Sunset Over Misty Lake

by Margaret Standafer

  KAREN WAS FLOATING on air. Joe had called early that morning and given her the news. It would all be over soon, Joe would be home, and life would be back to normal. No, she corrected herself, life would be better than ever.

  She’d made a promise to herself, a promise she’d rehashed and refined until, in her head, it sounded just right. Never again would she take even one day of her life with Joe and their kids for granted. What they had was what she’d always wanted and what she’d fight for with her last breath, if she had to. There would be no more lies, no more secrets, no more thoughts left unsaid. They’d face every good day and every bad day together because together, they were invincible.

  She’d always known that, but somehow saying it to herself, and writing it down, because she’d done that too, made it unbreakable. Joe had proven he’d be there for the hard days. If it happened that she had to be there for him during his hard days, she would be, no question. Nothing, big or small, would come between them because without the other, nothing mattered.

  So, she floated. She floated from one child to the other, wiping up messes, changing diapers, feeding, and playing. She floated from one task to the other, washing dishes, folding laundry, vacuuming the house. And she still almost floated when the kids were all napping and she sat down with her computer to start planning for her return to work.

  She’d put it off for as long as she could, but the date on the calendar loomed ever closer. The timing stunk since her four-month maternity leave ended just a few days before Joe had to head back to school. How she would have preferred to give the kids a gentler transition, one where they’d be without her but at home with Joe, before they were yanked from both parents and settled into a daycare. But the timing was what it was, it wasn’t going to change no matter how much she studied the calendar, and they’d figure that out too.

  It was looking like some of those bad days she’d promised herself they’d weather might be closer than she’d anticipated.

  Karen rubbed her eyes when the words of the job description for the head nurse position started to blur. She’d read it often enough to have it memorized, but one more time couldn’t hurt. She was running out of time to submit her application and the decision was keeping her awake at night. Once Joe was home, they’d have to sit down and look at the pros and cons and come to a decision together. She knew Joe would want whatever she wanted, but that was the problem. Did she want the job? Did she want the responsibility, the autonomy, the bigger salary, but also the stress, the long hours, the increase in paperwork and the decrease in patient time that came with the position? She just didn’t know.

  Tapping her fingers on the keyboard and weighing her options, she had an idea. The best way to know, to really know, what to expect from the job was to talk to the person currently doing the job. Faith had held the position for years, long enough, Karen thought, that she’d had youngish children when she’d started. The job had changed over the years, of that Karen was certain, but Faith would be her best reference as far as what to expect when it came to juggling the position and a family.

  Karen emailed Faith asking if she’d have time for a cup of coffee and a chat, then closed her computer feeling like she’d taken an important step while knowing that there were still dozens of other steps. Even if she didn’t apply for the promotion, she’d still have to work out the logistics of going back to her current position.

  The daycare center was holding a spot for Dylan’s return as well as spots for the twins, but needed a firm start date and an anticipated schedule. That hinged on Karen’s hours and on whether Joe accepted the coaching positions offered him. And they hadn’t completely ruled out searching for a nanny.

  Karen jotted notes on the notepad she had beside her, circled a few dates on the calendar, and started a list she titled, To Discuss with Joe. Lists made sense, so she didn’t stop with one. An hour later, she had six, all neatly titled, organized, and highlighted in bright pink. Engrossed as she was in those lists, she jumped at the doorbell chime.

  Her first reaction was to panic when she saw her parents, Anna and Sean, Sam and Claire, Susan, and Trina all on her doorstep. Something was wrong, something had to be very, very wrong for all of them to be there, together, at three o’clock in the afternoon.

  But they were smiling. All of them. Big, goofy smiles. It made no sense whatsoever.

  “Open the door,” Susan said through the screen door that still separated them.

  “What are you doing here? What are you all doing here? What happened?”

  “I told you she’d worry,” Sam said to Susan.

  “Nothing’s wrong, dear,” Rita said when Karen finally opened the door and they piled inside.

