Today, I feel a mix of emotions. This past Friday, Jackie, my caregiver, reached her breaking point with Sheila, a tenant who has been harassing her. Jackie is such a kind-hearted person, always willing to help other tenants, even though it sometimes makes me uncomfortable when she does it while working with me. It's not jealousy or hatred, just depends on my mood.
On Friday, I was told not to talk to Sheila or allow her to talk to me anymore. Sheila had harassed Jackie for the last time, telling her to mind her own business because she doesn't live here. Jackie called the police, and Sheila was told to leave Jackie alone and mind her own business. I hate that I was dragged into this, but I've seen and heard Sheila wreak havoc with other residents of Garden Court.
I know when to and not to talk to Sheila because she's bipolar and speaks her mind. When she's in a drunken stupor, she's a mess of trouble, mixing comic relief with concern and disgust. It's frustrating because Sheila continues this behavior, and I've been out of high school for 35 years now, and her a little longer than me. I guess it's true that some people never change. I have friends who haven't changed since we met.
I've known Sheila from another time when I lived at Teamster Manor/Burbank Plaza, and she got into trouble with my friend and neighbor, Greg Arnold. Sheila is a troublemaker, yet I give her the benefit of the doubt because when she's nice, she's a sweetheart. Dealing with mental illness is not easy, and I understand that because I have anxiety, depression, and panic disorder.