Chapter Four

1990 – The Northwoods Island City

Erin jumped out of the car as soon as it stopped. The car ride had been unbearable. Six long hours with her mother was enough to give her a headache, especially with her ragging. Katie wanted Erin to spend more time drawing than doing most of the things she usually did with Jackson. She didn’t think that Erin playing in boathouses at almost fifteen was very ladylike. Erin frequently didn’t agree with her mom’s ideas, but this was one thing she wouldn’t compromise on. If Jackson wanted her to play in a puddle of slime, she was gonna do it. We’re best friends!

A tall, lean girl with a big smile lighting her face met the Hawkins’ car. Eyes shaded by sunglasses, Jackson waved at Erin’s parents as they exited the car. Running toward Jackson, Erin collided with her taller, equally excited best friend. The embrace they shared was warm and regenerating for both girls.

“Hey! ” they both said in unison, pulling back to look at one another.

“Look at you! You’ve gotten so tall! ” Erin said, admiring the five-foot, eight-inch frame of her friend. Pinching her side, she added, “You need to eat a Snickers bar or something, though. You’re so thin! ”

“Yow! ” Jackson shrieked at the pinch. “It’s not my fault you got hit with the short branch. Besides, I don’t see you being too fat either. ” Jackson looked her up and down, Erin was blossoming into a beautiful young woman and she very much liked what she saw.

Erin blushed hotly at the open appraisal. “I started training for the high school track team, so I’ve been running this summer. If you’d bothered to read my letters—”

“Hey! I read every one of them. ” She paused and looked guilty. “I’m just not a good pen pal these days. I’m sorry, Hawk. ”

Erin locked their hands together, just as she had during their first meeting. She hated knowing her mother would lecture her again about keeping her friendship with Jackson in perspective and acting like a girl supposedly should. Katie had wanted to send Erin to cheerleading camp instead of bringing her to the Island City this summer, only to be told by Erin that it was not an option for them go anywhere else. With every letter that arrived from Jackson, Katie would plead with her daughter to spend more time with her classmates and pay less attention to her tomboyish friend.

Not caring about anything now that they were together, Erin assuaged Jackson’s guilt. “I know you’re busy helping Jackie; it’s all right. ”

Erin put a hand on her forearm and Jackson nodded, relief flooding her. Unwilling to tell her the truth about the lack of letters, Jackson just grinned.

Joe and Katie Hawkins walked up to the girls. Katie scowled as Erin intertwined their fingers. Putting on a polite face, she gave Jackson a brief embrace, as did Joe.

“It’s good to see you again, Jackson, ” he said. “You’re almost all grown up. ”

“Good to see you too, sir. Yeah, I’m working on it. I’m so happy you all like it here enough to keep coming back. ”

“Like Erin would let us vacation anywhere else now, ” Katie said, only half joking.

“No way! ” Erin chimed in. “That’s not an option. ”

Jackson looked from Erin to her mother, feeling extreme tension.

“Well, it’s a good thing your aunt charges us cheap rates or we’d have to go someplace else, ” Joe kidded.

“Dad! You know you said the fishing here is better than anywhere else. ” She looked at Jackson’s smiling face. “He just likes to push my buttons. ”

“It appears he’s gotten good at it. ” She smiled at Joe, who laughed. Erin lightly backhanded Jackson in the belly, giving her a fake scowl. “Okay, okay I take it back! ”

The girls shared a smile and felt the warmth radiate between them. It felt good to be back together.

Erin’s mother watched the exchange with a growing unease, but was pulled away by Joe asking for assistance with unloading the car.

After the car was emptied and pleasantries were exchanged, Jackson told them they’d be in their regular cottage, cabin six. “I’ll let Jackie know you’re here. Go on ahead to the cottage, the door’s open. ” As they started down the path, Jackson’s voice stopped them. “And let me know what you think. We renovated the kitchen this year. ” A beautiful smile illuminated her face.

“Oh, how exciting. I can’t wait to see what you’ve done to it. ” Katie’s feigned enthusiasm was evident only to Joe but as soon as she looked away, her skeptical demeanor returned.

“See you girls, later. ” Joe waved. “Oh, and Erin, same rules apply, like home. ”

“I know, I know, home before dinner, ” she groused.

