We Used to Live Here

by Marcus Kliewer

She had a crippling fear of disappointing anyone, even complete strangers—even people she disliked.

A weary burden of hidden knowledge that only came with age. The kind of eyes that had seen one too many caskets lowered into the dirt.

“Her core memories began to change. People she’d known all her life became strangers, and strangers became… familiar.”

The house felt like a fragile heirloom, passed from generation to generation, each person adding their own ideas—contradictions and all—only to have the whole project unceremoniously discarded. Abandoned in the woods. Waiting to be torn down by reckless house flippers.

change is an opportunity in disguise.”