David Matthew Klein - Stash

Id like to thank early readers of this novel for their encouragement and feedback: Caroline Barrett, Aurora DeMarco, Robert Jaffe, and Phyllis Jaffe. Stephen Maher advised me on legal and criminal matters. David Haar offered insight into the pharmaceutical industry. Sam Russem and Fred Edmunds inspired elements in this story. Michael Neff of the Algonkian Writer Conferences helped me position the novel. I learned how PTAs function from the folks at Elsmere Elementary School. I relied on the wonderful book Story by Robert McKee to help shape later drafts. Owen and Julia taught me how children speak and think. And, of course, this book would not exist without the support and efforts of my agent, Loretta Weingel-Fidel; my publisher, Diane Salvatore of Broadway Books; and my editor, Lorraine Glennon. Most important, thank you to my wife, Harriet, who has stayed by my side every step of the way.

Gwen arranged to meet Jude at ten, after dropping the kids at their morning camps. Shed already delivered Nate to Natures Workshop, and now drove her daughter to the pool. It was Noras last day of swim camp and Gwen had baked a tray of cupcakes, vanilla with whipped cream frosting and red, white, and blue sprinkles left over from July 4th.

Nora balanced the tray on her lap in the backseat, snitching frosting edges under the plastic wrap. Two cupcakes were missing, eaten by Nora and Nate in the car, wrappers discarded on the floor, crumbs flattened into the seats.

Honey, will you be able to carry the tray if I drop you off in front?

Nora hesitated. I might spill them.

Not if youre careful.

Will you do it?

Because she was anxious to get downtown, Gwen almost snapped back at Nora about being old enough for this small responsibility. But she reminded herself that Nora was only seven, a loving, intelligent girl, tall and strong and for the most part capable, yet fearful of small things going wrongsuch as dropping a tray of cupcakes. You had to accept your children were people, with their own quirks and limitations as well as talent and potential. Once you realized you couldnt mold them into robotic perfection, you could do a much better job parenting; for instance, by carrying the cupcakes for your daughter who was afraid of spilling them.

Okay, sweetie. You carry your towel and backpack and Ill carry the tray.

Gwen parked in the drop-off zone in front of the pool complex, navigating a place between the other cars coming and going.

Mom, youre not supposed to park here, its for drop-off only, Nora told her.

Its just for a minuteyou want me to carry the cupcakes, dont you?

You might get a ticket.

Nobody issued tickets at the Morrissey town pool.

Gwen lifted the tray from Noras lap and waited while her daughter located her flip-flops, centered her backpack on her shoulders, got out of the car without her towel, and climbed back in to retrieve it after Gwen reminded her.

Come on, honey, Gwen urged her.

Im not late.

Mommy has a lot to do today, Gwen said. Remember, youre going home with Abby. Mrs. Fitzgerald will drive you and Ill come get you this afternoon.

And then were going up to the lake?

As soon as Daddy gets home.

I cant wait to swim in the lake.

And Gwen couldnt wait for the getaway with her husband and family. Four entire days at their house on Tear Lake, which theyd hardly been to this season because of camp schedules and Brians work. Four days of rest, relaxation, and love.

They walked to the entrance where Nora stopped to remove her backpack and look through two zipped compartments to find her pool ID card. Gwen explained to the desk attendant that she was just delivering cupcakes for her daughters camp party.

The party consisted of two picnic tables pinned with paper tablecloths on a grassy area between the kids pool and the big pool. A breeze flapped the sides of the cloths and rippled the surface of the water. Not a great day for swimming, not for Gwen anyway, who liked hot weather and warm water. The pools would close for the season in another week, right after Labor Day.

She found a spot for the cupcakes on one of the tables and spent a few minutes thanking the instructorscollege kids home for the summer, heading back to school this weekendand when she turned to leave she was waylaid first by Carly Eller asking Gwen which teacher Nora got for third grade, and then by Heather John who reminded Gwen about their annual open house on Sunday, one of the few adults-only social gatherings among their circle. Gwen apologized for having to miss out. If they were in town it would have been fun to go; the Johns played great music and hosted a karaoke contest that commenced after everyone had spent an hour or two loosening up at the patio bar.

You wont be there to defend your karaoke crown, Heather said.

Last year, Gwen and Brian were voted karaoke king and queen for their Sonny and Cher duet, Ive Got You Babe. In a silly rush of sentimentality, Gwen had felt tears when she sang, So let them say your hairs too long, cause I dont care, with you I cant go wrong, and Brian, sporting a fresh haircut, had answered, Then put your little hand in mine, there aint no hill or mountain we cant climb. In her acceptance speech, margarita in hand, Gwen had reminded everyone shed played the role of Maria in her high schools production of West Side Story, sans the painted-on Hispanic tan that Natalie Wood sported in the movie version.

Some other lucky talent will have to go home the winner this year, Gwen said. Using talent in its loosest meaning.

Well miss you guys, Heather said.

A last check with Nora. Did she have the gift cards for her instructors? Her goggles? Hairbrush? Love you, sweetie. A final hug and Gwen made her way back to the car, stopping once to dig a stone from her sandal, then driving downtown to meet Jude.

In the car she called Brian. He didnt pick upno surprise. Whenever he planned time off work, the few days leading up to it were crazy. She knew he had a big presentation today. When she got his voice mail she said, Hi love, just wanted to wish you good luck again in your meeting. I dropped off the kids and am running errands, then going home to pack. I cant wait for the weekend. Love you. Then she added, Call me if you need anything.

She parked in a metered spot across the street from Gull. She checked herself in the rearview mirror and played with the flip in her hair, without success, then touched up her lips. She found two quarters in her purse to feed the meter, which gave her thirty minutes.

A neon sign with blue lettering hung perpendicular from the transom over the door to the restaurant, with the Ls in Gull tipped to the side to resemble a birds wingspan. A pair of real gulls, up from the river, circled overhead, screeching.

Gwen expected the restaurant to be emptyit didnt open for lunch until 11:30but she was greeted at the hostess stand by a short, dark woman with bangles running up and down both wrists.

Do you want to fill out an application?

Excuse me?

Are you applying for the cocktail waitress job?

Oh, no. Im here to see Jude.

Who should I say is asking?