all so bizarre. Dad hasn’t called me yet with an update from Mom’s doctor, but when he does I think I’m going to ask about “Daisy.”
We are halfway there when I realize where he is taking me. I’ve only been there once and it was shortly after Lisa bought the place. She was so happy she landed the deal that she invited my entire family over to see it. The lake house is beautiful, with large bay windows, tall ceilings, and hardwood floors throughout. It looks finished and I am surprised to see furniture inside when we step through the doors. There isn’t a lot. Just a small couch and a table on the main floor. All the other rooms are empty.
We sit in silence at the dining room table over a box of pizza. I pinch the crust between my fingers, taking a small bite. Nausea rolls through my stomach the second the bitterness of the tomato sauce hits my tongue. Jordan is barely eating either. He picks off a pepperoni, pulling it from the cheese, tearing a small hole and revealing the sauce beneath. I feel so helpless. I know he’s struggling and there isn’t anything I can do to fix it. How do you fix something like the pain of loss?
Jordan clears his throat before dropping the pepperoni on the plate and glancing up at me.
“You’re not eating,” he says, looking from me to the pizza.
“I’m not hungry,” I say. “My stomach is still a little wacky.”
His eyes meet mine as he takes a deep breath, running his hand over his face. “That’s right,” he says. “ I’m sorry about all this.”
“No.” I reach across the table, placing my hand in his. “There’s nothing to be sorry about.”
“I just,” he says. “That hospital… It was like two years ago all over again.” My fingers caress his knuckles before I curl them around his palm and squeeze gently.
“I get it,” I say, dropping my eyes to the table.
He sighs before nodding and pulling his hand away. The room falls silent again until our phones buzz simultaneously, causing a deep rumbling against the wood. We look at each other before grabbing them, our fingers sliding over the screens as we each read the message.
King: She’s awake. Cherry and her parents are still shaken up but it looks like Kenzie will be okay.
I look back up to Jordan, releasing a sigh of relief as he meets my eyes.
“Thank goodness,” I say.
“Yeah,” he says, releasing his own breath. His eyes brighten just a fraction as an invisible weight lifts from him.
We spend a few more minutes picking at the pizza before deciding to give up. We need to get back home. I need to shower and check on my mother. Jordan must be thinking the same thing because before I can say it, he tells me he’s heading to the bathroom before we get ready to go.
“Okay,” I say, watching as he disappears behind a door near the pantry that I hadn’t seen before. This house really is beautiful. I hope just being here is enough for him. I’ve been itching to look around and see what he and his dad have done with the place but I didn’t want to leave Jordan alone. Maybe now is the perfect time. I rise from the table and begin up the stairs.
My footsteps echo as I walk down the long hallway, looking over the closed doors. There are five in total.
There is one furnished bedroom across from an identical room with a bathroom in between. I quickly look through those rooms before making my way to the master. The door creaks as I turn the knob and push it open. Moonlight bleeds in through the shutters as fine dust particles float through the air. I can see the lake as I make my way to the window. A long boat ramp juts into it surrounded by trees and soft dirt. It’s beautiful. I can see why Lisa loved this place so much.
There aren’t many other houses I can see. Just one half-hidden way on the other side of the lake. I smile, turning back to the room, checking out the large walk-in closet and adjoining bathroom. Chipped floor tiles lay in a pile alongside a deep garden tub that takes up the corner of the bathroom. Right beside it is a large walk-in shower that sits across from a granite counter and double sink. I smile as excitement bubbles through me.
“I’ll definitely be