The Lake House

1|| The Lake House

Lesley Livingston gently pulled back the faded black curtains just enough to peer out of the dusty window. Her gaze fixated on the tranquil lake that extended out before her. Mesmerized by its elegant flowing waters, a sense of serenity drifted over her.

The waters flowed gracefully. In such a precise manner, as if the lake knew its duty was to captivate prospective buyers, alluring them with its beauty.

"Awe!" Lesley extended her index finger, pointing at a flock of bluebirds as they gathered in the nearby trees. Shifting her gaze, her heart swelled with joy as her eyes landed on a family of ducks waddling in and out of the lake.

"It's truly beautiful and rejuvenating, Nick. Don't you agree?" Lesley bit her lower lip, desperate to move into the lake house already. Excitement rushed through her veins like sparks of electricity.

Before Nick could muster up a reply, the Livingston's realtor, Jackie, interjected in her calming yet professional voice, "This charming lake house was built in 1952 but was renovated in 2016. It still has such an incredibly nostalgic and peaceful feel, yet it's also modernly captivating." She clasped her hands together in front of her knee-length black skirt and smiled.

Jackie continued to venture through the house, gracefully following Nick's lead.

Lesley distanced herself from both of them, strolling out to the back and onto the patio. She reveled in the breathtaking views of the lake and its surroundings, with the forest masquerading as a panoramic backdrop; it felt surreal.

Lesley was a girl who grew up with an unstable mother and a father who disappeared long before her birth. Her mother dragged poor Lesley from one apartment to another.

Ultimately, she despised her hectic and chaotic childhood, promising herself that she would ensure her stability with a decent place to call home when she got older. However, she never imagined she would one day be looking into a property that was way beyond what she ever imagined possible in childhood.

Gazing out at the lake, the waters gleamed with the sun's reflection, and the Blue Jays chirped in the nearby trees. Lesley fell in love, drawn in by the captivating allure of the property. There was no way she wasn't going to get the house - she knew it was hers, and she could feel it in her bones.

The property was a far cry from their current residence in New York City. A condo situated within a skyscraper in the middle of downtown. The constant chaos that erupted in the streets grew tiresome. Lesley couldn't enjoy the summer's cool breeze when opening up her window at night, during the summer months, due to the police and ambulance sirens that were booming throughout the night, and becoming an everyday occurrence.

Homeless individuals lounged outside the building, peddling and begging for money, people being attacked during daylight and robbed of their precious jewelry, credit cards, or cash. Lesley had enough. She reminisced about the days she grew up in upstate New York with her grandparents on a piece of large farmland. Those times sent a sliver of joy through her and a smile formed on her face. Now, at that point in their lives, that's all she wanted for herself and Nick- to move away to a quiet and peaceful location where they could enjoy life and the beauty of nature.

Lesley's eyes glared at the rippling waters as a small wave protruded from the lake's surface. She stepped toward the edge of the patio, where she witnessed the wave getting higher. Surprised, she quickly stepped back, but it was too late. The water splashed right in her face.

She shook her head and wiped the droplets off her face with her forearm.

Curiosity struck her—How did the waters manage to spray her in the face? It was reminiscent of an act that a seal or sea lion would perform.