After years of encounters with the police and more than enough drama to go around, they could finally do something about the person in question. With a grin, she knocked on the door and gave over a single piece of paper that would change everything.
Don’t Love Thy Neighbor
In America, approximately 40 percent of people do their best to avoid their next door neighbors. Some folks are simply too anti-social. Others are simply uncomfortable with neighbors for a wide array of different reasons.
Unrelated Lives
Unfortunately, when people who lead completely unrelated lives move into the same neighborhood or apartment, the odds of conflict increase ten fold. But this wasn’t the reason why one woman was having so much trouble with her neighbor.
A Number of Problems
Most people complain that their neighbors blast their music too loudly, have noisy cars, or like to throw garbage in their yard. The thing all of these circumstances have in common is the lack of consideration one neighbor has for another. And that’s something she could totally relate to.
Dream Home
For years Emily Swanson and her spouse had been saving up every penny so that one day they could move to Hawaii. After being careful financially, they could finally afford to rent a beautiful 5 bedroom ocean-front house. They felt that they were finally living their dream until they met their neighbor...
Diplomacy First
Emily wasn’t the kind of woman who would let things get under her skin. In fact, she was very diplomatic and hoped that she could diffuse any situation before it escalated. But she had no idea how badly her neighbor was about to push her buttons.
Jungle Gym
The first explosion happened after Emily and her husband threw away an old playset. Tanya, a robust woman with an unhealthy fondness for leopard print and profanity t-shirts stormed over and bellowed that they had no right to take away her children’s toys. Emily restrained her fury and calmly reminded her of two very important facts.
Two Things
The set was on their property and the landlord allowed it. And they may have been over the property line but at least the kids could play as long as they respected the property. Emily did not like this woman. Then she heard the loud music...
Worthless Negotiation
Emily thought that she was being reasonable and hoped that her neighbor would understand her point of view. But it became very clear to her that negotiating with this woman was going to be like giving medicine to someone who's already sick.
Massive Shindig
So when the woman took advantage of their hospitality by having a huge family party in their space, Emily couldn't believe it. The neighbor ordered her to stay inside as it was a "family" only gathering. Then something happened that made Emily's blood boil and we don't blame her!
Family Only
Emily had dealt with her fair share of rude people in her life, but this was too much for her handle. Her neighbor was trying to dictate when she could and couldn’t go out based on the fact that her neighbor was throwing a family only party. But Emily didn’t want to start a fight, so she tried to ignore the noise.
Confusion
Emily and her husband took refuge in their living room while the party raged outside. That is, until one of the drunk next-door guests stumbled inside of their house. Emily tried to explain to the guest that this wasn't her neighbor's house. The guest then replied, "Tanya said she owned the whole property and to use whichever bathroom." Emily couldn't believe it. Then her neighbor came inside too.
Invasion
Putting up with the noise was one thing, but to allow people to walk into her home as if they owned the place was completely unacceptable. Emily couldn’t believe her neighbor’s audacity, let alone the party guests who felt they could storm into the property.
Amazing Entitlement
Emily saw the movement of animal-print clothing and the smell of cheap perfume. Shouting about how Emily could make a fool out of her in front of her guests, she continued to tell them that they didn't need all of the space to themselves. Emily's blood was boiling.
No Tears
Emily’s neighbor was actually upset that she had told the drunk party guest to go away. If the whole situation wasn't so laughable she would have cried right then and there. But she quickly realized that tears wouldn’t fix this situation. Sadly, there was only one way to fix this.
Teaching Her A Lesson
Tanya needed to learn a lesson. Since the couple was spending some money they thought they might also update the outside area by installing a firepit and a beautiful patio kitchen. The whole project was pretty expensive but it created a beautiful outdoor atmosphere. Then she heard Tanya walking right up to her patio.
Outdoor Renovation
Emily and her husband were looking forward to their outdoor renovation project. But there was no way they would be able to enjoy it as long as Tanya felt entitled to treat their project like it was her own.
