I looked out the window of the family lake house, reminiscing on all the memories we had made out on the dock. Like the time when my brother Jacob tried to do a backflip and instead he hit his head on the edge.
"Sweetheart, I promise we'll be back next summer!" My step-dad called to me from the kitchen. It was tradition to stay the summer here and this time, we weren't.
"Ken. That's not the point. This is the one thing I look forward to every year. It feels like everything is normal again when Jacob, mom and I are here. But then you came." I snapped. I saw him raise his eyebrows. He had walked into our lives and took everything that meant anything to me. I heard the faint sound of foot steps walking on the hard wood floors.
"Audrey. What is the point in all if this bickering?" My mother spoke in a stern tone.
"Nothing, mum.. Nothing. He's just doing what he does best."
I turned around and walked out the sliding door closing it be hind me. I hear the faint voices speaking to one another behind me. I took a deep breath, pulling the wrap I was wearing tighter around me to avoid the chill. I gazed out at the lake, lost in a world of thought. There were smooth stones that stayed on the river bank. As if they were laid there on purpose, for someone like me. I picked one up, and ran my fingers over the smooth surface. My dad and I used to skip stones together all the time. I threw the stone sideways out into the dark water. I smiles at the thought of my dad..
**Flashback**
"Okay kiddo, take the rock like this, and throw it just like this. Okay? Got it?" He smiled that large, broad smile.
"Okay daddy!"
I looked up at him, then at the stone. Then I threw it as hard as I could.
"Look, dad. Dad! I did it!"
"Good job! You're so good at that." He touched my nose and picked me up.
** end of flash back **
"Audrey." I turned back to see my mum.
"I'm sorry. Mum, I didn't mean that but he's taking away everything that reminds me of dad! He can't do that. Dad is gone. And there is nothing I can do to get him back. So when 'ken' comes in and tries to take it I-I-"
The sting of tears filled my eyes. Warm arms wrapped around me, making me feel secure. She took my cheeks between her hands and said;
"I know. Shhh.. I know. I miss him too. I do.. And I know you love the lake house, so I'm going to let you stay here this summer.. Your 16, you can drive. On the weekend you could drive home, and hell it's not like you couldn't defend yourself.. Maybe Jacob could stay for a little bit."
I looked into her eyes as she smiled.
"M-mum.. I don't know- ah! I love you!"
I hugged her into me. She kissed my forehead, and I could feel her smiled again.
Chapter Two
"You have all of our numbers right?" Mum called from the car. I laughed glancing at Ken.
"Yes! We have your numbers. I promise!" I smiled back. I felt Ken's eyes burn into my back.
He was about to be out the door,
"Uhmm.. Ken. Can I talk to you for a minute? It's sorta important.."
I heard air fill his lungs, and saw his eyes say no, when his mouth said,
"Sure."
I grabbed mums t-shirt. It was my favorite, I always wore it instead of her.
"Hey, you forgot this.. So what I wanted to talk to you about was the other day. I shouldn't have said what I said, so I'm sorry. You aren't bad, I'm just used to my dad. He passed and you came into the picture right after.. It's hard to take. So, lets not hate each other okay?"
