Itching To Send Her To The Crappiest Nursing Home
This story about the bed bug lady in the hardware store reminded me suddenly of my mom. I’ve written about my mom in this story. She’s the one who had me sleep on a floor when I went to visit, even though I’m a disabled adult.
My mom returns home from a trip, complete with suitcases and her husband. They went to visit his ex-girlfriend from decades past.
Mom: “You won’t believe this, but [Ex-Girlfriend] has bed bugs in her spare room!”
Me: *Taking a step back* “How do you know?”
Mom: “Well, not everyone has symptoms, but apparently, I’m allergic. I had big welts everywhere. But neither of them knew since they aren’t allergic, I guess.”
Me: “So… um… Did you bring bed bugs home? If not, how did you ensure…?”
Mom: “Oh, don’t worry. We checked into a hotel to get away from the bugs. We bought new suitcases, and I took what clothes I couldn’t throw out to the laundromat.”
I’m unsure the laundromat would be enough, but I set that aside for the moment.
Me: “I’m surprised the hotel let you stay there with possible bed bugs.”
Mom: “Oh, we didn’t tell them. We figured it would be okay to tell them when we left.”
Me: “And what did they say?”
Mom: “I haven’t told them yet.”
Me: “They need to know! Mom!”
Mom: “Well, I figured they would find out before putting anyone new in there because I shoved the old suitcases under the bed.”
Me: “Call them! Right now!”
Mom: “But they will be mad at me.”
Me: “This is bigger than your feelings. Besides, I’m mad at you already. I’ll be more mad if you don’t call right now.”
Mom: “It’s probably too late—”
Me: “I’m so disappointed in you. You were disrespectful and negligent, and you decided to be a coward about that. How would you like it if you had a guest stay with bed bugs and not warn you, and then you and future guests all get bugs, and those friends blame you? Wouldn’t you want to know? Call. Them. Now.”
Mom: “You’re so mean.” *Dials the number*
I didn’t end up getting bed bugs as far as I know; this was a decade ago.
Related:
When Customers Bug You
They’re Going To End Up In The Crappiest Nursing Home