“You got it. ” He waved again then led Katie through the grounds to their cottage.

Alone at last, Jackson asked, “Wanna come and say hi to Jackie? I know she’d love to see you. ”

Erin nodded quickly. “Absolutely! I’m sure she’s sick to death of you. I bet she could use another face to look at. ” Erin laughed and turned to go.

“Oh, um. ” Jackson put her hand on Erin’s shoulder as she started to walk away. “I wanted to tell you something. ”

Stopping to face her fully, Erin replied, “So tell me. ”

“There’s someone else staying in our house. ”

Erin’s stomach jumped. “Who? ”

“My, um…well, I know you probably won’t care, but um…well, Jackie is a lesbian and her…”

“She is? ” Erin blurted, eyes big at the unveiling of such huge information. “I’ve never met one before! ”

“It’s not a big deal, really. You don’t even realize she is until someone tells you, ” she said. “Her girlfriend, Sandra, is staying with us. ”

“How long is she staying with you? ”

Shrugging, Jackson answered, “I’m not sure. I just know that I’ve never seen Jackie so happy. So, she can stay forever as far as I’m concerned. ”

Seeing a darkness cloud Erin’s eyes, Jackson squeezed her shoulder. “What’s wrong? ”

Erin took a deep breath, feeling the need to make a confession. “Jack, you can’t tell my mom about Jackie. She would really flip out. ” Her blue eyes penetrated Jackson’s. “I’ve heard her talk about gays in a really bad way. I don’t want her talking like that about your aunt. ”

Jackson looked into the concerned eyes of her friend. “Thanks for telling me that, Erin. I appreciate it. ”

“Erin? Since when do you call me that? ” she asked, a red eyebrow shooting up her forehead.

“Well, we were talking about something serious, so I thought I should use your real name. ”

“Well, don’t. You are the only friend I have who doesn’t call me that and I really like that fact. So, please, call me Hawk, okay? ” she asked with a small smile.

“You got it. ” She drew Erin in for another hug. “It’s so good to see you, Hawk. I really missed you. ”

Burying her face into the fresh clean smell of her companion, Erin reveled at the incredible feeling of being with Jackson again. “I missed you too, Jack. ”

Jackson pulled away and made an observation. “Your hair has gotten really dark, Hawk, almost red. ”

“I know. I used to be a total towhead, but it’s changing. I kinda like it, though, so it’s cool. ”

“Let’s go say hi to Jackie. ” She picked up Erin’s bags and the two walked over to the main cabin.

Jackson grabbed hold of the screen door and shouted, “You better be decent; we got a VIP guest coming in! ”

Hair slightly tousled, Jackie flew from her bedroom and looked at her niece as if she were going to say something nasty. With one look at the guest, her face lit up. “Erin! It’s so great to see you! ” She rushed to the teenager and threw her arms around her.

“Hi, Jackie. It’s great to see you too, ” Erin said, pulling out of the embrace. “My dad and mom have already gone to settle in. I wanted to say hi before this one takes me all over the place. ” She smiled warmly at Jackson, who returned one in kind.

From the hallway, an attractive, tall redhead watched the interaction between the girls. She announced herself with a clearing of her throat.

Jackie turned around quickly and let the smile she felt blossom on her lips. “Erin, I want you to meet my um, my fri…”

“It’s okay…I told her, Jackie. ” Jackson and her aunt studied each other for a few seconds.

When Jackie realized that Erin would be okay with her introduction, she continued, “This is my girlfriend, Sandra. Sandra, this is one of my favorites, and definitely Jack’s favorite guest. ”

Erin didn’t fail to notice the red that scorched Jackson’s face and neck following that admission.

Sandra walked over and offered her hand. “Hi, Erin. It’s nice to meet you. I’ve heard so much about you from this one. ” She pointed to a still blushing Jackson. “I feel like I already know you. ”

“It’s really nice to meet you, Sandra. I hope we see more of each other this summer. ”

Sandra smiled, feeling as if Erin was older than Jackson had let on. “Such a nice, polite girl you are. What are you doing hanging with the likes of her? ” She pointed again to a gape-mouthed Jackson.

