When the Puppet Strings Break — Chapter 10 — False Hope

Image by Stephen Keller from

The drive home was unsettling.

Willow distracted herself with hopes of better days as she pulled up to a quaint, sturdy craftsman with a storybook porch. Steve and Louie are already there, anxiously waiting for her on the front porch with the overly perky property agent.

She is filled with excitement, rushing to get inside and nearly trips on the sidewalk due to the large tree roots pushing up the concrete. Hoping no one saw her fumble and regain her balance, she pours out her enthusiasm.

“It looks just like the picture on the website. I’m dying to see the inside!”

When Willow walks through the door, it takes her back to earlier days as she notices the built-in cabinets, ornamental glass covers and fluted glass doorknobs with solid brass shanks, reminding Willow of her grandparents’ home far away.

The floors boasted original hardwood with ornamental ceilings and the yard was expansive with a variety of fifteen to twenty fruit trees.

When they walk to the outside of the old brick house, Steve grazes his hands over the bricks.

“I like the property but I just don’t think the brick could withstand an earthquake.”