Page 21 of Her Wicker Temptation

Laura laughs, and the rough sound comes out of me again. This time I recognize it.

The scarf starts to slip.

“Unfortunately,” she says as she catches it, “that doesn’t fix the scarf.”

I think about it. “Clothes.”

“Absolutely,” Laura says.

She pushes away from the counter. “I think I still have a pair of Dave’s old drawstring pants upstairs. They should work until tomorrow.”

Dave.

His name changes something even though nothing in the room moves. Laura notices my pause.

“You know that name.”

“Yes.”

“I thought you might.”

She starts toward the doorway, then stops. “Are you okay wearing something that belonged to him?”

I think about it.

“Need clothes.”

Laura nods. “That’s true.”

Walking is easier now. Not easy, but each step teaches the next one.

We cross another room. Pictures hang on the wall. Birds. Water. People.

In one, Laura stands beside a man. Dave.

I keep walking.

The stairs need more attention than the floor, but by the time I reach the top, I understand them.

Laura watches me step onto the landing. “I’m extremely impressed.”

For half a beat, I believe her.

Then I see her smile.

“Funny.”

“A little,” she says.

She shows me a room with a bed, a lamp and a window filled with darkness.

“Guest room. You can stay here tonight, assuming you sleep.”

I know the word.

I do not know whether my body does.

Laura brings me the pants and turns away while I put them on. The string is easier than the knot she made downstairs.