Flight Risk

Capitulo Veintitres

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I took him up on his offer, though it was admittedly strange living in a house that was both mine and not mine. When I had first walked in the door of my ‘old place’ I had felt momentarily disoriented because it was like taking a step back in time. The banister, hard wood floors, and the mahogany bookshelves that lined the walls gleamed like they hadn’t in over a decade. There were no stains, scuff marks, or dust particles to give age to their majesty and even though everything was as I had left it, it was almost like walking into a new house. He’d bought a brand new set of cookware that hung from a rack in the center of the kitchen above the island that had been resurfaced with smooth, glossy marble.

As I went through the cupboards to see what was left of my dishware, I found them neatly stored next to my old pots and pans with a poorly scribbled note that read, “Not sure if these had any sentimental value so I kept them for you. My mom is always saying that newer isn’t always better so…Yeah. Do with them what you will. –Sam”

I chuckled softly at his consideration and left them where they were neatly stored to explore the rest of my ‘new’ old house. Poking my head into the master bedroom, I realized he’d given it some major upgrades. He’d ripped out the old carpet and in its place was cushioned black carpet. A king size bed dominated the room and as I ran my hand over the comforter and the matching sheets I sighed in envy. They were silky smooth in black and navy. The master bathroom was another thing to be envious of. It no longer resembled the practical, functional bathroom that had originally been built, but was a study in luxury. He’d had a huge shower and a Jacuzzi style tub installed and the counter tops were the same glossy marble that had been used in the kitchen. Another sticky note was on the sliding shower door and I couldn’t help but blush when I read it. “If you’re reading this and I’m not with you, I must say I’m disappointed. There’s a lot of fun to be had in this room. –Sam”

“Yes… too bad,” I agreed walking out and back toward the other side of the house.

The couches and the living room entertainment set made of cheap particle board had been replaced with one made of mahogany so it matched the bookshelves and the banister. A little yellow sticky note was sticking out so I took it off and noticed yet another sloppily written note. “Yeah, I know. My handwriting sucks. No need to criticize, and don’t get defensive. I know you were thinking it. So I didn’t keep the old entertainment set. It was literally on its last leg. Sorry Love.” A little arrow was at the bottom to signify he had run out of room so I flipped it over and laughed. The only thing on the back of the sticky was his name.

“Did he think I wouldn’t figure out it was from him?” I chuckled out loud.

I backtracked toward the stairs and slowly made my way to the second story, my hand trailing along the polished banister the whole way up. Rosie’s old room was the first doorway in the hall, but I couldn’t bring my hand to turn the door knob. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to see her room as I had left it or completely renovated as my parents room had been. My heart was pounding out of my chest and I ended up having to do those stupid breathing techniques they’d taught me in rehab to calm myself down. It may seem like a silly thing to flip over, but to me Rosie was just that special.

Moving onto the second doorway, I opened it and breathed a sigh of relief that the upstairs bathroom was more or less the exact same as I had left it. I looked around for any notes Sam might have left me, and when I found none, I moved onto the last room upstairs… mine.