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    The Summer Home
    The Summer Home
    The Summer Home
    Ebook205 pages3 hours

    The Summer Home

    By P.J. Lowry

    ()

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    About this ebook

    Every year the Anderlini family enjoyed their time at the summer home. Their getaway retreat where they could get away from the city and enjoy time together as a family without most of the distractions of school and work. Yet shortly into their stay, something happens that forces the summer home to accept a new, unexpected occupant for the summer. Their new guest tests their limits, forces them to face their own flaws and rise above it. Their growth makes it a much more memorable and educational season at the summer home.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherP.J. Lowry
    Release dateAug 15, 2015
    ISBN9781311077424
    The Summer Home
    Author

    P.J. Lowry

    Born in Hamilton, Ontario on October 28th 1975, P.J. Lowry has been creating fiction, non-fiction and poetry for over twenty years. P.J. graduated from Memorial University of Newfoundland in 2002 with a Bachelor Of Arts, majoring with the department of English language and literature.After traveling abroad P.J. returned home, settled down, and started composing novels and collections of poetry for formal publication. He currently resides in his hometown and is working on his next novel.Gift Shop: If you like PJ's work, wear it too!https://shop.spreadshirt.com/pjlowryshop/

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      Book preview

      The Summer Home - P.J. Lowry

      THE SUMMER HOME

      A novel written by P.J. Lowry

      Published by P.J. Lowry at Smashwords

      Copyright 2015 P.J. Lowry

      License Note:

      Thank you for downloading this ebook. This book remains the copyrighted property of the author, and may not be reproduced, copied, and distributed for commercial or non-commercial purposes.

      If you enjoyed reading this book, please encourage your friends to download their own copy at Smashwords.com where they can also discover other works by this author.

      Thank you for your support.

      Other works written by P.J. Lowry:

      Novels:

      The Manifest

      Completing the List

      The Cure

      Rock My World

      Poetry:

      Recurring Dream

      Poèmes du coeur

      Blood & Ink

      200 Sonnets

      Non-Fiction:

      Outspoken: Confessions of a Devout Atheist

      Nothing tests a family’s love for one another than a long ride in a car, or in this situation, a minivan. It’s one thing to drive several blocks to restaurant to get something for dinner but it’s another to be packed inside it like sardines for almost a week only stopping to eat or at a hotel to crash for the night. When Peter first took his family to what he calls the summer home, it was one of the most stressful trips he ever took. There were spats, yelling, and some pretty ugly fights. It got to one point where he had to stop the car and get out just so he could scream to the top of his lungs, out in the open where it wouldn’t damage anyone’s ear drums. Many years later, they had all become seasoned professionals. They had the tools and the equipment necessary to ignore the other passengers should they begin to feel annoyed. As far as Peter was concerned, this was all money well spent. Rather than have someone flip out, it made sense to buy them a portable MP3 player for them to zone out whenever necessary. He also didn’t care where the kids got their music as long as it wasn’t explicit, and he got a chance to review it. Peter looked in the rear-view mirror to notice and admire how peaceful it was in the back seats. Each child with their own headset on, in their own happy place while listening to whatever music made them docile. This made Peter very happy, because keeping the peace while driving out to the summer home was very important to him. He looked to his right to see his wife Sonya, asleep and in her own world as well. She had her head leaned up against the window and for that reason, Peter made sure he wasn’t speeding because he didn’t want a bump to violently wake her up. His wife had a rough time the night before at the hotel, and he wanted to make sure she got in as many power naps as possible before they got to their summer home. This was their one and only time to get away from it all. Sonya was a teacher, so she always had two and a half months off every summer and since Peter was a writer, so he could pack up and take his wherever he wanted. Thanks to the internet and the ability to fire zip files through cyberspace, any material could be sent out to publishers within seconds. Anywhere Peter could flip open his laptop was now his office, which made things easier on the family. Yet sometimes going out made it much harder for Peter to get work done but he slugged through it anyway. An unhappy household also made for an unproductive workplace so keeping the wife and the kids happy was helpful.

