My best friend, Marlene, was fuming. “They really thought they could throw you out of your own house? Oh, they messed with the wrong nurse.”
I laughed weakly, though my chest still hurt. “But what can I do? They’ve already changed the locks. And they threatened me with my grandkids…”Marlene’s eyes narrowed. “First thing’s first: this isn’t their house. It’s yours. You paid the mortgage, you own the deed. Am I right?”
“Yes,” I nodded. “It’s in my name only.”“Perfect.” She pulled out her phone. “Then legally, they’re squatters.”
The next morning, we went straight to the courthouse. I explained the situation, paperwork in hand. The clerk barely raised an eyebrow before handing me the eviction forms. Marlene grinned. “We’re going to serve them papers, and it’s going to be glorious.”But she had an even better idea.
Two days later, with the sheriff present, we walked up to my house. My son’s wife answered the door, her smug smile fading when she saw the sheriff.“Ma’am,” he said, “you and your family are being evicted from this property. You have 48 hours to leave or you will be forcibly removed.”
The color drained from her face. Behind her, my son appeared, trying to argue. “But it’s our home! She gave it to us!”The sheriff turned to me. “Do you confirm this house is in your name?”
“Yes,” I said calmly, holding up the deed. “And I never gave it away.”My son’s jaw dropped. My daughter-in-law sputtered. The sheriff didn’t care. “Then you have 48 hours,” he repeated flatly.
The look on their faces was priceless.Two days later, Marlene and I stood across the street, sipping coffee as a moving truck pulled away. My son glared at me like I had betrayed him, but I felt nothing. For the first time in years, the weight was off my shoulders.Marlene elbowed me. “So, what’s the plan now?”
I smiled. “First, I’m changing the locks again. And second…” I set my retirement hat on the counter. “…I’m finally going to enjoy the retirement I worked my whole life for.”
When they were gone, I walked into my house—my clean, quiet house. My grandkids had left a few toys behind, and I tucked them away gently. They weren’t at fault in this mess.
Marlene elbowed me. “So, what’s the plan now?”
I smiled. “First, I’m changing the locks again. And second…” I set my retirement hat on the counter. “…I’m finally going to enjoy the retirement I worked my whole life for.”