The Summer of Our Discontent by Robin Alexander Page B

by comparison.”
    “Okay,” Faith waved a hand, “regale me with a funny police story.”
    “You know most of them. We live in the same town.” Rachel thought for a moment. “My sarcasm sometimes gets me into trouble. I was working dispatch when I first joined the police department because as you know my dad thought of it as a good ol ’ boys club, and he didn’t want women in the field. One of the guys had pulled over a speeder, and he thought someone had thrown something out of the car. He called for backup so he could do a search, but old Brandt Kessler was working that night, and he couldn’t find his way out of a wet paper bag when it came to the back roads. He kept asking the dispatcher for landmarks, and we were giving everything we could. Finally, I said, ‘Look for the car with the blue flashing lights,’ and Kelly Martin repeated what I said over the radio without thinking. The ‘oh, crap’ look on her face was priceless when she realized what she’d done. Of course, Dad was listening. He called in and chewed us both out, and we were laughing so hard it made him even more furious.”
    Faith grinned. “Yes, as I recall, you graduated with honors in smart mouth.”
    “You were right there with me. Don’t play innocent.”
    “I was really surprised when you went out on the street as an officer,” Faith said, looking at the fire. “Your dad really didn’t want women in his department unless they were behind a desk.”
    “I didn’t go out on his watch, that’s for sure. When he retired and Chief Prejean came in, I did some serious begging and ass kissing. If it hadn’t been for Mom refusing to cook and do other things, Dad wouldn’t have let me go through the academy. His saddest day was when my brothers told him they didn’t want to be cops and I told him I did.” Rachel pursed her lips. “We still don’t talk much. He started in on Kaycee early, telling her that a woman’s place is in the home. If my daughter chooses to marry a man, bear his children, and dote on him all her life, that will be her choice, but not because she believes that’s all she’s worthy of.”
    “Amen to that. Sophie says she wants to be a veterinarian. That thrills Patty because she doesn’t want her becoming a firefighter.” Faith glanced over at Lisa Barlow and noticed that she was staring at them. “So tell me what you did to Lisa to make her jump back over the fence.”
    “And on that note, good night.” Rachel got up and walked over to where the girls were roasting marshmallows.
    Faith was surprised by the sudden departure. She’d obviously struck a tender nerve. She glanced over at Lisa, who had an eye on Rachel. Faith had already noticed that Lisa watched her closely, but when Rachel came anywhere near her, Lisa went the other way. And Lisa had chosen the cabin on the farthest end of the row. The relationship between Rachel and Lisa wasn’t common knowledge in Michaud. Faith had found out through a friend who knew one of Rachel’s friends from college. The affair was a secret and meant to be that way, but when more than two people were involved, secrets weren’t always kept.
    *******

    After her shower, Rachel tucked in Kaycee and Sophie, then retired to her cabin. She couldn’t be sure that Faith was in hers; there was no light indicating she was. She quickly brushed her teeth in the dark and climbed into bed in hopes that Faith wouldn’t notice her. She’d no doubt ask about Lisa again, and that was one subject Rachel didn’t want to expound on. What had happened between them seemed like a distant memory, and Rachel barely noticed her anymore. They spoke only when they had to, and that was the way she liked it.
    Faith’s whisper came out of the darkness. “I’m sorry if I offended you tonight.”
    Rachel didn’t answer, hoping that Faith would assume she was asleep, despite the fact that she’d just crawled into bed.
    “Of course, that’s a new one on me because normally I like to