[ WP ] A stranger knocks on your door and claims he/she was a long ago resident . This person tells you they are going away for good , and would like one last tour of your home . You soon realize this is no ordinary visitor .

Todd was about to set the groceries down and go close the back screen door when someone knocked at the front. `` Gloria's not here, she's at school!'' he shouted. And had to be picked up in... Christ, twenty minutes. He'd have to hurry. He rushed to the front. 
 
 The woman standing at the front door with an expectant smile on her brown, cracked face was a stranger to Todd. `` Oh, I'm sorry, I thought you were a friend of my stepdaughter's...'' Damn solicitors, always when you wanted them least, even though you never wanted them at all... bah. Everyone wanted something. Save the whales, stop violence against women, eradicate polio in adorable African boys, did n't matter. It was just one more thing to think about in Todd's increasingly hectic life. 
 
 `` Do n't worry about it.'' She was maybe in her fifties, weathered rather than old. Reminded him of that tree lady in that Disney film Gloria was always wanting to watch, or a hippy grandma. Definitely Greenpeace. 
 
 `` Can I help you? I'm sort of busy right now. This weekend might be a better time to come back.'' 
 
 `` Well I'm very sorry to interrupt; I'm actually only in the neighborhood for today and then I have to go. I'm Gail, by the way, and your mailbox tells me you're Mister Eisinger?'' 
 
 `` Todd.'' He shook hands unwillingly. The milk was getting warm. Still, there was something comfortable, almost familiar, about her crinkly eyes and calm smile. 
 
 `` I'm sure you're thinking I'm a solicitor, but I actually used to live here, quite a while ago. I sort of started the Homeowner's Association here, actually. I'm leaving the area soon, so I'm just revisiting my old haunts. If you would n't mind, could I come in?'' 
 
 Todd stepped back from the door to let her in, flustered. `` Oh, well, it's very nice to meet you... tell you what, I do need to pick up my daughter soon but I could give you a quick tour? I doubt much has changed since you were here.'' Her gaze was impassable. `` Oh, I do n't know about that. I'm sure you've put your personal touch on things. Is there a Mrs. Eisinger?'' 
 
 `` Ms. Cazon, actually. My fiancee. Here, come right through here -- sorry about the mess -- so how long ago did you live here?'' 
 
 `` Before you were born, probably. I'm older than I look.'' 
 
 They made their way through the house, he pointing out a detail that he and Melanie had remodeled, she acknowledging the changes and saying little else. A surprised smile spread across her face at the sight of the vegetable patch and flower garden in the backyard, Melanie's little experiment in urban farming. Todd was proud of his handiwork around the house and barely noticed that Gail seemed unusually quiet for someone visiting a childhood home. When they returned to the front door, she thanked him for the tour. 
 
 `` I do n't believe I'll get the chance to look around the rest of the neighborhood; have they changed anything since you've been here?'' asked Gail, once more standing on Todd's porch. Todd folded his arms against the autumn chill, thinking back. `` Well, they replaced that old steel slide in the playground with a plastic one -- I think someone's kid cut himself on it -- but actually the playground was n't even here until a year before we moved in, so you do n't remember it I'm sure. Oh, and there was a big old oak tree they had to cut down to make room for a new train station that's going up on South Boulevard.'' 
 
 Gail's green eyes hardened perceptibly. `` One more to add to the millions. It figures. I gave you all so much, if only you knew how to take slowly.'' Todd blinked. `` Yeah, they -- I'm sorry, what did you say?'' 
 
 Gail sighed. `` Does n't matter... anyway, I had better be going. I have lots more'old haunts' to visit before moving day.'' 
 
 Todd followed her down the steps, shivering a bit. `` Gail, I did n't even ask you, where are you moving to?'' 
 
 She stared at the clouds, webbed with jet trails and power lines. `` Someplace I can start over.'' 
 
 The moment hung in the air with the smell of imminent rain, then Gail turned, smiled and stuck out her hand. `` Thanks a lot, Todd. Good luck to you and yours.'' Todd watched her walk briskly away for a couple seconds. Then he checked his watch, cursed, ran back inside and grabbed his car keys. 
 

