High Fidelity

7. curb appeal

Sydney Bay Janes

"How was your flight?" 

I picked my head up from the window and put on a faint smile.

"It was nice, yeah," I answered.

That was the first thing my mother's sister said the whole ride from the airport. Well, other than "hi."

I don't know what her excuse was, I just was in my head. The move was obviously unexpected, I needed a plan, but at least I was away from him. That's what I kept telling myself.

We got out of the car and I stood outside of a normal Nevada home, it was nothing special. I liked it. The stone details that made up the foundation and overall exterior looked pink. There was a chimney, two car garage, and the roofing was barrel tiles, giving it that Spanish-style home feel. Not a lot of windows of the face of the home, and the door looked like a cage or prison cell. All that and not a single touch of greenery, that's actually what I first noticed - no life to the house.

"Syd," Delaney called from the front door. "This way."

I snapped out of my head and carried my bags inside.

"This is a nice place, Delaney, thanks for letting me stay here," I said, dropping the groceries she stopped for on the counter top.

She made an animated face and giggled. "Feel free to call me Aunt like you used to," she giggled.

I faked a laugh back. "Thanks."

She slammed the refrigerator shut and said, "And stop thanking me!"

I looked at the stainless steele fridge that was almost naked with the exception of a business card to some lawn care company.

"Come," my aunt squeaked, "let me show you around."

She was far too excited, but I appreciated her hospitality; I made a mental note to thank her later.

From the kitchen, we passed this sliding glass door that led to the poor backyard.

I leaned against the beige wall and blinked.

Delaney stopped talking about herself for a minute and joined me in observing the wasted potential that is her yard.

"I know," she exhaled, "waste of space, huh?"

My thoughts exactly.

"I know. I was meaning to get to it, but life. My last fiance started a project, when we split, he took the ideas with him. My current boyfriend gave me a card to his landscaper."

I lit up. "I saw that, you should call him," I suggested.

She smiled up at me as I was five-seven to her five-two.

"Maybe I will," she hummed. "Alright, your room - let's go."

*

I stood back while Delaney struggled to push the door open to the last bedroom on the right side of the narrow hall. It got awkward, I looked away, patting my thighs.

"Finally," she huffed, shaking the ashy brown curls from her face.

I plastered on a close-lipped smile and walked in after her to a sweltering room full of boxes and abstract art. Some pieces better than others.

"These are beautiful," I complimented, looking around at the paintings.

The ones that caught my eye were the ones of women's vaginas, she had them in every shade and size you could imagine - they even showcased different pubic hair cuts from clean shaven to a full bush, a landing strip, or triangle.