"Upgrades"
Tanya looked at Emily and demanded she tell her what was going on. Emily thought that she would tell her about the renovations to her patio. As soon as Tanya was informed about the home renovation project, she starting salivating in anticipation. She was already planning her next gathering on Emily's turf. But Emily wasn't as naive as she may have looked and she hid her smile as she walked away.
Nevermore
Emily had a trick up her sleeve. Once the renovation project was complete, there was no way that Tanya would be able to walk up to her property or invite her rude friends to use her bathroom ever again.
Fence Time
What Emily didn't tell Tanya was that the renovations also included a secure fence around the patio. When Tanya found out she couldn't believe it. This started a war that Emily was happy to play a part in. Then Billy arrived.
Her Other Half
Tanya was a major pain and dealing with her was almost impossible. Fortunately, Emily had her husband for emotional support. And for a while it seemed like it was two against one. Then, she realized that she had miscalculated.
Billy
Billy was Tanya’s boyfriend. He immediately began to throw his cigarette butts and beer cans over the fence and into Emily’s yard for “disrespecting his woman.” He and Tanya became true neighbors from the underworld, having loud arguments and parties at all hours of the night. Billy was obviously on Tanya’s side about the fence fiasco. And Billy also had a boat.
Docking Space
Emily had a docking space for boats on her property. This wasn’t much of a surprise given that she was living in Hawaii, and fishermen and boats were a regular theme on the island. But she never thought Tanya and Billy were capable of doing what they did next.
Trouble Brewing
It was a 30-foot fishing boat, to be precise. The only problem was that Tanya’s side of the property was only allocated 15 feet of dockage. Emily’s side of the property, as the larger and more expensive side of the duplex, was blessed with around 150 feet of docking space. To make some extra money, Emily and her husband would rent the extra docking spaces that they didn’t need on a month-to-month basis and renters would tie up their boats on their property line. So, what did Billy and Tanya decide to do?
Extra Money
Emily and her husband counted on the little extra money they earned from renting their dock to boaters. But getting customers to choose their docks over their neighbors relied on something all businesses need to attract attention.
Reviews
Customers rely on reviews to help them decide which business will provide them with the best experience possible. A good review can rake in more customers, but a bad review can tank a business fast.
Something Fishy
One day, Emily was perplexed to find that someone had left a nasty review for her on the site that they used to rent out the docking spaces. The disgruntled customer said that Emily and her husband were rude and had not honored a verbal agreement to let them use the space for three more months. After a phone call, Emily quickly put two and two together.
Doppelgangers
The review insinuated that Emily and her husband had behaved horribly towards their customer, but the description was so unlike them. Then, it dawned on her that perhaps someone else had used their identities to ruin their lives.
Calling The Cops
Emily was furious. The next-door couple had posed as her and her husband while they were out of town, had rudely told the renter to remove their boat, and had audaciously parked Billy’s fishing boat in the space! Unbelievable! Emily wasted no time. Now it was her turn to call the cops. The situation was getting well out of hand.
Downright Illegal
Tanya and Billy had pushed a customer away so they could park their boat in Emily’s dock. That was downright illegal and there was no way they were going to stand for it. Fortunately, they had the law on their side.
Argument
The cops ordered Tanya and Billy to move the boat immediately or it would be “towed.” Tanya and Billy began to scream that the boat is on their property and that Emily was a liar. Then, they switched tactics and screamed that nobody “could own the water.” After this final incident, Emily vowed to get payback… and she didn’t care if it took years to get it.
Not Vengeful
Emily didn’t consider herself a vengeful person. If anything, she always considered herself easy to get along with... most of the time. But she didn’t like bullies and she didn’t like Tanya and Billy. Still, she had to bide her time.
Limits Tested
Emily knew that she had to be stealthy with her revenge tactic. Striking like a venomous cobra instead of a stealthy panther would have accomplished nothing. But Tanya and her loved ones were really testing all of her limits.
Time and Space
Emily spent several months asking herself if what she had planned was worth it. Was she looking for revenge because she felt wronged? A part of her thought that perhaps giving Tanya time and space would allow them both to cool down and talk it out. But that never happened.
