Dancing With the Devil Read Free Page B

that?”
    Mackenzie shook her head, more to rattle the memories loose than to answer. It didn’t work.
    Barb said, “Actually, I was going to go. I’d just gotten the job and figured I’d just move after the Fourth of July holiday.” She lowered her voice and, imitating her old boss, said, “We don’t celebrate America’s Independence Day. This is Canada. We work on July fourth up here, Barbara. And so will you.” She smiled. “There’s something very satisfying about getting promoted into his old job. Thank goodness they opened the local office.”
    Lily said, “How many dances have you been to, Kenzie?”
    Before Mac could answer, Stan said, “That one was her first and her last. She refused to go again. All because of that stupid dress. And I doubt that was the last gift your mother gave you, by the way.” Stan looked at Mac and shook his head. “Women.”
    Barb took a bite of a meatball, pointed her fork at Mac, and sighed. “Oh, that dress … those ruffled sleeves and big red polka dots. It was so sweet.”
    â€œWhat kind of dress am I going to have, Mama?” Lily asked.
    â€œWe’ll get you one as beautiful as your big sister’s.” Turning to Stan, Barb asked, “You’re sure you didn’t store Mackenzie’s somewhere at the beach house?”
    Stan shrugged.
    Barb said to Lily, “Well, maybe we can find one just like it.”
    â€œReally?” Lily jumped off her seat and ran around the table to Mac. She slung her arms around her shoulders, nuzzling Mackenzie’s cheek. She whispered, “I could be just like you, Kenzie.”
    â€œYou have it way better than me, Lilypie,” Mac whispered back. She gave her a squeeze and pointed her chin toward her own chair so she’d sit before Stan got angry.
    After she settled in again, Lily asked, “Mama, when are we going to the dance? It’s practically almost time, right?” She bounced in her chair, clicking her shoes together under the table.
    â€œDon’t worry, you’ll get to the Cape in time for the dance, Lily.”
    â€œWhen the fireworks are, right? And the band will play at the same time as the booms, and this year I get to stay up late and watch?”
    â€œRight. The dance is on the Fourth of July.”
    â€œActually, I think it may be on the seventh, since Independence Day is that Wednesday,” Stan said.
    Lily scrunched up her nose. “The Fourth of July is on the seventh?”
    Barb explained, “Independence Day is celebrated on the fourth of July. But sometimes, if the fourth lands in the middle of the week, like this year, one town might have their parade the weekend before, and another might have their fireworks—”
    â€œâ€”or Father-Daughter Dance?”
    â€œâ€”or Father-Daughter Dance the weekend after. I sure hope I don’t have to work,” Barb added. “If I can, maybe I’ll take the whole week off so you and I can play together and shop around for a dress just like Mac’s old one.”
    â€œKenzie, will you come and help me find my dress so I can wear it to my dance and be just like you?”
    Mac looked at her sister sitting across from her. “Believe me, Brat, you do not want to be like me,” she said. “Anyway, that dance sucks, Lily. You’ll hate it.”
    â€œMackenzie!” Barb wiped her mouth on her napkin and threw it on the table. “How could you say such a thing?”
    â€œI’ll handle this, Barbara,” Stan said, turning to his oldest daughter. “Let me assure you, you had a great time. As I recall, you even asked if you could take the music home. You were eating too fast and dropped everything in your lap. It was just a stupid piece of clothing when everything else was perfect, but if that’s what you choose to remember, that is your own fault, not mine.” Stan started eating again, but