I Don't Need Your Blue Roses Anymore novel · Chapter 7 of 24

Chapter 7: Marigold Court

Wardell Homes had its headquarters in a glass building on Lake Avenue, and my father's name was on the door in brass.

I walked in at nine on Friday morning, past the receptionist, onto the open floor where forty people sat at long desks.

Nobody stopped me.

I had worked there one summer in college, and the staff still said hello.

My father was in the glass conference room with two men in suits.

He saw me through the wall and held up one finger to say *a minute*.

I opened the door instead.

"Dad," I said. "What is Marigold Court?"

The suits looked at the table.

On the floor outside, the keyboards slowed and stopped.

"Anneliese," he said pleasantly. "Let's talk in my office."

"Here is fine."

"It's a subdivision we built in the valley some years ago," he said. "A good project. Why do you ask?"

"Who lived there before you built it?"

"A few renters," he said. "Month to month. They were well compensated."

"How many?"

"I don't recall."

"You remember every lot you've ever built on," I said. "You told me that at dinner when I was fifteen."

He smiled at the two men.

"Gentlemen, would you excuse us."

They gathered their folders and left, and neither of them met my eyes.

Through the glass I saw the whole floor watching, pretending not to.

My father shut the door and lowered his voice.

"Whatever Mallory told you," he said, "it's a grievance wearing a sad story. Her father had a weak heart. Nobody could have known what that eviction would do."

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