When Claire agrees to clean a reclusive woman’s neglected home, she expects dirt and clutter, but what she finds is far more profound: a house frozen in time. As she works through the overwhelming mess, Claire uncovers a stack of birthday cards that reveal a poignant truth.
My phone buzzed as I packed my cleaning caddy—another day, another home in need of attention.
“Clean Slate Services, this is Claire,” I answered, balancing the phone between my ear and shoulder while double-checking my supply of microfiber cloths.
“Hello?” An elderly voice responded, hesitant but determined. “My name is Margaret. My daughter told me you post videos online about helping people clean their homes?”
I smiled, thinking about the before-and-after transformations that had gained a surprising following.
“My small cleaning business isn’t world-famous, but it serves a bigger purpose. I offer free cleaning to people in need,” I explained.
“That’s wonderful,” Margaret replied. “I’m calling for my neighbor, Eleanor. She needs help but won’t ask for it herself.” Her tone held a note of deep concern that made me pause.
“What’s going on with Eleanor?” I asked, sitting on a nearby stool.
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