The four younger kids sat together on the green sofa in front of a television that was switched off.

“I talked to the listing agent down on Main Street,” Vanessa said, pausing in the doorway between the hall and the living room.

My sister Sarah stood at the kitchen archway holding a glass pot of coffee she had just made.

“Get your coat and leave this house right now, Vanessa,” Sarah said.

“The agent says houses on this block sell in twenty-five days,” Vanessa said, looking straight past Sarah at Lily.

“We aren’t selling this property,” I said, coming into the room from the back hall.