The house smelled of pine cleaner and fresh air.

I had opened the living room windows a crack before leaving for the hospital that morning.

The sour smell of old milk was completely gone from the hallway.

I set my keys on the wooden console table and shut the door behind us.

The deadbolt slid home automatically.

Lily stood in the middle of the living room rug.

She turned in a slow, watchful circle.

She looked at the empty space beside the TV cabinet, where Derek used to keep his leather golf bag leaning against the wall.