Next Morning, I Asked My Realtor to Put the House on Sale

When Lucy moved back into her childhood home, she was looking forward to a fresh start after her difficult divorce. However, her neighbors’ cryptic remarks about the attic left her with a sense of unease, and what she discovered up there compelled her to leave the house immediately.

“Turning thirty deserves something special,” her mother had said when her parents handed her the keys to her childhood home.

After finishing dinner—the only birthday celebration Lucy felt capable of having following her painful divorce—her mother placed the small package in her hand. Her parents called it a fresh start, but Lucy couldn’t help but notice the odd brightness in their smiles and the secretive glances they exchanged. Initially, she thought it was just the surprise of receiving the house as a gift. But, she soon realized it was all tied to the shocking discovery she’d find in the attic.

Her parents had moved to a quiet cottage outside town, claiming they wanted peace and quiet. But Lucy believed they were simply ready to pass on the memories and the past to her.

Lucy set the keys on the kitchen counter, letting her fingers linger on the cool surface. This house had been her sanctuary through scraped knees, teenage heartbreaks, and had inspired her passion for art. As she traced her fingers along the counter’s grooves, she realized how much both she and the house had aged and changed over the years. She hoped living there again would help her heal after the divorce.

Lucy and Ryan had started dating in college. From the onset, Lucy made it clear she didn’t want children, and Ryan seemed fine with that. But when Lucy turned 29, Ryan began talking about biological clocks and pressured her to reconsider her stance on having children. When Lucy affirmed that she still didn’t want to be a parent, Ryan declared they were “incompatible” and filed for divorce. The word “incompatible” still stung.

Attempting to make the house her sanctuary again, Lucy began unpacking her things. She hoped she could start over after her life had fallen apart. Whilst unloading the last box, a voice startled her. An older woman with graying curls stood on the sidewalk holding a pie. “Moving in, huh? You must be Lucy,” she said.

Lucy admitted she was and accepted the pie with a polite smile. The woman spoke again, mentioning the attic and how her parents had spent much time there before leaving. Lucy felt a sudden tension in her stomach but didn’t know quite why. The woman smiled mysteriously and left, leaving Lucy feeling unsettled.

That evening, Adam, a neighbor from across the street, introduced himself. He was friendly and welcoming, and he too mentioned the attic, as if there was something she needed to see. Left alone, curiosity gnawed at Lucy until she felt compelled to investigate.

The next evening, unable to quell her curiosity, Lucy climbed the attic stairs. The key was conveniently hanging in the hall closet. With her heart racing, she unlocked the attic door. A strange sweet smell of fresh paint filled the air. There, she found a nursery, complete with softly painted walls, a crib, and a mobile. The transformation of her childhood haven into a nursery left her breathless.

On the crib, Lucy found a note from her parents. They’d turned the attic into a nursery against her wishes, believing she was denying herself the joy of motherhood. The letter stated this was for her own good. Lucy was incensed. The sanctity of her creativity had been exchanged for a space she didn’t even want.

In her frustration, she knew she couldn’t stay. By morning, she’d decided to sell the house. She called her realtor, determined to leave behind this symbol of unwanted expectations.

The news of the house sale hit her parents hard. Voicemails arrived frequently, an amalgam of guilt and pleading. Lucy listened but didn’t reply. Instead, she poured her anger into her art, finding solace and healing through her creativity.

Eventually, at a gallery showcasing her work, she met Ethan. Unlike anyone she’d known, he accepted her without children as part of their future. They connected on all levels, and when he eventually proposed, she didn’t hesitate to say yes.

Surprisingly, the painful detour from her childhood home led her to the happiness she truly sought. In a way, her past home had guided her towards a future she hadn’t even imagined possible.