  “Then why are you here, Mom? Why aren’t you with…oh, no, is Grandpa okay?”

  “He’s fine. I told you, nothing’s wrong.”

  Karen eyed them all for any telltale signs as she ushered them into the living room. Some sat, some roamed. Anna peeked down the hall, hoping, Karen was certain, that she’d hear one of her grandchildren.

  “Fine. Nothing’s wrong. Then why are you all here? Trina? Is it something at the studio?”

  “Girl, you are a worrier, aren’t you? But I suppose in your shoes, I’d worry too if this bunch showed up at my door. Relax, it’s all good.”

  Karen threw her hands up in the air. “What?”

  She watched as they looked at one another with raised eyebrows and grins. Apparently, they hadn’t decided who was to break the news. Or spill the beans. Or shatter her world, as she still wasn’t convinced they were telling her the truth.

  “Do I need to sit down?”

  “I don’t think you’ll have much time for sitting. You have to pack, give us our instructions, and get on a plane in…” Susan pulled her phone from her pocket and glanced at it, “in one hour and fifty-two minutes.”

  “A plane.”

  “Yes, a plane. You’re going to Vegas, baby!”

  It started as a chuckle, grew to a giggle, and before Karen knew it, she was gasping for air as deep belly laughs overtook her. She had to sit and put her head between her legs. It took some time until she got herself under control and could make out the comments from her audience.

  “Do you think she’s okay?” Sean asked.

  “All the pressure must have finally caught up with her,” was her dad’s analysis.

  “Hmmm, hmmm, hmmm.” Karen could picture Trina shaking her head with each ‘hmmm.’ “Seems like she’s going to need a minute.”

  Karen raised her head. They had formed a half-circle around her and were all staring. She took a deep breath.

  “I’m okay. Or I will be. You caught me off guard. I thought something was wrong and then you come with something so ridiculous. I wasn’t prepared.” She coughed as the laughs threatened to start again.

  “It’s not ridiculous, Karen,” Sam said. “It’s perfect. Everything is arranged. Cort’s plane will pick you up and take you to Las Vegas. We’re all here to help with the kids. We have a tentative schedule arranged but if you don’t like it, we’re flexible. Whatever you need, we’ll do it.”

  The urge to laugh disappeared as she looked from one determined face to another.

  “You’re serious. You’re actually serious.”

  “Of course, we’re serious,” Anna said. “Shauna called us all this morning and told us what happened last night, what they learned, Cort made arrangements with his pilot, we got together and like Samantha said, put together a schedule to stay with the kids, so all that’s left for you to do is pack.”

  “And enjoy,” Trina said. “Enjoy a few days with your husband without any worries. Everything here is under control.”

  “That’s all very kind of you, willing to make sacrifices so I can go—” She choked on the words and had to start again. “So I can go to Vegas, but no, thank you, but no. I’m content to stay here and wait for Joe and everyone else to get home. The kids have had enough upheaval in their lives lately. I appreciate the offe
r, I really do, but I need to stay put.”

  Karen saw Susan roll her eyes before pulling a five-dollar bill from her pocket and slapping it into Sam’s waiting palm. “Some people thought you’d see it that way. Regardless, you’re going. We’re not taking no for an answer.”

  Karen dug in her heels. “You can’t make me.” When she heard herself, she cringed. She was six years old again and arguing with her parents about bedtime.

  Now Susan laughed. “It’s seven against one so yeah, we probably can, but it’s not going to come to that.” The laughter disappeared from her voice and an earnestness took its place. “Just take this thing, Karen. Take what’s being offered and enjoy it. You need it, Joe needs it, you need it together. Put the past year behind you, once and for all, and do it in style. A few days away from your kids isn’t going to hurt anyone. In fact, I’d argue just the opposite. It will help all of you. Go. Go to Vegas.”