“Close your mouth, Jack. You look like a wide-mouthed bass my dad might catch, ” Erin said, earning a laugh from Jackie and Sandra.

“Oh, I like this one. Let’s keep her and toss the other one back. ” Sandra continued to laugh.

“All right, that’s enough! Is it Pick On Jack Day or something? ” she said, arms crossed over her black Guns N’ Roses shirt.

“No, we all love you, Jack. We can’t help it if you’re easy to tease. ” Her aunt tried to placate Jackson while burying her tongue in her cheek.

“That’s it. Hawk, we’re outta here. ” Jackson leaned over and kissed her aunt on the cheek. “I might be home later, if anyone cares. ”

“Hey, before I forget, your friend Molly called while you were out. ” Sandra handed her the message she’d taken.

A strange look passed over Jackson’s face. Erin caught it immediately. “Do you want to call her back before we head out? ”

“Uh, no. That’s okay. I’ll call her back later. Thanks. ” She crumpled the note and put it in her jean shorts pocket. “Come on, Hawk. Let’s go say hello to the lake. It missed you. ” Jackson put her arm around Erin’s shoulder and the girl responded with an arm around the slim waist. With a slight pull, they separated and headed out the door.

Sandra and Jackie shared a knowing glance at their retreating figures. “Oh, boy. Do you think they have any idea? ” Sandra asked her partner.

“I think so. Jack came out to me right before her sixteenth birthday, but I’m not supposed to tell you that. I don’t know about Erin, but I do know about Molly and Jackson. I’m not supposed to tell you that, either. ”

“Yeah, I was gonna ask you about them next. ”

“Ooo boy, I have a feeling this summer is not gonna be pretty. I think my little Jackson has bitten off much more than even she can chew. ” Jackie laced her fingers with Sandra’s.

“She does have a big appetite, though. ”

“Mmmm, must run in the family, ” Jackie said saucily, arms wrapping around the tall redhead’s neck.

Leaning in for a small kiss, Sandra whispered, “Lucky me. ” She ran her fingers up and down the slightly smaller woman’s back.

“Lucky us, ” the dark-haired woman said, correcting her partner. They leaned in once more and shared a much deeper kiss, filled with every ounce of love they felt for each other.

Pulling apart, Sandra rested her forehead against Jackie’s shoulder. “I wish I could take you to bed. ” She kissed the side of Jackie’s head.

Heart beating wildly with arousal, Jackie managed to say, “God, I want you, too. I’ll show you how much later. ”

“Uggh. ” Sandra buried her face in Jackie’s sweet smelling hair. They swayed in each other’s arms for a long while, each relishing the feel of the other. “Come on, let’s find something nonsexual to do around here. I need to breathe some fresh air. ”

“Let’s go play shuffleboard. That’s the least sexual thing we can do without actually working. ”

Sandra giggled at her partner. “You’re on. I get to be black this time, though. ”

Releasing her grasp on Sandra’s hand, Jackie opened the door. “You can have black if you can beat me to the court. ”

“Okay, you’re on. On the count of three. ”

Together they started to count, “One, two, th…”

Jackie dashed out of the house before three was counted. Sandra chased after her cheating girlfriend and easily beat her to the board, much to Jackie’s surprise and dismay.

Grabbing the black slide, Sandra smiled in triumph. She handed the red slide to a grumbling Jackie then walked to her side of the court. “Shuffleboard, anyone? ”

Putting on her competitive hat, Jackie sneered and growled, “Puck you. ”

“Oh, that was bad, even for you. ” Jackie grinned then watched as Sandra’s black disc slid effortlessly into the tip of the scoring triangle. Grin fading, she mumbled, “I should’ve gone down to the lake with the girls. ”

Erin kept her eyes closed as she breathed in the fresh air coming off the lake. The girls had stopped at the cottage to drop off Erin’s bags then went down to the waterfront. Jackson had kept a hand on her shoulder as they walked down the pier. Erin thought it felt like the most natural thing in the world. Reaching for Jackson’s hand, she gave it a squeeze before releasing it.

