He swears, bringing his mouth to my chest. I lean my head back against the mirror, naked. He curses again. “I missed you so much, Alice.”
We freeze at the sound of Bennett’s voice.
“Auntie Ali? Charlie?”
“One sec,” I call. “Just brushing my teeth.”
I rush to get my jammies back on, glaring at Charlie, who’s doing his best not to laugh.
My heart doesn’t return to a normal rate until Bennett and I are back in the tree house and she’s fast asleep. But then I remember Charlie’s voice.
I missed you so much, Alice.
My pulse begins to soar once more.
41
Friday, August 15
17 Days Left at the Lake
I’m fixing tea the day after the tree house sleepover while Nan is on the phone with John. They’ve been talking a few times a week since the night of the party.
“That would be lovely,” I hear her say. “But I don’t have a way to get there.”
“Get where?” I ask when she’s hung up.
“John’s invited me for lunch, invited us all for lunch, actually, but it’s too far.”
I search for directions to Ottawa on my phone. “It’s only two hours away.”
“What’s two hours away?” Charlie asks. He and Bennett have just come back from a Jet Ski ride.
“Ottawa,” Nan and I reply.
“What’s in Ottawa?” Bennett asks, walking into the cottage in flip-flops and a wet shirt.
“My friend John,” Nan tells her.
“Let’s take a road trip,” Charlie suggests. “You’re closer here than you will be in Toronto, and I’ve been meaning to visit John all summer.”
“I want to come,” Bennett says, and we all glance at her. “I’ve never been to Ottawa.”
Charlie looks to me. “What do you say, Auntie Ali?”
I turn to Nan. “Let’s ask John if he’s free tomorrow.”
Charlie and I formulate a plan that night over text. We’ll take my car. I’ll drive there, and he’ll drive back.
Me:I think we should give Nan and John some time alone tomorrow.
Charlie:Sure. We can grab a bite downtown and take Bennett to Parliament Hill while they talk.
Me:Thanks for doing this with me.
Charlie:You don’t need to thank me, although there are other things I’d rather be doing.
Me:Care to enlighten me?
