She couldn’t believe it. She had taken Chelsey for her regular check-up and when she came back, the high-chair and all of their things were on the sidewalk in front of the building where she lived. Horrified, she darted inside and straight to the rental office where the landlady coldly informed her that she had been evicted.
“But why?” she asked. “I’ve been a good tenant.”
“Yes, but my brother and his family lost their house. They need somewhere to stay. So, I’m giving them your apartment.”
“You can’t do that.”
“I can and I have. Give me your keys.”
100 Words
This post is for the Friday’s Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. You can find this week’s prompt Here. To read other stories or to participate, click Here.
Notes to Women 
Not an unbelievable scenario even in the west. So many people are dependent on landlords and taken advantage of in just such a way. If you were aiming to provoke outrage, Adele, mission accomplished!
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Just recently I saw online that tenants were being evicted from their apartments. Their belongings were on the sidewalk. And some tenants have been illegally evicted. Apparently the landlord/landlady has the right to evict a tenant in favor of a family member or friend if he or she wants because the building belongs to him/him.
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Oh no! I know there are laws to protect tenants in such situations, but many of them can hardly afford their rent, much less a lawyer.
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These are sad times we’re living in now, Dora.
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Very harsh, but I suspect not uncommon, especially as more and more people hit hard times at the moment.
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Yes, sadly, people will hit hard times and many of them will end up in the streets.
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Sadly, it is harsh reality for a lot of people.
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Adele, on my drive today I listened to NPR where they were talking about how many places have put a moratorium on evictions in the US because of Covid-19 — which some landlords are blatantly ignoring. Many evicted tenants don’t fight it because if they lose it will be on the record, but some are fighting it and winning. Such a relevant topic for your story.
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Lisa, it is such a terrible ordeal for so many people who already have so much to deal with. I’m happy to hear that the tenants who are fighting are winning. I hope this will encourage others will fight back too.
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The poorer people suffer and the lawyers get richer.
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world…
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You’re right, Ceayr. If people were to put themselves in other peoples’ shoes, life would be so different.
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A tragic tale.
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Dear Adele,
What a horrid thing to happen. All too real. Well written.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
It is an unimaginable thing to happen to anyone, much less a young, single mother. Sadly, this is a reality for many people. Thank you.
Shalom,
Adele
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Sad, but more likely true in these dystopian times😞
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Yes, it is, Sue.
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Bloody hell… That is disgusting.
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Yes, it is.
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My jaw dropped. How does it makes sense to make one person homeless for another — family or not?
Just when you think you have seen it all, something happens to show you, you have seen nothing at all.
I mean, the best a person with humanity and God living in them is expected to do, is to squeeze as much as possible in your own private quarters, then make an amicable arrangement with your tenant to accommodate the rest, for a rent discount of course.
But no. You have some beings doing unbelievable cruel stuff, like this.
I hope those negatively affected like this will get justice and compensation, as well as shelter.
This pandemic has shown us that what is basically needed is food and shelter.
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You’re right, Ade. It’s horrible, the things which are happening to people and the lack of compassion and decency of the landlords who seem to have no problem evicting them. This is why many of the tenants are fighting back and winning. I hope more join the bandwagon.
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Oh no!!
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The landlady was writing in text the format … short and to the point.
Horrific … Have a great day … Be Safe
Isadora 😎
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Yes, she was very brusque in her manner. There wasn’t any compassion for the mother and her child. Thanks, Isadora. You have a great day too and be safe 🙂
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I’m sure the landlady had to be tough or she would have changed her mind. In her postion, family had to come first. Of course, a bit of a notice would have been nice. Heartbreaking none-the-less. 😎
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I guess in her position she had to be tough and impersonal. And blood is thicker than water. She put her family first. It would have been nice if she had given the tenant notice, though. It is a heart-breaking situation.
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Appalling. I hope she went straight to Citizens’ Advice.
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I hope she went too.
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We imagine these things can’t happen, but they (sadly) certainly do. Well written story and a reminder that there are those out there who have it really tough.
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Oftentimes, we can’t believe the things which are happening around us. Thanks, Brenda. Yes, there are so many people out there who are struggling to take care of themselves and/or their families. Times are tough and I can only pray that they will get better.
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Such a heartless landlady.
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She should have been more compassionate and given the tenant notice.
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OMG! I so badly want to write the next three lines. Excellent!
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Thanks, Bill 🙂
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Powerful story. And sadly very true. I’m not a fan of landlords, to put it mildly.
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Fortunately, there are laws. Good piece.
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Yes, thankfully there are laws. Thanks, Rob 🙂
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