40 Comments
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Meg Oolders's avatar

I remember hunting for our first house on a tiny budget and visiting a number of fixer-upper type places that felt eerily like someone had been murdered there. 😂

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Justin Deming's avatar

Haha! Same. At one such place, my wife, our real estate agent, and I were spooked. I vividly remember him asking us, “Do you guys feel like you’re being watched?” Needless to say, our viewing of that home was brief. 😅

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

So...um... is this house still on the market? The old lady in the rocker sounds like a perfect housemate to me.. quiet, invisible, polite. And ...a fresh start, away from the city....with peach trees. Sounds like heavens. One of your best stories , Justin!

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Kim Smyth's avatar

My thoughts exactly! I would not have let her steal my dream! Then again, I might have had my kid’s head examined prematurely, lol!

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Justin Deming's avatar

Ha! She seems pleasant enough to room with. 😄 Thanks for reading, Kim.

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Tara Penry's avatar

Total agreement! If you find it and need a roommate.... 🤷‍♀️ 😆

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Justin Deming's avatar

Haha! I’ll check the listings. 😉

She doesn’t seem very hostile, does she? I suppose it’s all up for debate and interpretation. I can see why Sylvia reacted the way she did, but I can also see others living there by choice without issue.

Thank you for reading, Sharron. I appreciate the kind sentiment!

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Patricia J.L. 👻🧶🖊️'s avatar

Well, given the granny was just making a blanket and not bothering the living, that seems like an overreaction.

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Justin Deming's avatar

I can see that! She does seem rather harmless. I’m sure there are plenty of others who would react differently than Sylvia. Thank you so much for reading!

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Tara Penry's avatar

True! What might Sylvia have lost in ethereal friendship and support? We’ll never know. 🤔😅

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Patricia J.L. 👻🧶🖊️'s avatar

It's obvious Justin needs to write a second story with a second possible home owner. 😜

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Justin Deming's avatar

Haha! And every time it ends in similar fashion. Poor Joseph. I wonder how long it will take him to figure out that the home is still occupied?

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Patricia J.L. 👻🧶🖊️'s avatar

There's someone out there who will have no problem with a house haunted by a crafty granny!

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Tara Penry's avatar

Obvious! 👍🏼😂

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James Ron's avatar

Yikes! Nice ending. Was certain Sylvia had found her perfect place. Well done, Justin!

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Justin Deming's avatar

Thank you so much, James! Same here. I feel horrible that it was ripped away from her in such a fashion. On to greener pastures for dear Sylvia, I suppose!

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Tara Penry's avatar

Whew! I was afraid something would happen to Grace when Sylvia left her alone. I’m glad she’s ok. Well paced and surprising!

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Justin Deming's avatar

Thanks so much for reading and commenting, Tara! That’s great feedback for me. I was hoping a reader or two might mention some unease or tension relating to Grace being left alone. I appreciate the kind words!

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Yes. My five year old would have stayed right by my side in a strange house.

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Mark Starlin's avatar

I wasn't expecting that. 🤣 Somethings are just too good to be true. Nice one, Justin.

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Justin Deming's avatar

Haha! Thanks, Mark. I haven’t written a story with a twist ending in quite some time, so I decided to go for it. 😄

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Mark Starlin's avatar

Yup. You got me. 🤓

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just mud by Ron's avatar

That sure took a turn! Better now than the next day! Great read, Justin!

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Justin Deming's avatar

Haha, so very true, JM! That would have been far worse. Thanks a bunch for reading!

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Kim Deming's avatar

Great story!! I wasn't expecting that ending!!

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Justin Deming's avatar

Thank you! 😀

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Sherman Alexie's avatar

!!!!

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Justin Deming's avatar

I love this response, haha! Thank you for reading, Sherman.

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Scott Ocamb's avatar

Great story, I love the Catskills. Great build-up to a great ending.

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Justin Deming's avatar

Thank you, Scott! Very much appreciated. I love the Catskills, too. I just rented some skis for the upcoming winter season...hoping to pay the mountains a few visits! 🎿

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andrea tackach's avatar

Beautiful imagery, Justin. You can smell the peaches and breathe in the clear air. I love this story. That old lady did not want anyone else living in her house!! The accompanying photograph is perfect.

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Justin Deming's avatar

Thank you, Andrea! I’m happy you liked the story. I feel bad that things didn’t go as planned for Sylvia, but perhaps she’s better off in this case!

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Jim Latham's avatar

Fun one Justin

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Justin Deming's avatar

Thank you, Jim!

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Chris Patrick's avatar

Outstanding! I didn't see that twist coming and audibly gasped whilst the hairs on my neck stood on end.

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Justin Deming's avatar

Thank you, Chris! Ah man, love that you didn’t see the twist coming! Thanks so much for reading. 👻

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Claire Walster's avatar

Great story, Justin!! There was the perfect amount of tension and a feeling of 'too good to be true' running through this one! I was really worried for Grace for a minute there. Poor granny, though, I bet she gets lonely out there on that porch!

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Justin Deming's avatar

Thank you so much for reading, Claire! I really appreciate it. Haha! I’m sure granny does get quite lonely out there. 😄

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Matthew Murray's avatar

Clever ending! Great job. I think I would be running out too.

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Justin Deming's avatar

Thank you, Matthew! I’m pretty sure I’d be on your heels! 😅

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