Page 11 of The Edge of Summer
I hide my grimace. The house itself is perfect for us, but pink is certainly not a colour I would normally go for. Though in a place like Kip Island, long-term rentals are few and far between, so I learned rather quickly to take what I could get.
“What do you think?” I ask Parker.
The old version of my brother would crack a joke about the house. This version of him only grunts. My hands tighten on the steering wheel. I want to assure him that this is hard for me, too, but every time I even remotely try to relate to how he’s feeling, it doesn’t go well.
Once I exit the car and help Sophia out of her seat, I note the woman standing on the front step. She waves as we approach, meeting us halfway down the short driveway. Parker trails behind.
“Hi!” The smiling blonde bounces on the balls of her feet, giving away her excitement. “I’m Clara. It’s so nice to officially meet you!”
Clara looks every bit as sweet in person as she sounded over the phone. Her long hair is plaited in two braids and the cardigan she’s wearing over her summery dress gives off girl-next-door vibes. She is effortlessly everything that my ex tried to mould me to be.
When I settled on Kip Island as our new home, the listing for this rental didn’t pop up right away. The ones that did, I was turned away for one reason or another. I was about to give up—I was barely hanging on by a thread as it was—and then I saw Clara’s listing.
After our initial phone call, she and I messaged back and forth. First, with my inquiries about renting, and then withall the details about our arrival. She also made a point to give me a rundown of everything the island has to offer—restaurants, stores, parks. And then our conversations spiralled into unimportant things.
They tell you not to talk to strangers. To be cautious of the people you meet online. But I needed someone who didn’t already know me or what my family had been through. Being in Clara’s presence now, I feel inclined to fall at her feet in thanks. She’ll never know just how much I needed her. How much her hand, extended into the dark, gave me the strength to step into the light. Like my lighthouse in human form.
I’ve never been short on social relationships, but I don’t think I’ve ever truly had a friend.
I return her smile. “Delilah.” I tug my sister against my side. “And this is my sister, Sophia, and my brother, Parker.”
“Hi, Parker.” She grins at him, but he doesn’t respond. Clara’s smile gentles on Sophia as she presses shyly into me. “Hi, Sophia. You know, my niece is about your age. Maybe you and Abbie could have a play date.”
A play date where the other adults in the room don’t look at me with pity? I could weep at the thought alone. It would be nice not having to wonder whether the looks I’m getting are because they’ve seen my nudes or because they’re sorry my parents are dead. Or a delightful combination of both.
“Soph would love that,” I say.
“Abbie would, too. She’s always looking to make new friends,” Clara replies. Then she gestures toward the front door. It’s painted a soft white to match the porch. “I’ll justshow you around quickly, and then I’ll leave you to get settled.”
Clara unlocks the door, and then she ushers us inside. Parker opts to sit on the front step and pull out his phone.
Her tour of the small house is very thorough. The front door opens into the living room and kitchen. Heading down a narrow hallway, you hit the back of the house where the biggest bedroom and its matching en suite is. Up a set of stairs, you are met with two small bedrooms and another bathroom. There is also, thankfully, a closet with a stacked washer and dryer. Most of the house is unfurnished, but there are a few staples already here.
The majority of our furniture got sold with the house when our childhood home was listed. The rest is being sent later this week to fill in some of the gaps.
In the grand scheme of things, this house isn’t much, but it’s more than what we had before because it comes with something precious:freedom. No one on this island knows who we are or the situation we came from. I crave the anonymity.
“Thank you, Clara,” I say as I take the keys.
She beams from her spot on the front steps. “Thankyou. I was kinda worried this gorgeous girl might sit empty for a while. I’m glad you’re giving her a purpose.”
I chuckle. “Soph has already started calling it the Barbie house, so it will be well-loved while we’re here.”
Clara winks at Sophia. “I like the way you think, little miss.”
Sophia offers her a small smile. Over the course of our tour, my sister began to slowly warm up to Clara. She stillhasn’t said anything, but she isn’t hiding behind me anymore. Progress.
Something—one of themanythings—that keeps me up at night is the worry that everything Soph has been through has made her retreat into her shell. I don’t want that for her. I don’t want that for Parker either.
“If you need anything, just let me know,” Clara offers.
My phone buzzes in my pocket. I give her an apologetic look as I fish it out and click open my notifications.
Unknown Number
Don’t worry about going through insurance. The truck is fine.
Are you sure?
