Trouble in Paradise

In the back of my mind, I knew it was coming. There were way too many red flags. Her daughter hasn't spoken to her in years. Her brother no longer invites her over to his home. Her mother rejected her offer to live in the guest house during her retirement years.

My new landlady is unstable and needs serious help. Not coming right out and saying she is batshit crazy, but I think she was severely wounded in her childhood and has only been in therapy for less than a year. She is 73 years old and has a very long journey ahead of her. It won't be easy and I don't know if she'll live long enough to heal.

I was returning home after a lovely Chinese meal. It is a complicated parking situation, here. I have to back my truck up to the high wooden gate, get out of the truck, with most of it out in the street, unlock the gate and push it open, then hook a chain over a pole, in case the wind kicks up. Then, get back inside the truck, get on to the property, close the gate and back a long way in to the driveway until I am close to my guest house. Well, that night, just as I had backed the truck into position, another truck raced down the street and nearly hit me. I was startled and took my foot off the brake pedal, causing my truck to roll back in to the gate. Of course I was mortified and immediately emailed my on-site landlady to inform her of the damage, take full blame, and offer to pay for the repairs.

At the time, when I sent the email, in my state of panic, I did not mention the truck that was coming straight at me. Instead, I said I did not put the truck in park and was feeling for the key, which was also true. I usually put the truck in park once I have the key in my hand.

Anyway, I heard nothing back from the landlady in response. No emails, no calls, no visits from next door. Total silence.

6 days later, while returning home from a visit with my sister, I was happy to find that the gate had been totally repaired. It was better than when I first arrived! OK! I guess she decided to handle this on her own! Phew!

Nope.

Yesterday, I wanted to let the twice-monthly housekeeper (who cleans the landlady's place and then comes over to do my guest house) That I could not raise the plug from the bathroom sink, and that she'd have to work around the situation. Surprisingly, landlady was at home, cleaning while the maid cleaned! (she told me I would also have to straighten up before the housekeeper arrived - WTF right?) Anyway, I informed both of them of the problem with the sink. And then, Landlady says to me ' "What do you think of the gate??? I HEARD NOTHING FROM YOU!!" I said - Oh - I was waiting for a bill from you. "You Really smashed that thing good!! NOTHING HAS EVER BEEN BROKEN IN THE GUEST HOUSE BEFORE!!" I laughed a little, and said 'you're kidding, right?' - remembering the 2 broken bathroom tiles she informed me of, when I moved in. I said "What do I owe you?" and she screamed "I TOOK IT OUT OF YOUR SECURITY DEPOSIT!"Reluctantly, I thanked her. She went on to say how ANGRY she was to find the gate damage and I replied "Yes, I know. I heard you yelling. I was sleeping in my truck" WHAT WERE YOU DOING SLEEPING IN YOUR TRUCK??? "It was way too hot inside" (again, it is summer in Albuquerque and my place retains heat) "PERHAPS YOU NEED TO FIND OTHER ACCOMMODATIONS, THEN!" I looked at her very quizzically, and left.

I drove to the relaxing mineral baths between Santa Fe and Taos, to soak my stress away, because believe me, I was very angry after this exchange. Thank god for lithia water and the other healing pools. I felt much better.

Upon my return, there was an envelope  affixed to the door on my porch, that stated she had reconsidered and now wanted a check for $150 from me for the repair. This morning, I wrote the check and put it on her door. When I got back home, I noticed that the beautiful hammock that I'd been enjoying this summer (provided by the landlady) had been removed. I assume she was unhappy because I unhooked it and placed it upon the rug, during the monsoon rain the previous night.

I suppose hammocks are only for "good girls who do not piss off their landladies"

I NEED to find a new place to live. I feel sorry I'll have to uproot my dog again. And very sorry this woman is BATSHIT CRAZY