This house has changed so much in the past five years. The wood vibrated with joy and happiness. Now sadness has taken it's place. Objects with memories attached to them have slowly been stripped away. I have to take the last of those objects with me when I leave the house today. Each object I place in the boxes adds to the weight on my shoulders. I place every object in their appropriate boxes with care, trying to keep the memories attached to them. The blanket we used to make a fort with the dreaded sharp cornered coffee table. The board game we all played late at night because we were all too competitive to quit. The book with the slightly crumpled cover because it was read to us every night. The VHS tape we watched so much that I had every line memorized. The N64 game I could never finish.

"Hey" A soft voice says in my ear while reassuring arms wrap around my waist. "When was this taken?" Her voice slowly pulls me back from my memory.

I flip the picture over. "Summer Camp, 1999", reading allowed just as softly. "I was 10."

"You still sleep like that. One arm hanging off the bed." She holds me slightly tighter. "It's cute."

My chuckle vibrates both our bodies. "It reassures me." I interlace my free hand with hers. "I hated that coffee table. I hit a limb on it almost every time I was here. I'm surprised I don't have more scars."

"As much as I like your scars, you don't need any more." The soft breathing are only slightly interrupted by the house settling. "Your memories will still stay with you, even if you can't come here any more."

"I know. I know. It's just… my grandma deserved better. Not a withering body, not a crumbling house, not her own blood fighting over money and possessions."

"You aren't. You are treating this house with the honor it deserves."

"But I haven't honored her. I didn't see her when she died. Or when he died." My voice falters. A hot tear rolls down my face. She kisses my cheek and waits. "I'm no better than them."

"Gail. You are better. They loved this home. You are making sure it gets the care it deserves. Your grandparents would appreciate that." Holly loosens her hold and turns me around. "They loved you. This is a picture taken in fondness."

I lean in, brush my lips across hers. "I'm fond of you." I press my lips harder this time. "I love you. Thank you."

"I love you too." Her smile brings a small one to my face. "Do you want me to keep you company?"

I brush my thumb along her cheek. "Please. I might even let you make fun of baby me, Lunchbox."

"Hmm. Can't wait." I pull her to sit on the floor. She drags the closest box of pictures into her lap. I watch her as her fingers swiftly flick through the photographs. A sudden gasp escapes her throat. "Gail, you had dread locks?!"