He walked to the reedy shoreline, found some rocks, and tried his hand at skipping them. It was like riding a bike, something he also had never been very good at. After sinking a dozen stones, he went back to the house, found the Robert Parker book he’d brought, and read on the porch, looking through the glass doors at Kate every ten pages to see if she was awake.

He should have been relaxed, but the ever-present knot of tension between his shoulder blades was still there, hunching his shoulders up and making him grind his teeth.

It’s not like flicking a switch, he thought. It’s gonna take time to unclench your ass.

As soon as the clock struck high noon, he went to the fridge and cracked open a beer.

When all else failed, a few beers would get him to exhale.

* * *

Kate saw the note on Andrew’s pillow.

Hey sleepy crippy – I went out to get some groceries. Be back soon. Love you. —A

A champagne flute filled with her favorite candy had been placed next to her mason jar of pills.

There was also a cold can of Pepsi ensconced in a maroon Koozie with a MAINE – THE WAY LIFE SHOULD BE logo on it. She wondered when he’d picked that up. Probably at that rest stop and visitor center back on I-95. Kate had opted to stay in the car with Buttons, the both of them woken from their naps when Andrew pulled in.

As she tried to sit up, her head spun and she settled back down. Under the can of Pepsi was another note, this one on a square Post-it. By the way, you have a nice fever going. Take two more pills at 2:00.

She had a fever?

Of course she did.

Why allow her a day to walk around the house, check out the lake, and absorb her surroundings? No, it was much better to be stuck inside…again, just like always.

She balled her fists in frustration, the tension bringing bolts of pain to her wrists, elbows, and shoulders.

“I can’t even get mad without hurting myself, But-But.”

The dog whined at the sound of her voice. He looked up at her from the floor, tongue lolling from his mouth.

“But you know what, I’m not going to let it get me down. I mean, look at that view.”

Sunlight speckled the lake, the tops of the trees swaying in the wind.

A huge bird – was that an eagle? – circled overhead. No, it couldn’t be an eagle. She had just enough strength to get up and open one of the doors a crack. The cool, fresh air that wafted in was as delicious as fresh cinnamon toast.