Watching Them Burn From Paradise

Summary

Martha Higgins had been stockpiling broken-down Amazon boxes and damp recycling in our condo’s shared hallway for a solid week.

I tried to put a stop to it. "Martha, the hallway is a fire exit. You can't block it with debris. It's a massive safety hazard."

She immediately leaned into her age, weaponizing her frailty. "I’m an old woman living on a fixed Social Security check! Gathering a little scrap cardboard to recycle is the only way I make ends meet. You telling me I can't keep it here is practically putting a gun to my head!"