I stand there piecing this together and trying not to let it turn into a thought that will catapult me running toward the hills.

“Morning.”

The sound makes me jump three feet into the air.

“Oh, sorry, didn’t mean to startle you.” It’s Mike. Leader of the pack. Head honcho. Construction maestro. Captain of the team.

“Oh, yeah. I . . . um. I’m fine.”

He looks at me, sizing me up. “You okay?”

“Yeah, I’m just. I thought I . . .”

I just let this trail off. I feel like if I ask him about the crabgrass or tell him about the scratching noises he’ll just think I’m an idiot. Some paranoid girl with a wild imagination and no friends. A shut-in.

“Okay if we start work? I know it’s a little early, but you are up. . . .”

“What? Oh, yeah. Of course. Yes. That’s what I’m here for. Please do. Start work. I’m just. I was just on my way to the store.”

He looks at my pajamas.

Suddenly I realize my pajamas are kind of revealing. Like, my whole leg is right there, and the other one too. Both legs. Just out and about. Is he looking at my legs? (Of course, they’re not shaved. I’m not Beyoncé.)

And I’m not wearing a bra. Or underwear. (I’m not the queen of England, either.)

“After I change! I was going to change and then, after that, head down the road and grab a few things at the store. . . . Need anything?”

He smiles, shaking his head a bit. Maybe he just thinks I’m nervous. Or hairy.

“No, I’m fine, thanks for asking.” He adds, “I can give you a ride if you want. It’s over a mile. That walk.”

“Oh, I know. I just. Sometimes it’s nice to go for a walk. Morning light.”

He doesn’t know what I mean. Of course he doesn’t. He never went to my shrink. My shrink never told him, “Hey, it’s a good idea to get out in the morning to counter depression. Morning light. You must try to get some morning light.” Yes, she told me it’s imperative to get morning light and yes, I maybe do it once a month. Nobody’s perfect.

“Okay, then. We’ll just get started.” He nods, assuring.

He walks back around the house to where I’m sure the other guys are waiting for him, shuffling around.

I take one last look at the destroyed crabgrass under the wall. It could be anything. A possum. A raccoon. A dog even. It could be anything. I’ll google it. This is silly.

It’s just a natural thing. An animal. An animal from nature.

Nothing sinister at all.

Chapter 14

On my way into town I decide the loneliness is getting to me. That must be it. Just because I decided to come out here all on my own doesn’t mean I have to actually be alone the whole time. I could invite someone over! Some other humans who would come stay with me and help sway me to the obvious conclusion that everything is normal.