Part One
Chapter One
Hannah leaned back, hugging her knees to her chest and twirling her toes in the sand, relaxing her body after her daily ten-mile run. Her ten-year-old son Matthew and seven-year-old daughter Melanie had been waiting for her to return so they could dart to the lake and resume their fun in the sun and water.
Hannah looked up as Uncle Charlie, as he was known, ambled towards her. He pushed his ever-present cap back from his forehead and laughed, Sure, Miss Hannah, and your young-uns remind me of you when you was that age.
Youre right, Uncle Charlie. You taught me to swim and dive and water ski all those years ago, and then you taught my children! Youre a very special part of our family.
Yeah, I remember way back then, Hannah. You and your family been comi here nigh onto thirty years now, and I been lucky enough to be a part of it all. You and a lot of other vacationers. You know, like your dear Joe and his family. Happy times and sad times. But lookee at them kids! Brown as berries and as happy as clowns!
Hannah stood and hugged the gray-haired man who had forever owned the marina across the way, and who had been uncle-daddy-friend to dozens of families throughout the years.
Charlie, were going to miss you. Were heading home tomorrow. School starts early this year and I have to get back to work. When I talked with mother yesterday, she said not to dare leave this place without a special hug for you!
Well deary, you give your folks my very best. Ill miss you all.
I suspect well be back for a breather, Charlie, and be back up here before the heavy snow hits.
Hannah turned aside quickly. Heavy snow. Three years. Three long painful years ago that Joe and his parents were killed in that heavy snow of Upper Michigan. Such good skiers. Butand Mellie had been only four, so the memory was less traumatic, but poor Matt. He remembers his dad. Oh, yes, the poor little kid remembers.
Hannah gave Uncle Charlie a quick kiss on his cheek and ran to the edge of the lake. She poised a brief second and then dove into the emerald green waters. She swam to her children and together they frolicked in the water. This was the last swim of the summer and they wanted to make it last as long as possible.
*
Matt was in charge of the hotdogs on the grill. Mellie was bringing out the chips and onions and catsup on a tray. Hannah had made a salad, and the table was set with paper plates.
Our last supper by the lake for this summer, she laughed as she and her children filled their plates with delicious picnic food. As soon as we clean this up, we must pack our things so we can leave early in the morning.
I bet Grandma and Grandpa are going to be happy to see us! chimed in Melanie.
I bet so too, dear. And Grandpa will be happy to have Matthew back so he will have a partner for fishing.
Are you happy to be going back to work, Mom?
Yes, I am. But first on my agenda is seeing you two off to a new year of school.
With our new clothes!
And new basketball!
Yes, and but the phone Hannah carried with her at all times, rang. She jumped to her feet and went to the far end of the porch and spoke softly, Hannah here.
Hannah, a meeting has been set up for Thursday at 10:00 in the back office.
Ill be there.
She touched the Off button and stood quietly for a moment. Im so anxious to get back to my real work. And now we have another job. Two months of pretending to like my position as a lawyer, is enough! Now down to the real stuff.
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