Later, as she’s putting away the laundry, since it’s another one of Claudette’s off days, she hears Mrs. Keller approach Georgia, who is finger painting with Suzy. Of course, Georgia has forgotten to put newspaper down, and the porch is splattered with paint Annie knows she’ll have to clean up.

“I’m feeling better, if you want to explore town.”

“Oh, I don’t want to leave Suzy.” Annie hears the smack of hands as Suzy goes wild with the paint.

“That’s why we have the nanny. Come on, it’s hot as...heck,” she quickly corrects herself. “We can get ice cream and walk around. Or get something a little more adult. Don’t tell your mom, though.” Georgia laughs, and the sound makes Annie want to submerge herself in the lake water, to feel the pressure build along her temples as she loses oxygen.

Annie braces for Georgia’s response. “Okay, it’s a deal. Let me just grab some new clothes.”

Annie, tucking her hair behind her ear, watches Georgia ascend the stairs. She’s put a T-shirt over her bikini, but her long, muscular legs are still visible, flexing as she takes each step.

Annie quickly finishes up the laundry, flinging herself onto the porch with Suzy just as Georgia makes her way downstairs, wearing capris and a thin white blouse, her hair brushed out and up into a ponytail.

Mrs. Keller straightens herself up from her pose watching Suzy paint, and the two women head out of the house to the car. “Georgia?” Suzy cries, and stands up, toddling her way toward them as Annie clambers after her.

Annie sees Suzy’s lip trembling as the two women get into the car, her body wracked by sobs before they can even escape her lips. “Georgia is going bye-bye?” She stares at Annie glassy-eyed. The pink from the sunburn is heightened as she finally bursts into tears. Annie has to stop her from running after the car.

“They’ll only be gone for a little while. Let’s go finish your pretty picture!” But Suzy is inconsolable. She sits on the front lawn and bawls, pushing Annie’s outstretched arms away with her tiny fists.

From the open window of the second-floor office, Mr. Keller calls out, asking Annie if she can take Suzy inside or around back. The noise is bothering him. It’s not until Annie has promised Suzy M&M’s and Beauty and the Beast before her nap that she calms down, snot hanging from her nose as her eyes dry.

Something needs to be done, Annie thinks, as Suzy grips Lolly, sucking her thumb during the movie’s opening sequence. No one should be able to inflict that kind of pain on someone so small.

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