“It’s so good to be back here. ” The smile never left her face. “I feel so different when I’m here. It’s like this place calls to me. ” She blushed. “I guess that sounds pretty dumb, huh? ”

Eyes twinkling under her sunglasses, Jackson shook her head. “No, it’s not dumb at all. Some people don’t understand the beauty of this place. But for some, you know—people like us, the love and respect for the nature around here is a gift. Whether you accept that gift is another thing. The fact that you have, says a lot about you, Hawk. ”

“My gosh, Jack, you speak so worldly now. ”

Laughing softly, she replied, “No, I’m just so happy you feel that way about this place. I don’t have many friends who love it like you do, ” she explained. “Oh, sure, they love coming down here to water ski and that sort of thing, but the rest of it is so foreign to them. ”

“Well, I’m not just any friend, you know. ” Erin grabbed Jackson’s hand to give it a light squeeze.

Don’t I know it. Jackson looked into the warm eyes that reflected the sky and wished she could open her heart fully to Erin. “No, you’re my best friend. ” She looked out over the water, keeping Erin’s hand in hers, idly caressing it with her thumb. “I could live here, err, I hope to live here, the rest of my life. I want to find someone to run the resort with me when my aunt can’t any longer. I don’t think it’ll be as easy as it sounds. ”

“Sure it will, Jack. Who wouldn’t want to spend their life here with you? ” If it wouldn’t make my mom go into a tizzy fit, I’d do it in a heartbeat.

“You never know, Hawk. You never know. ” They shared a warm smile then Jackson offered a suggestion, “You wanna go down to the boathouse? You can grab some of your art supplies and I can play you a soothing tune on my recorder while you draw. Actually, I’m playing the oboe now, too, so I could let you hear that. It has a totally different sound. Whaddya say? ” Jackson was so hopeful about spending more time alone with Erin she could hardly deal with the emotions coursing through her.

Erin was so filled by Jackson that any time spent away from her felt like a lifetime. Excited by Jackson’s new talent, she agreed enthusiastically. “Let me go get my supplies and I’ll meet you up there. ” Erin knew her mother was going to be annoyed and didn’t want Jackson to have to deal with that.

Not really understanding why she shouldn’t go with Erin, she just nodded. “All right, I’ll see you in a little while. ” She felt the wad of paper in her pocket and knew she had to call Molly soon anyway. “I’ll give my friend a call back and meet you up there. Cool? ”

Grateful for not having to explain her solo route, Erin gave Jackson her most winning smile. “Cool. Let’s say fifteen minutes? ”

“Done. ”

The girls parted ways. Jackson passed Jackie and Sandra on the shuffleboard court. They were yelling fake obscenities at each other and drawing quite a crowd of onlookers with their comedic banter. She loved the way they played and egged each other on. The love she felt coming from them was palpable and for that she was grateful. Jackie had been alone for a while before Sandra, and now her aunt seemed very happy. Jackson wished she had that to look forward to in her own future.

Inside the main cabin, Jackson picked up the phone and dialed Molly’s number.

“Hey, you, ” Jackson said when Molly answered.

“Hey, I thought you forgot about me, ” Molly said with theatric sadness.

“Never. My best friend from Chicago is here. ” Not hearing a response, she continued, “You know… Erin? I know I told you about her. We’ve been best friends since we were kids. ”

Blowing out a breath, Molly said, “Yeah. I just forgot she was coming today. I thought we could spend some time together. Maybe go swimming or um, ” her voice dropped lower, “go up to the boathouse loft? ”

The insinuation went right to the southern regions of Jackson’s body. Her face sporting a rosy tinge, she said, “Uh, no, I don’t think that would be a good idea. Erin doesn’t know about me and I really don’t want to tell her yet, okay? ”

Feigning hurt, Molly said, “What kind of best friend is that? If she is your best friend, she’d accept you any way you are. So am I not supposed to see you for the next month? Is that it? ” Her voice was starting to rise.

“No! ” Her voice matched Molly’s then softened, “No, it’s not that. Just don’t expect me to, you know, do stuff while she’s here. I wouldn’t feel right. ”

“You’ll just have to come over to my house, then. I know I won’t be able to not touch you for an entire month. ”

“That’s fine. I’m sure Jackie will let me take my car when I have to go to your house. ”

“Have to? ” she questioned.

“Need to, ” Jackson amended, dropping her voice to soothe any possible waves Molly might want to make.

