Free Heat Wave by Nancy Thayer

smoking thing. I think you did exactly what you should have done. Stand firm on this issue, and she’ll get it that you’re going to stand firm on the harder ones down the line—staying out late, drinking, all that.”
    “You’re right, Maud. Thanks.”
    Cisco didn’t speak to Carley at dinner that night. Afterward, she shut herself in her room and when bedtime came, Carley knocked on the door and looked in to find Cisco already tucked in bed and sound asleep. Or pretending to be.
    The next morning Cisco went off to school still in high dudgeon, mouth set, eyes cold, posture stiff. She didn’t hug Carley, but as she went out the door, she said, “I’m going to Nana’s after school. Okay?”
    “That’s fine.” Carley made her voice mild, and smiled at her older daughter, as if everything was good between them.
    That afternoon, Carley’s phone rang.
    “Darling, it’s Annabel. Do you have a moment to talk?”
    Carley was on her knees at the back of the linen closet, digging out all the delicate lace-embroidered tablecloths she hadn’t used in all the years of her marriage. She sat up straight and leaned against the wall. “Of course.”
    “Cisco stopped by on her way home from school. She told me about her and Polo smoking in the attic.”
    “Oh, gosh, Annabel, I should have told you. I—”
    “I really think you’re being too strict with her, Carley. Cutting off communication with her best friend for a week? That seems cruel, especially when her father died only two months ago.”
    “But—but—” Carley sputtered. “I thought you’d be just as upset as I am. Smoking in the attic?”
    “All kids her age try smoking.”
    Reluctantly, Carley agreed. “I suppose. Still, parents have to make it clear that we disapprove. We don’t want it to become a habit.”
    “Don’t be such an alarmist. It’s not going to become a habit.” Carley was speechless.
    Annabel continued, her voice full of warmth and love. “Darling, I’m sure they won’t do it again. I’ve told Cisco that the attic was a stupid,
dangerous
, place to smoke. She understands. She said she won’t do it again. I promised I’d speak to you. I told her I’d suggest that you consider lightening her punishment. The poor child lost her father. She needs her friends.”
    Carley took a deep breath. Wasn’t it only yesterday that she bemoaned the loss of Gus’s point of view, his opinion of how to raise the girls? Why did she feel so resistant to Annabel’s suggestion? Perhaps because Annabel had sided with Cisco against Carley, because Cisco was Carley’s child, not Annabel’s. Because Annabel was making herself the good guy and Carley the bad guy.
    Annabel obviously believed it was her place to interfere. Hadn’t Annabel and Russell asked Carley to bring the girls and live with them? The hairs stood up on the back of Carley’s neck at thethought of her charming, powerful mother-in-law so silkily, smoothly, relentlessly taking over.
    “Annabel, I appreciate your concern, but this is a matter between Cisco and me. I am quite concerned about her smoking, and very worried that Cisco, who is twelve, would be foolish enough to smoke in the
attic
. There are times when I need to set limits to stress my rules with Cisco, and this is one of them.” She was glad she wasn’t in the same room with her mother-in-law; her knees were shaking. Always before Gus had been the perfect buffer. Anything he said brought smiles of approval to Annabel’s face.
    “Well.” Annabel cleared her throat. “It seems then I have nothing more to say than that I think you’re making a mistake.” With a faint click, the connection ended.
    Did she just hang up on me? Carley wondered. But she didn’t have time to worry about it. She had too much to do.
    Just before dinner, Cisco came in, hugging her books to her chest, humming to herself.
    “Hi, Mom.” She was all sweetness and smiles as she slipped out of her parka.
    “Hello, darling. Want to wash your