Page 111 of Home Ice

“What’s this?” I ask, pointing at the hooks.

“Ah. They’re not straight, but Jeffery gave me a hand making sure I was putting them in the right spot.”

“You did it?” I wish I could hide my surprise better because Dad gives me a shrewd look. “My right hand is as good as it ever was.”

“They look great.”

“I know.” He beams and heads back into the living room.

I go to follow him, but I’m immediately swallowed up by that drowning feeling, so I head to my bedroom instead. It could still use some more work in here, and so could the kitchen, but that foyer is bare. It’s done. It looks the way a foyer should look.

All because Dad asked for help.

Something I’ve never been good at in my life.

Not only does it hurt to not feel capable, but when it comes to the house, I’m embarrassed that it’s gotten like this, and with summer coming to an end and having to return to coaching at the high school, there’s no way I’m going to get through it all in time.

I might not like it, but I can’t do this on my own. Otherwise, the fire will burn out, and everything will go back to how it was. If that happens, what was the point of this summer?

I open my messages to Hawke and send him one that I never thought I’d say.

I think I need your help.

Hawke doesn’t ask questions. As soon as I tell him that I have to do something about the house, he tells me he’ll handle it and hangs up.

Five people show up. They’re meticulous and careful and respectful of our things. We have a meeting with them beforehand about what to do if they find anything broken and repairable, what are the key items we want to keep, and if there are any areas of the house that are off-limits.

Then they get to work.

Hawke takes over practice on Friday so that I can stay home and help, and once it’s finished, he and Kasen turn up to lend a hand. Not long after that, Gigi walks in too, asking me to point her in the direction of the bathroom because, “I’m basically a grout whisperer, Tai. It’s my specialty.”

I’m numb as I point down the hall and turn to Hawke. “You told your sister too?”

He lifts his hands. “No, only Kasen and the people I hired. I swear.”

“Then where did she come from?”

“Sorry, sorry,” Belli says, long skirt fluttering as she hurries across the front lawn. “That was me. She was in the cafe and asked where I was headed. As soon as I mentioned cleaning, she perked right up.”

“And … how did you know?”

“Ben told me.”

“Dad …”

He joins us with a wide smile. “Tell me you brought something I can put in my mouth while I work.”

She laughs and hands over a paper bag. “Where are we getting started?”

“Through here.”

She follows him into the living room, and I turn to Hawke. “I’m not used to having so many people in the house.”

“I know. But they’re here because they want to be.”

“I’m not,” Kasen cuts in. “I don’t even like cleaning my own room.”

“You don’t have to be,” I quickly say.