Page 87 of Above All Else
My mother got out of the car, and my dad followed. “This is beautiful, Junie.”
I smiled, my cheeks burning. “I can’t take the credit. It was all Carter.”
“Where is he, anyway?” My dad grabbed his suitcase from the trunk and brought it to the front door.
“He had to work, but he said he’ll make it up to you on Friday. We are having a family dinner at his home, and he wants to invite you.”
“Oh, I don’t know...” Dad winced, his upper lip curling. “This is all so much activity right now. Having a family dinner—“
“That sounds wonderful.” Mom clapped herhands, and I opened the front door, allowing them to pass the threshold before me. “Oh, my... James, look at the detail on that crown molding.”
My dad leaned in. “I blame you, now. I won’t be hearing anything except how exceptional the detail is or what she wants to do next to the bedroom.” He chuckled.
“Oops.” I grinned from ear to ear, my mother’s happiness bleeding off and sticking to me. Stepping forward, I tucked my hands behind my back. “Would you like the grand tour?”
Mom nodded and walked into the living room, where the moving company set up their couch, TV, and two chairs surrounding a large stone fireplace.
“Junie—“
“Look at the vaulted ceilings,” Dad mocked.
I bumped into him and furrowed my brows, giving him a narrowed look. “Stop it,” I mouthed, my dad acting like a child teasing their sibling.
We wandered into the kitchen where I’d worked until eleven last night, getting organized.
“There’s so much space.” Mom opened cabinets and drawers, exploring her new kitchen, which was five times bigger than her last one.
I bent over and pointed inside the largest cabinet. “This is where I put your pots and pans.” I stood up. “Of course you can put them wherever you want.” I moved toward the door. “And this is your pantry. I put all your appliances in here so they were off the counter.”
Last night, I’d picture her kitchen back in Avon and the things she’d left on the counter and matched it here, making it as if she never left her home.
“You did a wonderful job, Junie.”
She kissed my cheek, and Dad disappeared into the living room, plopping himself on the couch in his favorite spot that conformed to his rear end.
“Dad, did you want to see the bedroom?”
“I’ll get there soon enough, June-bug. I’m wiped.”
I glanced at Mom, and she rubbed my arms in a soothing motion. “He’s had a long couple of weeks, what with the move and all.”
“I know. I’m sure it wasn’t easy.” We turned and walked down the hall side by side and entered the main bedroom where I’d made up their bed, dusted the nightstands and lampshades, then turned down the comforter. “I’m really glad you’re here, though, Mom. It’ll be easier for me to take care of you guys and look...” I spun around. “No stairs. It’s all on one floor, so I don’t have to worry about you falling down the stairs and breaking a hip.”
She laughed and peeked her head into the bathroom. “We aren’t that old, Junie.”
“I know.” I settled on the edge of her bed. “It’s for when you are, though.”
Mom sat beside me, her hand on my knee. “Is he being good to you?”
“Yes.” I jerked back, the whiplash jarring and making mystomach sink. “Why do you ask?”
“It’s just sudden, is all.” She pressed her lips together and withdrew her hand. “Then there was Ethan’s death. His family still doesn’t understand how an intruder could have killed him but allowed you to get away.” She jumped and put her hand on my knee again. “Not that I’m not grateful. I’d be devastated if I lost you, Junie. You’re my world.”
I cupped her hand and smiled. “Thanks, Mom.” I shrugged, my stomach eating itself away. “Maybe they weren’t after me.” Twisted on the bed, I drew my knee up, putting my leg between us. “He wasn’t a nice man sometimes, you know?”
“He was good to you, though, wasn’t he?”
Scoffing, I fiddled with the frayed edge of my jeans—her hand pulling back to her lap. “Not really, Mom. No.”