Chapter 13: The lively party atmosphere that had initially been filled with the sounds of a jazz trio shifted drastically into a chaotic electronic dance scene. The pulsating beats of the music now dominated the surroundings, creating a deafening environment where conversations became almost impossible to continue. Frank, feeling increasingly disconnected from the festivities, found himself alone at a dinner table, surrounded by strangers who seemed absorbed in the revelry around them. As he surveyed the lawn, trying to locate Maggie amidst the crowd, his gaze fell upon odd interactions—two men sharing a kiss on a crumbling chair, while women tossed horseshoes aimlessly into the darkness. The chaos of the evening was overwhelming, and Frank could only stand at the edges, feeling more out of place than ever.

Eventually, Tammy appeared, holding a drowsy Abigail in her arms. The little girl, still apologizing for her earlier clumsiness, expressed her discomfort with the overwhelming atmosphere. Tammy casually mentioned that Maggie had been looking for Frank but had left after waiting too long. This only added to Frank’s rising unease, as he realized how disconnected Maggie had become from him in the midst of the chaos. Tammy, noticing Abigail’s discomfort, made the decision to remove her from the event. As they walked away, Frank couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt for not being able to shield his sister and niece from the madness surrounding them, reflecting on how much his sister had to manage amidst the turmoil.

After leaving his seat, Frank wandered down to the bonfire on the beach, his protective instincts kicking into high gear. As he walked closer, the sight of young people frolicking around the fire, some engaging in reckless behavior, made him increasingly uneasy about the safety of the gathering. Amidst the laughter and music, Frank finally caught sight of Maggie. She was excitedly urging him to join the swimming party, casually mentioning how some guests were microdosing to enhance the experience. While Frank felt a slight sense of relief at seeing Aidan absent from the scene, he quickly realized that he still had no idea where Aidan was or what he was doing at such a crucial family gathering.

Their conversation shifted as Frank voiced his concerns about the party’s wild and unpredictable nature, questioning the people Maggie was surrounding herself with. Despite his unease, Frank tried to focus on the hope of a quiet canoe trip the next morning, something to help them reconnect after years of tension following the death of Maggie’s mother. Yet, as he talked to Errol and Gerry, the conversation veered toward societal expectations surrounding relationships and parenting, which left Frank questioning his own role as a father and the impact these expectations had on Maggie’s choices. As the conversation grew more complicated, Frank’s inner turmoil deepened, unsure of whether he was doing right by his daughter in this situation.

The chapter concludes with a chilling moment when Frank, still feeling on edge, notices a figure lurking behind a window of the lodge. Despite his weariness, the sight of someone watching him intensifies his unease, amplifying his concerns about Aidan’s absence and the secrecy hanging over the family. The night, once filled with the sounds of celebration, now seemed to carry a heavy air of mystery and dread, leaving Frank with a growing sense that something dark was lurking just beneath the surface of the event. This chapter expertly captures the complexities of Frank’s struggle to balance his role as a concerned father with his own feelings of doubt and confusion. It sets the stage for the deeper mysteries yet to unfold, highlighting Frank’s growing awareness of the precarious situation his family is in.