Wait, so it was basically a flop when it came out? I always figured a book that famous had to be a hit right away. That really changes how I see the whole story, like it's about chasing a dream that nobody even sees yet. What adams.vera said about the money really hits home too, it's so unfair. Makes the whole book feel sadder, but also more real somehow.

Classic landlord move right there. Mine tried to bill me for repainting the whole apartment because of a single scuff mark near the door. I sent him a photo of the city housing code section and suddenly that "required full repaint" turned into a $20 touch-up fee. They're just hoping you don't know your rights.

That phrase "it's easier" can hide a lot of pain. Maybe the neighbor is saying that because admitting the real reasons is too hard. They might be totally burned out from caregiving, or their mom's needs got too complex for them to handle safely. It's easier to say it's easier than to talk about watching someone you love fade away.

My usual method just smears it around (I'm not great at this).

Man, I feel that "washed out on other screens" thing so hard. I was pulling my hair out last year because my prints kept coming back looking totally different. That moment when you finally see it match up is the best feeling.