Page 99 of Summer After Summer

“How do you feel about that?”

“I like Lucy.”

“But all this is weird, you have to admit. Him buying this place …”

“Yes.”

“He’s going to knock it down, I assume? Build something new? Or cut it up for resale?”

Aunt Tracy brings our omelets to us, giving Wes’s a distasteful look, even though she made it.

“This smells great, thank you,” Wes says. “If you don’t want to move on with William, please consider moving in with us.”

“Aunt Tracy’s going into retirement,” I say.

“Of course, well deserved.”

Aunt Tracy pauses, like she’s considering something. “He’s going to move in here.”

“Who?” I ask.

“Fred. I heard him on his last walk-through before the sale. He had a woman with him, a designer I think, and he was talking about what he wanted to do with each room. I got the impression he was designing it for someone in particular.”

I want to push the omelet away, but I don’t. Instead, I force myself to take a large bite. “How come you didn’t tell me that before?”

“Didn’t I?”

“Don’t think so.” I take another bite. “Well, it’s his house, and he can do whatever he wants with it.”

I can feel Wes watching me, but I’m not going to play that game. Besides, what I’m feeling isn’t just about Fred. It’s about anyone else living here.

“Did he ever say why he bought this house in particular?” Wes asks.

“He did not.” I turn to him. “It’s not like we’ve been hanging out. We’ve barely spoken.”

Wes pauses, deciding whether to believe this. “Well, whatever the reason, at least something good has come of it.”

“What’s that?”

“The money, of course. That’s great that William is dividing it between all of you.”

I put my fork down slowly. “How do you know about that?”

“Charlotte was telling me last night. I was surprised you hadn’t …”

Aunt Tracy drifts away. If this is a fight, she doesn’t want to be a part of it.

“I didn’t know till I got here.”

“Really?”

“Yes, really. You know how Charlotte is with information.”

“But it’s true? You’re all getting a split?”

“Yes. Why?”

He smiles at me again, but this time it doesn’t feel warm. “You know why, Olivia. It means we can start over.”

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