What could possibly go wrong at 5 a.m.? Everything—if your neighbor is Claire. Waking up early wasn’t in my plans, but Claire had other ideas.

I jolted awake to a deafening noise, so loud it shook the walls and sent my heart racing. Groaning, I stumbled out of bed and rubbed my eyes.

Peering out the window, I couldn’t believe what I saw—construction workers with jackhammers and drills tearing down the fence between my house and Claire’s. Dust and debris flew everywhere.

And there she was, Claire, standing on her porch like the queen of chaos, holding a steaming mug of coffee and watching the scene like it was her morning entertainment.

I threw open my window and leaned out, the cold morning air hitting my face. “What is going on? Do you even know what time it is?” I shouted.

Claire looked up from her porch, her face calm as if none of this was unusual. “It’s too loud! I can’t hear you!” she yelled.

My patience snapped. I grabbed my robe, threw it on, and stormed outside.

The crunch of gravel under my slippers only fueled my anger as I marched to her porch. “Are you completely out of your mind?” I shouted, glaring at her.

She raised an eyebrow. “What are you doing on my property? I’m calling the police!” she said, her voice sharp.

“Perfect! While you’re at it, tell them where my fence went!” I snapped.

“It’s ours,” she said with a shrug. “I decided to replace it.”

“You didn’t think to ask? It’s my property too!” I shouted, my hands clenched into fists.

Claire didn’t even argue. She just waved me off, as if I were some annoying fly buzzing around her, and strolled back into her house like nothing had happened.

Over the years, Claire had gone out of her way to make my life miserable. She’d “accidentally” flooded my flower beds with her sprinkler.

She started noisy renovations at the crack of dawn, like today, without warning anyone.

Once, she even called the police because I was playing music at 6 p.m.—on a Saturday! Her list of offenses was endless, and everyone knew it.

The neighbors avoided her like the plague. No one wanted to deal with her rudeness or her complete disregard for anyone else.

Meanwhile, I was the opposite. Friendly, thoughtful, and eager to help, I became the go-to person in our neighborhood.

I hosted summer barbecues, created a book club, and organized a charity marathon that brought us all together.

Claire, of course, tried to sabotage every event. At least, that’s how things were—until one day, everything changed.

I had to leave for a work trip and was gone for just a week, but when I came back, everything felt off. It was like I’d stepped into some alternate reality.

Claire—the Claire—was outside, laughing with neighbors. I rubbed my eyes, sure I was seeing things.

But no, there she was, handing pies to the Smiths. I watched, slack-jawed, as she helped Mrs. Williams shovel snow from her driveway.

People were actually thanking her, smiling even. It didn’t make sense. I shook my head. This had to be a dream. Or a prank.

One evening, as I was settling in for a quiet night, a knock echoed through my house. I opened the door, and there she was—Claire, standing on my porch, holding a pie.

“What do you want?” I asked, not bothering to hide my irritation.

She held out the pie like a peace offering. “I baked this for you. I thought we could sit down and have tea together,” she said with a smile that made my stomach churn.

I folded my arms. “What did you poison it with?”

She actually laughed, a soft, almost genuine sound. “Why would I poison it?”

“Because you’re a witch who hates everyone,” I said without hesitation.

Claire’s smile faltered. “That’s not true. I don’t hate anyone.”

“Really?” I shot back. “A few months ago, you painted ‘I hate you, cow’ on my house. That ring any bells?”

Claire shifted uncomfortably. “I’m trying to change. Can’t we leave the past behind and just have tea?”

“No,” I said flatly, slamming the door in her face.

A pie wasn’t going to erase years of torment. She had some nerve thinking it would.

That weekend, I decided to host a dinner party. I spent hours planning the menu and decorating for the perfect atmosphere.

Excited, I posted about it in the neighborhood chat, expecting the usual flood of enthusiasm. Instead, my phone buzzed with lukewarm excuses.

Finally, John gave the real reason.

@John:

Claire is hosting a movie night at her place this weekend, so we’re all going there. Sorry:(

I stared at the screen, my jaw tightening. Claire? Hosting? Everyone was suddenly okay with Claire?

@Me:

Claire’s not even in this group because nobody can stand her. What changed?

The replies made my blood boil.

@Mila:

She’s been so sweet lately! Always helping!

@Peter:

Totally! She’s like a new person!

@Jessica:

How can we add her to this group?

