Chapter 22 - JOSEPHINE RETURNS
Before the house was emptied, Josephine asked to go back.
I did not want to.
Her therapist asked:
“Whose fear are we respecting?”
Mine.
Fair.
So we went.
Receiver representative present.
Robert and Helen were staying temporarily with Clara by then.
The house was mostly empty.
Josephine walked into the living room.
No Christmas tree.
No gifts.
Just marks on the floor where furniture had stood.
She looked toward the fireplace.
“Is this going to be ours?”
“Maybe.”
“Why maybe?”
“The trust may sell it.”
She frowned.
“I thought Grandpa said it was yours.”
“Eventually.”
“Do you want it?”
I looked around.
As a child, yes.
As an adult?
I did not know.
Too many rooms full of memory.
Grandfather.
Amelia.
Christmas.
Cruelty.
Josephine walked to the window.
“I like our townhouse.”
“So do I.”
“Can we sell this and keep our house?”
“Possibly.”
May you like
She nodded.
Problem solved according to seven-year-old real estate law.
