Day Seven I Signed It novel · Chapter 24 of 24

Chapter 24: Day Seven, Again

A year later, on the seventh of March, I signed another piece of paper on another kitchen counter.

It was Monday again, which I had not planned and Ivy had.

"I picked the date," she said, handing me the pen. "Don't read into it."

"I'm reading into it."

"Read quickly."

The kitchen was small and yellow, with a window over the sink that looked at a pear tree.

The house had two bedrooms and a porch that sagged on one side.

A landlord in a flannel shirt waited politely by the refrigerator.

The lease lay on the counter, with two names on the line.

Hers was already there, in her cramped nurse's handwriting.

Behind us, the house was full of people and boxes.

My mother sat in the only chair, directing traffic with a wooden spoon she'd brought from home.

Gavin's mother stood beside her, holding a lamp.

Gavin's mother had retired in September.

She and my mother had bought matching boots at the discount place off the highway, and they were both very pleased.

Gavin came in from the porch with a casserole dish in each hand.

"Two vegetables," he said.

"I said call before you come."

"I called on Thursday. You said come."

"So I did."

"I brought the brussels sprouts nobody likes."

"I like them," Ivy said.

"I know. That's why."

I set the pen on the counter, because I had noticed something.

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