All-Season Edie Read Online Free PDF Page A

mom, who smokes and wears sunglasses and shorts. They stand outside under the pine trees and chat for quite a while as Robert and I fidget and squirm and make faces at each other. Robert’s mom assures my mom that Robert is Very Responsible, and Mom says that’s a good thing because Edie is A Bit Of A Handful Sometimes, and Robert’s mom says isn’t it great that the two of us Seem To Be Getting Along, and Mom says that it’s so nice to see that Edie is Finally Socializing With Her Peers.
    â€œShut up,” I say under my breath because Imaginary Dexter is leaning against a tree, laughing at me. She hasn’t been around in a couple of days, but trust her to show up when things get humiliating.
    â€œEdie has a date,” Imaginary Dexter says, giggling. “With a fat boy.”
    â€œIt’s not a date,” I say.
    â€œOh, I’m sorry,” Imaginary Dexter says. “A play date.”
    â€œShut up!” I say. Mom and Robert’s mom look at me in surprise. “Bee!” I say, swatting at my ear. “Buzzing too close! Too loud! Shut up, bee!”
    â€œSo cute,” Robert’s mom says and seems to mean it, but Mom gives me a narrow look that says You Will Be Explaining Yourself, Young Lady, in the Very Near Future.
    Once we’re back at the cottage, she gives me that eyebrows-up look that means The Future Is Now. “Sometimes I hear Dexter making fun of me,” I tell her. “I hear her actual voice.”
    Mom’s face goes soft. “Me too,” she says.
    â€œDexter makes fun of you too?”
    Mom laughs. “She tells me what she likes. She likes your peacock feathers. She liked the jewelry table at the craft fair. She can’t believe you have a boyfriend. I think she’s jealous.”
    â€œSTOP IT!” I say. “He’s not my boyfriend!”
    Mom holds her hands up like she’s surrendering. “I didn’t say it, Dexter did!” she says, and then we both start laughing because, let’s face it, one Imaginary Dexter is a pain, but two Imaginary Dexters is just weird.
    After supper, I walk over to Robert’s cottage and knock on the door. Robert’s mom answers and calls me honey. She says Robert has just gone out for a second to get some ice, but I should come right in. She says she’s just going to go put on her face. Then I’m on my own in the living room.
    Robert’s cottage ought to look just like my cottage, only it doesn’t. For one thing, it’s very messy, with clothes and magazines strewn around, and dishes from dinner that no one has bothered washing up yet. For another thing, the dark green curtains are closed so the living room looks like it’s underwater. The whole place smells musty.
    â€œHello?” says a voice. I look up and see the man who isn’t Robert’s father peering out of the bedroom door. He has sunglasses and a silver bracelet and a lot of chest hair.
    â€œWhat has cottage cheese got to do with cottages?” I ask. This has been bothering me all day.
    There’s a brief uncertain pause. “I have no idea,” he says and goes back into the bedroom. Then Robert comes back with the ice, and Robert’s mom comes back out looking just the way she did when she said she needed to put on her face. “We’re just going to the pub up the road,” she says. “If you have problems, Edie’s parents are right up there.” She waves her hand vaguely. I feel a little irritated that this woman is telling me where my own cottage is.
    The man who isn’t Robert’s father comes out of the bedroom and jingles his car keys. “C’mon, hon,” he says to Robert’s mom.
    â€œWell, you have a nice time, kids,” Robert’s mom says.
    â€œBye, Mom,” Robert says. That’s the first thing he’s said since he came in.
    The movie is in black and white. There are shadows and gunshots and