Arthur Miller had lived alone in the large farmhouse for ten years. His wife, Martha, had passed away five years ago. The entire town had turned out for the funeral; there wasn’t a dry eye in the church. Martha had been a saint, the kind of woman who held a community together.
When she was gone, Arthur fell apart. He spent sleepless nights plastering the walls with photos of his late, beloved wife. Everything in the house was a ghost of her. Arthur had been married twice, with a son from each marriage.
The first son had passed away unexpectedly not long ago. He was just a working man, doing his job, when his heart simply gave out. There was no time to save him.
Arthur’s second son, Ethan, had been living out of state for ten years. He visited his father often, bringing care packages, groceries, and extra cash. The old man was flattered by the attention. Gruff by nature but kind-hearted, Arthur knew he was remembered and loved.
— Why are you calling every day and wasting your money? I’m still kicking. When I’m gone, the lawyers will let you know, — Arthur would say, chuckling.
He kept his phone calls brief, trying to save Ethan the expense. He often scolded his son for being over-attentive.
— I’m busy in the garden, reading the papers, or watching the game, — Arthur would say when asked about his day.
But the old man wasn’t being entirely honest. Some time after his wife’s passing, the neighbors started whispering about a mysterious woman. They claimed she was visiting him regularly.
At first, Ethan didn’t believe it. He figured it was just small-town gossip that would eventually blow over. But the rumors of the “mystery lady” didn’t stop. Eventually, word reached Ethan that this woman was practically living at his father’s place. Whenever he asked directly, Arthur remained elusive.
— Don’t be ridiculous, son. There’s no one here. Everything is fine, — he would reply.
After such answers, Ethan would settle down for a while. But it took another year to uncover the truth. Due to travel restrictions and his own work, Ethan hadn’t been able to visit. The only way to check in was through the occasional delivery.
— My wife and I put together a little care package for you; we’re shipping it out in the next few days, — Ethan said over a scratchy line.
— Why all the fuss? I’m fine. I don’t need anything. I’ve got plenty here. You’re making a mountain out of a molehill, — his father grumbled.
Ethan convinced him it was fine, but instead of hanging up, his father started grumbling to someone else in the room. And then, Ethan heard a woman’s voice.
— Why are you getting so worked up? He’s just saying it’s a gift. Don’t be so cranky.
Unable to believe his ears, Ethan decided to call back on his father’s landline immediately. A woman picked up. She didn’t sound embarrassed at all.
— Hello? Who is this?
Ethan, stunned by what he heard, stayed silent for a moment and then called his father’s cell again. This time, the old man answered.
— Son, what’s wrong? You’ve called me ten times today!
— I don’t get it, Dad. What’s going on? Who was that woman who just picked up? Has something changed in your life?
— What woman? What are you talking about? You must have dialed the wrong number. Nothing’s changed. Same as always. Don’t go imagining things, — his father snapped and hung up.
Ethan couldn’t shake it. He sat in his car for a long time, staring out the window. Then he went inside and found his wife.
— I think my dad has some woman living with him, — he said, his voice nearly breaking.
— What makes you say that?
— I’ve heard rumors, but she actually answered the phone just now. Who is she? What is she doing there? — Ethan was pacing, his face turning red with frustration.
— I don’t know, and neither do you. But we can’t do anything right now with the travel ban. Once things open up, you can go down there and settle this.
Meanwhile, the unknown woman was indeed living in the old man’s house. Her name was Lorraine. She was nearly six years younger than him. Her husband had died three years prior, and she had a daughter and two grandkids. After a short time alone, she decided she needed a “strong shoulder” to lean on.
It turned out she had started by asking Arthur for help around her place—fixing a shelf here, picking some apples there. An old, lonely man is always happy to be useful. He was bored. In her company, he felt necessary again.
— Oh, look at you. You’re a wonder, Arthur. I would have struggled with that porch for weeks. Thank you, honey, — she would say softly.
