Chapter Seven

      ANDI CHANGED HER clothes and went back downstairs to more closely inspect her naked house. The sun was still several hours from setting, and the air was stuffy. She opened the few windows that hadn’t been boarded shut, then went out front and sat on the porch.

      From her newly favorite spot to quietly think, she couldn’t see the demolition. Instead she could imagine what it would be like when it was finished. The whole place painted, the yard restored... Both her neighbors had beautiful yards. She wasn’t looking to compete, but she needed her place to not be an embarrassment to the tiny neighborhood.

      She’d nearly summoned the energy to start doing some research when a very large cat came out from around the side of her house and strolled toward her.

      “Hello,” she said as the cat approached. “Who are you?”

      The cat walked up the stairs and sat next to Andi, his or her expression expectant. The cat had on a collar. She reached for the tag.

      “Pickles,” she said as she read the single word. “Not exactly a clear statement of gender. Hello, Pickles.”

      She let the cat sniff her fingers, then stroked the animal’s face. Pickles leaned into her touch for a few seconds, then collapsed on the porch, as if settling in for a long petting session.

      “Obviously you’re not afraid of people, are you?”

      “That’s our cat.”

      Andi glanced up and saw a girl standing by the stairs. She was probably nine or ten, with long blond hair and glasses framing her big blue eyes.

      “Pickles?” Andi smiled. “That’s a fun name.”

      “Madison named him, but she was just a baby. Mom says I was born then, but I don’t remember. I’m Lucy.”

      “Hi, Lucy. I’m Andi Gordon. It’s nice to meet you.”

      Lucy gave her a tentative smile as she eased forward. Andi shifted on the stairs to make room.

      Andi remembered what she’d heard about Lucy’s mother at lunch. No one seemed especially fond of Deanna, which made Andi uncomfortable. She didn’t want to make assumptions about someone she’d never met. Maybe Deanna was just one of those prickly people with a good heart.

      “I’m having a lot of work done on my house,” Andi said, then wrinkled her nose. “I hope it’s not too loud.”

      “I don’t think so. My mom hasn’t said anything.” The girl glanced up at her. “I’m glad you bought the house. It’s been lonely all by itself.”

      “That’s what I thought, too. And the other houses are so pretty.”

      “It’s hard to be in the middle.”

      “Are you in the middle in your family?”

      Lucy nodded, keeping her attention on the cat. “I have four sisters. I’m the second oldest. The youngest two are twins.”

      “Wow. That’s a lot of girls. Twins can be a handful.”

      “That’s what Mom says.” Lucy looked up again. “Mom wanted a boy, but we got Sydney and Savannah instead. I don’t think Daddy cared. He says he has the best girls.”

      Andi smiled. “I’m sure he does. Who wouldn’t want a family like that?”

      Lucy sighed. “My best friend moved away over spring break. Her dad got a job in Texas. She wants me to come visit this summer. Mom thinks I’m too young to go.”

      “I’m sorry,” Andi told her. “It’s hard to lose a friend.” Especially in the middle of the school year, when all the social groups were already established. She wanted to say that Lucy would have an easier time in the fall, but to a girl her age, September must be a lifetime away.

      Lucy nodded. She pushed up her glasses. “My mom’s been crying a lot,” she said in a low voice. “In her room, so we’re not supposed to know.”

      Andi winced. “That must be difficult.”

      “It is. Madison says Daddy should leave her and take us with him, but I don’t want that. I want to stay here. Like it is.” She hesitated. “Maybe a little better.”

      Andi wanted to pull the girl close and hug her. Lucy was obviously going through a lot. But they didn’t know each other, and she wasn’t sure the show of support would be welcome.

      “It’s hard when moms cry,” she said instead. “When my mom cried, I always felt anxious inside. Like my tummy wasn’t right.”

      Lucy stared at her. “I know. It’s almost like I want to throw up.”

      “Sometimes parents can work things out.”

      “I hope so.” Lucy looked at her house. “It’s going to be dinner soon and I can’t be late.” She scooped up Pickles and stood.

      “Thanks for coming by,” Andi told her. “Come over anytime.”

      Lucy flashed a smile that shifted her face from ordinary to luminous. “Okay. Bye.”

      “Bye.”

      Andi watched her go. When the girl disappeared around the corner, she turned her attention to the beautiful house. Every family had secrets, she thought. Some were scarier than others. She hoped that whatever Deanna and her husband had going on, they got it resolved before the situation put more stress on their girls.

      * * *

      Boston watched Lucy scamper back to her house, Pickles draped over her shoulder. That cat deserved a special reward in kitty heaven, she thought as she crossed the lumpy weed-filled lawn toward Andi’s house. Not only did he let the girls drag him around like a rag doll, but he submitted to being dressed in ridiculous outfits. Hats, even.

      “Hi,” she called as she approached.

      Andi turned and saw her. “Hi yourself.”

      Boston raised the basket she carried. “I heard the entire crew was in your house today, basically destroying it. I thought you might be traumatized.”

      Andi stood and walked down the stairs. “I am. Honestly, I’m a little afraid to go back inside.”

      Boston handed her the basket. “Comfort food. Mac and cheese, a green salad and a bottle of nice chardonnay.” She grinned. “Personally, I’d start with the wine.”

      Andi glanced at the basket she held. “You didn’t have to do this. Thank you. It’s so nice.”

      “You’re welcome. I’m excited to have a neighbor.” Technically she and Deanna were neighbors, but they’d never been close. Or friendly. Now that she thought about it, she wondered why. They’d lived on the same street for years.

      She supposed part of the problem was that Deanna made it clear she disapproved of Boston in nearly every way possible. For her part, Boston would admit to a little smugness where Deanna was concerned.

      “I’ve lived through construction,” Boston continued. “It’s not fun. Just try to remember that it’s worth it in the end.”

      “I will.” Andi motioned to the porch. “I don’t