revving engine came through the closed windows, moving past on the street below.
As she came to the top, she felt as if she stepped over an invisible threshold between her past and future.
Who was the Sue who stayed in the apartment? What did she want?
This Sue didn’t have to have dinner ready at precisely six o’clock. This Sue didn’t have to iron shirts. This Sue didn’t have to make sure the towels were folded perfectly, the way her husband liked them. She didn’t have to scrub toilets on Tuesday, wash windows on Wednesday, or vacuum daily and make sure the vacuum lines were pointed in the right direction.
What did she want?
With the open floor plan, she could see the entire space from the top of the stairs. Reclaimed wood furniture divided the space into recognizable areas. An island and barstools marked the kitchen’s boundaries with a small table next to the window, making a dining area. For the bedroom, there was a queen-size bed, dresser, and nightstand, next to a frosted glass partition. Opened doors revealed a small bathroom and closet. As promised, there was no television, but instead a couch and built-in bookshelf to create the impression of a living room.
“What do you think?” Heather asked. “Will it work?”
“It’s perfect,” Sue said.
“Good,” Heather said. “I’ve always liked this apartment.”
Actually, it was dangerous. A place like this made her want to stay. It made her think that maybe she could walk away from St. Louis and never go back. Perhaps she didn’t have to be Susan Jewel anymore.
But that was stupid. She had a house and things that needed her attention.
Could a person start over?
Could she walk away from everything?
Could she pick this location, the here and now, and just… what? Just live in North Carolina? Just move to Freewild Cove, a town she had never heard of until her television started sending her messages from the beyond?
Here, she could disappear. No one knew Hank. She wouldn’t have to listen to people tell her how sorry they were, how lucky she’d been, how he was such a wonderful person.
“Yes.” Sue nodded, feeling lighter than she had in a long time. “It’s perfect. Thank you.”
“Have a look around. Please be sure to note that there is a fire ladder under the bed. In case of an emergency, hook it to a window and climb out to the sidewalk below. After some apartment buildings caught fire several years back, I’ve been making sure to have them in all my properties over one-story.”
“Thank you.”
“I’m going to go down and wait for Martin and his daughter. I’d like to introduce you to her.” Heather smiled. “She’s a special girl.”
Sue nodded.
Heather started to go, only to stop. “Do you have kids?”
Sue shook her head. “No. I wanted them, but it wasn’t in the cards. You?”
“I had a son,” Heather answered.
Had.
“I’m sorry.” Sue didn’t press the issue.
Heather nodded her acknowledgment and hurried down the stairs.
Sue took several deep breaths. There was no sign of Hank’s cologne. Maybe this is what the magic had been trying to do, lead her to this place for a new start. Now that it had done that, possibly Hank would be out of her life forever.
This was her future.
Sue found herself smiling as she turned a slow circle to look at the apartment.
What did she want?
Who could she be?
Chapter Seven
Sue stared at the quiet street below the apartment window. She wore a pair of pink leggings and a t-shirt with a bedhead kitten on the front. When she threw clothes into the suitcase, she hadn’t been paying attention to what she packed. The results were a mismatched wardrobe that would make a bag lady proud.
Streetlights illuminated the night, making it easy to see the view below. For hours, traffic had centered around the Chinese restaurant. She watched the people going in and out—couples, families, groups of friends. The sound of voices occasionally made their way up to her. She watched them, almost mesmerized by the tiny vignette she saw of their lives. A tear slipped down her cheek as she imagined how different this place might be compared to the past.
Sue told herself she was silly for being so fascinated with strangers. She felt as if she stood in a doorway. She could walk all the way through and come out in Freewild Cove, or she could turn around and go back into St. Louis. Both options made her anxious. She wanted a new life so badly. She wanted to forget