My Neighbor Can Keep My Trash

Summary

Every time I asked Vanessa to head downstairs, I’d add a casual reminder:

"Don’t forget to take the trash out."

She’d always nod, and she’d always forget.

Later, I noticed something. Whenever she went down, the trash outside our neighbor Sebastian’s door would miraculously vanish by the next morning.

Once, I purposefully didn’t say a word.

Predictably, our trash sat right where it was, while the hallway across from us was spotless. I stood at the door for a few seconds, breathing in the faint, sour stench of overnight fermentation. I didn’t say a word.