“Mmm, that’s better. I need you now. ”

“Sorry, I can’t right now. I promised Erin that we’d sit on the roof so she could do some drawing. You should see her art, Mol, she’s so talented. ”

“Really? ” Molly’s voice dripped with sarcasm.

Not taking the bait, Jackson continued, “Yeah, she is, and I promised, so we’ll get together another day, okay? How’s tomorrow? I’d like you two to meet. ”

Oh, goody. “Sure Jack, I’ll come by in the afternoon. ”

Jackson’s face lit up. “Great! We’ll have a lot of fun, I swear. ”

Erin’s decision to go alone had been a good one. When her mother saw her leaving with her backpack, she immediately questioned her.

“Are you going to that filthy boathouse again? ”

Rolling her eyes, Erin answered, “Yes, Mother, I’m going to do some drawing. That’s the best place to draw here. ” She tried to keep the daggers from her eyes. In the months leading up to their vacation, her relationship with her mother had become strained. “You said you wanted me to draw, so I’m drawing. But I get to draw on my own terms or it won’t come out right. ”

“Fine, just don’t get yourself dirty. I think your father wants to take us out to Bosaki’s for dinner tonight. ”

“Cool, can Jack come, too? ” Erin asked, hopeful despite knowing what the answer would be.

“Can’t you be away from her for two seconds and just be with us for one night? ” her mother asked incredulously.

“I spend eleven months a year with you, Mother. I haven’t seen Jack in a year. Can’t I be happy to spend time with my best friend? ”

“You know, I was never that happy to see my best friends. I just don’t understand it. ”

“Well, Mother, then maybe you never had a friend as good as Jack because I miss her all the time when we’re apart. ”

Her mother looked at her as if she’d sprouted two heads and repeated, “I just don’t understand you. ”

“Well, that goes both ways. ” Erin slung her backpack over her shoulder. “Can I go now? I’ll be back before dinner. ” Her eyes took on a rebellious stare. “I won’t get dirty, either. ”

Walking in from the bedroom, Joe felt the tension in the air between his wife and daughter. “Who’s getting dirty, Peanut? ”

“No one, as I have told Mom. She thinks I’m eight years old and am gonna get all dirty in the boathouse. ”

Rolling his eyes at his wife, Joe tried to placate her. “Honey, she hasn’t come back dirty from that place since our first time here. Just let her have some fun this summer before she starts high school, okay? ”

“Fine, just go, ” she groused and stalked into the kitchen.

“Have fun, Peanut, okay? ”

“I don’t get it, Daddy. We get along fine until Jack or vacationing in Wisconsin comes up. I can’t breathe one word about Jack without her ragging on me. I would think she’d want me to have someone to hang with while we’re here. What did Jack ever do to her? ” she asked, tears forming in her eyes.

Joe opened his arms and Erin fell instantly into his warmth. He embraced his daughter and patted the sack on her back. “Don’t you worry about your mom, just have some fun. Paint me a sunset, okay? You know they’re my favorite. ” His chin rested on her head.

Nodding into the clean smell of her father’s shirt, Erin gave him one last cuddle. “Okay, Daddy. I’m getting pretty good with the pastels now. I’ll try one for you. ”

“That’s my girl. ” He brushed her cheek with a callused thumb. “Go have fun. ”

“Is it true you’re taking us to Bosaki’s for dinner? ”

“Yep, so don’t be late. ”

“You got it. ”

Erin climbed up to the boathouse roof, following the sweet new sounds coming from Jackson’s oboe. Reaching the top rung of the ladder, she watched as Jackson played, unaware of her arrival. Her eyes were still covered by sunglasses, but Erin knew without question they were closed and she was lost in the melody she was playing. When the last note ended, Jackson rested the oboe across her lap.

“You can come up now, sneaky pants. ”

Jackson’s words startled Erin. “I didn’t think you’d heard me. I could’ve sworn you were someplace else while you were playing, ” she managed to get out while swinging her body over the ladder.

“I always know when you’re near. ” She shrugged. “I always have. ” Erin’s smile was contagious and Jackson found herself smiling back.

