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\nFor illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash<\/p>\n
I clenched my fists beside my sister, Hazel, and her gloating fianc\u00e9, Mark, as I listened to the lawyer reading our parents\u2019 will.<\/p>\n
Hazel interrupted, fidgeting in her chair. \u201cMr. Schneider, but why did I get the main house?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYour parents met me. They knew we had plans to get married and have children,\u201d Mark interjected, the corners of his lips rising slightly. \u201cFreddy likes to travel and never brought a girl home, so the big house should naturally go to a potential family.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nFor illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash<\/p>\n
\u201cReally?\u201d I retorted sarcastically, but it was only because Mark\u2019s attitude always got on my nerves.<\/p>\n
Mark chuckled. \u201cYour parents agree, obviously. They did this. Not me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMark, that\u2019s not fair,\u201d Hazel continued timidly.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s more than fair, babe,\u201d her fianc\u00e9 insisted.<\/p>\n
Mark and I stared at each other in a standoff. Mark broke the tense silence, making insinuations about my lifestyle, leading to our parents\u2019 decision.<\/p>\n
Hazel attempted to defend me, but Mark spoke over her, insisting they deserved the mansion versus the abandoned house.<\/p>\n
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\nFor illustration purposes only | Source: Unsplash<\/p>\n
My voice cracked as I confronted my sister about our parents\u2019 old-fashioned views, particularly regarding my own life choices.<\/p>\n
Hazel shook her head despite acknowledging that our parents struggled to accept certain aspects of my life. \u201cThings were different for their generation. They never knew if you would or could ever have kids,\u201d she said, tightening her lips.<\/p>\n
I laughed mockingly. \u201cIt\u2019s the 21st century, Hazel. They could watch TV and movies and see how it works!\u201d I continued, explaining that our parents started treating me differently after realizing my inclinations.<\/p>\n
\u201cStop it!\u201d Hazel frowned. \u201cI will not allow you to talk about them this way.\u201d She finally told me to accept our parents\u2019 decision, making Mark smile wider.<\/p>\n
Hanging my head, I nodded at Mr. Schneider, accepting the will, and walked out of the lawyer\u2019s office, my shoulder slumped on the way out.<\/p>\n
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\nFor illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels<\/p>\n
I moved into the abandoned house as soon as I received the keys. It was better than I imagined. My father had bought it for a decent price, but after marrying Doreen, he moved into the big mansion that Hazel inherited.<\/p>\n
It still stung me that our parents didn\u2019t think I was good enough to get it. But it didn\u2019t matter anymore. It was my new house, and I had to take advantage of it.<\/p>\n
On the first day, I assessed everything that needed repairs and settled on remodeling the bathrooms and the kitchen. But after doing a little research on the internet about renovation costs, I sighed loudly. It would take thousands of dollars to make the place livable again, and that was only on labor costs.<\/p>\n
\u201cI could learn how to do it myself,\u201d I shrugged, reaching for my laptop again. \u201cHow hard could it be?\u201d<\/p>\n
Spoiler alert: It was complicated. I, a theater kid turned world-traveling photographer, embraced this challenge as my most complex endeavor. I hoped to debunk stereotypes about my capabilities by documenting the renovation process on social media.<\/p>\n
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\nFor illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels<\/p>\n
Two weeks later, I finished the kitchen and moved to the bathrooms. But I stared at the main one for a long time, sighing. Renovating was a lot of work, and the bathroom seemed trickier than changing a few cabinets and the tiles.<\/p>\n
\u201cHmmm, maybe I can do something else,\u201d I wondered, walking through the house and talking to myself. \u201cThe bedrooms certainly need new paint. And the floor. Wait, what is that?\u201d<\/p>\n
I had just entered a small room, which must have been intended as a home office. But it was the first time I took it in and saw a strange protrusion in a corner. \u201cUgh, don\u2019t tell me this floor is rotten or something. How much will that cost?\u201d I lamented, thinking the rest of my inheritance would have to be spent on real construction work.<\/p>\n
