The Lake (Short Story)

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

"Grandma!" Jeremy shouted, Layla smiled brightly, grasping her walker and sitting next to Jeremy on the couch.

"Hello baby" Layla smiled at him, "You've grown so big! How old are you now?"

"Six" Jeremy said proudly. Echo smiled at him.

"He's in first grade now." Gen nodded to Layla.

"That's wonderful." Layla looked at Angel. "Angel! Oh my, you're a beautiful young lady now, aren't you?" Angel giggled.

"I'm nineteen, grandma, hardly old enough to live on my own" Grant shook his head while his wife rolled her eyes. Layla smirked.

"Well of course not! All the boys would be lining at your door. Echo . . . still the young beauty I remember" Echo went to give Layla a hug.

"Thank you, grandma" Echo whispered, "I'm glad you got to visit. We'll most likely have to give you a tour. It's much bigger than our old home, but . . . we like it."

"And now, ma, you have your own room" Grant chuckled. Layla scoffed.

"I've always loved to hang with my girls." Layla grinned girlishly. "That reminds me . . . will you be playing the piano this weekend for me, Echo?" Layla asked.

Echo smiled and looked away. "Only for you, grandma"

"And me" Jeremy grinned, showing a gap where his front tooth should be.

"Oh, Jere" Gen smiled "She always plays for you"

"I know" Jeremy nodded. "Will you play now Echo?" he asked curiously.

"Not now" Echo shook her head. "I think for right now, I'd like to eat and have a good night sleep. How about you grandma?"

"I couldn't agree more, darling." Layla smiled.

After dinner, Grant led Layla to her room, while the three stayed downstairs and cleaned up.

"I know this is three months late and all, but I'm having hospitality tomorrow, and I want you guys to be there. Our neighbors-"

"We have only one mom" Angel grinned.

"Well our neighbor deserves to greet all of us. Grandma will be with Penelope, they're going downtown for the Art Show in the morning, so we'll have the house to ourselves." Gen shrugged "I just think it would be nice."

"Of course we'll be there mom" Echo nodded. "We wouldn't want to miss the delight of having neighbors over, especially after the experience with Miss Henry."

They all giggled. Miss Henry had been a maniac. She'd always cling to strangers, and make them feel so uncomfortable. When they first met Miss Henry she had simply evaded their rooms, went through their fridge. It was ridiculous and then she'd bring her boyfriends over.

Sometimes the police had to get involve but otherwise, Miss Henry was a charmer, it was hard to stay mad at her for a period of time.

"Well that's the past. Miss Henry just needed to rehabilitate. It's normal, some people have that problem" Gen excused. "But you will be here?"

"Yes" the three spoke, finishing their chores before heading upstairs.