The Lakeside Conspiracy by Gregg Stutts

over the lake. “I’m talking about the original design, Max. God’s original design.”
     
    Max sipped his lemonade and waited for Willy to continue.
     
    “It wasn’t supposed to be like this,” Willy said. “Wars. Poverty. Sickness. Loneliness. Greed. Death. None of it. Wasn’t supposed to be. But that’s a discussion for another time.” Willy sat back down, looked at Max and said, “So tell me, Max, why are you here?”
     
    “I guess you mean something more than because you invited me?” Max said. He sipped some lemonade. “Willy, I’ll be honest. I’m not sure. Lately, I’m not sure about a lot of things.”
     
    “Max, I can tell you I haven’t been to that particular fishing spot in over five years, but when I woke up Saturday morning, do you know I couldn’t think of anything else? I just had to fish there.”
     
    Max wasn’t even sure what to say to that.
     
    “How often do you fish there?” Willy said.
     
    “It’s been a really long time,” Max said.
     
    “Well, then maybe God is up to something,” Willy said. “You were telling me the other morning you were having some marriage trouble and thought you might get fired and something else about the police. Am I right?”
     
    “That about covers it,” Max said.
     
    “Well, I don’t know much about football or police work, so I don’t think I can help you with that,” Willy said. “Marriage though…maybe that’s something Rose and I can help with. Not that we’re experts or anything, but when you’ve been married as long as we’ve been…well, you learn a few things.”
     
    Rose called Willy to come help her bring the food out. He got up and went inside. Max stood up and looked out over the railing at the lake. Just a sliver of the sun remained, which was already making it feel cooler. Football weather, Max thought.
     
    Rose and Willy brought out the meal—pot roast, mashed potatoes, green beans and salad. It certainly looked and smelled a lot better than the frozen pizza. Willy pulled a chair out for Rose and helped her sit down. Then he took her hand and said a blessing before they ate.
     
    During dinner, Willy and Rose shared about their four children and eleven grandchildren who were spread around the country. It was hard being away from them, but they kept in regular touch and tried to all see each other at least a few times a year.
     
    As they talked, Max noticed how often Willy bragged about Rose and how he kept lightly stroking the back of her neck. He guessed they were in their early-70’s, but acted more like newlyweds.
     
    After dinner, Willy cleared the table and made a pot of coffee. When it was ready, he brought a carafe to the table and poured a mug for each of them. They talked more about their children and about the places they’d most enjoyed on their many trips. When Rose said she was starting to feel a chill, Willy went inside and brought her a light jacket, which he helped her put on.
     
    Max enjoyed hearing their stories, but was most fascinated by watching how Willy and Rose interacted with each other. He didn’t hear one unkind word come from either of them. And they were always touching. He also picked up on several looks and winks that communicated something only they knew. They even had a couple little code words they used. At one point, he heard Rose whisper to Willy, “A.H.” Max had no idea what it meant, but based on the context he guessed it was a term of endearment.
     
    When Max looked at his phone and realized it was 10:15, he apologized for staying so long. Willy and Rose walked Max out to his car. He got in and rolled his window down. “Thank you both so much for tonight,” Max said. “This was just what I needed.”
     
    “Well, Max, you’re very welcome,” Rose said. “You’re welcome here any time.”
     
    “And Willy, I’d still like to talk with you about some marriage stuff,” Max said.
     
    “I’ll let you buy me breakfast on Saturday.”
     
    “Deal,”