Paradox Lake Page 11

  Anna uses both her hands to draw her long hair over the leather necklace. She then touches the cross gently with the tips of her fingers. It’s almost like she can feel it working some sort of magic, if that’s at all possible. She smiles and I swear I see her eyes tear up. She takes a step forward and gazes at the junior high yearbook picture of Sarah, and again places her finger on the cross that is now hanging from her neck.

  “Thank you, Sarah,” she says. “I’ll make sure to take good care of it.”

  My daughter then does something extraordinary. She wraps her arms around me and hugs me tightly. Now I’m the one with tears in her eyes. I kiss her cheek.

  “You’re a sweet girl,” I say. “The sweetest in the world.”

  “And you’re the bestest Rosie mama ever,” she says.

  We might release one another and go about our day then, but instead, we hold onto one another like our lives depend upon it.

  CHAPTER 23

  THE BIG BAD Wolf sits behind the wheel of his pickup outside the general store. He should be heading back inside to stock the shelves, but in his head, he’s reliving the events from the morning. His hiding in the bush, watching Anna’s mother down on her knees on the beach, digging in the sand with her fingers, then using a stick to get down deep.

  He watched her intently, without breathing, without blinking, and he felt himself getting aroused.

  What big eyes you have.

  The better to watch you through the trees.

  But when she pulled out the cross … Sarah’s cross … he thought he might faint from the excitement that filled his veins. He recalled how she was wearing it on the morning he followed her to this very spot thirty-three years ago almost to the day. The moment he sprung himself on her with all the speed and agility of a wild beast.

  What big legs and arms you have.

  The better to pounce on you.

  He recalls tearing her blue, one-piece bathing suit off in one swift swipe of his claw-like hand. How she tried to scream, but was too afraid to scream. How her voice just would not come. How she hyperventilated when he grabbed a fistful of her hair and threw her down on her back. How her eyes went wide at the sight of him straddling her, pulling himself out.

  What big sex you have.

  The better to ravage you.

  He was just getting to the best part of his remembrance when Anna’s mother got up from the log and stuffed the cross in her jeans pocket. He backed off and hid in the woods beside the lake trail. He saw how she hesitated, how she weighed going back home with exploring the deep woods. In the end she decided to explore. That was his cue to head back home by bushwhacking through the same thick woods he’s known for his entire six decades on earth. Doesn’t matter that he spent half those years locked up inside a maximum-security psychiatric prison, he can find his way through the forest even on the darkest night. Not only does he know every tree, and every branch on every tree, he knows the terrain. The inclines and the declines. Most of all, he knows the lake.

  He didn’t need to see Anna’s mother hiding in the trees to know she was spying on him. He could smell her presence, the same way a wolf sniffs out its prey.

  What a big snout you have.

  The better to smell your scent all the way out here in the woods.

  He knew he was being watched while he hung his skins, while he fed his hungry dog some fresh meat from a fresh kill—the kind of meat the dog lives for. He was aware of being watched all the way up until the time he got back in his truck and drove away from the old family farmhouse in the woods. He wondered if she would have the guts to approach the house and have a look inside. He wondered if she would be horrified at what she saw inside his kitchen.

  But in the end, he knew she wouldn’t have the guts to trespass on his property any more than she would want to leave her precious Anna alone for too long. And by then, it had become far too long.

  Now, as he opens the door to his pickup and begins making his way around the back of the general store to the employee’s entrance, the excitement is not leaving his veins. It is only building, like a big winter wind that blows off the lake. The time for the Big Bad Wolf to feed is rapidly approaching.

  CHAPTER 24

  THE SUN IS beginning to set as we finish a dinner of fresh trout cooked over burning charcoals. Anna used to hate fish, but now that’s she’s growing up, it’s become one of her favorite foods. As I’ve told her a half dozen times since we arrived, you can’t find a better place for fresh fish than Paradox Lake.

  “Then how come you bought our fish at the Price Chopper in Schroon?” she says.

  “Okay, but I can bet the trout was still pulled out of the lake,” I reply. “Next time, we’ll catch our own. How does that sound?”

