High and Inside Read Free

protected area and development had been limited to just the Long Lake Lodge, the Piancatos’ small resort, and a number of family cabins strung around the serene lake. The cabins were spaced out, and the lake was framed by towering stands of pine that created a feeling of wilderness even though it was so near the heart of the city. There was a large public beach with a picnic area and campground next to the lodge, so anybody could enjoy Long Lake, but motorboats weren’t permitted on the water, meaning that it was usually fairly quiet. It had become one of Matt’s very favorite places in the world. Jake was awfully lucky to live out there all year-round, he thought for probably the five-hundredth time.
    Matt sat in the backseat with Jake, surrounded by bedding, supplies and stacks of non-perishable food, items the Piancatos were taking out to the lodge this weekend as they worked to prepare for the upcoming busy guest season. Mr. Piancato was a large, balding man in his fifties who had the same easy-going smile as his son and a crazy sense of humor. Mrs. Piancato was a gentle, pretty woman who had been like a second mother to Matt over the years. Looking at her, it was obvious where Jake got his curly blond hair and blue eyes.
    Matt really felt comfortable with the Piancatos. He surveyed the three of them and couldn’t help thinking—also for about the five-hundredth time—that Jake was fortunate to have both a mom and a dad in his life.
    Not that Matt felt particularly shortchanged. His mother was about as supportive and understanding as any parent could be. It’s just that sometimes he wondered how it would feel to have a dad at home too. His own father had left the family when Matt was just three, too early for him to remember much. They had had no contact since, and he and his mother seldom talked about it.
    Matt’s thoughts were interrupted by Jake. “We’re going to have some company at the lake this weekend,” he said enthusiastically. “My cousins are going to be there too. Since Phil and Amar couldn’t make it, Mom invited Cody and Vance up for the weekend.”
    Matt’s heart sunk. He already knew that Phil and Amar Sunir—the others in he and Jake’s crowd— weren’t able to come along this weekend because of other commitments. But he had assumed that he and Jake would be able to hang out on their own at Long Lake. Now he was learning that Cody and Vance were coming too. Matt had met Jake’s cousins before, and he had never hit it off with them.
    â€œEr, great,” Matt said, mustering as much fake enthusiasm as he could. “How old are those guys now?”
    â€œCody is fourteen and Vance is nearly sixteen,” Mrs. Piancato interjected pleasantly from the front seat. “We haven’t seen them for awhile. But their parents are in Mexico for a couple of weeks, and so we offered to take care of the boys while they’re gone. Jake’s dad drove up to Eton and picked them up early this morning. They’re already out at the lake. Jake hasn’t even seen his cousins yet because he stayed in town last night with his aunt.”
    Although he was disappointed, Matt felt like he managed to hide it. Besides, maybe he would get along better with Jake’s cousins now that everybody was a little older. He could give it a shot at least.
    â€œI see the lake,” yelled Jake, winning the game that the Piancatos always played in the car. The first person to see any tinge of blue through the trees on the winding road into Long Lake was the winner. And the winner got to skip unloading the gear once they arrived.
    Mr. Piancato pulled the station wagon past the public beach and into the driveway of the Long Lake Lodge. The resort was modest, consisting of one main building and a dozen quaint satellite cabins, all constructed from massive logs. But each of the units was well-appointed inside with a fireplace, down-filled