Pulling her pad of paper from the waistband of her shorts, Erin realized something aloud, “You know, ever since that first time up here, I always tuck my sketchbook into my pants if I need both hands for something. I can’t help it. ”

Jackson laughed at the admission. “Well, I’m glad my advice has stuck with you for so long. I don’t know many people who’ve listened to me and remembered what they heard. ”

“Like I told you before, I’m not just anybody. ”

Erin took a seat next to Jackson on the blanket spread out on the rooftop. Looking out over the water, awe washed over her anew. “It never fails. Every time I look out there, I’m just speechless. It’s so…breathtaking. ”

Looking at the new instrument in Jackson’s lap, she was instantly curious. “So, when did you start playing this? I know you were fiddling around with the flute and piccolo, but isn’t this like a clarinet? ”

“Excellent question, Ms. Hawkins. It just so happens that the flute, piccolo, clarinet, saxophone, recorder and oboe are all in the same family. ”

Erin marveled again at how much Jackson had grown up. Even though she was only sixteen, she knew a great deal about music. “You should teach music, Jack. You know so much about it. ”

Scrunching up her face, Jackson replied, “Yeah, but I don’t know if I could do the teaching thing. Knowing what I know about kids, they’re assholes, and I don’t think I could handle not being able to smack them if they got out of line in my class. ”

Laughing at her friend, who was normally a pacifist, Erin replied, “You would be fine and you know it. Once you get into something, you get everyone around you so hyped on it. ” Erin remembered an example. “Do you remember how crazy you were over that stupid potato salad from that convenience store across the lake? Soon after your outburst, my parents, your aunt and everyone else at the resort were cruising on their boats to get some. You could’ve written a prizewinning essay about it. ”

Laughing at the memory, Jackson agreed. “You’re right. I can get pretty nuts over something I love. ” She turned to look at Erin and the air seemed to stop moving altogether.

Erin felt the shift and swallowed hard. Neither of them heard the footfalls on the ladder.

“Well, isn’t this cozy? ” Molly’s jealous voice broke the connection.

Jackson’s head whirled around and met the cocky smirk of her girlfriend. “Molly! What are you doing here? ” Jackson blurted, her face flaming with surprise and instant nausea.

“You sounded like you really wanted me to meet the infamous Erin, so here I am. ” Reaching the top, she turned to look at the visitor. Coolly assessing the pretty, reddish-blond girl with the sky blue eyes, she extended her hand. “It’s nice to finally meet you. ”

Erin, feeling the tension radiating from Jackson’s body, extended her hand carefully. She regarded the small, attractive blonde and felt that she was in unfamiliar territory. A little jealousy seeped into her heart. “It’s nice to meet you, too, Molly. ”

The air crackled with Jackson’s anxiety. She didn’t know how to calm her racing heart. Trying to act as if she was under control, Jackson pointed to the blanket beside her. “Have a seat. Erin was just going to do some drawing and I was going to…um…” she lifted her oboe, “practice for a while. ”

Erin’s eyes went wide as she listened to Jackson stumble over her words. She called me Erin? What is going on with her?

“You know, Erin, the way Jackson talks about you, I would’ve thought you were much older. You’re just a kid. ” She was hoping to wipe the smile off of Jackson’s face, and it worked…but not to her advantage.

“Hey! She’s starting high school in the fall. She’s not that much younger than I am. Or is being a senior this year making you forget that you have freshmen walking down the same hallways with you every day? ”

“Jack, it’s okay, ” Erin’s small voice stopped her rant. “She doesn’t know me yet. Perhaps by the end of the summer she’ll change her mind. ” Erin smiled sweetly at Molly.

“Yes, Jack, maybe I’ll change my mind, ” she repeated, ice dripping from her smile. “So, what are you playing? Are you working on that little thing you wrote? What was it called, ‘Hawks in Flight’ or something? ” Jackson’s cheeks flamed at Molly’s words.

Erin’s face lit up like a Christmas tree. “You wrote a song? ” She cleared her throat for emphasis. “About a hawk in flight? ”

Jackson wanted to jump off the roof of the boathouse right then and there.

