Howardsville: A Short Story

Howardsville, a quaint little city, nestled in the foothills of the Putney Mountains located forty miles southwest of Charleston, West Virginia, had its own dark history. Having lived his entire life in the two–story house on the outskirts of town, Ernest Cassidy was familiar with the myths, legends, and lies about his city and was always quick to defend it. The mysteries began years earlier when Dr. Ronald Hackney; a surgeon at General Hospital in Charleston came up missing. One morning, he didn’t arrive at the office, his nurse called the home. Up on finding his car in the garage and his keys in the garden his wife, Lily called the police. The volunteer rescue squad searched for several days and found no trace. It was as though he had disappeared.
The hearing today will only take a few minutes with any luck. I will be able to make a decision before you leave.” He explained since Mr. Cassidy’s house was old and in need of repairs, the people of Howardsville had filed a petition to demolish it. As a result, Mr. Cassidy requested, we declare his house a historical landmark. “Since the house is over a hundred years old and he has lived there since birth, we will consider the petition.” Picking up another document, he stared at it. “Louise Anderson filed a protest stating the house is in need of repair. You have refused to allow her club to have the repairs done. She is requesting we have the house demolished. I’ll decide if her claim is legitimate.” The officer removed his glasses, looked at the ceiling for several minutes before he put them back on and read the documents several times. Laying his glasses on the desk, he asked, “Would you like a cup of coffee?” When they refused, he poured himself a cup. “Mrs. Anderson, it’s reasonable that you would like to see the house demolished, but considering Mr. Cassidy’s age. It would only be right to declare his home a historical landmark and allow him to stay in the house, but, he’ll be responsible for the repairs.” Louise asked, “May I say something?” “Sure, what’s on your mind?” Standing up, she addressed him, “Thank you, I’m the president of the Women’s Club, we spoke with several contractors who agree it’s unsafe for him to live in that house. Although, we offered to pay for the repairs, he was adamant that he had no use for charity for healthy people capable of working, and there was nothing wrong with his house, it was just old. I’d like him to move out at once.” “Mr. Cassidy, do you want to say anything?” “Yes, Sir,” he said. “My home is