I turned off my phone, fuming. Claire had to be doing this for a reason. It wasn’t real. It couldn’t be.

The final straw came a few days after when I set up for my book club—a group that had been my refuge for years—and no one showed up.

The living room was spotless, snacks were perfectly arranged, and my favorite chair sat waiting for a lively discussion.

But the clock kept ticking, and still, nobody came. Frustrated, I grabbed my phone and messaged the group.

@Me:

Where is everyone???

Minutes later, Mila’s response popped up, casual as ever.

@Mila:

Oh, we forgot to tell you. We’re at Claire’s tonight, discussing “Little Women.”

That was it. I couldn’t take it anymore. I stormed out of my house and marched straight to Claire’s, barely stopping to catch my breath before barging in.

“What the hell is going on? Since when does everyone like Claire?!” I shouted, my voice echoing through her overly cheerful living room.

Claire turned to me with that infuriating smile. “Helen, darling, what’s wrong?” she asked sweetly, tilting her head like she didn’t have a care in the world.

“I’m not your darling!” I yelled, pointing a finger at her.

Turning to the group, I let my frustration explode. “Mila, have you forgotten how Claire told everyone your daughter isn’t your husband’s? Jessica, do you remember when she dumped paint on you because your skirt was ‘too short’? Peter, have you forgiven how she cursed you for being gay?”

Mila shifted uncomfortably in her seat. “I think the past should stay in the past,” she said, not meeting my eyes.

Everyone else nodded.

“What is wrong with all of you?!” I demanded, throwing up my hands. “She’s a witch! She’s up to something!”

Claire stepped forward, raising a hand as if to calm me. “Can we keep this civil, please?” she said softly.

“Civil? You don’t know the meaning of the word!” I snapped. “You’re cruel, selfish, and manipulative!”

Her face crumpled, and suddenly she burst into tears, running from the room.

Jessica stood, picking up her coat. “Why were you so mean to her?” she asked quietly.

“She’s changed, Helen. You could have been kinder,” Mila added, glancing at me with disappointment.

Peter sighed as he followed them. “You’re acting like the old Claire.”

They all left, one by one, leaving me standing in the middle of the room, surrounded by her bright decorations and warmth that suddenly felt fake. After a few moments, Claire returned, her eyes red and her hands trembling.

“Why are you doing this to me?” Claire asked.

“Doing this to you?!” I shot back, my anger bubbling over. “You tormented me for years! Now, you’ve turned everyone against me! What’s your plan, Claire? To ruin my life completely?”

Claire’s face crumpled as she suddenly yelled, “I don’t have a plan! I’m sick, okay? I have six months left—at most!”

I froze, the words hitting me like a slap. “What?” I whispered, the fight draining from my voice.

“Yes! I found out recently,” she said, wiping her eyes. “And I don’t want to die as the town witch. I’m lonely, Helen. I have no kids, no husband. I’ve spent years making people hate me. Now, I just want to do something good before it’s too late. I want people to remember me for something better.”

“Does anyone know?” I asked quietly, referring to her illness.

“No. I don’t want pity. I don’t want people to think I’m doing this for sympathy. I want it to be real,” she said, looking me in the eye.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know…” I began, unsure of what else to say.

“It doesn’t matter,” she said, her voice hollow. “Just go.”

“You’re not even going to ask me to keep it a secret?” I asked, hesitating.

“What’s the point? You wouldn’t listen anyway,” she said, her tone defeated.

I wanted to say something, anything, but no words came. Feeling small and useless, I turned and left her house in silence.

For days, guilt weighed heavily on me. Claire had been trying to change, and I’d hurt her when she least deserved it.

She wasn’t the same person anymore, and it was time I acknowledged that. I needed to make amends.

On Christmas morning, I gathered the neighbors. We dressed as elves, complete with hats, striped socks, and bells.

Together, we walked to Claire’s house. She opened the door, her expression shifting between surprise and confusion.

“What are you all doing here?” she asked quietly.

“We’re here to spread kindness—your idea,” I said, handing her an elf costume with a small smile.

We spent the day delivering gifts to kids at the hospital. Later, we gathered for dinner at my house, where the neighbors praised Claire’s generosity.

“Actually, it was Helen’s idea too,” Claire said, her voice warm as she smiled at me.

That was Claire’s last Christmas. It wasn’t about who Claire had been before but who she chose to be in those final months.

The neighbors remembered her as someone kind and caring, a memory that lingered long after she was gone.

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