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. 😂
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. 😅
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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
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! 🎿
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.
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!
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. 😂
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. 😅
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!
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!
Ha! She seems pleasant enough to room with. 😄 Thanks for reading, Kim.
Total agreement! If you find it and need a roommate.... 🤷♀️ 😆
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!
Well, given the granny was just making a blanket and not bothering the living, that seems like an overreaction.
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!
True! What might Sylvia have lost in ethereal friendship and support? We’ll never know. 🤔😅
It's obvious Justin needs to write a second story with a second possible home owner. 😜
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?
There's someone out there who will have no problem with a house haunted by a crafty granny!
Obvious! 👍🏼😂
Yikes! Nice ending. Was certain Sylvia had found her perfect place. Well done, Justin!
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!
Whew! I was afraid something would happen to Grace when Sylvia left her alone. I’m glad she’s ok. Well paced and surprising!
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!
Yes. My five year old would have stayed right by my side in a strange house.
I wasn't expecting that. 🤣 Somethings are just too good to be true. Nice one, Justin.
Haha! Thanks, Mark. I haven’t written a story with a twist ending in quite some time, so I decided to go for it. 😄
Yup. You got me. 🤓
That sure took a turn! Better now than the next day! Great read, Justin!
Haha, so very true, JM! That would have been far worse. Thanks a bunch for reading!
Great story!! I wasn't expecting that ending!!
Thank you! 😀
!!!!
I love this response, haha! Thank you for reading, Sherman.
Great story, I love the Catskills. Great build-up to a great ending.
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! 🎿
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.
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!
Fun one Justin
Thank you, Jim!
Outstanding! I didn't see that twist coming and audibly gasped whilst the hairs on my neck stood on end.
Thank you, Chris! Ah man, love that you didn’t see the twist coming! Thanks so much for reading. 👻
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!
Thank you so much for reading, Claire! I really appreciate it. Haha! I’m sure granny does get quite lonely out there. 😄
Clever ending! Great job. I think I would be running out too.
Thank you, Matthew! I’m pretty sure I’d be on your heels! 😅