Page 101 of Between the Lines

I pause, taking a deep breath, because if I start hyperventilating, nothing good will happen. I will be stuck here in this parking lot until I calm down.

“Okay, Fia, it’s okay . . . The roof is not finished, maybe the house still looks exactly the same on the outside actually,” I murmur, eyes flashing to the mirror. Daisy’s lashes fan over her rosy cheeks. She’s nearly asleep.

So much for making it back to the guesthouse in time for her afternoon nap.

It’s fine. It’s all fine.

I’ll wait a few minutes here in the parking lot, then head to the house and grab whatever Penny left for Daisy.

I crank the air as high as it goes, letting it blow cold on my forehead as I lean against the steering wheel, praying I don’t get a call from Penny, praying the dumpster has been moved from the side of the house.

After ten minutes have passed and there are no new texts from my sister, I exhale the breath I’ve been holding in. My head feels dizzy, but Penny would’ve called me, freaking out if she saw something out of the ordinary at the house.

So I don’t wake Daisy, I drive slowly in silence and turn onto the old familiar street. Tall oak trees span their branches over the road, casting my car in a shadow as I near the blue Victorian house.

But as I slow down, ready to pull into the driveway, my eyes land on my sister, standing in the yard, her back to me, hands on her hips. She’s not looking straight ahead though, she’s looking up.

At the roof.

There are no patches of moss or ripped shingles. There’s a brand-new roof.

I wince when the car bumps along the cracks, but Daisy’s eyes remain shut. My sister and I lock eyes through the windshield, the blood draining from my face.

“Hey,” I croak, opening my door as quietly as possible. I leave the car running with the AC on as I step into the yard towards my sister.

“Holy shit, Fi—” She turns fully towards me, fists at her thighs. “You can’t just ghost me. I was so worried when you didn’t even read my message.” She hurries towards me now, smacking her gum as she comes around, pulling me into a hug.

My body doesn’t respond though, my arms limp as she quickly lets go of me, staring me straight in the eye. I open my mouth but it’s bone-dry. Why isn’t she saying anything about the roof?

“You okay?” Penny asks.

“Yeah, sorry.” I scratch my head. “Daisy woke up early and now she’s sleeping in the car. I think we’re both just out of it.”

Penny raises her brows and makes a face. “Rough night?”

It feels like the entire weight of the house is on my shoulders, and part of me yearns to come clean right here, right now.

I force a laugh but it comes out strained. “It’s all good.” Other than the fact that Caden didn’t mention the roof was done almost two weeks early. Seems like important news to tell the homeowner.

Penny steps towards the back door of the car. “I’ll carry Daisy in if you want to grab your groceries.”

My stomach falls even deeper into the pit of despair. My lungs burn as I search for oxygen, which has seemed to evaporate from the air.

“No, wait!”

Penny’s eyes travel over my shoulder, beyond me to the house.

“What is wrong with you?” She stares at me. “First, you don’t tell me you fixed the porch and shutters, and now you’re barely texting me back.”

“Fixed the shutters . . . porch . . .” I repeat, turning around to look at the house.

All six of the shutters across the second story of the house are straight, with a bright new coat of white paint. My gaze drops to the front porch. I step towards it, not believing what I’m seeing.

“What the hell?”

I walk up the wood steps leading to the house. They don’t bow. Fresh new wood, unstained and solid.

I never agreed to anything but fixing the roof. I can’t afford all of this.