A utility bill led me back to the home I bought years ago.
An old con artist had moved in. Her son guarded the door. Their relatives forged papers to steal my deed.
They wanted a free house.
What they got was me
and the revenge I brought with me.
Four years ago, I bought a property but never moved in. Two years later, out of the blue, I started receiving overdue utility bills.
Confused beyond belief, I went back to checkand found strangers living in my house.
After work, I received a utility payment reminder on my phone.
Staring at the unfamiliar address on the screen, it took me a minute to remember that I did have a property at that location.
My mom had bought it for me during college, wanting me to have a place off-campus. But, in a last-minute decision, I ended up studying abroad, leaving the place vacant and barely furnished.
That was when it hit me: no one should be living there. So where was this utility bill coming from?
With mounting confusion, I headed to Oak Hollow Estates, following my memory.
...
Standing at the door, I noticed that the door itself looked nothing like what I remembered. The black steel door here was new, a stark contrast to the original one I had from the builder. I checked the door number again, feeling unsettled.
808. Its definitely this one
Staring at the unfamiliar black door, I caught a whiff of a foul odor leaking from inside. An uneasy feeling crept over me. I didnt waste any time and called a locksmith.
The locksmith, Silas Truitt, arrived quickly, giving me a once-over.
This your place?
I nodded, digging my property deed and ID from my bag to show him.
Of course. Here are the papers if youd like to verify.
Silas studied the documents and, still looking wary, handed them back.
Hoping to get inside quickly, I said, Look, if it speeds things up, I can pay you a hundred extra, alright?
Silas finally crouched down, opened his toolkit, and muttered under his breath, Wasnt there an old lady living here before?
What did you say? I asked, but before he could answer, an angry voice yelled from behind us.
What do you think youre doing?
Something knocked my shoulder as a frail-looking old lady rushed toward Silas, jabbing a finger in his face and shouting, How dare you, trying to steal from my home in broad daylight!
With surprising strength, she swiped at him, her nails catching his face and leaving a scratch. Silas staggered back with a yelp, clutching his cheek, and pointed toward me.
Its not me! She asked me to unlock it!
The old ladys head snapped toward me, her eyes flickering over my face before settling on my necklace with a flash of greed.
Oh, you little thief, she hissed, striding toward me. You think Ill let you get away with this?
As she reached for me, I stepped back, avoiding her. She shot me a quick, calculating look before dropping to the ground with a dramatic wail.
Oh, my bones! This young woman tried to break into my home, and now shes attacking an old lady! she shrieked, loud enough to draw nearby residents out of their doors to watch.
It was like nothing Id ever seen. I fought the urge to back away, but as people gathered, the woman clutched at my leg, crying out, Dont leave! You knocked me to the ground, and now I cant move. Youre responsible!
What?! I protested. I never touched you! Silas here can vouch for that.
But when I glanced at Silas, he looked away, refusing to meet my eyes. The old ladys expression twisted with smug satisfaction, her grip on my leg like a vice.
See? Good people dont lie for thieves. Now, if you dont want trouble, I suggest you compensate me.
She stared hungrily at my necklace, making her intention clear.
Taking a steadying breath, I raised my chin. Alright. What kind of compensation are you looking for?
Her eyes lit up, and she jabbed a finger toward my necklace. Hospitals arent cheap! If you want me to forget this, leave that gold necklace as payment, and well call it even.
I nodded. Fine. But before I hand it over, answer a couple of questions?
Without hesitation, she agreed. Ask away.
I gestured at the steel door. First, is this your place?
Of course its my place! she snapped, not missing a beat.
Oh, really? Then why would my property become yours? I asked with a pointed smile.
She faltered, stammering, II dont understand what you mean.
I mean it literally. Why are you living in my house?
A glint of guilt flashed in her eyes, but she squared her shoulders defiantly. Who says its yours? Ive lived here for years. What proof do you have that it belongs to you?
Oh, I have proof, alright.
2.
Slowly, I pulled out my property deed, flipped to the first page, and pointed to the line clearly stating that Mara Carlisle was the registered owner.