They Thought My Beach House Was Foreclosed—I Let Them Believe It

30, I was on a video call with a municipal council discussing a $180,000 coastal restoration initiative.

“If we extend the buffer zone by twenty meters,” I was saying, “we can reduce long-term maintenance costs by approximately thirty percent—”

My phone started buzzing. Unknown number. I ignored it.

Second call. Third call.

“I’m so sorry, everyone,” I continue reading …