Dream House

The mask over his face made it difficult to breathe. The moist exhale lingered in Carl’s mouth and reminded him of the pandemic a few years back. His steps made a scrunching sound while following his friends.

The sun hadn’t won against the clouds today and the living room they were currently walking through looked even more desolate bathed in the grey gloom.

“What do you think? Isn’t this the perfect project?”

Isabel turned around and locked eyes with him. Then quickly looked over to Fredric and Mabel. While the other two friends nodded quickly, Carl stared at the wall. A crack was running from the right corner straight to the middle. The plastering had long given up and was only attached to designated parts of the brickwork.

“This isn’t just a project. This is where we’re going to grow old.”

Lorenz had stopped as well, just right under the door frame leading to the corridor. Carl tried to make his forehead not wrinkle while pressing his lips together. His friend’s eyes shone brightly. While Lorenz’ straightened his back, focusing solely on Carl, he felt a pinch in his stomach.

“So, what do you say, Carl?”

Now all attention was directed at him. His hand found its way to the back of his neck. Forgetting that he wore the mask, his fingers tangled with the rubber bands. Trying to free himself again, he pulled some hair.

“I guess you need to see upstairs as well, to get the full picture.”

Isabel stepped next to him and pulled him along. Her hand was clasped around his upper arm. She squeezed past Lorenz whose expression had dropped. But with a pat on his shoulder from his girlfriend, he perked up again.

“Yes, let’s head upstairs.”

They were a few steps ahead of the others, when Isabel pulled him toward her. Slightly startled Carl almost lost balance. With his free hand, he grabbed the railing just to feel the wood break under his grip.

“Don’t you dare say anything. Do you know how long it took for us to find something affordable?”

“I wasn’t …”

“Do you think I’m stupid? If you ruin this for me, I’ll make sure everyone knows about your little secret.”

“What? No!”

Isabel pulled him further up the stairs. Carl’s movements were automatic while his body registered the sorry state of the wooden stairs.

On the landing, she finally let go of his arm with a little shove. He stumbled backwards a few steps, further into the corridor of the first floor. It was almost dark, as all the doors were shut.

“Ah!”

A rain of dry plaster rained down his collar. It was followed by the low thud of several pieces of the wall hitting the floor. When Carl looked up, Isabel was directly in front of him.

“Don’t play dumb. You can be lucky that Lorenz is so oblivious. But Fredric and Mabel are already suspicious. So, keep your mouth shut and I will keep mine shut. Just nod and give your thumbs-up. Like you usually do.”

“Are you two okay? Quite dark up here, isn’t it?”

Lorenz voice made Carl look up. The other three members of their group had reached the landing as well. Isabel turned around, her pony tail whipping his neck. Immediately, his hand rubbed over the skin.

“Everything is fine, Carl just tripped over something.”

Isabel clung to her boyfriend’s arm, the corner of her eyes wrinkled. Carl knew that under her mask was a dazzling smile, pearly-white teeth framed by rosy lips.

“Let’s go. This is where we want to set up our bedroom, a guest room and maybe and office.”

“Which we can later turn into a nursery.”

Standing in a daze, Carl let the happy couple pass. Mabel and Fredric shot him a look. There was a front on Mabel’s face while Fredric just patted his shoulder.

“Just go with it. It’ll be over soon.”

Carl didn’t know if Fredric’s words were supposed to be encouraging or the opposite. After the group had disappeared in the first room, Carl tried to take a deep breath. Instead, he felt hot air with small particles of dust entering his lungs. The urge to pull off the mask had his fingers on the rubber bands in a second. He took a step forward. The mask was half off, when the debris rubbed against his back. Immediately, he pulled the mask back up, trying to get the coughing under control.

“Are you all right?”

The hand on his shoulder was all too familiar but today it didn’t help to ease his discomfort. He stepped away, making the hand drop next to him.

“What’s wrong? Do you need some time outside? I know …”

“Are you not seeing what I’m seeing?”

“What do you mean?”

Carl stared at his childhood friend. The big dark-brown puppy eyes still carried the same innocence from their kindergarten days. Carl pressed his palm against his forehead before looking at the other man again.

“You know that this is a dump. From what I’ve seen almost none of the structure is salvageable.”

“Woah! That’s quite harsh. The realtor said it was a hidden gem for any handyman.”

