Painted Over

The heavy thud of paint cans hitting hardwood echoed down the front hallway. Rollers swept across plaster with steady, wet strokes, burying the pale butter-yellow beneath thick coats of stark white and charcoal.

Willa stood on the upper landing, gripping the polished railing. Her mother had picked that yellow five years ago, spending two full weekends testing swatches until the morning light caug