The Summer of Good Intentions by Wendy Francis Read Free Book Online Page B

world with Habitat for Humanity or some other humanitarian group. Funny how the tables had turned, Maggie thought. She couldn’t recall the last time she’d gone clothes shopping. For herself, that is.
    â€œHey, I forgot to mention,” she said now. “We’ve closed off the downstairs bathroom till Jay can fix the window.”
    â€œWhat?” Jess stopped and turned.
    â€œThe window in the downstairs bathroom is shattered,” Maggie explained. “We thought someone had broken in, but when I called Dad, he fessed up to it. Cracked the glass trying to open it. He forgot to ask Jay to fix it when he was down in May.”
    â€œWas Dad okay?”
    â€œHe claimed to be. Said he grazed his hand on the glass.”
    â€œHuh.” Jess seemed to consider this while she resumed unpacking, arranging multiple tubes of sunscreen on the bureau in a neat little row. “Did you get Dad the iPad?”
    â€œYes,” Maggie said, unable to hide the quiver of excitement in her voice. She was quite proud that she’d thought of this particular gift for their father, who had turned seventy-two a few weeks ago. Though Arthur had said he didn’t want any presents, Maggie thought he’d protested a bit too much. Which was why she’d rallied her sisters to chip in on this newest electronic gadget. It was a useful present for a writer, she thought—one that even her father, so difficult to please, might actually like.
    â€œThat’s great. Thanks. Dad will love it.”
    Maggie sat up and swung her feet to the floor. “Well, I’ll let you get settled while I finish up the sandwiches. I’m sure the kids are eager to go swimming.”
    Back in the kitchen, Tim sat at the table, eating a turkey and cheese sandwich. His green eyes peered out from behind little wire-rim glasses. He was, Maggie decided, looking more and more like an accountant every year.
    â€œOh, I was saving those for the kids,” she said without thinking.
    â€œOops.” Tim got out through a mouthful of bread. “Sorry.”
    â€œThat’s all right.” Maggie backpedaled. “I can make some more. In fact, that’s what I came to do!” She reached for the butter knife and slathered mayonnaise onto a slice of whole wheat. There was no need to start off on the wrong foot with her brother-in-law. Initially, Maggie had thought Tim a good match for her more tightly wound sister. But in recent months, Jess had hinted that things had gotten tense at home. When Maggie inquired about what was going on, Jess had said, Nothing. That’s the problem. Apparently, Tim had “checked out” from the family. Maggie couldn’t say she was entirely surprised (to her eyes, Jess did all the work), but if it was true, she was sad for her sister. All marriages go through stages, she counseled. Jess and Tim would work things out, and life would get back to normal.
    Just then, the kids breezed into the kitchen, their beach towels draped over their shoulders, looking like little conquerors. “Look at you all,” Maggie exclaimed and clapped her hands together. “So grown up.” She felt tears spring to her eyes, but Lexie stopped her in her tracks. “Mom, don’t start. It’s so embarrassing,” she said before dropping into a chair.
    â€œSorry.” Maggie turned to Tim. “Sometimes I feel like time is getting away from us, you know? Our babies growing up so fast?” She glanced at him for corroboration, but her brother-in-law stared at her, clueless. She sighed and had just begun passing out sandwiches when Mac arrived, soaked in sweat.
    â€œHey, there! How you doing, man? Sorry about the sweaty paw.” He went over to shake Tim’s hand. Mac’s face was ruddy, his hair matted on his forehead. At six foot four, her husband was a big guy, barrel-chested, and looked the part of a cop. But he’d added a few pounds over the years, and