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straight in his green shirt and beige Dockers, he appeared to have stepped off the golf course. He had the body of a younger man—thanks to his daily morning run—and if not for the shock of white hair, no one would guess he had ten years on her mother. Bridget loved her father dearly and not because he usually took her side. If she misbehaved, he would be the first one on her case. But Mom loved to worry for worry’s sake and he did his best to balance the scales.
    “Owen, there’s a hole in the bathroom wall.”
    “Rob said he would fix that first,” Bridget said.
    “What does it matter anyway?” he said. “She’s living here by herself. Who’s going to see?”
    Mom trudged into the living room, shoulders down in defeat. Damn her, but she was good. Her actions always managed to cause Bridget’s chest to constrict with guilt. And who was to blame? Bridget, of course. One of these days she would grow a backbone.
    “Who is this Rob Gentry?” Mom asked. “Do we know him?”
    “What do you mean do you know him? He was Brian’s best man.”
    Her mother looked at the floor. “Oh. Well, see…”
    “What your mother is trying to say is that we didn’t go to the wedding,” her father interjected.
    “Then why did you tell me you went?” Bridget asked.
    Mom set to wringing her hands the way she always did whenever the topic of conversation made her uncomfortable. “Because it made you happy. But there was no way I could go to a wedding when my baby girl was lying in a coma.”
    Bridget closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Now it was her fault her mother hadn’t gone to Kate’s wedding? “Mom, I don’t think I would have noticed you being gone.”
    “That’s what I told her, but you know your mother.” Dad kissed Bridget on the cheek. “We’ll leave you to unpack. I’ll take your bike and get the tire fixed for you. Call us if you need anything.” He picked up her mom’s purse from the couch and held it out to her.
    Mom eyed her purse for several seconds before taking it and placing it on her shoulder. “You call me tomorrow and we can go out shopping for curtains and things.”
    Bridget’s pocketbook wasn’t quite ready for a shopping spree. “The weekend would work better for me.”
    Her mother pointed to the window. “But there are no curtains!”
    “I’ll throw a sheet over it. Really, Mom, it’ll be okay.”
    Dad nudged Mom toward Bridget. “Give your daughter a hug good-bye. We’re going.”
    Sometimes Bridget wished for siblings. Maybe then she wouldn’t be stuck being the center of her mother’s universe. She would have been able to spread the wealth.
    Mom hugged her tight. “I love you, sweetie.”
    “I love you too, Mom.”
    Bridget walked out with her parents and stood on the porch until they drove out of sight. Pink and orange clouds dotted the western horizon and a cool breeze ruffled her hair. She inhaled deeply, taking in the rain-cleaned air. Finally, on her own. She owed Kate big-time.
    After the colors faded away, she went back inside to unpack. Not that she owned much, but no sense in letting her clothes wrinkle. Then her mother might find the need to buy her an iron. Or worse, come over and iron. She shuddered at the thought.
    She closed the door and flipped the light switch. Pain flashed in her temples. She winced and rubbed the offending areas. So much for tranquility.
    “I was wondering if you were ever going to come back inside.”
    “Hell’s bells!” Bridget jumped and grabbed her chest. The woman from the backyard was standing in her living room, near the fireplace.
    “I knew it!” The woman stomped her foot. “You can see me. Why did you ignore me earlier?”
    “I didn’t… Who are you? What are you doing in here?” Bridget glanced at the sliding glass door. Had Rob left it unlocked?
    “I’m Charlie and I live…er…reside here.”
    “Rob didn’t mention anyone living here.”
    The woman smiled friendly-like, not threatening at all. And her