Arthur would just blush and give a confused, happy smile. Soon, Lorraine started bringing him pies, fresh bread, and home-cooked dinners. She found any excuse to drop by. Before long, he was hooked.
— Listen, just hear me out. You’re alone. I’m alone. Maybe you should just move in here? If you’re willing, it’d be a lot more cheerful with two of us, — Arthur told her one evening.
— Oh, Arthur, I hadn’t even thought… but of course. I’d feel so safe with you.
From that moment on, Lorraine practically moved into the farmhouse. She was effectively his wife. She cooked, did the laundry, and cleaned. She waited for him to come back from the hardware store. She was always there.
To an outsider, everything looked fine. But the reality was darker. Ethan noticed that his father was sounding tipsy more and more often during their calls. He barely spoke; he just wanted to get off the phone.
— I don’t understand. Dad won’t say a word about this new woman, but he’s drinking more and he sounds out of it. I’m worried, — Ethan told his wife.
— I think you’re overreacting. If he found someone, isn’t that good? Would you rather he be alone? He’s a healthy man with needs. I’m glad he has someone to look after him so he isn’t rattling around that big house by himself, — she replied.
— Yeah, but I’m afraid he’s going to do something stupid in a “fit of passion” or whatever it is he’s feeling.
— Well, if you’re that worried, go see him as soon as you can. It’s easier to see the truth in person.
And so they left it at that. But months passed. Eventually, Ethan found out through the grapevine that his father was planning to get married. Arthur hadn’t said a word to him. Seething, Ethan called to confront him.
— Dad, what the hell is going on? The neighbors are saying you’re getting hitched. Is that true or not?
— Those gossips. Can’t anyone mind their own business? Yeah, it’s true. I met someone. We’re getting married.
— God. I can’t believe it. Have you lost your mind? You’re not a kid anymore! What are you thinking? Think about Mom. Think about how little time it’s been. Have you forgotten her already?
— I haven’t forgotten anyone! I was at her grave two weeks ago. Don’t you dare talk to me like that. You should be happy I’m not alone, — Arthur shouted and slammed the phone down.
Ethan couldn’t take it anymore. He packed his bags and hit the road. The restrictions had finally eased, and he made the long drive back home.
When he arrived, the first thing he saw was a cheerful woman bustling about the garden.
— Ethan, this is Lorraine, — the old man said with a smile.
— Oh… you must be Ethan. I’ve heard so much. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you. — She held out a hand encased in a dirty gardening glove.
Ethan looked at the hand with disgust and cleared his throat.
— Dad, can I talk to you for a second?
They stepped aside. Lorraine continued planting flowers by the porch, stealing glances at them as they talked in the gazebo.
— What is this? What are you doing?
— Look, son, I’ve been alone for years. A lot has changed. I missed having someone around. Lorraine came into my life at the right time. She takes care of me. That’s enough.
— Don’t you think she’s with you for the wrong reasons? You’ve got a solid union pension from the mines, plus the farm income. And this house! Have you even thought about that?
— Ethan, — Arthur laughed. — She’s a wonderful woman. She’s kind. I won’t hear a bad word about her.
— Watch yourself, Dad. Keep your guard up. I don’t like her. If you want my opinion, I’m against this.
— And who said I cared about your opinion? Do you want me to wait for the grave, praying to your mother’s portraits? I loved her. But she’s gone, Ethan. She’s gone, and I’m still here. Now leave, before I say something I’ll regret. Just go. — The old man pointed a shaking hand toward the driveway.
Stunned, Ethan left and went to stay with his mother-in-law nearby. He told her the whole bitter truth. She just sighed and shook her head.
— Don’t take it so hard. Your father isn’t a child. He knows what’s best for him.
— He’s an old fool, — Ethan muttered.
The next day, Ethan called a friend who used to work in the local sheriff’s department. He asked him to run a background check on Lorraine.
— Honestly, Ethan, I’ve got nothing. No priors, no record. I don’t know what you’ve got against her. Just be glad your dad has company, — his friend reported.
