Chapter 19: An Offer on the Table

'I won't let Maureen sell this house,' Curtis told the buyers.

The listing agent stood beside them. Bev was near the living-room doorway.

Curtis kept his voice warm enough for company. The buyers had heard every word.

He had tried to drive them out before they saw the rooms.

They had stayed anyway.

I stepped between him and the buyers.

'I'm selling the house. It's mine.'

Curtis gave the buyers a patient smile.

'We are having a disagreement about what comes next. I would hate for you to mistake that for a settled sale.'

He wanted them to think I couldn't finish what I had started.

I had spent enough years keeping his life tidy for him.

'You can ask the listing agent about the sale,' I said. 'You don't need Curtis's permission.'

The woman buyer looked from me to him.

Curtis reached for the coat draped over a chair.

He lifted it and settled it across my shoulders.

'You must be cold,' he said. 'You've been standing here working.'

He had dressed me in front of strangers and called it kindness.

My hands shook against the coat buttons.

I tried to fasten one. My thumb slipped off the button.

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