What Is Going On?

I'm losing my mind, I must be. There's no other reason for it. I'm going crazy or someone is trying to make me think I'm going crazy.

We've all had those moments where we thought we put something somewhere only to find it in another location. But that other location also has an explanation it was on the way to another location where it could have been used or doing clean up it got moved there. Some rational reason even that someone else used it and put it there.

But the problem is, I live alone. My home is only 1200 square feet with an open layout throughout. The only walls are for the bedrooms, bath, and the outside structure. So how do you explain it when I find my emerald earrings laying on the island in the kitchen? Okay, I could have come home, started taking them out, and forgotten to bring them into the bedroom but why would I start taking them out in the kitchen? It's not my normal practice.

Then there are things from my bathroom that are found in the kitchen and items from the kitchen that are found in the bathroom. Why would my kitchen cooking utensils be in the drawers of my vanity? Why would my bathroom items be in the drawer of my kitchen? It was absolutely maddening because fear came into play that perhaps I was starting early onset Alzheimers. I even went so far as to make an appointment with a specialist to confirm or deny it. Thankfully, I am fine and was recommended to see a therapist; stress, and lack of sleep, could all be a factor and they could help get it back under control.

I'm not a believer in therapy but at this point, I am willing to try anything. It took a couple of sessions to get comfortable as well as a few jokes about my house being haunted but we were both coming up empty. Then we started to narrow down the dates and times when I would find things misplaced. Slowly and almost blindingly the pieces began to come together. Once the picture was put together I knew exactly who, when, and why and I was scared.

You see and hear about these kinds of things happening on the news or mystery shows but to see and know that it was happening in my own house sent shivers down my spine. But before the accusation I needed proof so I set up cameras around the home, hidden from view, and a few weeks later I had my proof. My jaw dropped as I saw that my own niece was trying to make me seem like I was going crazy. Why? Money of course.

Several years ago I won a large sum of money from the lottery and have been receiving six-figure annuity payments ever since. I gave some to her on her 18th birthday with the notion that once it was gone there would be no more. She knows she is the sole beneficiary in my will and that includes the annuity payments. Needless to say, she is broke, in debt, and begging for more money. I've held my ground and denied her so now this is her only option, to be declared insane, she becomes my guardian and now has access to the funds. It scares me to...

*Thud*

Wrong Auntie. There is another way to get my hands on your money, you always said the perfect murder was an illusion but I think I just committed it.

Sleep tight, Auntie, I'll make sure your money is put to good use. :)