Page 3 of The Lake House

“How did you know I was here already, and how did you even get—never mind,” I respond. The back door was usually left unlocked, unless I was already in bed.

She giggles as we part, then places the box of doughnuts on the counter. “You know I live two doors down, and I can see the lights on in this big old house from mine, right? I mean, after it’s been so dark for three years, then straight to finally getting some excitement back in here, yeah… it’s noticeable.”

Three years. That’s how long Grandma Beverly had been gone. Grandpa Anthony had passed away two years before that. Since his death, my grandmother had never been the same. Some said she was suffering from a broken heart and wouldn’t last much longer. I kept telling them they were wrong, but that was just my guilt talking. I felt guilty because I hadn’t stopped by to visit in so long. I had stopped coming so many years ago, only coming around when it was convenient for me. That’s something I will never forgive myself for, but it’s too late now.

“How was the trip up here?” Liv asks, pulling out some dishes from one of the boxes. She points to a cabinet, silently asking if she can place them inside.

“Yeah, that one is fine. I haven’t really decided where I want things yet. I’m kind of just focused on getting unpacked and unboxed for now,” I answer.

She reaches up onto her tippy toes and places the dishes inside the cabinet to the right of the stove.

“The trip wasn’t too bad,” I reply, answering her first question. “Not really that much traffic. I think most people this time of year are heading down the shore instead of the lake.”

The shore was about three hours south from where I used to live, eight hours south from here.

“I can’t believe you made the trip with all these things by yourself.”

I shrug. “Honestly, what was I supposed to do?”

“True. Sorry.” She bites her lip.

I shake my head. “It’s fine, really. But anyway, I didn’t bring much. Most of the furniture and stuff I had I put up for sale when I sold the house. I only kept what I really needed. A lot of things had too many memories attached to them. I didn’t want to start off new with my past looming over my shoulders.”

She nods. “I understand. How’s Dickwad?” she asks with a smirk.

Ah. Her lovely name for my ex-husband.

I offer her a small smile in return. “He’s alright, I guess. I haven’t really seen him in a bit, and we don’t really talk anymore. Not like he’d tell me much of what he’s up to lately, anyway. Guess it’s for the best.”

“Oh, most def.” Shrugging, she says, “I really just wanted an excuse to call him a dickwad… not like I really care about him.”

I chuckle, shaking my head, and change the subject. “How’s Dave and Josie?” I ask about her husband and seven-year-old daughter. Liv and Dave have been married for twelve years. I was her maid of honor, as she had been mine. I quickly shake those thoughts from my mind. I certainly don’t want to start the first day of my new life thinking about my own wedding and marriage that didn’t last.

“They’re great,” she says, opening the box of doughnuts she brought over. She grabs a chocolate glazed covered one and nods. “You better grab one before I eat them all.”

I laugh. For being so small and petite, the girl sure can eat. Liv is the kind of girl who can eat like a man and not gain an ounce. Me, on the other hand, if I were to even look at food a certain way, the pounds would pile onto my ass and thighs. But I could never pass up Dippin’ Doughnuts.

I push away from the box I’m currently unpacking and head over to where she is. I practically drool over the selection of sweet and sugary treats before settling on the same one as Liv.

“Let’s go sit out back for a bit,” I say, already walking toward the back of the house.

“Okay, let me just grab some drinks from the fridge… youdidbring drinks, right?”

I shrug and turn to face her. “I haven’t gone shopping yet. I was gonna go in the morning. There should be some water in there, though.”

She rolls her eyes at me. “Damn, woman. How the hell are we supposed to get drunk tonight if all you brought up here is water?”

“Get drunk?” I raise an eyebrow, softly chuckling.

“Yeah, we’re gonna get lit.”

I shake my head. “Sorry, Liv.” I turn around and walk to the back door. As I reach it and step outside, I’m left in awe as I always am every time I come out here. The back of the house has a massive porch looking out toward the lake. Willow trees line the whole area, with the next house far enough away to make it feel like you have your own private backyard.

I step out further and sit on one of the patio chairs, taking a bite of my doughnut.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”

I spin my head around just in time to see Liv carrying two bottles of water.

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