I bent a knee and touched the strange unevenness on the floorboards, and surprisingly, my hand went through the floor. \u201cYuck! It is rotten,\u201d I thought, wiping my hands. But when I focused again, I saw a strange hollowness that shouldn\u2019t have existed.<\/p>\n
I immediately got my phone out, and with my flashlight, I took a better look and saw\u2026 stairs leading into the darkness.<\/p>\n
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\nFor illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels<\/p>\n
Days later, I contacted Mr. Schneider, curious about the house\u2019s floor plans. \u201cHow do I find the floor plans for this house?\u201d I asked, hesitant to explore the hidden staircase.<\/p>\n
Mr. Schneider suggested checking the municipal office. \u201cYou know\u2026My father\u2019s old house had a bomb shelter that we didn\u2019t know about until he died. Built it right during World War I.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr. Schneider offered to find more information and get back to me. Several days later, I received the floor plans, confirming the house indeed had a basement hidden beneath a trap door.<\/p>\n
I knew I didn\u2019t have to look down there, but my curiosity was piqued, wondering if this secret part was why my parents left me the house.<\/p>\n
So, I took a sledgehammer and destroyed all the rotten parts, which corresponded with the size of the trap door. The rest of the floor seemed normal enough. \u201cOh, man. I bet it\u2019s flooded down there,\u201d I muttered as I started going down.<\/p>\n
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\nFor illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels<\/p>\n
I had my phone flashlight out and could smell the heavy scent of mildew and moisture in the air. \u201cGreat, this will be more money,\u201d I muttered as I reached the bottom of the stairs. From what I could tell, it was just a regular room.<\/p>\n
Except\u2026there was a desk in the middle, littered with papers and an old-fashioned typewriter. Did Dad know about this place? I wondered as my hands reached for one of the sheets on the desk bearing a short poem, and at the bottom of the page, I saw the name Milton.<\/p>\n
Among the papers, I found poems signed by my father. Oh, my God! Dad was a poet and writer, I realized. Digging deeper, I uncovered an ornate box beneath the papers.<\/p>\n
Rushing upstairs, I eagerly read through the poems, marveling at their depth and beauty. I opened the ornate box and discovered more pages, realizing quickly they were from a novel \u2014 a love story between two men.<\/p>\n
\u201cIs that why they kept this place?\u201d I wondered and remembered the last words my father had spoken to me before he left home: \u201cOne day, you\u2019ll understand.\u201d<\/p>\n
The realization hit me like a freight train \u2014 my father had hidden a significant part of himself, perhaps resenting his own limitations compared to my freedom in the modern era.<\/p>\n
Eager to share this discovery with Hazel, I called her despite the late hour. \u201cHazel, I just discovered something, and I need to show you,\u201d I said urgently. \u201cCome to my house tomorrow. Without him. This is huge and should stay between us for now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Our conversation was interrupted by Mark\u2019s intrusion, but I insisted on keeping it between siblings.<\/p>\n
The next day, to my surprise, Hazel arrived alone. I showed her the hidden basement, the ornate box, the poems, and the novel I found. \u201cIt\u2019s a love story between two men who go to war,\u201d I revealed.<\/p>\n
Hazel was shocked, struggling to reconcile this with our father\u2019s known\u2026biases. I explained my theory: our father had given me the house, so I could discover this story, suggesting our father might have struggled with his own identity.<\/p>\n
Hazel processed the information, pacing the room in disbelief. \u201cIt\u2019s just crazy! What about Mom?\u201d<\/p>\n
I urged her to read the novel. \u201cI think Dad was struggling with so much, and he had to live a secret life because times were different. I think he projected all he felt\u2014his self-loathing\u2014on me because I was free to do what I wanted.\u201d<\/p>\n
Suddenly, the front door swung open forcefully, and Mark was in my living room, yelling at the top of his voice. \u201cWhat are you trying to make my wife hide from me?! Or are you trying to convince her to dump me?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHazie, tell me you\u2019re not falling for that bull,\u201d I sighed, rolling my eyes. \u201cEven if you were dating an actual good guy, I wouldn\u2019t have invited him today. This secret is too precious for anyone else.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s trying to screw us again like he wanted with the house. He\u2019s getting you to hide something from me so I won\u2019t act in your best interest,\u201d Mark accused, smirking confidently while pointing his finger.<\/p>\n
