When my stepmother made the decision to have a party at the lake home that belonged to my late mother, using keys that had been stolen, I believed it would be necessary for me to teach her a lesson personally. Apparently, karma had already planned something that was far more fulfilling than anything I could have conceived of at the time.
There was just one item that Mom left for me when she passed away, but it was everything.
It was a peaceful lake cottage that mother had purchased on her own before to meeting my father. It was more than simply a piece of real estate; it was her safe haven, where her spirit was fashioned out of wood and glass.
The place where her soul felt the lightest was where she grew up. She would paint by the ocean as I played on the beach, and she would always tell me, “Someday this place will hold your best thoughts too.”
Following her passing, I guarded it as if it were a sacred place. In addition, I did not allow anybody to stay there or rent it out. My only visit was when I need her presence, and I made sure to leave everything in the same condition that she had left it in. This included the pillow that she had embroidered with the words “Still waters, strong heart.”
On the other side, it seemed as if Dad was eager to eradicate her memory. Within the span of a year, he wedded Carla, a lady who was just as fake as the acrylic nails that she was continuously tapping against the counters.
This is not the only thing that Carla did to the home. Mother was removed off the list. There is no longer any quilts, artwork, or handcrafted furniture; instead, a sterile “modern elegance” has taken their place. When she looked at the old photographs of my mother, she would smile and remark things like, “She was so whimsical. It takes self-assurance to be able to live in a fantasy world.
I would overhear her friends laughing at my “hippie Earth-mom” as if she were a joke whenever they got together. This happened every time her friends got together.
Everyone was aware that the lake home was off-limits by the time I reached 21 and realized that I had inherited it. I informed my father in a strong voice, “This is holy. No one else chooses to go there.” Using that sweet voice, Carla even seemed to agree with me while stroking my hand and saying, “Of course, honey.” The fairy home that your mother built is worthy of being maintained.
However, on the fifth anniversary of Mom’s passing, which was the day that I normally spent by myself at the lake, I drove into the gravel road and noticed automobiles. The home was filled with loud music. Outside on the porch, laughter could be heard.
When I looked through the window, I saw Carla in the kitchen of my mother, pouring champagne for her friends who were dressed in just their swimsuits. While they were making jokes about “dreamcatchers and sage smudging,” one of the women was using the embroidered cushion that belonged to my mother as a footrest.
My chest was in pain. The act was not only trespassing; rather, it was sacrilege.
I quickly retreated before they could see me. As a result of the locks not being forced, Carla was in possession of a key. I would later verify that she had stolen it when she was pretending to water my plants while I was away on a vacation.
She didn’t even flinch when I challenged her about them.
Her hand was manicured, and she waved it about as she remarked, “You’re being dramatic.” Simply put, it was a get-together. On the spot, there was no one there. In the long run, your mother would not want you to be stuck in a state of sadness.
It made me want to shout. Rather than that, I smiled and said that I understood.
After that, I contacted my attorney.
You have to understand that Carla was unaware that I had placed surveillance cameras at the lake home. Unlocking the door, hosting the party, and making fun of her mother’s artwork were all captured on video in crystal fine detail. We were able to lawfully retrieve the following texts from her phone:
Bring the finest wine, since we are going to be celebrating at the hippy hut 😏.
The phrase “she does her grief thing after the weekend LOL” is a joke that she will never know.
“It is now time to have a look at how the other half lived, or perhaps I should say Half-Baked 😂.”
Better than that? After his wife disclosed that my mother had helped Carla in overcoming postpartum depression in the past, Carla’s attorney decided to dump her. The statement that he made was, “I am unable to defend someone who desecrated the woman who saved my family.”
Assisted by Jennifer, my very own formidable attorney, we moved on with our plans. After all was said and done, Carla was charged with trespassing, accused of stealing, and given a civil judgment for property damage. I was given a restraining order by the court, which required her to stay at least 500 feet away from both me and the lake home.
In addition to upgrading the security and changing the locks, I also sent Carla a bill for the shattered stained-glass piece that my mother had produced, which was $1,800. I included the following note:
It is a strong heart that still waters. But even the most resolute souls hunger for justice.
In no way did she respond.
Two months later, Carla proceeded to gather her belongings. After seeing the video and reading her emails, Dad was finally able to recognize the woman he had married for who she really was. Not only was she nasty to me, but she was also making fun of the wife he had originally professed to love.
The lake cottage is still unoccupied and belongs solely to me at this time. When I sit on the porch at daybreak, I can sense the presence of my mother in the quiet water and the horizon that has been painted with gold.
“I love you, Mom,” I murmur to myself. In addition, I will protect your safe haven with all that I possess.
As it turned out, I did not have to instruct Carla in such a manner. Karma had already sharpened its pencil and written one for her, making the conclusion to her treachery the ideal conclusion.