AllFreeNovel
Share Us
34
REMI
Icook a proper dinner, hoping that Jude will be home in time to join me, but he ignores my texts. I end up sitting down alone to eat in the formal dining room, which is looking pretty damn good now that I’ve replaced the windows and floors, repainted the walls, and re-stained the woodwork.
I wonder if anybody could restore the old piano.
It’s probably not worth the money to do it, but I couldn’t bring myself to haul the thing outside and bust it up with a hatchet. That’s why I wheeled it right back into the dining room when I was done re-finishing the floors, even though the ancient grand weighs as much as a cruise liner and might possibly be haunted.
I touch one of the keys. The single mournful, off-tune note sends a shiver down my spine.
If I chopped up the piano, I wouldn’t have to worry about anybody playing it at night.
But I’d rather solve that mystery than eliminate it.
That’s why I set my security camera on the mantle, pointed directly at the piano.
If it was our recently deceased sheriff breaking into my house, then those keys will stay quiet all night long.
But if not…the next note played will be caught on film.
After eating, I spend another three hours rebuilding the bookshelves in the library. I’m getting pretty good at amateur carpentry, enough that I’m considering building the kitchen cabinets myself. It would save a lot of money, and I could stain them some trendy color, though maybe I should stick with something more neutral…
As I’m pondering my options, I hear Jude climbing the stairs.
“Hey!” I call. “I’m in here!”
If he’s still mad at me, he’ll probably walk right past to his room.
Instead, he pokes his blond head through the doorway and surveys the shelves.
“Looks good.”
“Thanks,” I say, feeling ridiculously relieved. I hate when Jude and I get in a tiff—nothing feels right until it’s resolved. “And listen—I’m really sorry about sending in those applications. I shouldn’t have done that behind your back.”
“It’s fine,” Jude says curtly. “You’re right, it’s time for me to be out on my own.”
“…Yeah.” I nod after a moment’s hesitation.
Jude’s frame fills the doorway, blocking the light behind him, so it doesn’t quite illuminate his face. I can’t tell if he’s angry.
I mean, he’s got to be a little irritated, but he also must know it’s for the best, right?
“You won’t be completely on your own…I’ll still help out with money, and we’ll talk all the time on the phone, I’ll come see you at school, you’ll come home on holidays…wherever home is…” I laugh awkwardly.
“Right.”
Jude’s tone is flat, and all I can really see is his silhouette. I get the urge to ask him where he went all day, but that would only piss him off more.
Instead, I say, “I left chicken for you in the fridge.”
“Thanks.”
“Well, goodnight…”
Jude turns and heads into his room, closing the door. I guess he isn’t interested in leftover chicken. He probably already ate.
I work for another hour until my arms feel like liquid lead and my eyelids are drooping. Then I take a long, blessedly warm shower and finally roll into bed.
