• Choose a category
• All
• Classic-Fiction

“No big deal,” Ken said. “But we should start paddling back. I think there’s some holes in the boat.”

Mary grabbed her paddle and started slapping it in the water. She could hear Ken laughing. “It’s okay,” he said. “I promise, even if the boat sinks we aren’t that far out. We can swim in.”

When they got back, Button was standing on the shore with her hand pressed over her chest. “Oh, I was so worried!” she said. “What on earth made you think to take the kayak out? We haven’t had those out in years.” Mary thought Button was looking at her while she said this.

“Mom, we’re fine,” Ken said. He was taller than his mother, and when he put his arm around her, she looked tiny.

“Well,” Button said. “Well, I was worried.”

“I know, Mom, I know!” Ken and his mother walked ahead down the path to the cabin. Mary walked behind them, shivering, with wet feet.

It became clear to Mary that the Walkers had a routine at the lake and that just by being there, she was disrupting it. Sunday night they went to the Lodge for dinner and had walleye pike and cheese curds. Monday night was hot dogs on the grill. Tuesday night was taco night. When they went to the grocery store, Mary suggested that they get salmon to grill and the whole family looked at her like she was nuts.

“We only eat fish at the Lodge,” Ken’s sister said. Mary nodded like this made sense.

They went down to the Lodge on Wednesday night for bingo. “You know what this place reminds me of?” Mary asked. “The summer place they go to in Dirty Dancing, you know?” Ken’s sister laughed.

“Dirty Dancing?” Button asked. “What kind of a movie is that?”

Mary felt as though she had just admitted to Button that she watched hard-core porn, and so she shut her mouth and focused on her bingo cards. Ken was in the other room getting his mother a gin and tonic. He walked in and looked around the bingo tables to see where they were sitting. Mary and Button waved their hands at him together. Ken saw Mary and smiled and then started walking over.

“Oh,” Button said, “He saw you first. I guess you’re his number one girl now.”

For a moment, Mary thought she had heard wrong. And then for another she was just too creeped out to answer. Finally she said, “I’m wearing a pretty bright color. It was probably just easier to see me.”

Ken’s siblings didn’t cater to Button the way that he did. They were perfectly nice to her, of course. They just didn’t watch her every move to make sure she was okay at all times.

“Maybe it’s because he’s the oldest,” Isabella said to her on the phone. Mary had driven into town and called Isabella from a pay phone. She had no cell service in Cable and she needed to talk to someone before she lost her mind.

“Maybe,” Mary said.

Every year, Ken’s family took a picture in front of the lake. This year, Mary volunteered to take it and Ken said, “No, you should be in it.” Button straightened her shoulders and Mary said, “How about I take one of just you guys and then one with me?” Button smiled at her.

On the plane ride home, Mary counted the mosquito bites on her legs. “Twenty-three!” she announced to Ken. “No, wait—twenty-four!”

Ken laughed. “I told you that you shouldn’t have gone running without bug spray on. You didn’t believe me.”

“I just thought I would be faster than the bugs,” Mary said.

“I’m glad you got to see the lake,” Ken said, and Mary smiled.

“Do you think we’ll be able to go next year, with the honeymoon and everything?” Mary asked. “I’m not sure I have enough vacation time.”

“We’ll work it out. Even if you can’t make it, I’ll have to sneak away for a few days to get up there.”

“It’s a long trip for just a few days,” Mary said. Ken patted her knee.

When they got married, Button cried. Mary was pretty sure that they were sad tears and not happy tears. “You’re crazy,” Ken said. “My mother adores you.”

Ken danced with his mother and it was the happiest she looked all night. Mary stood near her for a little while at the reception, and when a waiter passed with a tray of shrimp, Button