PART 2:

” Victoria replied, sitting back on her heels. “I’m Emma. That’s my dad.” She pointed at Daniel like he was evidence. “I know your dad.” “Are you friends?” Victoria glanced at Daniel, something unreadable passing between them. “We used to be.” “Why not anymore?” “Emma.” Daniel said, catching up. “Don’t interrogate the neighbors.” “I’m not.” “I’m just asking.

” Victoria smiled faintly, the first real expression he’d seen from her. “It’s fine. People grow up. Things change.” “That’s what dad says, too.” Emma said, suspicion creeping into her voice. “Adults say that a lot.” “Because it’s true.” Emma considered this, then shrugged and went back to dragging her rabbit through the dirt.

Victoria stood, brushing off her jeans, and Daniel found himself staring longer than he should have. “She’s sharp,” Victoria said. “Too sharp,” Daniel muttered. “Takes after you, then.” “I was never that smart.” “You were smart enough to leave.” The words hung there, heavy with implication.

Daniel didn’t know how to respond, so he didn’t. Victoria pulled off her gloves, tucked them into her back pocket, and leaned against the fence. “You need help with the house?” she asked. “I’ll manage.” “It’s falling apart.” “I noticed.” “I know a contractor, good rates.” “I don’t have good rates money.” She didn’t argue, just nodded like she expected that answer.

“Offer stands.” “Why?” “Why what?” “Why help me?” “I haven’t talked to you in 15 years.” Victoria looked at him for a long moment, her face unreadable again. Then she said, “Because you’re here, and I’m here, and that’s enough.” Before he could respond, she turned and walked back toward her house, a sprawling estate that made his place look like a shed.

Emma watched her go, then looked up at Daniel. “She’s pretty,” Emma said. “Yeah.” “Do you like her?” “It’s complicated.” “That means yes.” “That means go play.” Emma huffed, but obeyed, running off toward the swing set. Daniel stood there, hands in his pockets, staring at Victoria’s house. He could see her moving inside through the windows, a shadow among shadows.

Complicated didn’t even begin to cover it. The days blurred together. Daniel spent mornings fixing what he could, patching drywall, replacing light fixtures, scrubbing years of grime off surfaces that fought back. Emma helped sometimes, handing him tools she didn’t know the names of, chattering endlessly about nothing.

Other times she wandered the property alone, exploring with the fearlessness of a kid who didn’t know better. Victoria appeared sporadically. Once in the early morning jogging past his house in athletic gear that looked expensive. Another time in the afternoon carrying grocery bags from her car, offering a brief nod that Daniel returned.

They didn’t talk. Didn’t need to. The silence between them felt purposeful, like both were waiting for the other to make the first move. It was Emma who broke the stalemate. She showed up at dinner one evening with dirt under her nails and a guilty expression. I went into her yard. Eek! Daniel looked up from the pasta he was burning.

Whose yard? The pretty lady’s. Victoria? Yeah, she has a pond with fish. Emma, you can’t just wander into people’s property. She said it was okay. When did you talk to her? Today. She was outside. I asked if I could see the fish and she said yes, Mom. Daniel sighed, scraping the burnt pasta into the trash. You should have asked me first.

You would have said no. Exactly. Emma crossed her arms, defiant. She’s nice. She let me feed the fish, and she has a big library. Like a whole room full of books. Good for her. Can I go back tomorrow? No. Why not? Because I said so. It was a weak answer, and they both knew it. Emma stomped off to her room.

Well, the living room where her makeshift bed was. And Daniel stood in the kitchen staring at the ruined dinner, wondering when he’d lost control of everything. It’s He found himself outside Victoria’s gate the next evening. Didn’t plan it. Just ended up there, standing on the sidewalk like an idiot, debating whether to knock.

The gate was wrought iron, elaborate, the kind that screamed money. Beyond it, the driveway curved toward a house that looked like it belonged in a magazine. The intercom buzzed before he could decide. You going to stand there all night or come in? Victoria’s voice crackled through the speaker.

Daniel hesitated, then pushed the gate open. It swung smoothly, soundless. The driveway was lined with lights that flickered on as he walked, leading him to the front door. It opened before he reached it. Victoria stood in the doorway, barefoot, wearing jeans and a sweater that looked cashmere-nearer than anything Daniel had ever owned. She looked tired.

Not physically, something deeper. Emma said she was here today, Daniel started. She was. I’m sorry, she shouldn’t have I invited her. That stopped him. Why? Victoria stepped aside, gesturing for him to come in. Because she asked, and because I wanted the company. The inside of the house was exactly what he expected and nothing like it at the same time. Expensive? Yes.

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