1

Maybe the signs were there from the beginning. Whenever a happy Julie popped in for a surprised visit at her husband Sam's work, the secretary seemed uncomfortable, standoffish. She was unable to make eye-contact. Julie did not think anything of it, the secretary was young and perhaps inexperienced.

2

Within months her husband told her he wanted out of the marriage. He needed a divorce immediately. Julie felt like the life she had known had changed in a split second all over a younger more beautiful woman. But what about their lives together, their experiences, their history?

3

The new wife-to-be wanted to live in the mansion where Julie and Sam had raised their kids together. Julie was given three days to pack all of her clothes, mementos, and everything that indicated she ever lived in that beautiful home.

4

She was allowed to take some other things but it took a lot of negotiation. Not only did she have to move out but she had to ask before taking anything else the former secretary may want to keep. She could remember every frame and piece of furniture and how she chose each one with Sam or her kids. It was a humiliating experience to say the least.

5

She spent the whole day packing, crying, packing, crying. Julie felt she had no voice. Her feelings, opinions were being dismissed. She had no idea how to begin new, alone. So much of a life tucked into cardboard boxes felt like a cruel joke.

6

Julie could not believe it but she was able to pack 37 years of her life in a truck. It only took two days to complete the task. Whether or not she was ready to relinquish her home, Julie was out of the picture for good. Just like that she was being discarded so a new woman could enjoy the house and all the memories made there.

7

The third day was left to relax and say goodbye to her home. Julie picked up an expensive bottle of Chardonnay for all time's sake.

8

Her last supper in her home had to be special. She sat down on her beautiful, former dining room table to enjoy a rich and delicious dish of shrimp and caviar. She put some of her favourite music so she could savour each bite of her dinner. When she was finished eating, she didn't take her dish to the dishwasher right away. Instead, Julie went from room to room pulling down the curtain rods and stuffing them with the half-eared shrimp shells and caviar. All the while enjoying her glass of Chardonnay.

9

She took her glass and dishes and cleaned up the kitchen. She did not want to leave a dirty kitchen. The house had to be left impeccable for the love birds to enjoy their new lives together.

10

When Sam and his new wife moved in, everything was perfect. The couple enjoyed romantic meals together. They took advantage of every available amenity in the home from the hot tub, the wine cellar, and the pool. But the house began to have a foul smell.

11

A cleaning company was brought in to do extensive cleaning. When that didn't help Sam called the exterminators to set of gas canisters. Carpets were washed, replaced. The vents were checked to see if there was dead animal. Nothing helped.

12

Friends, maids, and gardeners could not take the stench and refused to go to the house. Finally, Sam and his wife made the decision to put the house up for sale. But even that attempt proved futile when potential buyers left as soon as they smelled the inside. The price of the house was slashed a couple of times to no avail. The realtor quit on the couple.

13

One month later Julie called Sam. She wanted to know how everything was going. Sam told her they were selling the house. Julie admitted to missing her former home. She was not sure, however, if she could afford to buy it from him.

14

Julie said she was willing to reduce her divorce settlement if he considered giving her the house. Sam quickly called his lawyers to draw up the paperwork. Julie got the house for 1/10th of its original worth. The only condition was that she had to sign the same day. Sam was not willing to take any chances with Julie having a change of heart.

15

Within a week Sam and his girlfriend packed everything to take with them. The ex-secretary left the house completely empty for Julie. She took absolutely everything, including all the curtain rods.