“Full price. As is.”
“So it’s a done deal?”
She nodded. “They want to close on August thirteenth.”
“Wow, that’s only three weeks away.” I gripped the edge of the table. The sale had seemed unreal until this point. The only differences in our daily lives had been fresh paint, new carpet, and the sign in the front yard. “You’re really going to do it.”
“Yeah.” Tears dripped slowly down her cheeks.
“Mom. Don’t move if you don’t want to.”
She brushed at her cheeks. “It’ll be hard. I still want to.”
“Why?” I waited, but she didn’t respond. “Why?”
“I can’t bear to live here anymore.” Her teeth were almost chattering with emotion. “I come in from the garage and check his favorite bar stool, forgetting for a second that it’ll be forever empty. I walk along the upstairs hall and when I get near his bedroom door, I turn around because I can’t walk past it. His voice echoes in every corner of this house. It’s destroying me. I have to move on, and I’ll never be able to do that here.”
Wow. This was the first time she’d spoken so openly about Sean since we lost him. “If that’s what you need, then okay.”
“I’m sorry we sprung this on you, Sara, but we have to leave.”
“I get it, Mom. I do.”
Her head fell against my chest and her arms locked around my waist. I leaned in, hugging her to me, feeling her sobs more than hearing them. We clung to each other and cried, until our well of tears was dry.
TO: Counselor
FROM: Grant
DATE: 22 July
We should be able to resume the landscaping project tomorrow. The major features could be completed this weekend. While it won’t be perfect for the wedding, the clients will receive far more than they should expect.
Crystal and Henry Jones are doing well. Crystal has reached a place of peace, and for that I am grateful.
Lacey and Eli remain together, as do Kimberley and Mason. Although both couples face impending separations, they are committed to keeping their relationships intact. I am glad for them all.
I raise these comments with a specific purpose. I have enjoyed revisiting the people I’ve met in previous cases. It has not only provided insight into the successes of my assignments, but has also given me the pleasure of experiencing anew the breadth of human emotions.
Perhaps revisiting former masters should become a recommended practice for Beings. It could prove to be a useful form of continuing education.
31
Keep Me from Falling
Mom and I went out to the B&B on Thursday after lunch. Even though the ground was soggy from a day and a half of rain, that didn’t stop us from wandering around the wedding site for an hour. Mom spoke her thoughts aloud while I captured everything in my notes.
She stopped at the spot for the gazebo. “I’m fairly confident about how to light the trails, but I really need to see the gazebo built before I can make any final recommendations.”
“Sure.” I brought up an image on my tablet and held it up for her. “Here’s how I think the gazebo will look.”
She peered at the image and then back up toward the river. “I still want to wait to finalize things.” She wrinkled her nose at me. “Sorry.”
“No, Mom. It’s fine to be cautious. I really want to get this right.”
She smiled. “I’m sure you do.”
“Hey,” Scott called from behind us.
