In Another Lifetime

Lake Crescent

'Why Lake Crescent?' Ellie asked, confused.

'This.' Chris took the key out of his pocket and handed it to her.

'This is... This is Amma's key.' Ellie started to tear up.

'It was in the envelope you handed to me. I want to check the place out.' Chris said wiping her tears away.

'Are you sure you wanna be in a place where there's no cell reception and no internet?' Ellie giggled.

'As long as you're there with me, I'll be alright.' Chris grinned.

'Mr. Evans, I know that grin. No. Not until this thing is out of me.' Ellie laughed as she pointed at her belly.

'That THING?' Chris growled playfully.

'Yeah, your evil spawn.' Ellie laughed as Chris started to tickle her.

'It's gonna be your crotch goblin.' Chris laughed. The two spent the night having a good time.

~

The following week the two headed up to Lake Crescent. Chris wanted to just fly and rent a car but Ellie insisted on taking her jeep.

'Are you still okay? Do you want to switch so you can rest?' Ellie asked Chris.

'No, babe. I'm fine. Just sit back and relax, okay?' Chris took her hand and kissed it. 'So, have you been to Lake Crescent?'

'Yeah, but it has been a while since I went up there. I think the last time I was there I was still in grade school and then with....' Ellie looked out the window and trailed off and relived the memory.

['Eri-chan, slow down!' Emika shouted.

'Hurry up, Emi-chan. I want to go swimming already.' A little five year old Ellie shouted back to her sister.

The sisters swam until dinner time. After they showered back at home, their dad finally arrived.

'Otosan!' Ellie shouted and ran to him.

'Eri-chan, o-genki desuka?' (How are you, Ellie?) her dad asked as he ruffled her hair.

'Atashi ha genki desu, otosan mo?' (I'm good, dad too?) Ellie answered.

'I have news for you Eri-chan.' Her father said.

'Ryu, you're finally here.' Faye said as she walked over to her son and hugged him, 'How was the drive?'

'It was alright. I got everything settled and,' he looked down at Ellie.

'Oh, that soon?' Faye asked.

'Hai (Yes), I just think that it will be better for everyone.' He smiled.

'What's better for everyone, papa?' Ellie and Emika asked.

'Come on girls, dinner is ready. We will talk about it over dinner.' Faye ushered the two kids to the dining room and helped them.

Halfway through dinner, Ryu cleared his throat. 'Ellie, Emika. I have something to tell you both.'

'What is it papa?' Emika asked.

'Emika, you're going to stay with your grandma for a while.' He said

'But, papa! How about school? My friends?' Emika was clearly upset.

'Ellie, we are sending you to your obasan in Karuizawa. Just until you reach high school' Ryu sighed.

'No. You are not sending Ellie away.' Emika held on to her sister.

'But why do I have to go that far? Why can't I just stay with amma?' Ellie asked as she started to cry.