I was already having a rough time in life. Lacey, my seven-year-old daughter, was in the hospital with very bad asthma. I was worn out from working two shifts at the diner and going to the hospital. Then, my neighbour Carla put rotten tomatoes on my front door to “decorate” it because I hadn’t put up my Halloween decorations early enough.
Lacey got a cough at first, but her sickness quickly got worse and became life-threatening. She had serious pneumonia when we got to the emergency room, where I rushed her. I had a hard time making ends meet because of all the hospital bills.
Carla’s texts about Halloween decorations all the time seemed like a mean joke. Didn’t she see that I was barely hanging on? Carla didn’t say a word when I finally answered and told her about Lacey’s situation.
She wasn’t done yet, though. After Lacey’s three-week hospital stay, we came home to a gross surprise: Carla had left a note and smashed tomatoes on our front door. I was furious.
Carla, I was expecting her to deny it or make an excuse. Her pride, on the other hand, made me angry. Her shocked husband Dan stepped in and stopped her. After the fight, someone said sorry, but not really.
Karma had the last word. That night, a big storm came through our neighbourhood and destroyed Carla’s fancy Halloween display. Her valuable decorations were all over the place, and pumpkins and skeletons were broken.
I laughed at the irony the next morning. Dan came over with cleaning supplies and food, and he truly apologised. It’s been nice that Carla has been quiet since then.
As I walk by her empty yard, I smile and remember that karma can come through like a hurricane and bring order back to a world that has gone crazy.
