Tales from the Lake

 

Oh, they had moved on. Sort of. Yes, it still left Louisa breathless that it might really be for real this time, but not at the Beach House. Her family put her grandmother Mimi in a nursing home. It was safer that way. She wouldn't try to fry a pan in the microwave. Or stab the couch with a knitting needle.

Besides Louisa went home and as hot as summer was, it felt rather cold to her. The only delight she found was texting Beth who must have answered every text she sent her. Yes, she was the best. But it was different now. She couldn't see her like at the Beach House. Only that had meant long walks on the shore. They'd even held hands. It was such a tingling sensation of what it could become. So when the Lake House became available she told Beth they should go for it.

Of course, it was just a man-made lake, but it was pretty enough, and the tiny dots of houses around it made it quaint yet calm in the brilliance of Autumn leaves.

"You're really going to live here?" It felt like winning the lottery.

"Yeap, Jasper decided for me," Beth said about the rustic place. She was all smiles. Louisa couldn't help to love it when Beth was so happy.

"Are you certain this is really what you want?" Beth slightly bit her bottom lip. Louisa kissed her to let her know it was true and so were they.

"You're completely over-"

"Shh-" Louisa placed her finger on Beth's lips. "Don't say his name?"

Beth's eyes lit, but she was certain Beth was only thinking of one person and it wasn't Louisa's ex. She nodded.

Just then a hint of fall hit them with a northern breeze. Although, both could withstand the chill. 

"Shall we," Beth practically giggled as they walked down to the shore. Jasper wasn't even on a leash but he was close to Beth like a bodyguard.

"I guess those lessons at the pound paid off," Louisa said barely above a whisper.

"He hasn't chewed a couch in ages and all my shoes still match," Beth shrugged back with a sweet look that Louisa adored. 

Beth then spoke of the commute. She said it was smooth on the freeway. A straight shot really. "And you can get on right away at Mutual of Omaha. We can drive together if you like." Beth seemed giddy about the matter.

"Of course," Louisa looped her arm around Beth's thick cardigan. Still, Louisa wondered if this was really happening?

It felt so tentative all those weeks on the phone. Morning shots of each other and what they ate for breakfast, and the little quotes of hope tagging back and forth to make the day sizzle with cheerfulness. Louisa was so fond of Beth, the strong one, capable of fixing a drain or even a window seal.

Louisa was none of those things. It was hard to think for herself sometimes. It felt as if she was the YES girl to her parents. Oh, they didn't even know she'd done this. Moved in with Beth.

Of course, Beth was so much more than a big sister that she'd led them to believe. When would she be honest with everyone?

"Jasper has his own room," Beth gave way as she leaned in, going down the trail. She caught hold of Louisa's forearm before a mishap of a random rock caught Louisa's sneaker.

"Really?" A laugh caught in Louisa's throat. It felt so settled. Why on earth were they here walking about this murky lake in the late evening? Louisa could think of what lingering things they could be doing. She sighed.

"You haven't heard from Rocco have you?" Louisa hated to even say his name.

"Of course, not," Beth laughed. Oh, Louisa wished she could believe they'd left him at the Beach House, but she was afraid that wasn't true. Could she dare compete with someone's invisible friend?