“It’s really good, she should play it for you sometime, ” Molly added, touching Jackson’s bare knee. Jackson jumped up and pretended to stretch. Molly looked at her angrily and stood as well. “What’s wrong, Jack? Don’t you want to play it for her? ”

Erin watched the strange interaction and wondered why Jackson would bother being friends with someone like Molly. She’s really bossy. Feeling like she was in the way, she stood with the other girls and started to make an excuse to leave when Molly opened her mouth again.

“Jack, look at me. ” Molly reached up and took off her sunglasses, smiling when she saw two blue eyes looking at her. “Ahh, there are the blue eyes I love. ”

Erin’s brow furrowed, her posture stiffening. Eyes wide, she cried, “What happened to your eyes? ”

Before Jackson could answer, Molly piped up, “Colored contact lens. Doesn’t she look so much better? Those different colored eyes really freaked me out. ”

Erin’s anger at the girl almost overwhelmed her. Her voice was calm despite the maelstrom burning in her belly. “Actually, no, I don’t think she does. Sorry, Jack, but I really loved your eyes before. They were unique and special. ” The “loved” slipped out before she could stop it.

Jackson was tired of being talked about like she wasn’t in the vicinity. She grabbed her sunglasses and put them back on, trying not to drop her oboe. “Look, Molly please don’t talk about me like I’m not even here. I can speak for myself. ” Turning to Erin she said, “It was supposed to be a surprise. I didn’t tell you so I could show you myself. I wanted to see what it was like to have two of the same colored eyes. Like everyone else. ”

But you’re not everyone else. You’re unique and special! “Well, if you like them then that’s good. I do like your eyes the way they were without the contact lens, though. ” Feigning tardiness, Erin looked at her watch. “I gotta get going anyway. My mom has some stuff for me to do before dinner. ” Turning back to Molly, she spoke politely. “It was nice to meet you, Molly. I hope we see each other before I leave. ”

“I’m sure we will. ”

Jackson watched as Molly waved and smiled a saccharine smile that made her stomach roil. “I’ll see you after dinner? ” Jackson asked hopefully.

“Sure. ” Erin tried hard to smile as she picked up her pack and slung it over her shoulder, then carefully made her way down the ladder. As she walked down to the loft window, she heard Molly’s whisper. “They’re so unique and special, ” she said mockingly. “I told you she was a kid. ” And Jackson’s, “Knock it off, Molly. The show’s over. ”

Trying to keep her emotions in check, she swung into the loft and down to the main boathouse. She was confused by Jackson’s behavior and angry at how she was treated by Molly. Realizing she’d left her pad of paper on the roof, she debated whether to go back and get it. “Screw that, ” she said, knowing Jackson would take care of it, and she followed the small path that would lead her back to the cabin grounds.

Up on the roof, Molly and Jackson were still debating what had transpired.

“You owe her an apology, Molly. She didn’t do anything to you and you attacked her like a jungle cat. What the hell is wrong with you? ”

Eyes softening, Molly realized she’d hit a nerve and tried a peace offering. “I’m sorry, Jack. When I saw you two up here I got really jealous and my mouth kind of took over. ”

“You have nothing to be jealous of, ” Jackson lied. “We’ve been friends since we were like knee high. Every summer she and her folks come to stay with us. I love her like a sister and would really appreciate it if you were nicer to her next time. ”

“Okay, Jack. I really am sorry. ” She tried to give Jackson a kiss only to have the taller girl back away.

“Don’t! I told you I didn’t want to do that stuff while she was here. ”

“I don’t see her anywhere, Jack, do you? ” Blowing out a breath, she continued to rant. “Me coming over was just a bad idea. I’m going home. I’ll see you tomorrow. ” She turned to step onto the ladder and stopped. “Unless that’s no good for you either. ”

“It’s fine, Mol. Just come tomorrow. We’ll go skiing or something. Erin’s never skied before, I’m sure she’d like to try something other than the tube. ”

“Great! ” she snapped. “I can’t wait to do everything Erin wants to do. See you later, Jack. ”

Molly flew down the ladder, leaving Jackson to ungracefully plop down on the roof, oboe in hand. She noticed Erin’s sketchbook at the edge of the blanket. Shaking her head, she looked out over the water.

Oh, this isn’t gonna be good, at all.

⇐ Предыдущая 1 2 345 6 7 8 9 10 Следующая ⇒