Plus: How do I sever relationship with toxic «friends»?
My neighbor is 80. She’s my political opposite. She’s known me since I was 13. Her husband died 10 or so years ago. All she does all day is stay inside her house (even when it’s sunny) and watch TV news. I try to be nice to her because she’s alone and probably depressed, but sometimes I want to curse her to high heaven.
I borrowed $40 from her and told her I’d give it back the next day. Well, I didn’t get paid until two days later. I saw her in the driveway the next day, and she angrily asked, “Where’s my money?” I told her the story and got it back to her promptly.
We want to check on elderly folks, but sometimes they’re nasty and cranky, and I just want to leave her alone. My mom died at 89, and she was NEVER like that. What gives with some of these older people? — NEIGHBOR IN NEW JERSEY
DEAR NEIGHBOR: I’ll give you a clue about “what gives” with your neighbor. You asked to borrow $40 from a retired senior, promising to return the money in 24 hours. When the money wasn’t forthcoming, she became annoyed and concerned.
