Dangerous Pleasures Read Free Page B

coleslaw from her lettuce.
    “I don’t know how Amy is going to feel about camp,” Annie began.
    “She’ll hate the idea. Remember how we bitched and complained to Mom and Dad the first year we went? But Amy’s at that age where you and she are going to be at sword point more often than not,” Lizzie remarked. “You need a little bit of a break from her, sis. Let me tell the kids of our summer plans, okay? Amy will take it better coming from me than coming from you. I told Mom I’d stay the night, so I don’t have to go into the city until the morning.”
    “One kid,” Annie mused. “The girls will be away for eight weeks, right?”
    Lizzie chuckled. “Eight glorious weeks!” she answered. “I’ve got plane tickets for three the night of July thirty-first.”
    “I’d have Nathaniel for a month before you took off,” Annie said. “He’s got a summer job lined up, but only for a month. I thought he would need August to get ready.” She smiled almost to herself. “Just me and my boys. And then a month with just one. Lizzie, I don’t know how to thank you!”
    “The look on your face just has,” her sister responded.
    “The twins are going to be over the moon, but I know Amy had a summer of hanging out with all her friends planned,” Annie said slowly. “Oh, the fights we would have had. Thank you for saving me, Lizzie!”
    Throwing caution to the wind, they ordered dessert, sharing a tartufo between them before leaving the club to drive to their parents’ house. They found their mother feeding her youngest grandson ice cream. Whoops was looking extremely pleased with himself as he mongreled down the dessert.
    “Thank heavens you’re here!” Phyllis said. “Doesn’t this child take a nap anymore?” she demanded to know, her gaze fixing itself on Annie.
    “He does if you put him down and tell him that’s it,” Annie replied.
    “Well, I asked him if he took a nap, and he said no. I am utterly exhausted chasing after him! Take the little barbarian home.” She sagged against the counter.
    “Thanks, Mom, for picking him up,” Annie said, giving her parent a kiss on her cheek. “It was nice to be out for lunch with Lizzie.”
    “Are you going to accept your sister’s help for the summer?” Phyllis wanted to know. “Isn’t she just the most generous woman?”
    “I am going to accept her help, Mom, and you are one hundred percent right. She is the best sister anyone could have! Hey, isn’t this a first? You and I agreeing on something,” Annie teased her mother.
    “Go home!” Phyllis said with a fond swat at her elder daughter. Then she turned to Lizzie. “I serve supper at six o’clock sharp. Your father likes to see the world news.”
    “I’ll be back in time,” Lizzie said. “I just want to see the kids and tell them our plans. I thought it might go down easier if I told them.”
    “Yes,” Phyllis agreed. “Especially with Amy.”
    “Amy’s just like you, Mom,” Lizzie said with a laugh. “See you later.”
    As they returned to Parkway Drive, Annie said, “You know, you’re right. Amy is like Mom. I never realized it, but now I know why we don’t get on easily.”
    “But I’ll bet Mom never went to school in a short skirt without her drawers,” Lizzie said, laughing. “Did you tell her about Amy?”
    “I did not!” Annie said. “She would have said it was all my fault.”
    The twins were already home, and greeted their aunt enthusiastically. Nathaniel and Amy came off the high school bus a few minutes later.
    “I have exciting news,” Lizzie said. “Come into the den and let me tell you.”
    “You’ve found a man, are getting married, and I’m going to be your bridesmaid,” Amy guessed, looking hopeful.
    “What do I need a man for?” Lizzie demanded of her eldest niece. “No. It’s even better. I’m sending you, Lily, and Rose to Stoneledge Lake Camp for Girls this summer. Remember? Your Mom and I went there for five summers. It is such a cool