She Didn't Cry Wolf

Intrusion, Part 1

I spent that afternoon just reading and cleaning, packing the fridge and preparing my dinner. I received another call that night but because there was more noise, it scared me less. The first time I picked it up, it sounded like interference but the second time I heard my Aunt Alexandra. "Pippa, can you hear me?" I don't know why I shouted but I did "YES I CAN HEAR YOU. Can you hear me?" There was this static, her connection was awful. I didn't know what she said at the time but I hung up the call. That night, it felt like something was different in the house but I couldn't place it and also, I just brushed it off. I spent time cleaning so of course things would be different, it's clean.

The next morning, I was greeted by the familiar ding dong and a very loud "Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii… How is my gorgeous niece?" I was so tired. Who comes at 7am on a Saturday morning and why? "I'm fine, how are you?" She pulled on my cheeks as she walked in, I was just about to go back upstairs when she said "I'll be in town for a few days, hope you don't mind?" I closed my eyes, too tired to resist. "That's fine, I don't mind but I am going back to sleep."

I woke up at a much more decent hour at 10am ish and found fresh orange juice, pancakes, yoghurt and a not so clean sink. I am not sure what all she had made but my fridge looked raided. I called out to my aunt but she was talking to someone at the door, she eventually came to the kitchen "Yes dear, what are you hollering for?" I looked at her and asked "I see you made yourself breakfast and left a bit of a mess." She was leaning against the doorframe with her floral shirt and white pants "Oh no darling, that's for you. Both of them." Truthfully, this is why I like my own space. Only family could insult you and help you at the same time. She left before I could get out another word, I was half tempted to lock her out of the house but the dishes would remain.

She had her errands and evidently, I now had mine. I only buy what I need and she managed to go through it, in one morning so grocery shopping again. I did call her but when it didn't go through, I texted her.

Text Message

Will you be contributing to the grocery payments? I have to go out to the store again as you have used all I had for the next few days.

Pippa

I didn't wait for her to text back but when I was about to get out of the car, I saw one.

Text Message

I'm only in town for a few days, I don't have the extra money. I'll give you something at the end of the week.

Love, Alexandra

Frustration… Does not even describe it. If she won't contribute, I will have to resort to force majeure as I won't be feeding two people, especially if one of them always says they will do something but never does or forgets. I bought the groceries and found Patrick getting milk, I didn't say anything but he did "No accusations on aisle 3?" I looked up at the board stating milk, creams and yoghurts. "No, I'm only here to restock my fridge. I've somehow been raided by a very large raccoon." He placed the milk in his basket "You should call it pet control." We don't have a pet control in Baidford, we have Jimmy who helps with any plumbing or any type of quick fix with the washing machine, dishwasher. Carson the technician and sometimes electrician and Donald our local architect who normally has his kids cut lawns to teach them proper work ethics. They are 12, 14 and 16. All they care about is having fun. Closest things to pet control are poison or glue.

I grabbed some yoghurt and Patrick asked "You have an odd raccoon, it ate your yoghurt that you bought yesterday?" As I placed two trays in "Yes, she also finished my juice, fruit and a few other things." He walked towards me "I'm guessing this raccoon must be someone you live with. I thought you said you lived alone." I took some milk. "I do live alone, I can't help whomever stops by." He scoffed in disbelief "Sure." I managed to get everything I needed from the aisle and went to the next one to get the rest. When I was done, I paid for everything, got to the car, packed it away…

"Everything okay?" I stopped for a moment with Officer Mason "I can't remember if I ever told him that I lived alone. Everything started out so hostile that I wouldn't dream of telling a stranger who was with me or not at the time." I really had to think about it but Officer Mason motioned "Don't think so hard, tell me only what you remember. Anything that was clear and still vivid to your recollection."

As soon as I got home, I packed everything away but this time I locked my cupboard doors and fridge door. I left the dishes besides the ones I used and packed it away. It wasn't long before my Aunt made her way to my room asking "Pippa, there's something wrong in the kitchen." I had my earphones on but saw her body in the doorframe. I kept the earphones on but listened to classical music on low. "What do you mean something is wrong in the kitchen?"

She walked into the room and said with her hands on her hips "The fridge is completely shut and I nearly injured myself trying to open the cupboard." I smiled and told her "I locked them all and left everything as you left it this morning. I am sorry but I live on a salary that's just enough for me, I have studies and work. I can't afford to spend more than I can budget and not just that, I can't clean all the time. You barely asked me if it would be okay not knowing my circumstances and you left a mess in the kitchen. I'm not trying to be rude but the closest hotel is not far from here."

She wasn't as mortified, I've had this conversation with her plenty of times although this was the first time I locked the fridge and my cupboard doors. I've learned to be strict with her or she would genuinely get away with murder. She left my room but returned with some money. "Will that cover it?" I looked at it "That depends, how long do you plan on staying?" She gave me more money and was visibly upset. I felt like I conquered the world. I took the money, got up and walked to my closet door. When I opened it, again, something felt strange. Misplaced or missing… I thought perhaps my aunt went through my things. It wouldn't be the first time, I took my bag out of the closet and threw the money in right before closing it.

Eventually my aunt stopped making a mess, she cleaned up and did contribute a little more only because at the end of that particular week, she invited her friends over to play bridge. I should have known something was brewing, when I walked in and saw the mess, she had this silly hat on and simply said "Don't worry, I'll have it cleaned by tomorrow dear." I could only walk up the stairs, I didn't have the energy for this, I'd make a list of damages by morning, that's if she would be there. "She's always so stressed, doesn't go out much."

I don't go out much because I work, I'm not irresponsible and don't drink. When was that ever a crime? All I could do was have a shower and climb into my bed, I wasn't worried as I now had the habit of locking my bedroom door and my bathroom. No more shifting of my things or missing ornaments. Even if I wanted to take the census downstairs, there are probably people there I don't want to meet. I took my aspirin and planned on sleeping. I have not had to take them for a while as I have not had trouble with pain much less a headache but living with my aunt drove me to it. I kept it on my nightstand facing forward so I corrected it when the label faced the wrong way. I locked my door and went straight to bed.