First published 2025
An unnamed man stands at the end of his marriage and career, touring a countryside house with a young realtor. The property once belonged to Helen, a woman whose presence still saturates every room despite her absence. As the realtor shares stories about Helen's remarkable life, the man glimpses a different way of existing. The house tour stretches across a single day, but Helen's influence grows stronger as darkness approaches. Her alternative vision of life appeals to him, yet the practical details of embracing such a path prove more complex than he anticipated. The man must confront what he's willing to sacrifice for genuine contentment. Makenna Goodman constructs a story that questions how we build our sense of self and what we surrender when we choose transformation over familiarity.
Genres: fiction, literary-fiction, contemporary, family-drama
Vibes: atmospheric, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: character-study, slice-of-life
Setting: Countryside House
Period: Contemporary
141 pages · Paperback · Coffee House Press