The visit

Staring at the house in front of her, Mrs. Betty sat in the owner's seat of her car. Her security sat calmly in front of the car, staring out the window.

It was not shocking that the previously stunning, enormous talk of the town, and admirable house was no longer in its prime. That was not at all what it seemed. It seemed less attractive than twenty-something years ago; it was faded and old-looking.

This one differed from the three years she had worked in that house. Nevertheless, the structure remained the same. The paint's color had changed and was already peeling off at the bottom, but that was the only difference. And the walls were ancient. Some flowers were fading along the pathway, and others were dead save for a few withered stems. There was no water gushing from the statue's hand in the middle, indicating the water fountain was dry. There was not a drop of water in it, and the fountain's walls were covered in algae.