February 2004
Beginner
116 pages
1h 49m
English
Content preview from Dancing Barefoot
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Chapter 1. Houses In Motion
It’s been almost a year since Aunt Val died. Though we were all promised that her house would remain in the family, it has been sold, and there are many things to be picked up and moved out.
My dad has asked me to help him pick up a china cabinet that is intended for my mother. I wonder why he didn’t have my younger, stronger brother help out, but I don’t ask. I’m always happy when my dad wants to do things together.
We ride in comfortable silence. I’m lost in thought, wondering what I could talk to my dad about: baseball? the kids? my family? work? We end up talking about them all and the drive passes very quickly.
As we drive down Aunt Val’s street, it hits me: this is it. I will never make this drive, this drive that I’ve made since I was in a car seat, again. I’ve been asked to help my dad move furniture, but I’m really here to say goodbye to this house that’s been part of my life since I was a child.
A tremendous sadness consumes me as we back into the driveway.
I exchange polite hellos with Aunt Val’s daughter, who is responsible for the sale of the house, and walk inside.
It’s the first time I’ve been here since her death. The house feels cold and empty. The furniture is gone, the walls are mostly bare, and Aunt Val’s warmth and love is missing.
Certain things remain strangely untouched: her bookcase, filled to overflowing with pictures of the family. Children’s ...
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