though, I know he enjoyed taking care of the property.He never really loved the small house that we lived in when I was growing up in the city.He did the bare minimum to keep the place maintained and looking good, but he never put the time and attention into it the way he did the cabin.It wasn't until I was in my late teens that I realized just how much he loved it at the lake.He used to talk about retiring here, but never did.I blamed myself.He was so worried about me and Ben.He couldn't leave.

I blinked back tears.I would have to show Ben how the manual push mower worked.He would probably like helping me with the lawn.

The lake was starting to come to life.Birds I couldn't see chirped from their nests hidden in the trees, and I watched a sandpiper pick its way across the rocks in the shallows, pecking at insects or small fish.Soon, they'd be gone for the season.Uncle Ray always left well-stocked feeders out for the birds that stayed all year round.And ever since he'd had the cabin winterized ten years ago, he himself had spent more time out here, escaping the city even in the dead of winter when the tourists and summer people stayed away.I hadn't visited in the winter since I was a kid when we used to come up and go ice fishing and skating on the lake.But when I got older and busier with school, I hadn't bothered to make the trip.

What would it be like to stay here?To spend a winter here?I was still mulling over the thought when Ben, bleary-eyed and still smelling of sleep, came outside and climbed up onto the swing with me.

"Good morning, buddy."

He snuggled under the blanket with me."There's no orange juice, Mom."

"I know."I kissed him on the top of his head."We'll have to go into town today and stock up on a few things."

"So we can stay?"His voice held a trace of hope.

I looked out again to the lake and listened to the gentle lapping of the water."Yes," I said."I think we can stay for a bit."

"A bit?"Ben twisted to look at me."What about school?Do I have to go to school?Jake said we'll be in the same class for grade one, but I don't want to.He's bossy sometimes."

I smiled."You don't have to be in the same class as Jake."

Especially if we stay, I thought and made a mental note to check out the local elementary school.And figure out a job.

"Mom, look at the puppies."Ben had radar for the cardboard box on the edge of the covered porch of the general store.I followed him and peered inside the box.There were three golden retriever type dogs curled together on a blanket.

"Oh, Mom, look at them.They're so cute."

They were cute, but I knew where this was leading.

"Can we—"

"No."

"But they're all alone," Ben said.

"They're not ours."Thankfully, he couldn't read the sign taped to the box, not yet anyway.

"F-f-fr-ee," he sounded out."Free.Free!Mom, the sign says free!"

I sighed.

"Mom.Please?"

"I'll tell you what.You can stay out here and pet them while I get the groceries.Deal?"

Satisfied for the moment, Ben settled in, cross-legged on the porch to play with the puppies while I went to do my shopping.

The store, much like the rest of Lake Lillian, hadn't changed much.Despite the fact that there weren't as many visitors to the lake in recent years because of the new mega hotel in Wasa, the town's main industry was still tourism, mostly from the summer people who'd been coming here for generations.The small population almost doubled in the summer months.Fortunately, not all of those people were concentrated within a few streets.The unofficial town boundaries stretched to encompass the entire western side of the lake.The railroad tracks ran along the east side, so there were very few homes there.Many of the houses and cabins were scattered along the water's edge or tucked up into the trees with an amazing view.Our place was on a small dirt road, with only four other homes, each one surrounded by trees and very private.Andrew always thought it was a pain having to drive ten minutes into town, but I didn't mind.It was a small price to pay for privacy.

Driving in, I'd noticed many businesses starting to shut down for the season already.It seemed a little early.Jensen's fruit stand was boarded up with a sign that said, "See you in the spring!"The Putt-Putt mini golf course was advertising discounts until Thanksgiving when it too would close for the year, assuming that the snow stayed away until then.I'd have to take Ben for a round.Mini golfing had been one of my favorite things to do with Uncle Ray on warm summer nights, but I don't think I'd ever had the chance to take Ben.

I took one last look at my son now, with a puppy in his lap, and went inside the store.A woman stood with her back to me, stocking the shelves.She looked up at the sound of the chimes on the door.

"Enid?"