Free Lake Effect by Johannah Bryson Page A

Abby.”
    â€œHello, Janele, aren’t we living large these days?”
    Wyeth watched as his sister’s hand automatically went to her small rounded belly and her face became that of a mother lion ready to pounce. Perhaps he wouldn’t have to worry about decking Abby; Janele would do it for him.
    â€œWyeth, Mother would like you to hurry up, they’re about to serve dinner.” She shot Abby a look to kill and then left the room.
    â€œI’m right behind you — this will only take a minute.” He pinned Abby with a stare and waited until Janele was out of the room.
    â€œAbby, I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing here but it’s over. You’ve lost.” He was right in her face trying to make his point when she grinned, reached up, and kissed him. Sickened, he pushed her away and huffed back into the grand ballroom.
    â€¢ • •
    Wyeth was seething mad when he got back to the table but only someone who knew him well would be able to detect that. Olivia had, no doubt, already been brought up to speed by Janele. His sister could barely hold her tongue.
    As the dinner went on, he smiled and laughed when he was supposed to but he never tasted a bit of the two hundred and fifty dollar plate he’d paid for.
    At last, Janele couldn’t control herself any longer. “What was that all about?”
    â€œYou tell me. Apparently Ms. Newkirk has a difficult time when she doesn’t get her way. You look stunning, by the way. I hope you didn’t take her comment to heart.”
    â€œReally, Wyeth, give me some credit. Abby Newkirk was the girl who in grade school made you interview for the privilege of being her friend. I’m proud to say I never applied for that position. She’s a bitch, plain and simple. I’m sorry, Mother.” She nodded her head to Olivia who nodded her head in acceptance of the apology.
    â€œI do not understand what you ever saw in her,” Janele continued, and slowly turned her head to her husband who was suddenly choking on his drink. She pinned him with her version of the Packard stare. James grinned and raised his glass to her.
    Wyeth excused himself from the table and tried to call Shelby. He kept trying until the last guest had left, certain now that her ringer was turned off. Janele and Olivia chatted quietly on the return ride home. James, having tried earlier to engage Wyeth in conversation, had at last given up.
    Wyeth left the family and headed up to his room, stopping in the nursery to look in on James Jr. and let the nanny know they’d returned. She excused herself to her room and left Wyeth standing there staring down at the little man, sound asleep, hugging the raggedy old blanket he took everywhere with him. Would he ever feel the joy of being a father, of creating a new life and watching it grow, learn, love?
    â€œHey, big brother, you want to talk about it?”
    â€œNo. I’m leaving first thing in the morning, will you tell him I said goodbye?”
    â€œOh, he’s going to be frightfully angry with you, Uncle Wyweth.” They both laughed at the moniker he’d tagged Wyeth with. “You promised him some piggy back rides and there’ll be some explaining to do if you just up and leave.”
    â€œSeems like I’m making people mad left and right these days no matter what I do. I need to get back home, Janele. There is something important I have to tend to.”
    â€œHome, huh?” He hadn’t even realized he’d said it until his sister echoed it back to him. Patting him on the back and then hugging him his sister stepped back into the hallway and motioned him to do the same. She shut the door and looked up at her brother.
    â€œOh, you’ve got it bad. I’ve got news for you too, you’re leaving tonight.” She laughed as a look of confusion crossed his face. “As usual, our mother is a step ahead of us. She’s already