Helpless
It was supposed to be years of blissful mornings with fruit salad and watching the ocean. Instead, cigarette butts and other garbage were tossed over regularly. Weekly parties became louder and louder, and Tanya’s horrible children’s new favorite pastime was throwing lit fireworks at her boat. Emily felt helpless. But karma was waiting just around the corner.
Giving Up
Months turned into years and the police eventually knew their address by heart because it was the horrible neighbor’s main ammunition. Emily turned despondent as her heavenly paradise turned sour and rotten. She had just about given up on her dreams and even considered moving just to get away from it all. But then, fate stepped in.
No Compromise
Under these circumstances, both parties coming together and making compromises is one of the best ways to make peace and find a solution that is mutually beneficial. But that proverbial boat had sailed a long time ago, and Emily was no longer interested in compromise.
Karma Comes Knocking
It didn't matter that the police sided with Emily every single time. Each financial installment in their rent-to-own property felt more like a devastating investment into misery. Sickening stress was now a constant in their life. She was on the verge of giving up altogether when the landlord suddenly offered a very interesting opportunity.
Silver Lining
There were a lot of reasons why Emily felt like packing her bags and moving away would have been a better option. But when a silver lining finally presented itself, she and her husband were finally able to see the beauty in the chaos that had harassed them for so long.
Glimmer Of Hope
The housing market was insane and the old man was tired of being a landlord – especially to the “crazy girl that never shuts her pie hole.” Emily’s jaw dropped to the ground as he offered the wonderful, utterly magical solution to all of her problems. Fruit salad and tranquility would be in her future again!
Wanna Buy?
The old man was desperate to sell the other half of the duplex… and wanted to give the first chance to Emily and her husband! She felt a new surge of joy swell in her heart at the idea. It was extra great because she would be able to move her aging parents in beside them. It didn’t take long for the paperwork to go through and the final plan to unfold.
Days Were Numbered
Tanya and Billy’s days on the other half of the duplex were numbered. Soon Emily would get the perfect neighbors to go along with the perfect dream home they were otherwise living in. But first, they had to get rid of the old neighbors.
Bad Tenants
Tanya and Billy had been the worst neighbors ever and Emily knew that they were going to be bad tenants too. Fortunately, there were a number of ways to get rid of them like raising the rent. The costliest solution was eviction. Fortunately, they didn’t have to resort to these methods.
Getting Ready
They weren’t idiots. Before the glorious day, they made an LLC and confirmed the end of lease was soon – as well as had the notice papers ready. It was with immeasurable pleasure she knocked on leopard lady’s door, handed over the notice, and asked for the rent. But that wasn’t the best part.
Suprise Ally
It turned out the wretched neighbor had just moved her mother in! The old woman wasn’t just mortified at her daughter’s behavior; she repeatedly and sincerely apologized for everything that had happened over the years. “I didn’t raise my daughter to act like this kind of maniac!” Leopard lady turned beet red with rage and embarrassment.
New Friend
It was an alliance Emily would have never imagined. Not only did Tanya's mother help keep the peace, but she also ended up being very pleasant company. Every Wednesday evening Emily and the woman had drinks and baked – and each time Tanya blistered in silent anger. But one thing held true.
Kind Gesture
Emily and her husband weren’t malicious people. She was more than happy to let them stay at base-necessity rent until they managed to find a new home. Part of her was going to miss the old woman and their sweet but very brief friendship. She was the neighbor she had dreamed of the entire time.
They Baked
Emily felt as if she had found a second mother, and the feeling was mutual. The elderly woman felt that she was the type of woman she wished Tanya would aspire to be. But never in her wildest dreams did Emily imagine that she would share such a strong bond with her pesky neighbor's mother.
Long Road
It was a long road to get from where she had been to where she was now. But her time was finally here. She could feel a change in the air. There was nothing in her way anymore, not even a single piece of litter in her yard.
Time To Enjoy
The house was finally emptied and moving trucks sped away. There was one last, spiteful (yet hilarious) letter left in their mailbox – on animal print paper no less. Now, Emily could finally breathe. It was time to enjoy their slice of paradise.