Chapter 22 - The House on Maple Drive
We sold Maple Drive house twenty six years after attack.
I was sixty seven.
Violet thirty eight.
She came for final walk.
The hallway had been repainted twice.
Couch moved many times.
Alarm replaced again.
No visible crime.
“Want keep house?”
“No.”
“Me neither.”
Then she stood where backpack had been.
“I thought this would feel…”
“What?”
“Something.”
It didn't.
Just floor.
Then kitchen.
Lemonade memory.
She opened cabinet.
“Mom’s mug.”
We packed.
Then study.
False bottom desk still there.
Empty.
Kestrel never there.
I laughed.
“What?”
“Mason almost destroyed all of us searching empty drawer.”
Violet:
“Men.”
I laughed.
Then:
“Do you still think about drive?”
“No.”
Good.
We sold desk.
Not relic.
Then front door.
Violet touched frame.
“Mason walked through.”
“Yes.”
“I let him.”
“Yes.”
She looked.
“Doesn't bother anymore.”
Good.
We handed keys to young couple with two children.
I almost gave security lecture.
Violet elbowed.
“Don't.”
I told only normal system documentation.
Then left.
House not cursed.
New family.
Then Violet said:
“Where are you moving?”
“Laura and I found condo near river.”
“Alarm?”
“Yes.”
She groaned.
“Normal one.”
Fine.
Then in condo I placed Ranger ring in drawer, not safe.
No need protect.
Then Mason sent me Christmas card? After airport perhaps we exchanged no contact. Maybe no.
No need.
Then Rachel, granddaughter, came over and found ring.
“Cool.”
“Want?”
Violet from kitchen:
“No!”
We laughed.
I let Rachel hold.
Then put back.
Symbols can be touched by children without inheritance burden.
Then she asked:
“What does Harrier mean?”
Violet:
“Grandpa was annoying bird.”
I protested.
Family laughter.
May you like
Call sign lost fear entirely.
That was closure more than any sentence.
