The Lake Season ◆ 19
After two weeks of passing each other in their own halls like strangers, Iris had had enough with her and Paul’s détente. She’d not spoken to anyone about it, except her childhood friend Trish, who’d told her to come home for a while. And soon. But after summoning the courage to call her mother, Iris could see that wouldn’t be easily accomplished. “Is something wrong, Iris?” Iris began circling the kitchen island, picking up the leftover breakfast dishes, then setting them down again. “Not really. Paul has a law conference coming up, and he’ll be busy, so I thought it would be good for the kids to come up early.” Silence. “Good for the kids?” Millie was sniffing the air, picking up the scent. “What about Sadie’s cheerleading camp? And isn’t Jack going to lacrosse?” Iris groaned inwardly. Leave it to Millie to remember. Not that Iris had forgotten. Not entirely. She’d just neglected to realize how soon next week was. “Well, yes. But they can go to camp, and then join Lily and me later.” “But doesn’t Lily have swim team?” Suddenly Iris hated her mother’s good memory. It’s not like she wished full-blown dementia on the woman, but couldn’t her mind wobble just a little, like so many of her friends’ aging parents? She was not ready to let the cat out of the bag. Not yet. “Mom. Yes, the kids have camp, and I’ll see that they get to them.” “So this is really about you.” The cat was out. “Yes. Yes, I suppose it is.” Silence. “What about Paul?” Iris chewed her lip. “What about him?” “What does he think about this plan?” Once more Millie sounded disappointed. Her daughter, who could not seem to remember her own kids’ camp schedules, or manage a happy marriage, had been caught running away like an adolescent summer camper herself.