Used and Abused

I am, my dear friends, in pain. This pain, as I call it, is not in any real physical sense as it were; in fact it doesn't even construe so much as a headache. No, this pain is caused by a very real physical presence in my sad little life. Not a romantic affair gone wrong, no, for this is caused by someone who is unfortunately, due to the circumstances the gods of fate like to throw us into, very close to me, in a physical sense at least. It is, for readers more familiar with my affairs, my roommate who is giving me such a magnificent amount of grief.

Now, I know that it will make me nothing more than just another ranting, raving gossiping old hag if I begin to bitch about her, but please for once let me be the woman I have suppressed within rather than the wannabe tomboy I strive for. You see, my roommate is under unfortunate circumstances. The very reason I took her under my wing was the sympathy and compassion and genuine liking I felt for her when I first met her. Her sob story was that she had left house and home after being accused of having a fling with her first cousin. This man, incidentally, is ten years older and aided her in getting out of her abode and now supports the both of them on his minimal income. That is not the worst part, no, for each one's life and choices are their own to make, I firmly believe. The worst part is that this child has no ambition and at age 24 is content to sit at home all day watching television and sometimes rustling up some grub in the kitchen while living off her cousin's income. And my generosity.

You see, it's two months now and I've been told she cannot afford to pay the rent. Four months earlier it was my other roommate who had sponsored her rent. A year ago she told me she wouldn't be able to afford to share the internet bill with me and so I gushed immediately that she could use it whenever she liked and not to worry about the cost; on my laptop, of course, for she cannot afford a laptop of her own. Then, four months ago she announced to me that she was leaving me for good and wished to return to her hometown where she desired to pursue the college education she had neglected to pursue all this time. I, while momentarily shocked as I surely couldn't afford to pay the rent all by myself (the third roommate had announced her departure around the same time), I wished her luck and encouraged her to chase her dreams. Then, two months ago she reappears on my doorstep telling me how she hadn't found any place she could stay at and was unsuccessful at making any friends back there so had decided to return. Ok, said I, just like old times.

Just like old times, alright. Dirty dishes in the sink which weren't used by me, waiting for me to wash them. Bills that I have to pay all by myself, TV and laptop in use even on my only off days by hands and eyes other than mine own. And now, she says she can't pay rent. Moaning to my boyfriend about it only brings me advice of: you're bigger hearted than that, don't talk this way about her; I know what it is like to have no money.

Oh, yes, soon I shall too, from the looks of it. Until then, I have the luckiest roommate on earth.