Camilla allows her new neighbor, Claire, to use her barbecue… until she goes home to a backyard disaster. When Camilla asks for basic respect, her neighbor demands that she follow her rules. But when Camilla discloses the truth online, the consequences are considerably worse than anyone anticipated. Some lessons can only be learned the hard way.
When my new neighbor, Claire, came in six months ago, I assumed she was normal. Like a woman who would keep in her lane and not disrupt the neighborhood too much.
She was in her forties, lived with her 16-year-old son, Adam, and initially appeared relaxed.
One weekend, my husband, David, and I took the kids to see my parents.
“We can have a date night while your parents take over with Grandma and Grandpa duty,” David said, packing snacks for the two-hour drive.
I had to admit, I was ready to get out of town for a while. I had been feeling restless, and I just wanted a change of scenery before I started to feel suffocated.
We were gone for two days.
And when we got back?
My god.
Our backyard looked like it had been through a frat house BBQ apocalypse.
The patio was littered with empty beer bottles, my potted plants were turned upside down, and the children’s toys were scattered everywhere. Grease smears blanketed the deck. Our once-beautiful grill station appeared to have barely escaped an explosion.
My eye twitched as I stood there, staring at the carnage.
Deep breaths, Camilla, I told myself. Maybe there’s an actual explanation for this.
So, I went next door and knocked. Claire answered, still in pajamas, looking completely unbothered.
“Oh, yeah,” she said, laughing. “That was Adam’s birthday party. You know kids, right? It’s just what they do.”
I blinked. My brain felt like it was ticking away.
Is that just what children do? Was she mad? Didn’t she notice the mess? What the hell!
“Claire, my backyard is not a public park.” “You could have at least cleaned up.”
“Oh, don’t be so uptight, Camilla,” she remarked, shrugging. “It’s only a small mess. You will get over it. Surely you and your hubby know how to use a hose? “A little water will clear that up.”
I could have thrown something at her.
Oh, I’ll get over it? Um, sure.
I went back to my home, trying to figure out what to do. I could be reasonable, or I could be erratic and make Claire pay.
“What’s that look on your face?” David asked as I walked into the kitchen. “Found the culprit?”
“It was Adam’s birthday party. Apparently, that’s how he spent it.”
“Isn’t he, like, sixteen?” David asked, making me a cup of tea.
“Something like that,” I said, getting the jar of biscuits. “Oh my goodness. Underage drinking! There are so many beer bottles out there.”
David looked at me and laughed.
For once.
She sighed again and looked out at the shadowy street.
“Do you know how hard it is to raise a teenage boy alone?”
I blinked slowly. That was… unexpected.
I remained mute.
She laughed without amusement and shook her head.
“Adam doesn’t have a dad,” she explained. “Never have. It’s just us. I tried to give him a good life. “But…” she shrugged. “Kids are kids, right?” “He made a stupid mistake.”
I narrowed my eyes.
“Claire, this wasn’t just a stupid mistake.”
“I’m serious, Claire. You handed me rules for my own home. You let your youngster treat my property as if it were his playground. And when I pleaded for basic respect, you laughed at me.
She simply stared at me.
“I could have taken legal action. I could have pressed charges. I could have gone to the police. I had enough proof. But I didn’t. I’m not a bad person, Claire. I just don’t like being walked over.”
For the first time since we met, she appeared little. She turned away and flicked the ash from her cigarette.
“Yeah,” she mumbled. “I get that now.”
I gave her a brief glance, allowing the moment to pass between us.
Then I nodded.
“Good.”
And with that, I turned to walk back inside, leaving Claire in the dark.
