Chapter 20 - The Lake Without a House
Years later, Eli asked to visit Lake Winnipesaukee.
Not old property.
Public shore.
Why?
“I want Sophie to see where I learned swimming.”
Good memory.
We went.
No Carter house.
Strangers owned.
We did not drive by.
At public beach, Eli showed Sophie how foam keys float.
She threw one in shallow water and retrieved.
I tensed for half second.
Then relaxed.
No trailer.
No driveway.
No Walter.
Just lake.
Eli asked:
“Do you remember popsicle?”
“Yes.”
“Orange?”
“Yes.”
“That’s what I remember most before.”
Not adult fear.
Then:
“Do you remember being hit?”
“Yes.”
“How much?”
“Sound more than pain.”
I swallowed.
Then he said:
“But I remember you on gravel too.”
“What?”
“You were loud.”
I laughed.
“I was furious.”
“Good.”
Then:
“Grandpa was loud too.”
“Yes.”
“But wrong loud.”
Five-year-old categories became adult.
Then Sophie shouted:
“Grandma, come!”
May you like
I went into water.
Life.
