The Summer Lake House

Nine Years Ago

“ This is going to fun for us, sweetheart. We will get to swim as much as we want and you get to meet new kids your age!”

“ Will I get to see mommy?” the little girl, asked.

“Honey, remember we talked about this. Mommy is going to be gone for a very long time.” The man sighed, as he ran his fingers through his golden brown hair.

It was a regular summer day when her dad announced his purchase of the lake house. About three months ago, her mother had left her and her dad, with nothing but an empty silence.

“ Daddy… I miss mommy!” she cried.

He wrapped his arms around her fragile body, wishing he could just take away all her pain. She cried softly on his shoulder, as he tried to comfort his daughter – his little angel.

While rubbing soothing circles on her small back, he said, “ I promise that things are going to get better, sweetheart. This will be our special place, only for you and me.”

The little girl peeked up at her father’s face. Wiping the tears from her face with her little hands.

“ Promise daddy?” she whispered softly.

“ With all my heart, my little angel.” He responded, while kissing her forehead.

***

The next day, they drove about three hours until they arrived at Lake Eleanor.

It was a beautiful sight, with the shining sun reflecting off the crisp, blue water. This haven was the beginning of a new life for the little girl and her father.

Finally, they grabbed their luggage and walked up the stone pathway to their brand new escape. It was painted a sky blue, towered two stories high, and had a large porch that had a perfect view of the glittering lake.

The man whistled feeling very pleased with himself. “ Do you like it, sweetie?” he asked, while smiling down at his daughter.

The little girl just stared wide-eyed at her new summer home. The only response she could give was a small nod. She couldn’t believe that she would get to stay at a place so beautiful.

Both of them walked inside, so they could begin to settle in. The inside was gorgeous as well, with its arched doorways, high ceilings, and hardwood floors. Also, there was a stone fireplace that rested in the main room. Nonetheless, both of them had a feeling that they would grow to love their lake house.

After, discovering her new room upstairs, the little girl couldn’t help but feel like a part of her was missing. These past few months have been very hard on her eight-year-old heart. She wanted, or actually, needed her mother. Feeling her eyes beginning to moisten, she ran downstairs in search of her father. Yet, he was nowhere to be found. She began breathing heavily and she started to feel suffocated in her beautiful, new house.

She pushed open the French doors that lead to the backyard, and ran as fast as she could. The wind whipped her golden hair out of her face, and her hazel eyes stung from her salty tears. Yet, she kept running as far as her miniature legs could take her, going deeper into the sea of forest trees. Finally she collapsed to the ground, trying to catch her breath. She leaned against one of the trees and let the tears stream down her face. She was abandoned; forgotten.

Then she heard the rustling of leaves, and emerged a young boy who looked a little older than her. He had fair skin, big blue eyes, and dark brown hair. He looked at her both curiously and full of concern.

“ Why are you crying?” he asked the little girl.

She gently rubbed her eyes and whispered, “ My mommy left me.”

At that moment, the young boy’s eyes grew big and his face turned sad.

He stuck his hand out and said, “ Come with me.”

She just stared up at him, unsure of what to do.

“ I can share my mommy,” he said with a crooked smiled.

The little girl just continued to stare up at him, with a dumbfounded expression. She decided that going with him is better than crying all alone, in a dark forest.

She grabbed his outstretched hand, and he easily pulled her to her feet.

“ What’s your name?” he asked, with a new-found smile.

“ Taylor.” she whispered.

“ My name is Matthew.” He added as he laced his fingers in hers. “ My house is this way,” he pointed behind his back, “let’s go.” He began to pull her in the direction of the house, not realizing that their meeting was instigated by, none other, than fate itself.

Present Day

Taylor Evans was lying sprawled out on her bed, staring at an old picture of a summer at the famous lake house. She was about ten years old, when this picture was taken. She was standing next to her best childhood friend, Matthew Reid. He had his arm around her shoulders, and both of them were, obviously, laughing at something. She could faintly make out Matthew’s two older brothers Jordan and Chase, splashing around in the lake. She couldn’t help but laugh herself, at the wonderful memory.

She missed summers at the lake house with the Reid’s. From the moment they met, they made her feel like a part of their family. She remembers the exact day Matthew rescued her from the woods, making a smile appear on her face. From that moment, they became inseparable and grew to be best friends.

It has been three summers since she last been to the lake; ever since she started high school. She has kept in contact with the Reid boys, but they only talk every few months. She met up with Matthew a few times in the past years, but in her heart, she knows that they have grown apart. Thinking about it, she felt a single tear slide down her face and, immediately, she got angry with herself. She decided that she wasn’t going to let one more summer pass, without seeing her best friend.

With that decision in mind, Taylor instantly got out of her bed, and ran down the stairs to her father’s office. Without even knocking on the door, she barged her way in and said, “ I am going to stay this summer at the lake house, if you like or not.”

Nothing was going to stop her from seeing her beloved family, not even her father

***

Without realizing what he did, Taylor’s father’s decision to buy the lake house would be the best decision he will ever make. He not only changed his own life, but also saved his little angel’s life.