Chapter 26 - The staircase
Three years after the incident, we renovated the under-stair compartment.
I considered sealing it completely.
Anouk said:
“No.”
“Why?”
“I want shelves.”
For what?
“Books.”
Of course.
We hired an architect.
Removed the solid panel.
Replaced it with open built-in shelves and a reading bench extending into the hall.
No door.
No lock.
No hidden room.
Anouk chose yellow cushions.
Not symbolism.
She liked yellow.
Construction took three weeks.
The old night-light went to electronics recycling.
The pillow was gone years earlier.
The food containers had been evidence, then discarded.
Seraphina’s suitcase had left with her the first night under police supervision.
No relics.
When the shelves were finished, Anouk placed Otis in the center.
Then Celeste’s photograph.
Then seventeen books she had no intention of organizing.
I watched.
She looked at me.
“Stop face.”
“What face?”
“Sad rich man.”
I laughed.
“That is not a face.”
“It is.”
She sat on the bench.
“Come.”
I sat.
The former compartment was too small for me to fit comfortably.
Good.
Anouk leaned against my shoulder.
“Remember?”
“Yes.”
“I do some.”
“How much?”
“She mean.”
“Yes.”
“Dark.”
“Yes.”
“Then you came.”
“Yes.”
She thought.
“Did you know?”
“No.”
“Why?”
Hard question.
“Because I trusted the wrong person and people who were worried did not tell me soon enough.”
“Your fault?”
“Some parts.”
“Seraphina fault?”
“Her choices were hers.”
Anouk nodded.
“Teresa?”
“She should have told.”
“Me?”
“No.”
Immediate.
Never hesitate on that one.
May you like
She opened a book.
Conversation over.