Quickly, Carl’s gaze flew to the door through which the group had disappeared earlier. He could still hear Isabel rave about the space. This was his chance.

“Are you a handyman? Is Isabel?”

This made his friend blink a few times. Carl felt his heart thumb hard in his chest. He swallowed, trying not to think of the consequences.

“Well, we aren’t. That’s why we brought you here today. I know it’s a lot to ask. But I was wondering … if you could help us a bit.”

“A bit?”

“Yeah, you know. Maybe with the stairs and hm … ask maybe some of your colleagues. You’re the one with the best connections.”

Carl stared at Lorenz.

“Was this your idea or Isabel’s?”

Now it was Lorenz who got his hands tangled up in the rubber bands. Previously, Carl would have helped his friend. Now he just watched him struggle.

“So, it was Isabel.”

“You know how she is. And … I can’t afford more at the moment. I wanted to give her what she wanted. What she deserves.”

“She deserves this. You are right. But not you!”

“What?”

“You don’t deserve this, Lorenz. This house is falling apart. The only way …”

“Oh, are you feeling better?”

Isabel’s voice was higher than usual when she wrapped her arm around her boyfriend’s.

“Let’s go to the last room. Then we’ll have your verdict.”

Mabel and Fredric were passing through the door to the next room. Isabel pushed Lorenz ahead. Carl had no choice but to follow them eventually.

When he entered the last room, he couldn’t bring himself to take more but a few steps. While Mabel and Fredric looked around, Isabel chattered on about the potential of the room. Lorenz hovered nearby but still cast careful glances in his direction. A few times he made encouraging movements to join them, but Carl couldn’t but stare.

“So, what do you say?”

“Well, it’s definitely a lot of work.”

Mabel agreed to Fredric’s statement by nodding vigorously. Hope made Carl make a step forward.

“But I’m sure with the right help you can manage. Right, Carl?”

Now all eyes were on him. Lorenz’ shining eyes tried to pull his defences down. But Isabel’s clasp around his arm made him blink a few times. He shook his head, trying to ignore the disappointed of his childhood friend.

“This house can’t be saved. I feel uncomfortable even standing here. Your realtor scammed you.”

“Carl!”

Isabel’s shriek made him flinch but it didn’t matter anymore. He focused on Lorenz, hoping that his friend would understand.

“I’m sorry, Lorenz. But …”

“No, don’t listen, Lorenz. He’s just jealous. Because you have me. Because you have this house.”

“What?”

The pretty woman pulled her boyfriend further toward her.

“I’m sorry, that I have to tell you like this, honey. I didn’t want to. I know how much he means to you. But I know that Carl’s secretly in love with me.”

Mouth agape Carl stared at the couple. Lorenz blinked a few times. He wanted to step forward, but Isabel held him back.

“Is that true, Carl? You want to break us up. That’s why you so against this house?”

The earnest in his friend’s eyes made it difficult for him to collect his thoughts.

“This is absurd. Lorenz, do you hear yourself? Why would I …”

“There is no point denying it anymore. I have proof. I’ll show you later, honey.”

Carl watched Lorenz tense. His throat was squeezed tight that it hurt.

“Carl, say something. Do you really want Isabel?”

“Sure he does! Mabel and Fredric know too.”

The two other friends flinched but nodded hesitantly when Isabel glared at them. Carl felt laughter bubble up in his chest. Bewildered, the other four people stared at him. He laughed, with tears streaming down his face, soaking the rim of his mask.

When he managed to get himself under control again, he took a few steps forward. With Isabel still clinging to Lorenz he didn’t dare to approach them any further.

“Isabel, you think too highly of yourself. I’ve never even have the slightest interest in you. Other you being Lorenz’ girlfriend.”

“So, you are really not …?”

“Don’t believe him, honey. He’s just trying to talk his way out of this. He wants to destroy our dream!”

Carl saw his friend sway, unable to make a decision. With a heavy heart, Carl decided for him.

“Believe, what you want to believe. You mean the world to me. This house is a deathtrap. It will either collapse completely or eat all your savings.”

“But the realtor …”

“Don’t listen, honey! He’s manipulating you. He’s always been doing that. Remember what we talked about?”

With dread, Carl saw Lorenz nod slowly and unknown guard damped the shine in his eyes.

“I guess, that’s it. Sorry, Lor. I’m always honest about my craft. I wish you all the best. And I’ll always be there for you. Even when everything falls apart.”