  The fight spilled from Karen and left her feeling like a wet noodle. She was not a spontaneous person, the six lists on the kitchen table proved that, but could she do it? Could she pack, kiss her kids goodbye, and hop on a plane? Just like that? She wanted to say no, no way, but without warning a touch of excitement edged its way into her thoughts. The chance to relax, to be alone with Joe, to sleep when they wanted to sleep, to let someone else do the cooking and the cleaning, to put the past year behind them and get started on all the years that were waiting for them. Maybe she could.

  Still, she couldn’t quite give in. “You’re all busy. Susan and Sam, you didn’t go to Vegas because you have obligations here. Trina, you’re in charge at Anchored while Shauna’s away. Mom and Dad, Grandpa and Grandma need you. Anna, you’ve got the church festival coming up…Sean…” Her arguments were getting weaker, and she knew it. “Sean, you have the puppy…”

  “And between the seven of us, we’re more than capable of taking care of those three precious babies,” Rita said. “Karen, do this. Please.”

  “Okay.” Karen drew in a sharp breath. Did she just say, okay? She was pretty sure she did. To test it out, she said it again. “Okay.”

  Cheers sounded around her.

  “I’ll help you pack,” Sam said.

  “I’ll show you the schedule we worked out and you tell me if you want to change any part of it. Or all of it,” Anna said.

  “I’ll give you a ride to the airport,” Sean said.

  “Rita said she’ll show me around here so I’m not lost when I come to help,” Trina said.

  “We’ll go get those babies I hear starting to fuss,” Karen’s dad said.

  “And I’ll call Shauna and tell her it’s a go,” Susan said. “By the way, Joe doesn’t know anything about this so be prepared for him to be a little shocked when you show up at his hotel room door.”

  “He doesn’t know?”

  “Nope. Only Cort and Shauna know. Shauna said when Cort got back from the meeting with Dave, he hatched the plan. As soon as it was a reasonable hour, she started making phone calls, but she didn’t tell anyone else there.”

  “Why? Why did they do this? Why are you all doing this?”

  Susan’s sigh was dramatic and complete with an arm thrown over her forehead. “Must you ask such tiresome questions? We’ve been over this. Because we want to. For a change, we want to be able to do something for you.”

  “But…”

  “But nothing. Now unless you want Sam to be the only one with any say in what you pack, you better get in the bedroom and supervise.”

  Karen let it sink in and when it did, she launched herself at Susan and hugged her tight enough to have her pleading for mercy.

  She hugged them all in the forty-five minutes she spent packing and preparing. She gave them instructions on thawing breast milk, on mixing formula to supplement, the schedule that, in a perfect world, the kids followed, and showed them the lists of doctor’s numbers, emergency procedures, and emergency contacts. But since her emergency contacts were all either in the room or in Las Vegas, she didn’t suppose that list much mattered.

  There was no way she’d remembered to pack everything. No way. The very idea of packing without a list seemed absurd, but she’d done it, with a lot of help from Sam, and she knew there were stores where she was headed.

  There was also no way she’d remembered to tell those watching the kids for the next three days everything they’d need to know. But there was email, and she had a long flight ahead of her. Whether they liked it or not, they’d be hearing from her.

  Then, it was time to go. Her parents had the first shift with the kids. Kelly and Wes would be joining them after work. That made it four to three. Karen figured the adults’ chances were fifty-fifty of coming through unscathed, but was confident the kids would be fine. Spoiled, if anything.

  As she was heading out the door, her mother pushed a large envelope into her hands.

  “What’s this?”

  “Something to look at while you’re in the air.”

  It was one of those brown envelopes with the bendable metal clasp, the kind that usually held something important, at least that’s what Karen thought as she studied it.

  “It doesn’t exactly scream ‘In-flight entertainment.’”

  Rita smiled and kissed her daughter. “It’s nothing urgent, just something to look at when you have time. Now, have a wonderful time and don’t worry about a thing here.”

  Karen shrugged and tucked the envelope into her bag.

  “Thanks, Mom. I love you.”

  “I love you, too, sweetie.”

