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Which was true, but she didn't tell the woman how officials were baffled by the condition of the carcasses. They had been ravaged. |
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During the next fifteen minutes, as she led Mrs. Manning through the rooms, Terry became certain that the woman was simply going through the motions. Whatever interest she'd shown outside had faded to perfunctory responses. Not the responses of a woman "who'd kill for it." No questions about closet space or insulation, no comments about the large crack in the ceiling of the family room. Nor any sign that the woman was digesting any of the details about plumbing and electricity that Terry rattled off. She also had no interest in seeing the cellar. (Probably afraid Daisy would spring on her, foaming at the mouth.) Had she not specified the new heating system, Terry was sure the woman would never have asked. She had written the place off and was just following through to be polite. Way to go, Matty! |
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It wasn't until they were upstairs that Mrs. Manning displayed the slightest interest. She asked about the room with the closed door. Terry's stomach made a fist as she opened it. She explained their eventual plans for a guest room. But as she moved to close the door, Mrs. Manning pushed her way in. Her eyes caught the hot air balloons and goofy cats Terry had painted on the ceiling. |
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"Looks like a nursery," the woman said. "Are you having a baby?" |
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"I was," Terry said. "I lost it." |
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"I'm sorry to hear that," she said, and walked to the rear window. Then as if to clear the air, she said, "Is the pool new?" |
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For some reason, the woman was interested. "Must have been a project putting it in." |
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"Yes." The house was perched on a hill with mature growth all around. "They had to cut a lot of trees for the bulldozers and all. It was a real circus." |
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Something dark moved across Mrs. Manning's expression. "I can imagine." |
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"Do you have children?" Terry asked. |
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"Is the pool a problem for you?" |
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