Chapter 14
Contains spoilersOverview
Alice wakes to construction noise across the bay and spends the morning with Nan looking through old photo albums, hinting at a long estrangement from John after Alice’s grandfather died. Alice and Nan work on Nan’s exercises and begin sewing rod-pocket curtains. Drawn to thoughts of Charlie, Alice exchanges a flirtatious text, then swims and attempts to lounge on a giant unicorn float. The scene ends as a Jet Ski circles close and a voice calls out, "Lucky Pegasus," interrupting her calm.
Summary
On Monday, June 30, Alice wakes to hammering across the bay and notices Charlie Florek’s yellow boat from her bedroom window. In the living room, Nan is absorbed in old photo albums, recalling early cottage years in the late 1960s when there were few amenities and the families worked on the place together.
Alice asks about Nan’s contact with John Kalinski, and Nan admits they have not spoken in years. Nan reflects that losing people changes things, a reference to the death of Alice’s grandfather David, and ends the discussion by asking to leave the past alone. Alice offers support and breakfast, then steps outside to eat.
With the construction noise ongoing, Alice imagines Charlie building his tree house and texts him a teasing complaint. She helps Nan complete her prescribed exercises, noticing Nan’s improved strength, and the two start sewing simple rod-pocket curtains. Nan coaches Alice through the machine work until Alice completes a panel successfully.
Nan encourages Alice to take a swim. When Alice checks her phone, she finds a flirtatious reply from Charlie calling her “princess.” She brings binoculars to the dock, scans the shoreline, and spots Charlie shirtless on his deck. When Charlie notices her and smiles, Alice dives into the lake to avoid being caught staring and swims laps until winded.
Back at the dock, Alice struggles onto a giant unicorn float, finally settling onto it as Nan laughs from the deck. The peace is broken by a Jet Ski making repeated passes around the bay, drawing nearer before stopping close by. A voice calls out, “Lucky Pegasus,” leaving Alice’s attention pulled to the new arrival.
Who Appears
- Alice Everly
narrator; helps Nan with exercises, sews curtains, swims, and exchanges flirtatious texts with Charlie; is spotted watching him with binoculars.
- Nan (Alice’s grandmother)
reminisces over photo albums; implies a years-long estrangement from John Kalinski after David’s death; completes exercises and teaches Alice to sew.
- Charlie Florek
across the bay, presumably working on his tree house; texts Alice playfully and notices her watching; smiles at her from his deck.
- John Kalinski
referenced; former close friend in the shared cottage history; Nan confirms they have not spoken in years.
- Unidentified Jet Ski rider
new; approaches Alice on the lake and calls out “Lucky Pegasus,” interrupting her float.