A Week at the Lake by Wendy Wax Page A

say.”
    â€œI’m so excited for you,” she said because it seemed something else should be offered. And because it was true. All she’d ever wanted was for him to be happy.
    â€œSo, how’s the reunion going? Is everyone behaving herself? How’s the lake?” he asked in high good spirits.
    â€œThere was only a partial reunion,” she replied, drawn back into her own far less glittering reality. “And there is no lake. I take it you haven’t been watching the news.”
    The mouthpiece was covered briefly, background voices became muffled. “What do you mean?”
    â€œEmma was in an accident. We’ve been at Mount Sinai Hospital since yesterday afternoon.”
    There was a moment’s hesitation and then, “Sorry, did you say you’re in a hospital?”
    â€œNo. I mean yes. We spent the night at Mount Sinai. But it’s Emma. Emma was hit by a van.” She swallowed the lump that rose in her throat. “She’s in a coma.”
    â€œJesus.” She heard movement and then the background noise faded. “What happened?”
    It was a relief to pour it all out without having to censor her reactions or even the words she used.
    â€œAdam?” She heard his name called in the background.
    â€œDamn.” Adam’s curse was whispered. “I’m sorry, Mac. I . . . I have to go back in.” There was a brief hesitation and then, “If you need me to come to New York I’ll . . . well, I’ve got another meeting at the studio tomorrow. But I can check on flights right after breakfast.” She could hear the disappointment in his voice, but Emma was his friend, too—or used to be. She had no doubt he would come today if she asked him to. Adam always did the right thing when push came to shove.
    â€œThanks for offering,” she said even as she chastised herself for wishing he’d insisted on dropping everything to come to New York. There was nothing he could do here other than hold her hand. It would make no sense whatsoever to leave LA at such an important time. She turned resolutely back toward the hospital. “But Serena and I are handling things and trying to take care of Zoe. If we don’t get ahold of Emma’s agent or manager, you might come in handier out there.”
    â€œOkay then. Keep me posted.”
    She heard the relief in his voice and tried not to feel hurt by it. “I’m going to go back in and, hopefully convince them they can’t live without
A Man for Many Reasons
. Or me.”
    Her steps slowed as she neared the hospital entrance. “Iknow I couldn’t live without you,” Mackenzie said. A life without Adam in it was something she refused to even think about. “And I told you when I read the first draft that screenplay was completely kick-ass.”
    â€œI appreciate the vote of confidence, Mac. But I don’t think the studio people out here are anywhere near as discerning as you are.”
    â€œWell,” she said. “I think that goes without saying. After all, who is?”

    E mma:
    My brain streams video I can’t control. It comes in fits and starts. Bits and pieces. My triumphs. My mistakes. A twisty road paved with good intentions. I hope they count.
    Really, darling. I promise you there are no gatekeepers to the afterlife. It’s more like getting into an “it” nightclub—you simply walk right in as if you belong.
    I see Gran. At Sardi’s. Arm in arm with Elizabeth Taylor. Flirting with Richard Burton. Vibrant. Glittering.
    Quite right
. Gran’s sigh of satisfaction echoes inside me.
Those really were the days
.
    Like the video I come and go. In and out. Enveloping darkness. Shimmering light.
    There is no time. No now. No then.
    Zoe’s tears mix with new voices.
    â€œEverything’s going to be okay, Em. But if it’s all the same to you, this would be a really great time to go ahead