Page 27 of Summer After Summer

“Secrets are bad. Mommy said.”

“Not this kind of secret. Don’t worry.”

Colin Junior nods, but Teddy doesn’t look so sure. “I’ll think about it,” he says, then pulls his duvet up to his chin.

“Okay, Teddy.” I kiss each of them on the forehead. “I love you.”

“Love you!” they say back, and my throat is tight. I do love these little monsters, and I should spend more time with them.

I close the door to their bedroom and stop. There are at least three voices in the living room. Sophie and Colin and, I assume, Lucy.

“Olivia?” Sophie says, her voice trailing down the hall. “Where are you?”

“I’m here,” I say stepping out of the shadow near the boys’ door. “Just checking on them.”

Sophie’s cheeks are pink from drinking. “How were they?”

“If I say angels, you’ll know I’m lying.”

“Were they very terrible?”

I hug her impulsively, maybe to distract her. “They were fine. Almost like they weren’t even here.”

“Oh, good.”

“How was the party?”

“It was fun. Everyone was there. And everyone wanted to know where you were.”

“Did they?”

“Ash did for sure.”

I’d forgotten she was going. “Ah.”

“You two ever make up after your fight?”

“Nope.”

“That’s too bad. You were always so close. I was jealous, honestly.”

“I remember you always wanted to play with us.”

“And you never let me.”

“Sorry about that.”

“Bygones, right?” Sophie tugs at my arm. “Come into the living room for a drink, and we’ll tell you all about it.”

“Just for a minute. I need to get home.” She turns and I follow her, realizing that I didn’t ask her who’s here.

But I should’ve known, because life doesn’t let you escape your fate by playing a trick on it like skipping a garden party.

Nope.

Because when I walk into the living room, Fred is standing by the window next to Lucy.

My eyes move slowly toward his as my heart slams in my chest. When our eyes meet, he starts in surprise, like I’m not who he was expecting, then buries it quickly.

---