“Thanks,” said Jed.“Guess I’d better go home.See you tomorrow, Hazel.”
“Sure thing,” Hazel said, rising.She had to take a shower and change out of her clothes before her workday started.
Later, she was brushing her hair in the women’s locker room when Tracy approached her.
“Hey, thought we’d better talk,” said Tracy.“I’m serious about Mike and me being together.I don’t want you interfering with that.”
Hazel gave her a steady look.“Mike and I have an understanding.We’re not interested in any relationship beyond friendship.He’s my boss.It’s always a bad idea to have a work relationship become more than that.”
“Okay, just so we’re both in agreement,” said Tracy.“He’s someone impressive in the tennis world, and that’s important to me.I know you come from a different background, but I’ve worked very hard to get where I am, and I’ll do what I must to get ahead.”
“I admire ambition.I do,” said Hazel.“But you may have the wrong idea about me.”
Tracy’s gaze swept up Hazel’s body and back down again.“Maybe not.”
Hazel sighed as Tracy strode away.She prayed her family would stay away from Lilac Lake.It would only cause more friction at work.
###
That evening, as Hazel was doing laundry, her cell phone rang.Her mother.
Hazel groaned and picked up the call.“Hi, Mom!What’s up?How’s your country club dance coming along?”
“It’s coming together,” said her mother.“I wish you’d come home for it.I found the loveliest dress for you to wear.It’s going to be the social event of the summer.”
“It’s sweet of you to think of me,” Hazel said, hoping she sounded truthful.“But you know I can’t leave.”
“I thought you’d say that, which is why Elliott is coming north to visit you.He’s quit his job at the bank, and while he has some free time, his mother and I thought a visit to Lilac Lake might be in order.That will give you both time to think.”
“Mom, you know nothing will change,” said Hazel.
“It’s helpful for you and Elliott to have some time together.What happens after that is up to the two of you.”
“He’s welcome to stay with me.I have a guest room he can use,” said Hazel.“I assume he’s going to call me or is his mother going to do that for him?”It was such a difficult situation and had caused Elliott to keep secrets.
“I’ll let Elliott’s mother know you’ve agreed to it, but he must call you himself,” said her mother.
“Agreed,” said Hazel.
After chatting with her mother about her social life, Hazel ended the call more certain than ever that she didn’t want to go back home.
She’d just curled up in bed with a book when her cell phone rang.Elliott.
She picked up the call.“Hi.I knew I’d be hearing from you.My mother said you quit your job at the bank.That must have been traumatic for your father.Wasn’t it your grandfather who formed that bank?”
“Yes, don’t remind me.I’ve heard all about it over and over again.But I can’t live this lie any longer.I need time away to pull myself together and then be open with my parents, knowing it will break their hearts.”
“Oh, Elliott.That sounds so awful.”
“But it’s true.You, more than anyone, know that.”
“Yes, I do.We’ve been best friends since we were kids, but I couldn’t stay in our town to satisfy our mothers.Wait until you see Lilac Lake.It’s such a pretty, friendly place.You’ll love it.”
“You don’t mind putting me up for a while?”Elliott asked.
“I have a guest room you can use,” said Hazel.“Who knows?You might decide to stay here.”
“I have no idea what I’m going to do moving forward,” said Elliott.“I’ll have to give my parents time to reconsider things at home.”