  “We need a boat, Rosie,” she says as we both chip in at clearing the dinner dishes.

  As if on cue, a horn blows from out on the lake. A small boat is approaching our dock. Standing in the boat’s open cockpit is a tall, bearded man. He’s waving at us.

  “It’s Tim,” Anna says.

  She raises her free hand, waves back at him. I wave too. The closer he comes, the more I can make out his sweet smile.

  “Give me a hand,” he shouts.

  Without hesitation, Anna sets the plates back onto the picnic table and heads down to the dock. I don’t hesitate to follow either. Tim slows the boat to a crawl, and while the outboard engine idles, he drifts up against the dock. He tosses Anna the bow rope while I reach for the stern rope. I tie my end to the metal cleat that’s embedded in the wood dock. Anna isn’t at all sure how to use the rope, so she just holds it. As I said, my dad had a boat so I know how to tie it down.

  I start making my way to her, but Tim beats me to the punch when he hops off the boat onto the dock and says, “Let me show you how it’s done, Anna.”

  As usual, he’s wearing Levi’s jeans and his feet are bare. He’s also wearing a Levi’s jean jacket over a blue work shirt and a baseball cap that has the words “Ferguson General Store” printed on it in green lettering. He kneels and, in turn, Anna kneels beside him.

  “You twist the rope around each end of the cleat, just like this,” he says. Then, untying it, he adds, “Now you try it.”

  Anna takes the rope into both hands and starts on slowly tying the rope around the cleat. That’s when Tim places his hand on her back, moving it gently in an up and down manner. The gesture is sweet, but it also sort of catches me by surprise. Don’t get me wrong, he’s not being weird with her. He’s being kind and gentle. Or so I can only assume. Of course, we’ve only known Tim for a few days, but he doesn’t seem like the predatory type. Okay, now my imagination and overprotective nature are really coming out.

  When she’s done making the knot, Anna peers up at Tim’s smiling face.

  “How’s that?” she says.

  They both stand. He presents her with his fisted right hand. She happily fists bumps him. He shoots me a glance along with a wink of his eye, like, How’m I doing?

  I’d say you’re doing pretty darn well …

  “You see, Anna,” he says, “if you’re going to be piloting a boat, you have to learn a thing or two.”

  She looks at me.

  “Well, we don’t have a boat, Tim,” she says.

  “You do now,” he says.

  Anna’s eyes light up.

  “You mean …”

  “Yes, I mean this is your boat,” Tim says. “On loan, of course. But you have full use for the duration of your stay.”

  My spirit lifts and my heart is beating happily. Where did this sweet man come from?

  “Are you sure, Tim?” I say. “I mean, what if we … I don’t know … break it.”

  He laughs. “No worries. It’s an old boat I’ve had around since I was a teenager. Plus, it’s fully insured. It’s not very fast, but it’s a Boston Whaler. That means it’s rugged as heck. You can’t destroy it no matter how much you try. Come on, Anna, I’ll take you for your first lesson. If it’s okay with
your mom, of course.”

  I gaze up at the sky. The thick, gray/black storm clouds are still gathering. No rain or thunder yet, but it’s coming for sure.

  “You think the weather’s okay, Tim?” I ask.

  “Don’t be a worrywart, Mom,” he says. “The storms aren’t projected to hit until later tonight and tomorrow. We’ll be fine.”

  “Oh please, Mom,” Anna begs.

  They’re both looking at me like the fate of both their worlds rests with me. Who am I to play spoiler, especially when I’m always looking for ways to keep Anna entertained and happy?

  “Sure, guys,” I say. “I’ll clean up the dishes. Tim, you in for some desert when you get back?”

  “Haven’t had dinner yet,” he says, “but one of my favorite things in the world is desert first.”

  “Great!” Anna says.

  “Okay, mate,” Tim says, “you get the bow rope, and I’ll get the stern.”

  Together they begin to untie the ropes. They then climb aboard the small white Whaler. Anna is a little unsure of her balance so she quickly takes a seat on the cockpit bench.

