The People Behind My Eyes

This is a letter that I wrote to Barney concerning the fence that has been down for over two weeks now. The backyard is a hazard that the Board of Health has investigated repeatedly. I wasn't worried about Captain getting back there because there was a fence that kept him out. During the first storm that knocked out the windows of the bank building down town that little fence fell. It was put up half assed in the first place so it didnt take much for it to fall. When it stood it kept Captain from getting back there and getting hurt. I have asked Barney to fix the fence again and again but instead he goes hiking and chasing senior citizen females. The letter I wrote to him has no sarcasm what so ever in it, as a matter of fact it is quite serious and to the point.

This is the letter with addresses and names removed.

Mr.—–

You will recall that you and I have discussed at least four times in person or in writing that the fence in the yard facing Troy Avenue requires immediate attention. After each conversation I expected the fence to be put back up. It was not. The danger this imposes on my service animal Captain is something that you must take note of.

I will summarize in this letter my previous complaints about the back yard and how continued disregard for repairing the fence affects the health and safety of Captain. Concerning your responsibility to care for these matters promptly you may wish to refer to our renter’s agreement.

1. You have falling tree branches. Recently a large size branch with several off shoots fell from the rotting tree in your yard. Tree branches fall regardless as to who or what is beneath them.

2. Chemicals not clearly marked and illegally contained. These chemicals are sitting next to the garage and are also a focus of the Board of Health. If these chemicals were to be knocked over during a storm and were to run onto the grass it would burn Captains paws horribly. Sitting out chemicals this way as well as not clearly marking what they are can only be described as careless.

3. Rusted fence posts, rusted nails, roof shingles, old rusted bicycles, rusted tools, trash, carpet fragments, toilet parts and the whole garage itself all pose an immediate danger to Captain. It is imperative that you fix the fence immediately so that he is not hurt. The cost of vet bills is very high. I understand that it would be a hardship on you to pay his vet bills so request your immediate attention to the fence.

It will not take you but a few minutes to fix the fence. I assure you that this is a matter of urgency us both. While I have tried to not complain too much and to approach you informally those paths have proven not to work. I feel that this step is necessary to get your attention.

You must realize that there is more to being a landlord than simply taking the check out of the renter’s hand. I think I've been a good renter. I don't destroy things; I pay my rent on time and in full. I don't go through your personal belongings or snoop even through personal items that you leave lying out such as your checkbook and credit card information. I'm trustworthy, clean, quiet and dependable but most of all I pay on time and in full without fail. These are the qualities people look for in a renter. I have kept up my part of the written renter’s agreement. What I'm asking is reasonable as well as part of our rental agreement.

Sincerely,

End letter

I just gave him this letter about the fence and the yard. I didn’t mention the fact that he steels my food, is filthy or that he shouldn’t be so willing to get caught jacking off in front of his PC. Despite his filthy habits I still got a huge knot in my stomach after I handed the letter to him. I know that there are ways to prolong my stay here. I know that I’ll have to enforce my rights. If he wants me out before I find a play he’ll have to take me to court. I won’t just walk away cause little jack off Barney wants me to leave. Truth is, I'm scared of pissing him off. It’s why I’ve tried to be so dang nice to him about his behavior. It’s why I’ve avoided him when I’ve been pissed off so badly. I'm not afraid of him, I'm afraid of being homeless again ya know. I'm afraid of having to find a play RIGHT NOW instead of having a little time to get into a better place. Even with that fear I have resources. I guess some people believe that if a person’s income is very low that they have few if any real choices of where they’ll live and how well they’ll live. This isn’t true at all. There are very nice places here for like 350 to 400 a month. I pay 400 a month now. I pay it on time and in full without hesitation. Anyway though, this is the letter that I typed up and printed off, signed it and then put right in Barney’s hands about 30 min ago. I'm now going to bed. I'm checking into a place now. it’s a one bedroom for 339. I pay the light bill on a payment schedule. If I get this place, which I’ve seen and know well, but if I get this place I’ll be paying less to live there than I pay to live here.

I gave him the letter first thing in the morning so he can be angry, chat with his friends and of course his father, spit, piss, moan and complain then come to his senses and realize he needs my 400 a month cause his lazy ass wont work. I purposely gave him the letter at a time when he was relaxed as well as early in the day where he would have time to go through ever conceivable angry emotion. I want him to settle down before he speaks to me again. I don’t plan on talking to him again until he gets home later this evening after he goes to his Wednesday girl chasing function. The man is 62 years old. You’d think he’d learn somewhere, sometime that he cant just screw people and not expect someone to come up for air.