Then Mom called me.
“Honey, your sister got terrible news.”
I stood in our kitchen holding my phone.
“What happened?”
“Somebody bought the house.”
I looked toward Bri.
She covered her mouth with one hand.
Mom continued.
“After everything she’s been through, some stranger comes along and takes it.”
I took a breath.
“The house was for sale, Mom.”
She sighed.
“Brendan, that’s not the point.”
I waited.
“Anyway, she needs help moving. Could you bring your trailer Tuesday morning? There’s an inspection, and she wants to get some things packed beforehand.”
I looked at Bri.
Her eyes widened.
Then she smiled.
I turned away so Mom wouldn’t hear me laughing.
“Sure,” I said. “I’ll be there at ten.”
“Thank you, honey. I knew I could count on you.”
After the call, Bri stared at me.
“You’re actually going?”
I nodded.
“She asked for help.”
Bri laughed.
“Brendan.”
“What?”
“You’re impossible.”
I grinned.
“Probably.”
Tuesday morning, Hoody and Kevin climbed into my truck.
I’d explained the situation.
Hoody was delighted.
Kevin put on a clean shirt.
For him, that was practically formalwear.
We pulled up outside Birwood Lane shortly before ten.
Dana opened the front door wearing sweatpants and holding a roll of packing tape.
“Oh, good. You’re here.”
She looked toward the trailer.
“You can start with the garage.”
I nodded.
“Okay.”
She gestured toward the hallway.
“And don’t touch the good dishes. I’ll pack those myself.”
“Understood.”
We began carrying boxes.
For the first twenty minutes, Dana talked almost continuously.
She described how unfair everything was.
How difficult it had been dealing with the mortgage company.
How Jordy had refused to extend the deadline again.
And how the new buyer had appeared just when she needed more time.
I carried a box of books toward the trailer.
Dana followed me.
“Whoever bought this place had better appreciate what they’re getting.”
I nodded.
“It’s a nice house.”
She looked at me.
“Jordy never appreciated what I did here.”
I looked toward the flower beds.
“I know you worked hard on the yard.”
She seemed surprised by the acknowledgment.
Then she sighed.
“I just wanted somewhere that still felt like home.”
For a moment, I felt a little less angry with her.
I understood that feeling.
Losing a marriage changes your relationship with ordinary things.
The kitchen where you once cooked together.
The sofa you chose.
The view from the bedroom window.
I didn’t want to make light of her grief.
But then she glanced at my truck.
“Honestly, Brendan, you could’ve helped me with the loan.”
I stopped beside the trailer.
“Dana, we’ve discussed that.”
She folded her arms.
“You didn’t have to buy a house immediately.”
I looked at her.
“Neither did you.”
Her face tightened.
Before she could answer, another truck pulled into the driveway.
A white pickup with a magnetic sign on the door.
LAVELL STROMAN HOME INSPECTIONS.
Lavell climbed out wearing a fishing vest and carrying a clipboard.
He was nearly seventy and had been inspecting houses around the county for decades.
I’d poured a slab for his daughter several years earlier.
He recognized me immediately.
“Morning, Brendan.”
I nodded.
“Morning, Lavell.”
Dana looked between us.
“You know each other?”
“Small town,” I said.
Lavell smiled politely.
“I’m here for the buyer’s inspection. Is this still a good time?”
Dana sighed.
“Apparently.”
He explained what he’d be checking and asked permission to begin.
She agreed.
I followed him at a respectful distance, helping move a few boxes that were blocking access.
Lavell examined the basement.
The furnace.
The plumbing.
The roof areas visible from the ground.
He noted some moisture staining near the northeast corner of the basement and recommended further attention to the grading outside.
I asked about the furnace’s age.
Dana shrugged.
“Jordy handled all that.”
Lavell checked the service sticker.
Then moved on.
In the kitchen, I noticed the dishwasher.
“Does this work okay?”
Dana looked at it.
“It leaks if you run it twice in one day.”
I nodded.
“Good to know.”
She frowned.
“Why do you care?”
I shrugged.
“Professional curiosity.”
Hoody turned away and suddenly became fascinated by a box of Christmas decorations.
Kevin kept carrying things toward the trailer.
In the laundry room, Dana mentioned that the washer and dryer were supposed to remain with the house.
She wasn’t happy about that.
I asked whether it was written into the sale agreement.
She stared.
“Since when do you know so much about this?”
I smiled faintly.
“Buying a house makes you pay attention.”
She narrowed her eyes.
Then looked toward Lavell.
“Who’s the buyer, anyway?”
He continued making notes.
“That information will be in the contract.”
She sighed.
“Nobody tells me anything.”
For the first time that morning, I felt nervous.
Not because I doubted the purchase.
Because I knew the truth was about to hurt her.
Lavell finished his inspection near the living-room window.
He stepped outside to check the gutter above the garage.
Then returned with his report summary.
He looked toward me.
“Brendan, there are a few items you’ll want to consider before closing.”
Dana went still.
Lavell continued.
“The furnace needs maintenance. The dishwasher has a leak. There’s minor moisture staining in the basement, and the garage gutter needs repair.”
I nodded.
“Anything structural?”
“Nothing concerning in the areas I could inspect, though you’ll want to address the drainage.”
I thanked him.
He handed me the inspection acknowledgment.
“Sign here to confirm you received the report.”
I took the pen.
Dana stared at me.
Then at the paper.
Then at Lavell.
“Brendan?”
I looked up.
“Yeah?”
“Why are you signing the buyer’s paperwork?”
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Then I answered.
“Because I’m the buyer.”
Her face changed.
She looked toward Hoody.
Then Kevin.
Then back at me.
“You?”
I nodded.