When I agreed to help my neighbor Karen by driving her daughter to school, I thought it would be a one-time favor. But soon, Karen began expecting my help every morning. It felt less like a favor and more like an obligation.
One morning, as I scrambled to get my daughter Sophie ready, I received a text from Karen: *Can you take Emily today?* I was running late and texted back, *Can you take Sophie?*
Her reply came quickly: *Sorry, the car’s too full today.* I was shocked. Karen drove a large SUV and typically had only Emily with her. It was clear she was taking advantage of me.
The next morning, I received the same text from Karen. This time, I had a plan. I told Sophie we’d stop at Rosie’s Donuts on the way to school. She was excited, and I felt a twinge of satisfaction.
As we drove, I turned left instead of the usual route, heading straight for the donut shop. When we arrived, I let the girls pick their treats, savoring the moment while the clock ticked on. By the time we left, we were cutting it close.
Arriving at school, the parking lot was nearly empty. I felt a mix of guilt and satisfaction, knowing Karen would be upset. I waved goodbye to the girls as they rushed inside.
A car driving on a city street | Source: Unsplash
When I returned home, Karen was waiting on her porch, visibly angry. “Lena, what happened? Emily was late for school!” she snapped.
I kept my expression innocent. “Oh, I’m so sorry! But you know how it is.”
Karen’s jaw tightened. “Well, try not to let it happen again.”
“Or maybe you could take Emily yourself? Just a thought,” I suggested.
Without a word, she turned and marched back inside, slamming the door. I felt a wave of triumph wash over me.
That was the last time Karen asked me for a ride. From then on, she ensured Emily was ready to go early enough for her to handle the drive herself. She avoided me afterward, clearly embarrassed, but I didn’t mind. She’d finally learned her lesson.
And I learned mine too: being a good neighbor doesn’t mean being a doormat. Sometimes, you have to stand up for yourself, even if it means taking the scenic route to get there.