      This summer was going to be different for Peter as his agent and publisher were both breathing down his neck, eager to get another book sooner rather than later. Easier said than done as Peter had been struggling the last few months to the point where he even considered not coming to the summer home this year. Because of imposing deadlines, Peter was going to be sheltered in the house for most of summer. Sonya already knew that and was ready to carry the burden of childcare while they were at the summer house. Peter really appreciated her support and while watching the kids was no picnic, he was still going to be there to support her if something bad happened that required the involvement of two parents. Peter was just hoping that wasn’t going to be often so he could actually get a significant amount of work done. Peter and Sonya had been married to her for over eight years and he still felt like a newlywed whenever he was with her. Sonya had saved him from a pit of despair and depression and the life she provided made life worth living. He loved her so much for that. Along for the ride was Jacob, her son from a previous relationship. While he was a hot-tempered kid, Peter liked him a great deal because he reminded the writer of himself when he was a kid. Jacob was nothing compared to the badass Peter was in his youth, which made it so easy for him to connect with the young man and they immediately became good friends, which was important as his relationship with Sonya became more serious over time. Jacob’s biological father was a good man. He was always available to help out and never missed a weekend with his son. Peter also made sure that the door was always open for him to visit and be a part of the little man’s life. Then they all became more a family when Sonya became pregnant. Several months later, they were married and welcomed twin girls to their tribe. Samantha and Fiona were the best things that ever happened to Peter, and he was very thankful for the people he had in his life. They gave him new hope and more importantly a reason to want to hang around this planet a lot longer. Jacob was the best big brother someone could want, and Peter went out of his way to make sure he was comfortable to be the best he could be for the family as well.

      That brought them to the task at hand, which was travelling to the summer house and living there in peace for the next two months. It was a tradition that actually started accidentally. A few years ago, before the summer started, Peter took the family to visit his father and over that weekend their house had burned to the ground, and they lost everything. They also had nowhere to go, and this is when one of Peter’s best friends came in to save the day. One of Peter’s former roomies from college named Raymond Langer offered to let them have his beach house for as long as they needed it. Turns out they only needed it for the summer and Peter made sure he compensated Ray for letting them use the summer home. The kids had so much fun at the house that summer Peter decided to rent it from Ray the next year so they could spend the summer out there again and from there it just became a yearly thing for them. It was something the kids looked forward to and busted their humps in school to be a part of. With the incentive to do so well, Peter didn’t mind shelling out a few bucks to enjoy themselves. Compared to what most people spend just to fly somewhere for a week, Peter was actually getting away with quite the steal. He never had any complaints but was hoping this summer Peter would have impending deadlines that were quickly approaching. While he wasn’t the most popular writer out there, there were always many obsessed fans out there that wanted more stuff to read as soon as human possibly. Peter had to make sure to keep them marginally satisfied so that he could make a living and support his family without having to do any real work. Despite wherever they were or whatever they were doing, a writer was always working. Peter often found himself thinking about writing whenever he wasn’t actually doing it. Even as he drove the van, Peter was still thinking about his next chapter and what direction he wanted his current novel to go. It was while Peter was going over some of those plot points in his head when his wife had begun to emerge from her slumber.

      Good afternoon. He said to her with a smile.

      Afternoon? Sonya repeated, rubbing her eyes. How long have I been out?

      Quite a while, dear. Peter said as he kept his eyes on the road. We’re not far out now. We should be at the summer home within a few hours.

      Finally. She said with a huff. I was getting ready to jump out.

      I understand, Peter said as he picked her hand up and gave it a small peck. We’re almost there, and thus shall commence two months of rest and relaxation.

      After the school year I had, I could really use it. Sonya said, sitting up and looking around for something familiar. How are the kids?

      They’re fine. Peter said, as he took a quick glance himself. I put Jacob between the girls to make sure they didn’t tussle as much.

      What did you promise him? she slyly asked.

      Whatever he wanted for lunch; he gets to pick the place. Peter said, checking his watch. We’ll give it another half hour.

      She paused for a moment and read his face like a book. Something bothering you, Peter?

      Peter looked back at her for a second before putting his eyes back on the road. It’s nothing.

      No, it’s not. Sonya retorted. Something is really bugging you and I doubt it’s your agent. You never let him bug you before, so I know it can’t be the new book nor the deadline.

      You know me well, Peter said, trying to fake his jest.

      Spill it, Sonya commanded.

      Peter took a deep breath and let out a sigh that let her knew she was right. I had a brief talk with Christina earlier this week.

      Well, that would certainly do it. Sonya said, now understanding what was going on. She really didn’t like talking about Peter’s first wife.

      Christina was actually the second woman to walk down the aisle Peter and very like the first marriage, this one didn’t last very long either. Peter was still bitter about it, and she could tell.

