I stewed over her betrayal for the remainder of the day. I had buckled down, and she had the nerve to imagine we never made an arrangement.
I didn’t want her to get away with it.
I had to think carefully about my next move. A risky but necessary idea began to emerge as I moved through my living room. Later that day, I ended up at the neighborhood dump, stuffing bags of trash into my car.
There were times when desperate measures were required.
I kept replaying our conversation in my head on the way back, proving my plan with each mile. The street was empty when I got to her house.
Heart racing, I carried the garbage bags to her front door. As I worked quickly, I came to a conclusion: Emery had misplaced her house key in my possession.
I thought about how she dismissed me and hesitated briefly.
After unlocking her door and entering, I carefully tore open the garbage bags before scattering the contents all over her spotless house. Food that is rotten, old newspapers, and dirty diapers are all thrown together in a disgusting heap. I went out wrecked, feeling both fulfillment and responsibility.
As I was putting Connie to bed that evening, I heard loud banging on my front door.
I realized it was Emery before I even opened it. She yelled at me and asked me what I had done to her house.
I serenely denied everything, advising her that, as per her, I never had the key.
She said she would call the police, but I knew she didn’t have any evidence.
Crushed, she stomped off.
I felt a strange mix of relief and regret as I shut the door.
Although I was aware that I had crossed a line, it felt right at the time.
Once in a while, you need to defend yourself, regardless of whether it implies taking care of business.
After this, I didn’t think Emery would ask me for any more favors.