— Thanks for the info. I’ll pass on the advice, — Ethan snapped.
Ethan told his wife about his fears.
— Listen to me, — she said. — Tell your father you’re going home. Let “Lorraine” think you’ve left. Let’s see what she does when she thinks the coast is clear.
They did exactly that. That evening, Ethan went to say goodbye. His father was already drunk. He took the news of Ethan’s departure passively, patted him on the shoulder, packed some gifts for the grandkids, and went back to the TV.
— Let’s see what you do now that I’m “gone,” — Ethan thought.
He rented a car and began staking out the house. Within a day, he felt like a character in a spy movie. All week, he watched as Lorraine kept the booze flowing. She bought the bottles and constantly pushed them on him. She refilled his glass every time it hit the table.
— Why is she trying to keep him wasted? What’s the end game? — Ethan wondered.
One morning, he saw Lorraine getting dressed up to go out. He followed her to a local notary’s office. She wasn’t inside long, but when she came out, she was clutching a folder of documents.
That night, Ethan got his answer. Once Lorraine and his father went inside, Ethan slipped into the yard and peered through the window. Lorraine was setting the table. Arthur stumbled into the room, swaying.
— Drunk again, — Ethan thought, pulling out his phone to record.
Lorraine and Arthur sat down. They ate, and she made sure he kept drinking. When the old man could barely keep his head up, she slid the documents in front of him. He stared at them with glazed eyes and let his head drop toward the table.
Lorraine didn’t hesitate. She forced a pen into his hand and shook him awake. She pointed to the signature line and guided his hand until the paper was signed.
Once it was done, she checked the signature and let out a triumphant little breath. Then she made a call. A few minutes later, a car pulled into the driveway.
A middle-aged man was behind the wheel. He honked once, and Lorraine immediately ran out with two gym bags and the folder under her arm. The man got out and helped her load the trunk.
— And who the hell is this? — Ethan whispered, recording the license plate as they drove off.
Ethan immediately called his friend at the station, giving him the new details and the plate number.
The next morning, Arthur woke up with a splitting headache. He stood up, looked around the empty house, and realized Lorraine was gone. Her clothes, her bags—everything.
While he was wandering around in a daze, a stranger appeared at the door. It turned out that the night before, without realizing it, Arthur had signed a deed selling his house to a “private buyer.” The stranger showed him the contract, complete with Arthur’s signature, and informed him he had three days to vacate.
At that moment, Ethan’s friend called.
— I’ve got news, and it isn’t great. I dug deeper. Her name isn’t Lorraine; it’s Clara Polanski. She had a son named Stan. Years ago, back when he first started at the mine, there was an accident.
A cage got stuck during a shift change. The word was that the hoist operator—your father—was drunk on duty and missed the signal. Stan went to help and something went wrong with the cable. The cage dropped. Men died.
When it came time to find a fall guy, they didn’t pick the veteran operator everyone liked. They blamed the kid, Stan. He was facing prison and couldn’t handle the shame. He took his own life.
Clara Polanski had been waiting for revenge. She blamed Arthur for everything. She wanted to take his home and leave him with nothing, just like she felt she was left.
But Ethan had caught her in time. With the video footage and the information from his friend, the police moved fast. “Lorraine” was picked up at a motel nearby. Facing the video evidence of a fraudulent signing under duress, she confessed to the whole scheme.
When Ethan went back to the house, he didn’t tell his father the whole story about the mine. The old man was just happy to see his son. He told Ethan about Lorraine’s “mysterious disappearance.”
— It’s the strangest thing. She just packed up and left. Didn’t say a word.
— It’s okay, Dad. Everything’s going to be fine. You’ll find twenty more women like her. You’ve still got it. Just… maybe cut back on the whiskey. It never leads anywhere good, — Ethan said, giving him a wink.
The two men looked at each other for a long time. Then, they both wiped away a stray tear and shared a long, silent hug. They were all the family they had left, and for now, that was enough.
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