Being back in the “real world” felt strange. Colors seemed somewhat muted and the noise of the city on the way home had been bad. There were just so many people. When had this city become so crowded? But in comparison, maybe the quiet in her little suburban hell was just as bad. This forced peace on regulated front lawn color palettes.

She looked at the long brick building, the well groomed front yard and driveway. The large balcony of the master bedroom protruding to the front, overlooking the area she did not glance over. Trying desperately not to notice the swing set and surrounding area.

She approached the front door, unlocking it starring down. “Home sweet Home” the welcome mat said and she snorted.

She missed her hut, that greeted her all welcoming. This deathtrap of a house here was instead always greeting her with a snarky and fakingly sweet attitude.

Inside the entry way was dark. She took of her shoes, leaning against the wall. There were Trash bags to her feet.

Trash bags that she did not put there.

Melissa sat down in the dark, on the decorative chair and played with her keys.

Her Body screaming at her to run.

How had she gotten here? She remembered a different woman, a life time ago. Being young and energetic and seemingly made out of smiley.

They had been newly weds, falling in love with the house that was just a little too big. They promised to fill the space, with memories and positive energy and a hoard of tiny feet on hard wood floor.

Melissa had been overjoyed all her dreams coming together. She would not need to work anymore and could focus on caring.

She had always been the caring type, and she did not want to do more then listen, and feed and raise.

Now she wasn’t able to tell anymore when the desire to become that kind of housewife turned into being left without any power or leverage. Christian was a good husband, mind you. And in some corner of her hard, some deeply hidden part, she even still loved him and still… she regretted giving her all to him.

Trusting him with all decisions, trusting that he could handle the pressure and would take car of her and… that he would take care of the family.

She put her head in her hands, closing her eyes and slowly counted down from ten.

Reaching 1 she stood up, a little too fast, supporting herself against the wall again. Looking the wall up and down she mumbled “Fuck you too” in response to what she knew the house was thinking and walked over to the living and eating area, finally turning on the lights.

They were too bright.

Here were also trash bags, and aside fro that the space looked clean. She missed seeing the empty cans and bottles and the general junk that represented the downfall of the suburban house.

She went to the fridge and removed the note that was left on part of her old pizza cartons.

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“Hallo Melissa,

You were not here when I visited so I cleaned a bit.

I just wanted to let you know that the doctor says Christian is doing all right.

Listen I know it is hard for you.

But please take more care of the house, maybe rehire the maid?

It would break his heart to see how you are living.

Call me, okay?

You know we love you.

Karen”

She ripped the note in two and pressed it into the nearest trash bags, before taking that one out.

Barely had she opened the door, when she saw the neighbors wife Deborah approach. Ignoring her she stalked down the driveway, throwing the full bag away, which was when Deborah caught up with her.

“Melissa dear, I haven’t seen you in forever. Did you go on vacation?”

“Something of the sort, I am sorry Deborah, but I don’t really have time to chat today”

“Oh I understand, you must have an awful lot to do. How is Christian, he did not wake up yet? That is what Marie said, you know the nurse, Michaels wife? Terrible Gossip Monger that one, can not keep a secret for the life of her.” The other woman did not let Melissa answer.

“Anyway, why I wanted to talk to you in the first place. Listen darling, two days ago there were a few man in suits here, all rather handsome fellows, though one was terribly dark. His complexion I mean, not the suit. Anyway, they were ringing your door bell quite insistently. So naturally I came over on your behalf. I done told them that you were not home of course and asked what they were looking for, but they did refuse to answer. Quite rudely I might add.

Anyway I talked with Mark about it when he came home and he was guessing they might have been bank man.

So I wanted to ask you, are you going to sell this beautiful place? It would be a shame to loose you really, now that we are so close. But I can understand, all alone in this big a house. Oh that reminds me, I haven’t seen that Maid in a while. But Barbara said she met her at the Mall the other day. The new one over in Greens dale you know, with the nice fountain? Apparently she said you fired her, is that true? Oh it is really hard to find reliable help these day. I never trusted her anyway, you know these Mexicans transport a lot of drugs. That is just plain dangerous. I would not trust them for the live of me, after that really in depth documentary on Fox News and-”

Melissa felt that she had to cut her rambling of.

“Thank you Deborah. I am just trying to figure out the resell value at this time. Don’t you worry, I am happy where I am. Anyway after my vacation I have so much to do, so if you would excuse me?”

She turned and practically ran towards the house, ignoring whatever it was that her neighbor was yelling after her for. Gosh she had always hated Debora but ever since the accident she would prefer dying over any length of conversation with that terrible woman.

Involuntarily grinning, Melissa remembered, that she did die multiple times this week, she remembered the pain and it was in fact better that being locked in a room with Deborah would be.

Then she remembered what the other woman had said, opening the letters that were waiting for her on the kitchen table and then opening a cheap bottle of wine right after reading the foreclosure warning.

She wanted to be back in Avalon.