—
Owen and Luna arrived at their destination just before dusk. The house was massive by Luna’s estimate. She wondered how an architect might describe it. She’d say it was like a giant brown box with enormous windows. The lake was right there, behind the house. You could see it through the trees. The last glints of sun reflected off it. They even had their own boat dock, with an old rowboat parked at the ready. She made note of the rowboat as a possible means of escape.
Owen followed Luna’s eye line and commented: “The town on the other side of the lake is farther than it looks. If you want to make a run for it, take my car. I’ll leave the key by the front door.”
“Get the fuck out of my head,” Luna said.
Owen laughed. Luna regarded the house yet again.
“So, is this a time-share situation?” Luna asked as Owen parked his Jetta next to a BMW 3 Series, which was parked next to a Range Rover. There was also a Prius, which both comforted and confused her. Was the Prius an apology for the Range Rover?
“No,” Owen said. “It’s our vacation home. We’re here most summers and holidays.”
“You said your family was comfortable. Not rich,” Luna said.
“They’re here!” a woman’s voice shouted.
Owen’s mother, Vera, ran out of the house in the direction of her son. When they embraced, Owen picked her up and spun her around. She kissed his forehead, then each cheek twice, and took a step back to give him a look-over.
“You need to eat more,” she said.
“You need to eat more,” Owen said.
It was definitely Vera who needed to eat more. Vera’s clothes hung loose, but you could still see bones jutting out here and there. For years Owen had assumed it was genetic. It wasn’t until his brother made a comment about Vera starving herself for decades that Owen realized she had worked hard for it.
“You must be Luna,” Owen’s mom said. “I’ve heard all about you.”
Luna politely extended her hand. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Mann.”
“Don’t you dare call me Mrs. Mann. I’m Vera.”
Vera ignored Luna’s hand and gave her a quick kiss on both cheeks.
“We’re so thrilled to have you here,” Vera said. “Come out back. Your dad is tending to the barbecue.”
Vera gripped Luna’s suitcase and marched toward the house. She was stronger than she looked, Luna thought. Owen and Luna collected the rest of their luggage from the trunk and followed Vera inside.
The main floor was wide open, with a skylight and wood floors and a vaulted ceiling.
“Say hi to your dad, and then we’ll get you settled.”
They dropped their luggage in the foyer and crossed through the kitchen and out to the back deck, where Owen’s father, bundled up in a hat and overcoat, stood by the grill. The dad, Luna thought, looked like a coarser, more masculine version of his son. He was fit but like a rugby player, with a suspicious tan for December.
“Tom!” Vera said, alerting her husband to Owen and Luna’s arrival.
Tom dropped the tongs by the grill and gazed over at Owen. Tom smiled broadly, as if there was no sight in the world that could make him happier than Owen.
Tom pulled Owen into an embrace. He held on longer than Owen, who seemed to pull away. But there were so many details knocking around in Luna’s mind that she wasn’t sure she perceived everything as it was.
“Dad, this is Luna.”
Tom continued smiling. Luna extended her hand yet again. Tom appeared to be debating whether a hug was in order. But he decided that a grown man ought not to invade a young woman’s space until they were better acquainted. He gave her a warm double-handshake.
“Glad you could make it,” he said.
“Thank you. Thank you for…” Luna trailed off, unsure how to phrase it.
“Of course. We’re thrilled to finally meet the famous Luna,” Vera said.
Luna gave Owen the side-eye, but he refused to give anything back.
“It’s freezing out here,” Vera said. “Follow me.”
Vera led the way as the foursome returned to the living room. Tom noticed the luggage by the front door and gathered three pieces in his arms.
“Vera, where do you want them?” Tom asked.
Luna noted some kind of unspoken exchange between husband and wife. Vera shrugged and Tom nodded in agreement.
“We’re not prudes,” Vera said. “It seems silly to put you in two separate rooms when you’re just going to sneak around at night anyway.”
Luna felt confused and a bit embarrassed.
“Do they think I’m Scarlet?” she asked.
“No,” Owen said.
“Who is Scarlet?” Tom asked.
“Owen’s girlfriend,” said Luna.
“Scarlet?” said Vera.
“Let me simplify,” Owen said. “Luna and I are just good friends.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I thought…” Vera said, trailing off. Then she turned to Luna. “We’ve just heard so much about you that we assumed—our mistake.”
Luna wondered what Owen could have possibly said about her.
“Either way, they can share a room,” said Tom, returning his attention to the grill.
“I was going to put Luna in the downstairs guest room,” Owen said.
“Oh. Okay. Whatever you think. The bed is made,” said Vera.
Owen picked up Luna’s suitcase, strolled through the living room past the den, and opened a door tucked away in the far corner of the house. Even Luna had to admit the room was perfect. It had a queen bed that looked incredibly comfortable. Owen dropped Luna’s suitcase by the closet and closed the bedroom door. There was a simple deadbolt, which he latched and unlatched for effect.
“Check this out,” Owen said. “I know how much you love locks.”
After the lock demonstration, Owen opened the bathroom door. Luna hadn’t had her own bathroom since she left for college. It even had a bathtub. Owen then strode across the room and opened the French doors to a small private deck.
“And your own exit,” Owen said. “In the morning, check out the view.”
“Thanks,” Luna said.
“Don’t thank me,” Owen said. “I dragged you here for entirely selfish reasons.”