  “Oh no you don’t,” Tim says. “You’re taking the wheel.”

  “You mean like now?”

  “No better time than the present.”

  He fires the engine up, and with his guidance, Anna backs the boat out and away from the dock. She then slowly pulls forward and out towards the lake’s center. If only you could see the smile on her face, you’d feel it in your heart, just like I do. I watch them head off into the sunset until they are out of sight entirely. I then go to the picnic table, collect all the dishes, bring them into the kitchen with me, and set them down in the sink. It takes me a few minutes to wash and dry them, then put them away. But during the process I find myself whistling and humming a happy tune.

  As I’m drying my hands, my eyes gravitate to the crucifix. Maybe Anna and I have once more brought some happiness to this house. I surely hope so. I get the craziest sensation of deja vu then. Like I’ve been here before, washing these very dishes at this very sink. It gives me goose bumps, like a ghost has just passed through my body.

  My vibrating mobile phone breaks me out of my spell.

  It’s set on the kitchen table. Instead of grabbing it right away, I just sort of stare at it. My first thought is that somehow the boat engine malfunctioned and now my daughter is stranded out in the middle of the lake with a strange man and an electrical storm brewing. Why did God feel it necessary to gift me with such an overactive imagination?

  But my other thought is that it can only be Tony. Let’s face it, I’ve been pretty much ignoring him, and if there’s one thing on earth he can’t stand, it’s being ignored. Finally, I pick up the phone. While I’m relieved to see that it’s not my daughter calling, I am not relieved to see that my gut was spot on. Tony. I guess I have to speak with him sooner than later.

  I press the answer icon.

  “Hi, Tony.”

  “Are you really having that good a time you can’t check in with me once in a while, Rose?”

  He’s right, of course.

  “I’m sorry,” I say. “It’s just been very, very busy.”

  In the background, I hear bar patrons talking and laughing. I hear beer bottles and wineglasses clinking. It’s no surprise to me that Tony is holding court at the bar.

  “Tell me the truth, Rose,” he says, after a time. “You didn’t happen to meet someone up there, did you?”

  A chill shoots up my spine.

  “We’ve only been here a few days, Tone,” I say. “There hasn’t been a whole lot of time for socializing.”

  “Paradox is a small town. I Googled it. Word of a beautiful woman and her cute daughter arriving for the fall will spread like wildfire. All the local single sharks will come hunting, believe me.”

  In my head, a little voice says, Tell him the truth. You’ll feel better and at least he’ll know you’re being honest.

  Inhaling and exhaling a deep breath.

  “Okay,” I say, “if you must know, I have made a friend.”

  He exhales. “A male friend.”

  “Yes, a friend who happens to be male. He’s been helping us out.”

  “Oh God,” he says, “I knew this kind of thing was going to happen.”

  In my head I see him seated at the bar, dressed in his boots, jeans, and bush jacket, maybe his Ray Ban Aviators set on his receding hairline, his round face scruffy and tired.

  “We’re just friends, Tone,” I say. “He owns the general store and he’s letting us borrow a boat for the duration of our stay. In fact, Anna is out on the water with him right now. He’s the man who helped us move in. Tim.”

  “She likes him better than me?”

  Oh my God …

  “It’s not like that at all,” I say. “He’s a nice man and I’m already finding it hard to keep her occupied and happy. So if a nice man is willing to show her how to use his boat, I’m all in.”

  “You sure you know this guy well enough for Anna to be spending alone time with him?”

  His question makes a lot of sense. It also makes my stomach tight and my pulse pick up speed.

  “He can be trusted,” I say, although I’m not entirely sure I believe myself. “He’s been very nice, Tony.”

  He pauses for a second or two. It tells me he’s stealing a drink of his beer or maybe a Jameson chaser, or both. Something he needs to curb now that his doctor has put him on high blood pressure medication.

  “Whatever you say, Rose,” he says. “So then, when do I get to pay a visit to my girls? How about tomorrow since it’s Saturday?”

  I’m reminded of my dinner date with Tim in Schroon. We’ll be gone from late afternoon into the evening. Tony’s sudden presence would surely put a damper on things.