Hazel remained silent.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know I\u2019m right, babe,\u201d Mark whispered to Hazel, his voice turning sweet and coaxing. \u201cHe\u2019s always hated me because you love me more than him. He\u2019s trying to separate us.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMark, stop it!\u201d Hazel finally snapped, throwing her hands in the air. \u201cIf Freddy found anything here, it would be his legally.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mark tried to insist, wrapping his arms around her, but Hazel was done.<\/p>\n
\u201cENOUGH!\u201d Hazel screamed, pushing Mark back. \u201cGod, I\u2019m so tired of you! You only ever cared about money! You never truly loved me. We\u2019re DONE, Mark! I can\u2019t believe I ignored all the red flags!\u201d<\/p>\n
I exhaled, relieved.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re breaking up with me over this?\u201d Mark spluttered, his mouth wide with shock.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, Mark. It\u2019s over. I want my life back,\u201d Hazel declared, crossing her arms.<\/p>\n
Mark turned to me, begging. \u201cFreddy, tell her she\u2019s making a mistake.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFreddy\u2019s not going to help you, Mark. He\u2019s been trying to open my eyes to your true colors for years,\u201d Hazel said, stepping towards the door. \u201cGet out of here and out of my house!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s my house, too!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re not married!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll fight you on this!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll get Mr. Schneider on the phone right now,\u201d I announced and didn\u2019t hesitate to dial our lawyer to explain the situation.<\/p>\n
Mark, now desperate, demanded, \u201cI want my ring back!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat ring was my grandmother\u2019s, Mark. It\u2019s staying with me!\u201d Hazel retorted, forcefully escorting Mark out of the house. Once he was gone, she turned to me, tears and relief in her eyes. \u201cI think I need to stay here for a while.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re welcome to stay as long as you need,\u201d I embraced her warmly.<\/p>\n
After a moment, she pulled back, a small smile on her face. \u201cCan we order some Chinese food? I\u2019m dying to read Dad\u2019s novel.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAbsolutely,\u201d I agreed, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders.<\/p>\n
Publishing our father\u2019s novel proved easier than expected. My friends in the LGBTQ+ publishing community were eager to help. Hazel, deeply moved by the story, insisted I keep all the royalties.<\/p>\n
Mr. Schneider dealt with Mark, ensuring he\u2019d never bother us again. Apparently, Mark had left town, but I didn\u2019t care. My focus was on my sister\u2019s happiness and honoring our father\u2019s legacy.<\/p>\n
Eventually, I felt the urge to travel again. I rented out my house and set off on a new adventure. Upon my return, I was delighted to find Hazel happily dating a kind, successful man who adored her.<\/p>\n
The book wasn\u2019t a bestseller, but it received excellent reviews. Therefore, I decided to publish our father\u2019s poems, too, including a prologue detailing our father\u2019s hidden life. It was a tribute to love, acceptance, and the importance of living one\u2019s truth.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I clenched my fists beside my sister, Hazel, and her gloating fianc\u00e9, Mark, as I listened to the lawyer reading our parents\u2019 will. Hazel interrupted, fidgeting in her chair. \u201cMr. Schneider, but why did I get the main house?\u201d \u201cYour parents met me. They knew we had plans to get married and have children,\u201d Mark […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10323","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10323","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=10323"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10323\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10330,"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10323\/revisions\/10330"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=10323"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=10323"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newzdiscover.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=10323"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}