Yellow Ceramic Mug and Red Silk Scarf in a Red Buick

was wide open, letting in the cool autumn draft. Nicole was already in the hallway, her boots clicking against the pine floorboards. She carried a heavy cardboard box of gray paint samples under one arm.

“We need to neutralize these walls, Clara,” Nicole said, her voice rising to that sharp, breathless pitch she used when she was excited.continue reading …