One by one, I picked up the plastic storage bins, the holiday decorations, and the sporting equipment, and carried them out to the driveway. I placed everything neatly near the curb.
The stationary bike was heavy, but it had wheels on the front. I tilted it and rolled it right out onto the pavement.
By 6:00, the garage was completely empty. I grabbed a broom, swept the floor clean, and finally drove my car inside.
The automatic door closed behind me with a satisfying hum.
At 6:30, I heard their car pull up outside. The engine idled for a long time.
Then the front door slammed open.
“Are you insane?” Sarah screamed from the hallway. “My stuff is sitting in the dirt.”
I walked out of the kitchen, wiping my hands on a towel.
“It is sitting on the concrete driveway, exactly where I said it would be.”
Nathan rushed in, looking panicked.
“Mom, it looks like we’re having a yard sale. The neighbors are staring.”
“Then I suggest you move your belongings inside or rent a truck,” I replied calmly.
Sarah pointed a trembling finger at me.
“If anything gets ruined, I am sending you the bill. You can’t just touch my property.”
“You abandoned your property in my parking space after receiving written notice,” I noted. “I merely relocated it.”
“Nathan, do something,” Sarah demanded, turning to her husband.
Nathan looked at her, then at me. He rubbed the back of his neck.
“What do you want me to do, Sarah? It’s her house.”
Sarah glared at him in disbelief. She grabbed her purse and stormed outside to start dragging boxes into the living room.
Nathan sighed and went to help her.
I returned to my quiet kitchen. The house was finally starting to feel like mine again.
The weekend arrived, bringing a new reality for my tenants. With my grocery delivery, the refrigerator grew empty.