That summer was a special one, for – after a long separation – the Pommeroys were reunited at their family house. According to the protagonist, they – siblings – had been always close in spirit. Their father’s death was one of the reasons of a solid bond between them. However, that family wasn’t a perfect one.
There was a black sheep in their household and that was Lawrence. Due to the rather long absence of the latter in their lives, the rest of the Pommeroys had forgotten how infuriating their younger brother could be. Even when he was a little boy, he acted as if he knew something that others were unable to understand. The situation became even worse after their father’s death. Lawrence – who was still a child back then – decided that his mother was not a respectable woman.
Thus, he did everything he could to minimize their time together. If he only could, he would definitely cut off all the ties with her. When he got a chance to move away, the boy jumped at it readily and gladly. Time, new responsibilities, and other difficulties erased all memories of Lawrence’s gloomy and insufferable personality, thus they were quite happy to have Lawrence back. However, their happiness was short-lasting. Not only was Lawrence as annoying as ever but he also didn’t even try to be at least a little bit less difficult to deal with. His wrath fell on the family house that time.
He criticized it relentlessly, predicting that it would collapse any day, that it was the most stupid idea to build the house on a cliff where the sea could easily swallow it. Lawrence didn’t come alone; he was married and had two children, miserable creatures who were afraid of everyone and everything. His wife, Ruth, looked even more uncomfortable to be there. The old conflict between the son and the mother was refueled, Lawrence didn’t hide his contempt for his family. The family found solace in swimming, as if water could wash off all the negative emotions. One day the protagonist went for a walk with his younger brother. The latter couldn’t stop speculate on the dark future that waited for the household, throwing accusations. His brother was swept by such a sudden feeling of hatred that he struck Lawrence with all his might. In spite of the fact that the blow was hard, Lawrence was alive. His older brother brought him home where he proclaimed that he was going to leave the house immediately.
