Chapter 16 - The House
The old estate was eventually released from the criminal case.
I sold it.
David’s forfeitable share went toward restitution.
The buyer asked if I wanted to walk through once.
I said no.
Then yes.
Lily’s room was already an office.
That was easier than seeing it preserved.
In the kitchen, I found one pencil mark on the pantry frame.
LILY - 6 1/2.
I touched it.
The new owner said, “We can keep that.”
“No.”
“You sure?”
“Yes.”
It belonged to a house.
Not a shrine.
I took a photo.
Then left.
My smaller rental became permanent.
I bought a blue couch because Lily hated blue and would have complained.
That made me laugh in the furniture store.
The salesman looked confused.
Good.
I started volunteering two days a week with families dealing with sudden pediatric illness.
Mostly I brought coffee.
Called insurance.
Sat down.
Once a father screamed at me because a vending machine ate his dollar.
The new owners had painted over the hallway where Lily once drew a tiny purple line with a marker.
I had been furious that day.
I threatened to take away television for a week.
David secretly gave it back after two days.
I laughed remembering it.
Then cried because memory refused to pick one mood and stay there.
He apologized later.
I said, “It was a bad dollar.”
He laughed.
May you like
That was enough.
