The key they'd given me still fit the lock, but the house no longer felt like home.

Everything on the outside looked the same. Mom loved the fall season, and she always went all out to decorate the outside of the house. Walking to the front door, I could see the pumpkins on the porch. We carved pumpkins every year, but this year it wouldn't be the same.

I put the key into the front door and opened it. I wanted to move, but my feet stayed stuck. The inside of the house was the same, but it had no life. Mom always greeted me when I came home to visit from college.

I took one last walk around the house. A wave of nostalgia went through me as I saw each empty room. I was an only child, and I had already moved out before she passed away. I regret that decision because maybe I could have spent more time with her.

I didn't want to stay in the house any longer, so I got ready to leave. I locked the front door for the last time, then returned the keys. I got into my car, took one last final look at the house, then pulled out and drove away.