Page 41 of Taking Sides

“Yeah.” I nod. “Anyway, the real estate agent said my mom had big plans for this place before she . . . before she d-die—” I stutter before finishing the last word. “Before she died.”

Despite having basically no relationship with the woman who gave birth to me, it still feels weird to talk about her not being here. Especially when I’m living in her house, seeing the world the same way she did every day.

“I’m sorry,” Sloane says.

“Thanks.” I smile back at her, then focus back on the wallpaper as I push thoughts of dead moms out of my head. “This room is done.”

We step out of the small space and into the living room. The late afternoon sun streams in through the windows.

“Can I buy you late lunch or early dinner to repay you?”

“Payment is not necessary,” she says. “And I’m driving to my parents’ house for dinner tonight anyway. You’re welcome to come with me. My dad makes a mean lasagna.”

“Thank you for the invite, but I think I’m going to plop onto my couch and stay there the rest of the day.”

She laughs lightly. “That sounds perfect.”

I walk her to the door. “Thank you again.”

“It was fun.”

“Only you could find hanging wallpaper fun.”

With a shrug, she steps out onto the porch and waves over her shoulder. “See you Monday.”

When she’s gone, I head back into the bathroom to stare at it again. It turned out better than I could have imagined.

“You had great taste, Mom,” I whisper to the empty room.

I snap a picture and send it to Victor. I’ve been keeping him updated on the house progress, even though he refuses to take any interest in it. Our mom left the house to both of us, but Victor made it clear immediately that he wanted nothing to do with it. I think he expected me to have the same reaction, which is why my moving here hit him so hard.

The message goes to read without a reply, like all the others I’ve sent him about the house, but it’s still disappointing. I need someone else to admire my/Sloane’s hard work.

Without thinking too hard about it, I send the same photo to Conrad. It’s been a few days since we texted, but he replies quickly.

Conrad

Looks great. Arms sore?

I smile down at my phone.

Me

They would be if I had done it myself. I had to call in reinforcements.

Conrad

I wish I had known. I could have helped.

Me

Have you hung wallpaper before?

It’s a nice image: a shirtless Conrad working around the house.

Conrad

No, but what I lack in skill I make up for in sheer determination.