Fatal wounds

3

Valentina

My heels click against the marble floors as I walk through the large empty house. It's a beautiful layout, four bedrooms, and perfect for the family viewing it.

Two children and two adults. A little boy and a little girl with their parents. Starting tomorrow this will be their forever home.

The kids will start school for the very first time around the corner at the elementary school. They will learn how to swim in the backyard with the underground pool. And their dog Rocky has a big backyard for all the running his heart desires.

Mr & Ms Lopez both smile brightly as they both sign the last bit of paperwork. And it's closed.

The feeling never gets old. Every time I sell a house I feel a surge of happiness. My body buzzes with anticipation for the family who'll embark on this new journey.

My happiest, most treasured, moments were when mom and dad bought a house. I remember mom being particularly exited to have a backyard with two trees perfectly aligned for a hammock.

Our home was so lively. She made it so lively, which is why dad felt the need to sell now that she's gone.

My heart physically constricts thinking of the new family who'll make new memories there. Mom's memories will no longer exist there.

I didn't want dad to sell, but it's what he needed. I promised to help him find a family who'll love the house just as we did. And I'll help him settle into a smaller place that's not too far from mine so he'll know that even now that he lives alone, he'll never truely be alone.

I'll be no longer than a few minutes away.

The giggles of children bring me back to the present, the couple smiles happily watching their children run around in their new backyard. Since Ms Bettencourt, the now former owner of this beauty decided to go with no realtor my cut won't be split in half.

My commission is at six percent and since this house was sold at half a million I get thirty thousand for closing the sell.

Brooke is going to have a field day with this one.

Brooke constantly gapes at my checks after a sell and says she regrets going into finance. Brooke and I met our first year of college and have been as close as ever since.

Ms Lopez laughs, looking around her new kitchen. "I never actually thought we'd make it to buying a house, Hector." Her husband cups her face and kisses her cheeks.

"I told you, me and you can accomplish anything together." He smiles at her making me swallow thickly. It hurts knowing my dad no longer has that with my mom. Thirty years of marriage for him to end up alone, without her.

I clear my throat feeling it close up at the same time my nose stings. "Excuse me." I mumble, making my way out to the front.

The cool wind gushes in my face as soon as I step out. I take a deep breath savoring the calmness it brings me.

She's okay now. She's resting. He'll be okay too. He has you and you have him. The little voice in my head reminds me with each breath I take. You and dad will be okay.