  “Listen, Tone,” I say. “I really, really want you to come out. But like I’ve already said, give Anna and me a chance to adjust to the place first. I really want to use this time to get closer to her. Before we know it, she’ll be in high school, and we’ll never see her other than when she makes the occasional pit stop for food, clothing, cash, and sleep.”

  He hesitates for a long beat, like he’s debating in his head whether he should press the issue. My eyes are focused out the big picture window that overlooks the lake. The sky is getting very dark now along with the cloud cover. I’m starting to feel slight pangs of worry. Will Anna and Tim be coming in soon? Or has tragedy struck and the boat sunk?

  Don’t overthink it, Rosie.

  I’ll try not to, Allison. But you know me by now.

  “Rose, you there?” Tony begs. “Rose?”

  “Yes,” I say. “I’m here.”

  “Okay, ’cause you went AWOL for a second or two.”

  “Sorry, Tony, just keeping an eye out for Anna.” Then, I see the green and red running board lights on the Whaler slowly approaching the dock. My heart feels one hundred times lighter. “Look, I’ve got to go. Anna is coming back in.”

  “Anna and Tim, you mean,” he says.

  “Tone,” I say, “stop worrying.”

  “Whatever you say,” he says. “But I’m coming next weekend even if it’s only for an afternoon. I miss my girls.”

  “Okay,” I say, “we’ll talk about it this week. I’ve got to go. Oh, and don’t forget to take your medication before bed.”

  “Love you, Rose,” he says.

  “Love you, Tone,” I say.

  “I hope so,” he says, hanging up.

  “I hope so too,” I say to myself while setting the phone back down on the kitchen table.

  Heading back outside, I greet Anna and Tim at the dock. I grab the bow rope and tie that off, while Anna enthusiastically jumps out of the Whaler and ties off the stern line.

  “So how did the first lesson go?” I ask.

  “She’s already a seasoned captain,” Tim volunteers as he hops onto the dock with his cowboy boots in hand. “She’s a natural.”

  “It was a blast,”
Anna says. “We can go fishing tomorrow morning, Mom. I’ll be your captain.”

  “If it doesn’t rain,” I say. “Sounds like a plan.”

  “It’s getting dark,” Tim says, coming off the dock. He sets himself on the picnic table and slips into his socks and boots. “How about I build you guys a fire in the firepit?”

  “How about some dessert?” I say. “Or how about some dinner leftovers first?”

  “I’m all in for dessert,” Tim says, making his way to the woodpile where he starts gathering fresh logs.

  That’s when Anna gives me a wink and a sly grin.

  “How’s about I give you two a little private time?” she says, slyly.

  I can’t help but smile.

  “Listen, honey,” I say with my back to Tim so he can’t hear me, “Tony called and he was asking for you.”

  “I should really call or at least text him,” she says. “You should talk to him, too, Mom. Tell him the truth.”

  There’s that pang in my stomach again.

  “Yes,” I say, “you should at least text him and I should have a talk with him. A real talk, I mean. He misses us. He might come out next weekend for the day.”

  “That’s good,” she says. “Right.” The “right” comes out sounding like a loaded question.

  “Yes, honey,” I say, “of course it’s good. I miss Tony.”

  “I’m sensing a but coming, Rosie.”

  I nod.

  “But him,” I say, gesturing towards Tim as he gathers wood to make the fire.

  “But him,” she says. Then, “I’m gonna go see what that little scoundrel Jake Walls is up to.”

  “About five foot three,” I say.

  Anna laughs aloud because she towers over him when they’re together. But, still, they like one another.

  “One day he’ll go through a growth spurt,” I add, “and shock us all.”

  “That’s what I’m betting on, Rosie.” Then, turning to Tim. “Later, Tim. Thanks for the boating lesson and thanks for letting us use it.”

  “My pleasure, Anna,” he says, his blue eyes reflected in the small flames now shooting up from the firepit. “She’s all gassed up for you too. You’ve got a twelve-gallon tank there.”