I thought my landlord was cruel when he kicked my three kids and me out of our home for three days so his mother could stay there. But when I went back to get blankets, I discovered he’d lied to me! What I walked into was something no parent should ever have to see.

I’m a single mother to three kids.

Elliot is 11 and already trying too hard to be the man of the house. Noah is seven, all questions and scraped knees, and Mila, my baby, just turned four last month.

We rented a house on the edge of the city. It wasn’t much, but it was cozy, and there was a little playground down the block that the kids loved.

I didn’t know then how quickly all of that could be taken away.
Two nights ago, I was rinsing dishes when my phone rang. The number on the screen made my stomach sink before I even answered.

Mr. Hawkins. My landlord.

I quickly dried my hands and answered the call.

“I need you out of the house for a few days.”

I froze. “Out… what do you mean, out?””My mother’s coming to town. She needs a place to stay, and I can’t have her in my house, so you’ll have to vacate for three days.”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Hawkins, but I have a lease agreement. You can’t just—”

He cleared his throat, slow and deliberate.

I didn’t know what was coming next, but I was certain I wouldn’t like it.”You were late with the rent last month.”

“But I did pay it,” I said quickly. “With the late fee. You confirmed—”