Lena thought helping her neighbor Karen by driving their daughters to school was a simple favor. What began as a one-time request quickly became a daily expectation, with Karen increasingly taking advantage of Lena’s goodwill. When Lena was running late one morning and asked Karen to take her daughter Sophie instead, Karen’s response was a blatant lie about her car being too full.

Realizing she was being used, Lena decided it was time to teach Karen a lesson. The next morning, she agreed to take Emily to school as usual but diverted to Rosie’s Donuts, knowing it would delay their arrival. While Sophie and Emily enjoyed their treats, Lena savored the moment, fully aware of the point she was making.

When they finally arrived at school, the parking lot was nearly empty. Karen confronted Lena, furious about the tardiness. Lena, keeping her tone innocent, suggested Karen might want to take Emily herself next time.

Karen, embarrassed and resentful, avoided Lena from then on. Lena felt a sense of triumph, knowing she’d stood up for herself and not let Karen’s demands dictate her life. The incident taught her that being a good neighbor didn’t mean being a doormat—it meant setting boundaries and asserting her own needs.