      Why did you call her? Sonya inquired, You know how much just interacting with her agitates you.

      I had to, Peter replied, I wanted to see if Nathan could come out with us to the summer home.

      And obviously the answer was no. Sonya guessed.

      Obviously, Peter confirmed.

      That’s because he always says no, Sonya reminded him, Oh, Peter, why do you do this to yourself?

      I have to at least try, Peter explained to her, I don’t want this kid to think that I didn’t give a rat’s ass about him because it’s not true. It just upsets me how bad it’s gotten. He’s my son and I never see him.

      He’s a teenager. Sonya corrected, Even parents that live with their own rarely see them either. You cannot take this personally; most teenagers hate their parents. Nate just has more ammunition to justify his.

      That doesn’t mean I have to like it. Peter said, We used to do everything together. Now he won’t even talk to me on the phone.

      There’s nothing you can do, Sonya said, as she put a hand on his shoulder. She could feel the tension in his arms. You can’t let it get to you. When Nathan needs you, he’ll reach out. Your job is to make sure you’re ready to be there for him whenever that time comes.

      I know, Peter said, sighing rather deeply. I just wish he could be here and spend some time with his sisters. They’re related and they hardly know one another.

      Uh huh, Sonya huffed at him. Do I need to remind you how well you get along with your brothers?

      That’s exactly why I am trying, Peter said as he agreed with her. I don’t want Nathan to become so distant from my family, and then have the same shitty relationship I have with my family. Truth is, his mother and I are not going to be around forever, and when they’re gone the only people left will be his siblings.

      Sonya smiled and caressed his cheek. I love how you care so much, even when no one else does. It’s what I love about you.

      Thank you, Peter said, taking her hand and holding onto it for a few moments.

      The kids were quiet enough for them to enjoy the moment as they came closer to their predetermined destination. He checked to rear view mirror and could sense the discomfort in Jacob’s eyes.

      How are you holding up back there, champ? Peter called back to him.

      I’ll be alright. Jacob replied.

      Peter knew he would be alright but still respected the kid for being a human barrier between the two young girls. The twins would often fight if they were left close to one another, so it was up to their big brother was a good buffer to keep the peace during the long ride out.

      Mo burger is on me tomorrow, Peter said to show his appreciation. He could see Jacob smile in the back as he put his headphones back on, but Peter could also see the disapproving scowl from his wife, as he smiled at her.

      It’s only one time, and he earned it. Peter reminded her.

      Sure, Sonya said with a sly grin. She knew it was his favorite place to eat as well but let it go anyway. She had learned a long time ago that just because she was right didn’t mean she had to broadcast it for ears in the backseat to hear. She knew it and that was enough for her. If she really felt the need to chew it out, she could do it later when they were out of the car and able to breath first.

      Peter could sense it too as gave her hand a gentle squeeze, a sign of his affection and appreciation. We’re almost there.

      Peter had been driving to this location for a few years now, so he had gotten used to the ride and no longer needed the GPS to help him out. He really liked the place as well and knew that as long as Ray owned it, they would have a place to bring the family to if any other crisis were to occur. Peter also knew if he had any marital issues, which thankfully he did not, Ray would give him the keys in a heartbeat rather than let him shack up in a hotel. That was the kind of friend Ray was and Peter appreciated having someone that close in his life. When the house burned down Ray was there for them, and he couldn’t believe the relief he and Sonya had to just be able to get away from it all for a few months while the house was being repaired. The summer home then evolved into their go to location to get away from life and school for two months a year. It was a great looking house despite the fact it looked like a shack from the outside. Looks were very deceiving as inside was a very spacious as it had three bedrooms and a well sized kitchen and a table large enough for everyone to sit down and enjoy a meal together. Raymond was never one for decorating, so he let Sonya do whatever she wanted to the place and over the years she had been making the place her own. Picking what paint to put on the walls, furniture to bring in and whatnot. Peter was beginning to think he had put just as much money into the house than Ray had but he wasn’t as active as his wife so odds of him going outside and being Mr. handyman were slim to nil. Peter was a writer, and creating stories was all he planned to do that summer. Satisfying the agent and the publishers that were baring down on him was priority number one This was why he needed Sonya to be more hands on with the kids this summer. Peter needed to use his time for work and do whatever he could to meet the deadline.

      A smile broke out on Peter’s face as he finally

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