  Two hours later, Karen was somewhere over the middle of the United States. While she’d expected flying alone in Cort’s plane to be awkward, just the opposite was true. It was heaven.

  She’d had dinner and a glass of wine, she’d sent her detailed emails to her family, and she’d entertained herself with the perks of flying in a private jet, not the least of which was the fun she’d had taking selfies with her feet up, a glass of champagne in one hand, chocolate in the other. Riley’s behavior suddenly made a lot more sense.

  It wasn’t until she grabbed her bag in search of a piece of gum that she remembered the envelope. Curious, she opened the flap and found a stack of documents.

  After ten minutes, she leaned her head back and closed her eyes. She had a lot to think about.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

  “THE PIZZA’S SUPPOSED to be good at a place just a couple of blocks away,” Cort said. “It got five thumbs up from the team I met with this afternoon. We thought we’d give it a try.”

  “Sounds good to me,” Joe said. “A restaurant has to try really hard to screw up pizza.”

  After sitting in his room most of the day, he found even with the crowds, the walk felt good. The restaurant, when they found it, was cozy with checkered tablecloths, Italian music, and an aroma that if it matched the taste, told Joe they were in for a treat.

  As a group of seven, they waited a few minutes for a table large enough to accommodate them. They spent that time studying the menu and debating over what kind of pizza to order.

  “Pineapple has no place on a pizza.” Riley was adamant. “For that matter, no fruit or vegetable belongs on a pizza. Meat and cheese. It’s all you need.”

  “I have to agree with Riles,” Frank said. “Pepperoni, lots of cheese, and a beer to wash it down.”

  Cassie wrinkled her nose. “I like veggie pizza.”

  Frank kissed her wrinkled nose. “It’s the one thing we don’t agree on.”

  “I’m not picky,” Cort said, “except when it comes to anchovies. No anchovies on mine, please.”

  “Ooh, I second that,” Shauna said. “I don’t think there’s anyone who actually likes anchovies. It’s a myth.”

  By the time they were seated, they’d decided on four pizzas, thin crust, with topping combinations to satisfy everyone.

  “What did everyone do today,” Joe asked after they’d placed their order.

  “Cassie and I went to the spa.” Shauna si
ghed the words. “Amazing.”

  “It was amazing,” Cassie said, “but Anchored is better.”

  “Aw, you’re sweet,” Shauna said. “This one was bigger, more choices for services, but I agree, Anchored is better. More personal, anyway.”

  “And you guys?” Joe asked his brothers.

  “We went back to check out the rides we didn’t get to try the other night,” Frank said. “No one cried this time.” Riley punched him. Frank grimaced and rubbed his shoulder. “Geez. It’s not my fault you cried.”

  “I didn’t cry.”

  “I think you did.”

  Joe tuned out their arguing. “How about you, Jake, did you go along?”

  “No, I went over all the information from Dave, compiled everything we have to this point, tried to get it as organized as possible before I meet with Bud. I can’t help him with his case, but I can try to make it easy for him to jump in. I also spent some time catching up with Marc on what’s happening in our own town. Nothing much, by the way.”

  “They’re doing okay without you?”

  “They’re doing fine. Illegal fireworks, a bonfire at the lake that got out of control, and some underage drinking about sums up the past week.”

  “It will be good to be home though, won’t it? You can’t all tell me it’s been easy to be away.”

  It took a minute, but Riley was the first to agree. “Red told me she had to call a handyman yesterday after a guest managed to catch a suitcase on a door frame and break it enough that the door wouldn’t lock.” Riley shook his head as if he still couldn’t believe it. “A handyman. In my house. For a broken door frame. I was tempted to ask Red if she let the guy use my tools. Didn’t want to piss her off, though.”

  “She’s so busy, there all by herself,” Cassie said. “I’ll make it up to her when I get back, give her a few days off.”

  “She’s had the girls there a lot and Molly’s been helping,” Riley said. “She’s handling it.”

  “I know she’s handling it, but sometimes handling it means barely getting by. She’ll need a break.”