When Lena agreed to help her neighbor Karen by driving their daughters to school, she thought it was just a one-time favor. However, Karen’s requests quickly became a daily expectation. When Karen refused to reciprocate using an obvious lie, Lena decided it was time to teach her a lesson.
I always thought I was the kind of person who could easily roll with the punches. I preferred avoiding conflict and keeping everything cordial. That was until one morning when Karen knocked on my door unexpectedly.
“Lena, hey! I’m sorry to bother you this early,” Karen started with an overly sweet smile.
I was still in my pajamas, trying to wake myself up with a coffee. My eight-year-old daughter, Sophie, was upstairs getting ready for school. A surprise visit from the neighbor was the last thing I expected.
“No bother at all, Karen,” I replied, yawning as I opened the door wider. “What’s up?”
“I have an early meeting today, and I was wondering if you could take Emily to school with Sophie. Just this once? I’m really in a bind.”
I hesitated, not because I didn’t want to help, but because I wasn’t sure I could manage two kids during the busy morning. However, knowing how much Sophie liked Emily and how sweet Emily was, I decided to help.
“Sure, no problem. I can drop them both off.”
Karen’s face lit up like I’d just handed her a winning lottery ticket.
“You’re a lifesaver, Lena. I owe you one!”
I waved her off, smiling. “Don’t worry about it, really. It’s just a quick favor.”
But that ‘quick favor’ soon turned into something more complicated.
The next morning, Karen was at my door again, looking just as polished and perky as before. “Another early meeting today. Could you take Emily again? She loves riding with Sophie.”
This became a regular occurrence. Each morning, there was Karen, full of smiles and gratitude, asking me to take Emily to school. Initially, I didn’t mind. Emily was a joy, and Sophie loved having her along.
However, it soon felt less like a favor and more like an obligation. Karen wasn’t asking anymore — she was presuming.
One chaotic morning when Sophie and I were running late, chaos ensued. Sophie couldn’t find her shoes, the cat knocked over a vase, and I hadn’t even brushed my hair.
Amidst the chaos, my phone buzzed with a text from Karen: Can you take Emily today?
I stared at her message. Already frazzled, the idea of adding another kid made things worse. But then, I had a simple, desperate idea.
I replied: Actually, I’m running late today. Can you take Sophie?
I figured it was only fair. After all, I’d chauffeured Emily to school for weeks. Surely Karen could handle it for one morning?
The reply was immediate: Sorry, the car’s too full today.
I blinked at the screen, disbelief flooding over me. Too full? Karen drove a huge SUV, and Emily was all that ever occupied the vehicle!
That was the moment I realized I’d been played. Karen was taking advantage of my goodwill.
I wanted to confront her, but instead, I kept my calm. It wasn’t the time for a confrontation. Not yet.
The following day, Karen texted as expected: Can you take Emily again today?
This time, I had a plan.
“Hey, Sophie, how about we stop at Rosie’s Donuts on the way to school today?” I called as I packed her lunch. Rosie’s was beloved but a bit out of the way, enough to make Karen notice.
“Really? On a school day?” Sophie’s excitement was palpable as she bounded downstairs.
“Yep. A special Friday treat. What do you think?”
“Yay!” Sophie practically danced to the car, her joy lifting some of the bitterness from Karen’s betrayal.
As anticipated, Karen was waiting outside with Emily.
“Good morning, Lena!” she chirped, with a bright smile but vigilant eyes. “Thanks again for this. You’re a lifesaver.”
“No problem at all,” I replied sweetly but with underlying resolve. “Always a pleasure.”
Sophie and Emily clambered into the backseat, adoringly discussing their latest favorite YouTube videos, clueless of the detour ahead.
Today, things were going to be different.
Instead of our usual route, I drove straight to Rosie’s. Emily noticed quickly.
“Miss Richards? Aren’t we supposed to go that way?”
“Donuts this morning, Emily,” I replied with a wink.
Emily looked confused. “Won’t we be late?”
I glanced at her through the rearview mirror, offering a reassuring smile. “Trust me, we’ll be fine.”
We reached the donut shop, cutting it close timewise, yet I wasn’t rushing. We savored our treats, the moment, and a strategic delay.
“Mom, this is the best day ever!” Sophie beamed, crumbs dotting her smile.
I cherished her happiness. “Glad you think so, sweetie.”
On the emptied roads, arriving at the school late, I spotted the staff wrapping up from their morning duties. Guilt tingled briefly but was overcome by satisfaction. Surely, Karen was seething.
“Alright, girls, have a fantastic day and be sure to mention our special morning!” I encouraged them.
Sophie flashed a grateful smile before they dashed inside. I took a deep breath, ready for the repercussions.
Back home, Karen was on her porch, anger barely veiled.
“Lena, what happened? Emily was late for school!” she exclaimed.
I kept my demeanor neutral. “Oh, Karen, I’m so sorry! You know how it goes.”
Her expression tightened, wheels spinning. “I see,” she finally replied, frustrated. “Try not to let it happen again.”
“Or you could take Emily? Just a thought.”
Without another word, Karen stomped inside, her door echoing her defeat. Triumph filled me. For once, I had stood up for myself.
That was the last time Karen asked me for a favor. She started handling her own responsibilities, steering clear of me, both embarrassed and resentful. Yet, I didn’t mind. Karen had finally learned her lesson.
And so had I. Being a good neighbor doesn’t mean being a doormat. Sometimes, you need to take the scenic route to stand up for yourself.
This work is inspired by real events and people, but has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
