As I think about my life, I realise that neighbours can either help each other or hurt each other. Things quickly went bad with Emery, my new neighbour. This taught me an important lesson about how to stand up for myself.
I’m Prudence, and I’m a single mother of two who is 48 years old and works from home to make things meet. I had to pick up the pieces and raise our kids by myself after my husband Silas left. It hasn’t been easy, but I’ve learnt how to deal with things.
Emery, who looked tired, asked for a favour one day: she needed someone to clean her messy house for $250. In order to make some extra cash, I agreed. But after working hard for two days, Emery broke our deal, which made me angry and lied to.
I chose to do something about it myself and teach Emery a lesson in being fair. I used the key she had forgotten to get back to fill her house with trash.
Emery was angry the next day and threatened to call the police, but I stood my ground because I knew I had done what was needed to make things fair again.
I learnt that day that you have to put yourself first sometimes, even if it means getting your hands dirty. That day, Emery learnt a useful lesson: never think less of Prudence.
Even though what I did wasn’t right, I had to do it to teach Emery how important it is to be honest and fair.
