“Annie! Suzy! Georgia’s here.” Suzy’s ears perk up, and she wriggles out of Annie’s grasp, almost falling in her attempt to get to the front hall.

Annie stays in her crouch for another ten seconds, savoring the burn in her joints, before standing up and walking slowly behind Suzy toward the front of the house.

“Georgia!” Suzy cries upon seeing the woman and runs to her. Georgia kneels down and lets Suzy embrace her neck.

“She remembers you!” Mrs. Keller exclaims. “Well, I guess you two did have that long play session during Passover. How sweet, though. Annie, get a picture of this!” Suzy is nuzzling Georgia’s neck, and Annie feels the sudden urge to scream, to scalp this girl, to snatch Suzy and run to the lake.

She is blonde like her aunt and cousin, only a shade darker, with dainty pearls in her ears, wearing a pink-and-white sundress, carrying no luggage except a large tote bag with her initials. She is whispering something in Suzy’s ear, and the little girl squeals and grabs her hand, pulling her toward the stairs. Annie’s fists clench.

“Oh, we missed the picture opportunity!” Mrs. Keller complains, her gaze briefly sweeping over Annie.

“Sue, can you show me to my room?” Georgia puts on a high falsetto that couldn’t possibly be her natural voice, and Annie grimaces. But Suzy falls for it, clapping her hands as she leads Georgia up the stairs. “Oh I’m sharing a bed with you?!” Annie hears Georgia say with mock wonder. Sue must have led her up to her room instead. Annie turns to head toward the kitchen before allowing herself to scowl.

The rest of the day is excruciating. Annie almost wishes Mrs. Keller would give her the day off, would send her out of the house on a long errand. But all three women stay, Annie circling Georgia, who doesn’t even make eye contact with her, whose voice changes decibels willfully, whose tiny red bikini barely covers her smooth, firm ass, cheeks quivering as she walks to the lake.

Annie watches from the porch as the two play in the water. Suzy giggles as Georgia hoists her in the air and onto her shoulders. The pink inflatable floaties on those chubby arms wave with pleasure, and Georgia sways in the water, holding on tight to Suzy’s ankles.

Annie also watches as the clouds move from the sun, as the morning brightens to a hot, humid, true summer day. Annie watches as Georgia’s tan deepens, her skin browning like butter sizzling on a skillet with only a half hour out in the sun. Annie watches as Suzy gets pink, her cheeks scarlet, barely noticeable splotches appearing on her legs and arms.