The Lake House

Soon after Sadie leaves, Alice goes outside to her garden. She remembers loving the outdoors. She sits down on an iron chair and removes her socks and shoes, enjoying the feel of the air. She spots a butterfly that makes her think back on her father. She had always known him to be an amateur scientist and can’t remember ever thinking he wanted to be anything else. Peter comes out and offers Alice a gin and tonic. He wants to know if he can have some time off. Alice is reluctant because she will miss him, but she gives him permission. Peter wants Alice to go with him on his trip. He wants them to go to Loeanneth. Alice doesn’t know how to answer.

She remains in the garden for another hour after Peter leaves for the evening. She has several more gin and tonics. When she does go back inside, she notices that Peter has left her dinner with instructions on how to warm it up. She muses on how well she has played being inept and unable to do simple things for herself anymore. She isn’t hungry and moves to the sitting room. She picks up an old family photo and studies her mother’s face.