We had a great weekend. Abby, Eric, and I hadn't spent time together in years and we did, we certainly didn't have so much fun. We were productive too. Abby gave me extra sheets and towels for dad, and loaded me up with gift cards to help with the added expense. Eric left some clothes for dad. "We aren't exactly the same size, but close enough." I wondered if he knew exactly how gaunt dad was looking these days. Anyway, I was thankful to have the provisions. It crossed my mind that people are released from prison every day without the luxury of a couch, clothes, or fresh towels.

Morgan cried when Eric had to leave. "I'll be back after the first of the year!" he promised.

"Make things right with Megan," Abby and I ordered him. "And that means a big, romantic apology," I said. I really felt for the girl. Whatever her relationship was with her dad, there is always some shame involved in having a relative in jail. She didn't need my dumb brother making her feel worse about the situation than she already did. I hugged him tight. "Find out her favorite meal and I'll walk you through it, okay? Fight for her, Eric." I was surprised to feel the pulse of tears rise up in my throat. "Now, scram." Abby, Morgan, and I watched him drive away.

"That kid," she said.

"I just love him," I added. She looped her arm through mine and held Morgan's hand, nodding.

My apartment was creepy quiet after my family left. I put a drawing Morgan made on the refrigerator. It did wonders for my kitchen, I thought. Abby had given Eric and I framed pictures of the three of us from Friday night. I set it next to the only other picture I had. Suddenly, my apartment was unbearably cold. "Barbara. This is unacceptable." I only had half a day, but my living room wasn't that big. I dug out my lease and when I found the permitting blurb I was looking for, I ran out for supplies.

By the end of the day I had a bright yellow accent wall in my living room. I'd planned to do the whole room, but I was tired and honestly, just the one wall looked fantastic. It didn't quite fill the void my family left, but it was a good substitute for their laughter, I thought.

The rest of the week I raced home every day after work to continue my mini remodel. Marnie sent me a great close-up of Barbara's face, which I had blown up and hung. I took Morgan's picture off the refrigerator, framed it, and put it in a place of honor by the door where I'd see it every time I left the apartment. In an extra bold move, I bought a new succulent. A few actually. "You guys need to just stay alive," I ordered them. "You're succulents for pity's sake. You're hearty!" I put them on a high shelf and hung them from the ceiling, far from Barbara's indiscriminatory chops.

Every day I added or changed something that made me smile. By the end of the week, it looked like a new place. Or rather, the same place that a new person lived in. It wasn't quite the exaggerated motif Little Cut had, but I loved it.

I was hanging a dish towel that read, "Penne for your thoughts," when there was a tap on my shoulder. I jumped a half mile into the air.

"Hey girl! Looks nice in here!"

"Shadow! Gah! You can't do that to a person!" Shadow looked brighter and peppier than a shadow has any right to look. If she had pom poms in her hands I wouldn't think twice about it.

She covered her mouth to stifle a guilty giggle. "Sorrrryyy! It does though! It looks so much more... you!" My heart was still pounding in fits and starts, but I was happy for the compliment anyway. And ready for more. I'd suspected a shadow or two might show up to pat me on the back for changing my attitude. Changing my life.

"You're brother's a cutie."

"Ohmygosh. Don't tell him that. He'll be insufferable. Wait- when did you see my brother?"

"When he was here? My name's Shadow for a reason. Duh."

"Huh. Good to know you've been creeping around. What else have you noticed besides my unavailable brother?"

"Well. Lots of things. Your dad's moving in, huh?"

I nodded. "Yeah." The thought sent my heart into another helter-skelter sequence. "I'm nervous."

Shadow tilted her head like she was analyzing a Renaissance painting. "It's good of you to try with him. That's not easy."

There was something she wasn't telling me. "Shadow? What's up?"

"Nothing. Nothing! Shadows can't tell the future, remember?"

"I remember."

"But I do have a different perspective on things."

"And?"

"I'm nervous for him to move in too."