A special level of hell

15 years ago

That's what I hope is reserved for my sister's "friend." I'll call her Laura.

My sister has known Laura for more than 30 years. She considers Laura a friend, but knows she's not a very nice person. Laura seems to go through people like water, charming them and then getting them to give her money or a place to stay, and then they move on as they learn what she's all about. She's done this to my sister, too, and my sister has cut her off for years at a time, but always ends up calling or writing Laura in the end. As I've mentioned before, my sister is mentally ill (bipolar, though almost always depressed) and has few friends.

Well, Laura is being evicted again. She seems to get evicted every few years. She can't keep a job, and refuses to work in retail or food service. So she runs out of money, sponges off the current man in her life until he leaves, and then gets evicted and starts again.

She's called my sister several times during periods like this. Once for money - which my sister sent - and a couple times to ask if she could move in. Once my sister said yes, that she could stay for two weeks, and of course she stayed for more than two months. She also calls my sister for moral support, which would be all right except that she's a narcissist and gives very little in return.

So, today she called my sister to ask for something else. She wants my sister to act as a reference when Laura goes to look for a new apartment. She wants my sister to pretend to be a landlord in the state she lives in and to say that Laura has been living in one of her apartments and has always paid on time.

If this weren't bad enough, she's trying to manipulate my sister using my sister's love of animals. My sister is a very emotional, very sentimental animal lover. So Laura called and said, "If I can't get a new apartment this week, I'll have to put my cats to sleep."

So now my sister feels that she'll be responsible for the death of five cats if she doesn't bow to Laura's request. I've talked to my sister for quite awhile, pointing out how insulting it is that Laura even asked such a thing and how she would be helping Laura to steal from another unsuspecting landlord (because Laura will no doubt stop paying the rent at some time and get evicted again). My sister agrees with all of this, but can't think of anything but the cats.

Yuck!

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Comments (15)

lynn_d
15 years ago
It sounds like your sister is a sweetheart that cannot give up on folks easily and I can appreciate how her heart breaks for the critters. What a user Laura is, and a loser as well. I hope your sister runs as far as she can from this gal, whether it means the cats' lives or not. It isn't worth having Laura in her life. If I were your sister I would be furious that Laura would even think that I would be open to lying for her this way. Five cats?? Holy moley, that alone would be reason not to rent to her! I love cats....I have 3 of my own in the house and 6 outside ferals that I care for but would not rent to anyone with 5 cats.
maire_cate
15 years ago
What an awful situation to be in. I wonder if you could convince your sister that by pretending to be a landlord she's committing fraud. You're sister is obviously a compassionate person. Let's hope Laura meets another man to sponge off soon.
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sue_va
15 years ago
Could your sister tell Laura to take the cats to a shelter? That seems like the best solution. And I hope your sister will not give her any more money. Hard? Yes. But that is the way to get Laura's attention.

Also your sister needs to tell Laura that her pretending to be a landlord would make her a criminal.

Sue
minnie_tx
15 years ago
I agree with maire_cate

In this day and age you never know if the new Landlord would hold your sister responsible for the friend you might have to really scare her into some commn sense.
jannie
15 years ago
I know you mean well, but your sister needs to stand up for herself. She is the one who should refuse to act as a phony landlord-reference for her friend. She already knows her friend is no good. I'd stay out of it. Sorry, that's just what I'd do.
suzieque
15 years ago
Rather than suggest that the 5 cats go to a shelter (where they very likely would be killed - shelters are overrun and cages are beyond full), perhaps your sister could offer to care for them (but not Laura) until Laura gets another place. That would relieve your sister of her worry/guilt about the cats and keep Laura out on her own. Of course, Laura would have to pay for the cats' food, litter, etc.
Jodi_SoCal
15 years ago
I think I've figured out Laura's lack of funds problem ... 5 cats!
Assuming she's caring for them properly, a lot of money goes into owning pets.

I like Suzieque's solution.
chisue
15 years ago
And why should we believe that "Laura" actually has five cats? If she does, and is homeless...there may be better homes for the animals. (NOT your house!)
joann23456
Original Author
15 years ago
Well, my sister lives with me, and we already have four cats, so our home isn't an option.

And as for staying out of it, she lives with me and talks to me about this stuff.

I don't know what my sister will do. We'll see.
minnie_tx
15 years ago
If your sister lives with you - in your home - then you can put your foot down and say no cats staying here and no Laura staying here IMHO
If she wants to waste her money on Laura let her go ahead but not in your home
suzieque
15 years ago
Ok, I didn't realize that your sister lives with you. Of course that changes things. Good luck to everyone with this!

I feel for the cats ... none of Laura's mess is their fault but they'll suffer for it.
joyfulguy
15 years ago
I'd want to see the five cats - but not with Laura present.

Does this gal have a reputation for being a liar ... or what??

ole joyful
carla35
15 years ago
If your sister doesn't see that lying for someone in this way wrong, then your sister is to blame too. (The cats are irrelevant).

Would she have the means to pay for a lawyer if a suit were brought against her in this matter? Does she understanding why lying about this is wrong? I know they are simple questions... but they need to be addressed... people can get themselves in big messes when they start focusing on irrelevant or emotional things..and forget the basics...
susie53_gw
15 years ago
Block this crazy woman's number!!!!!! Your sister doesn't need to know.. It sure would make things easier for her. She is used to not hearing from her so she will think she just isn't calling.. You know she is working your sister. Help your sister. Think about it..
joann23456
Original Author
15 years ago
I'd love to block her number, but it's on my sister's cell phone. And she emails and texts her, as well.

My sister wrote her yesterday to say that she couldn't do it. Laura took it all right, but now wants her to ask me to use my legal connections to find a job for her. And I'm sure that the job is a prelude to asking me to move in "just for awhile ..." Not that there's any chance at all that this will happen.

A special level of hell

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A special level of hell

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