Chapter 2: Chapter 2

“What house?” he asked, because for one dumb moment he couldn’t make the connection. He was still tired. He wondered why he was never able to shake his exhaustion.

“Your parents’ house, at 1313 Aurora Avenue, Muffin, Alaska.” She was getting impatient, probably because she had more important clients to tend to. Although Cody wondered just how many clients she had on a Sunday in Fairbanks.

Her words didn’t make sense to him. “I thought it was already sold,” he said.

“No. Your father left it to you after he died, but there was a clause in the will stating that if it stood empty for more than three years, it was to be sold.” She made a pause for effect, then added as if he didn’t know it, “It has been three years.”

Cody took a deep breath. This was not as bad as he had feared. He could deal with that. So they’d sell the house, big deal. Good riddance. He gave a mental shrug and said, “Fine. What do I have to do?”