How to Sell a Haunted House

Louise has every intention of going back to San Francisco immediately. She packs her bags but then opens the envelope. The letter says that Nancy has left Mark the money because Louise has so much and Mark has nothing. She goes on to say that she is sure that, if Louise ever needs help, Mark will give it to her. The letter closes with Nancy telling Louise to look after Mark.

Louise is enraged, remembering all the times while growing up when her efforts were overlooked. Mark gave up on everything, even when he was succeeding. Louise goes over her parents’ wills again. She remembers when, at the age of five, she lost interest in her mother’s puppets and began to seek her parents’ approval through independence. Mark, however, had continued to be entranced by the puppet shows.

When Mark was 14, he decided he hated Louise. He actively destroyed her things and mocked her but was never punished. Louise graduated from high school early in order to attend Berkley, far from home. Later, Mark decided he wanted to go to Boston University and expected their parents to pay. When they refused, pointing out that Louise had paid her own way, he acted out until they agreed.