A quiet street in a desirable neighborhood offers a lovely, three-
bedroom split with big windows and a sprawling backyard. There’s
carpet everywhere — even the bathrooms — but it was never tacked
down. An easy fix. Just pull it up. Roll it away. The showerheads are
newly installed. They were put in the same day I learned the story of
Bloody Mary from the girls down the street; the ones who liked to
watch scary movies and play Ouija. On the kind of day that makes
you avoid mirrors — just in case there’s something in the glass. The
wallpaper is a bit yellowed from all the smoke. You might find a stray
puzzle piece. She did so many. I’m not even sure she enjoyed them. I
didn’t ask. What are your thoughts on almond colored Formica
counters? There’s a matching kitchen table, but the blue, knit carpet
has a stain from the day the counter broke her fall. I knew I should
have called the ambulance. She asked for scrambled eggs. One had an
embryo, partially formed, with bright, red streaks. I threw it away and
stared into the trash. Started over. I’m not even sure she ate.