My packages kept vanishing, and my sweet neighbor Linda always seemed to “find” them. I tried to be patient, but when my limited-edition Christmas ornament went missing, I’d had enough. So, I left her a special holiday gift she’d never forget.
There’s something infuriating about seeing your name on a package and realizing someone else opened it. But when it happens over and over? You start plotting.
I moved to this neighborhood for peace, not package wars. But thanks to Linda, that’s exactly what I got.

A woman standing in her house | Source: Midjourney
When I moved into this neighborhood three months ago, I thought it was the fresh start I needed. My eight-year-old son Mike and I had been through a lot.
Parting ways with my husband had been hard, but that’s a story for another time.
We found a cozy little house on a quiet street, not too far from a park. It was peaceful, safe, and perfect for us.
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An aerial view of houses | Source: Pexels
Every morning, Mike and I would walk to the park, enjoying the crisp air and the friendly atmosphere. I remember thinking, This is it. This is where we’ll finally be happy.
And we were. For a while.
The house was great, the neighbors seemed nice, and life was starting to feel normal again. Until I met Linda.
Linda lives next door, and she seemed lovely at first. The day we moved in, she was at my doorstep with a tray of cookies and that big, neighborly smile you see in holiday commercials.
