Meet Me at the Lake

In the present, Fern meets with the resort’s longtime accountant, Reggie Oswald. Reggie gives Fern a rundown of the resort’s finances, which haven’t been in great shape the last few years. Fern realizes she doesn’t know much about the resort’s operations. She’s sad her mother didn’t tell her about having financial problems. Fern remembers how much she resented her mother’s relentless working, but now she’s been working 50-hour weeks at the coffee shop and understands running a business. It strikes her that this resort is her business now. Before Fern leaves, Reggie mentions that Maggie was proud of Fern’s work as a businessperson.

Fern realizes she wants to work. She goes shopping, feeling that she should improve her wardrobe if she’s going to work at the resort. She’s still unsure if she’s staying. Fern also buys a French press so she can have better coffee while living at the resort. When she gets home, she calls Philippe and quits her job.

Fern attends Sunday cocktail hour with Mr. and Mrs. Rose, who have hosted cocktail hour since before Fern was born. They’re familiar with the Brookbanks family. They comment on Fern’s improved complexion. Fern has been kayaking around the lake in the mornings and hiking around the property, developing a newfound appreciation for it all.