I put on my robe and went down the hall.
The living room was dark, except for the streetlight coming through the big window.
Norine sat at the piano in her pink bathrobe. She was playing “Abide with Me,” so quietly I could barely hear the hammers hit the strings.
She stopped when she saw me standing there.
And for once, she didn’t look like a woman deciding where her furniture would go.
“My mother bought this piano in 1968,” she said. “It was already thirty years old then. A Steinway Model M. She cleaned houses for families in Marysville, and she paid it off at nine dollars a week. For a hundred weeks.”
She ran her hand along the edge of the keys.
“I was nine.”
“That’s a lot of houses,” I said.
“She used to sit right here, on the bench next to me, and make me play this hymn before bed. Every night.” Norine looked down at the keys. “It’s the only thing I have left that was hers.”
I believed her.
I still do.
That is the one moment in this whole story when I saw Norine Tackett as just a person. A daughter, like me. Holding on to the last thing her mother ever touched.
I stood there in the hallway, and I thought, maybe I’d been too hard. Maybe the mold really was bad. Maybe I could pay for a good remediation company and get her home sooner. And everybody could save face, and we could all forget this.
“What’s the address of your condo?” I asked her. “I might know somebody who does mold work.”
She hesitated.
Just one beat too long.
Then she told me.
It was the same address she’d written on the agreement, on the line for prior address.
“Good night, Norine.”
“Good night, Hillary.”
I went back to bed.
The next morning, I meant to call a mold company.
I typed her address into a search bar instead.
Ethan Blake is a skilled Creative Content Specialist with a talent for crafting engaging and thought-provoking narratives. With a strong background in storytelling and digital content creation, Ethan brings a unique perspective to his role at TheArchivists, where he curates and produces captivating content for a global audience.
Ethan holds a degree in Communications from Zurich University, where he developed his expertise in storytelling, media strategy, and audience engagement. Known for his ability to blend creativity with analytical precision, he excels at creating content that not only entertains but also connects deeply with readers.
At TheArchivists, Ethan specializes in uncovering compelling stories that reflect a wide range of human experiences. His work is celebrated for its authenticity, creativity, and ability to spark meaningful conversations, earning him recognition among peers and readers alike.
Passionate about the art of storytelling, Ethan enjoys exploring themes of culture, history, and personal growth, aiming to inspire and inform with every piece he creates. Dedicated to making a lasting impact, Ethan continues to push boundaries in the ever-evolving world of digital content.