Maureen was one of our certified crazy tenants. I could usually deal with it. But once in a while, when she was off her meds, she’d start to frantically call me. This was one of those times.
On June 4th, she left me a message, asking if I got her rent check. She’d left it in the mailbox (as she’d done probably a hundred times before), and wanted to make sure I got it. I returned her call and told her I had it.
June 5th she called again, this time to see if I deposited it. She called her bank and it hadn’t cleared. She “just wanted to make sure”. I returned her call again.
June 7th: "This is Maureen again. The check still hasn’t cleared." I ignore this message.
I ignore messages 4 through 8, though she’s becoming increasingly agitated. But I know Maureen in this state. All I’ll be doing all day is returning her calls, and I know I made that deposit.
By June 10th, the calls are frantic. Her check apparently still hasn't cleared. I ignore these messages.
June 11th: Calm: "Hi. This is Maureen. Thank you so much for depositing my rent check. The bank said it cleared." I think we’re done -- for this bout of insanity.
June 17th. I get a debit memo from the bank. It says I made a deposit listing two checks, but only one was in the batch. Guess whose check they say is missing? Only I know, without a doubt, this check, out of the thousands of checks I have received over the years, has cleared. Because Maureen may be crazy, but she’s not stupid. And she told me so. I call the bank. They can't find it. They tell me I have to contact my tenant and get a copy of the check.
Are you crazy??? Call Maureen about the same check I just got 20 phone calls on? I don’t think so. But I have to: "Maureen, what bank is your checking account with?"
"Hudson City Savings"
"Thank you."
Her bank is my bank. We can trace the snafu without her help. Thank God.
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