Chapter 152

Andy was right; the hall shower which he’d shared with Jason for most of their teenage years was Spartan, utilitarian, and in less than fantastic shape. The only thing worse was the tiny, closet-sized shower stall in the apartment over the garage. The apartment that Dad had built to try to tempt Mace into coming home. It hadn’t worked. She’d never moved her stuff out of her old bedroom. Never really come home.

There were pill bottles dated from before Ma had even died. Toothpaste that was God only knew how old. Not that toothpaste went bad, but…ew. He gathered up all the towels and the bathmats and threw them in the laundry hamper. Tossed old cough syrups and the sample bottles of shampoo that Ma used to keep on hand. He put a few things aside: the crystal candle holders. A glass vase full of dried flower petals. A bottle of her perfume.