AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“And you need to overcome the past in order to build that relationship,” Beth finished.
Katrina nodded, and her throat swelled.
“Okay,” Beth said, clasping her hands on her lap. “Let’s get started.”
After therapy, Katrina drove to the Whittaker House to meet with an antiquarian. She’d hired him to go through the bigger, more expensive items in the house. He needed to price everything for the upcoming auction. She wanted to make sure they got their money’s worth.
The antiquarian arrived ten minutes after she did. Katrina felt strangely loose and happy after her therapy session, as though part of the weight on her chest had been removed, and she found herself cracking jokes with the antiquarian as they moved through the house.
“This is exquisite stuff,” he said, making a note on his clipboard as they inspected Katrina’s father’s old desk.
“Growing up, I had no idea how special it was,” Katrina said.
“And you aren’t going to save any of it for yourself?”
Katrina raised her shoulders. “I just don’t have the space for it. My husband and I have our own style.”
The antiquarian didn’t need to know the truth—that she thought of these items as partially haunted. That she could feel her father’s soul in his desk. That she could remember very dark things about her past as she walked the halls. All the antiquarians saw were incredibly pricey items, gorgeous wooden carvings, ornate paintings, and stylish sculptures.
Katrina walked the antiquarian downstairs. “We’ll see you on the thirty-first?” she said brightly.
“Looking forward,” the antiquarian said. “It’s not every day Nantucket has such an incredible auction. Happy to be involved.”
As the antiquarian eased his car out of the driveway, another familiar car took its place. Estelle Coleman waved and jumpedfrom her vehicle, tightening her coat around her neck as she ambled through the growing darkness.
“What are you doing here?” Katrina called, smiling. She hadn’t realized how much she’d dread being alone in that house until the antiquarian had reached for his car keys.
“I was over at Sam’s,” Estelle said, “and thought I’d drive by to see if you were here.”
“Come in,” Katrina ordered. “It’s miserable out here.”
Estelle scurried inside, removed her coat and boots, and fluffed up her hair, which was damp from the rain.
“Who was that man?” Estelle asked, pointing a thumb behind her shoulder.
“The antiquarian for the auction,” Katrina explained, leading Estelle into the kitchen to put a kettle on. “He’s going to advertise the auction for us, too. He thinks some of his friends in the industry will come from far and wide to buy some of this stuff. And those who can’t travel will be there virtually.”
Estelle slid onto a kitchen chair. “Virtually? Wow. Isn’t that something?”
“Modern technology meets antiques,” Katrina tried to joke.
Estelle folded her lips. Katrina studied her face, sensing something amiss. Estelle had just been at Sam’s place, after all. And Sam and Sophie were like two peas in a pod these days. It stood to reason Estelle and Sam had spoken about Katrina and Sophie’s feud.
“It must be complicated,” Estelle offered now, “selling your family home.”
Katrina shrugged. “Everyone assumes that. But it’s not quite true.”
Estelle’s eyes sparkled with intrigue.
Katrina wasn’t sure what had come over her. Perhaps it was runoff from going to the therapist. She was willing to talk about everything.
“Even now, in the year 2024, I still hear echoes of my father screaming drunkenly upstairs,” Katrina went on, stuttering. “I can still remember the terror. I feel it in my stomach.”
Estelle furrowed her brow.
“Sophie and Ida have wonderful memories here,” Katrina went on. “And for that, I’m grateful. But as far as I’m concerned, this place could be destroyed tomorrow. I wouldn’t care at all.”
The kettle screamed, and Katrina turned to pour them two mugs.
