55 pages • 1 hour read
Rachel loves the Bay Picnic at the end of July. She always joins the same group, which consists of the Parkers, the Groebels, the Weinsteins, and the Metzners. Although she has revealed to Sam that Jen is having an affair, Rachel has been withholding the fact that Jason is Jen’s lover. Rachel finds some consolation for her jealousy of Lauren in the knowledge that perfect, elegant Lauren’s husband is cheating on her. Given her in-depth knowledge of these goings-on, Rachel is shocked and uncomfortable when she realizes that Jen and Lauren will be playing doubles at tennis together.
Jason and Lauren are snapping at each other. Jason has noticed Lauren playing tennis three times a day and then disappearing for hours at a time. Meanwhile, Sam has been depressed and preoccupied with the harassment investigation at work. Jason is longing to announce to Lauren that he and Jen are in love and plan to be together. He looks at his wife, noting that although she is one of the most beautiful women on the island, he doesn’t even like her.