That damned book!

Okay, so about 4 or 5 years ago my brother-in-law lent me a book. A book I didn't really want, a book that I didn't even read. I also want to mention that we were all living with my husbands mother at the time, so it wasn't like I took the books to some far off land. I took it down stairs. I probably took it right back upstairs later. I don't honestly remember because I didn't care about the book. It looked terrible, I couldn't get past the first page.
When we moved out of her house and into the apartment, I didn't see the book in our belongings, which leads me to believe the wretched thing is still at her house. I also didn't see it when we moved out of the apartment over two years ago. I looked quite throughly for it then because the brother-in-law wanted it back. I didn't find out that it wasn't his until this point. So, there's something right there. He lent me a book that wasn't his to lend.
So here it is 4 or 5 years later and i get a 3 minute long voice mail demanding the book back with in a week. Either the copy that was pushed on me or a copy that I could purchase.
Turns out the thing is only 12.50, so it's not like it's a priceless find. Secondly, as you all know, I have debt up to my ears. I'm short $735 a month, I don't get child support, and I'm awaiting results on the severity of my cervical cancer. So, excuse me if I just don't have the funds to get a book that I don't even believe was in my posession after leaving that house.
So, i get to work this morning and this is in my email in box. I've included all communication up to this point.


Subject: The Book


Lindsey,



I found out that you can order 'Evil' directly from The Handsome Family website. I've included a link to make it easier for you.



http://www.handsomefamily.com/Nmerch.html#anchor867272



I needed to return the book a year ago, so you either need to replace it or find the one you borrowed and return it in the same condition it was in when I loaned it to you.



I need a response post haste.



Regards,

Trey
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Subject: RE: The Book


I haven't seen the book since we moved out of your mom's house. I looked for it when we moved out of the apartment. I don't have any money either, so I can not replace it at this time.


Subject: Re: The Book

Lindsey,

You've had well over a year to scrape up $10 + shipping. You need to find the book or replace it within the week.

Regards,
Trey

Subject: RE: The Book


It's not going to happen.

Subject: Re: The Book

I'm send your email addresses and phone numbers (work, personal & family) to the book's owner. As this is your responsibility and you refuse to deal with it because of personal issues, you can deal with him. He stopped being friendly about this well over a year ago.

Subject: RE: The Book


You can send out my information all you would like sir, but that still does not change the fact that I do not have the book or the money for the book. So, your threat to notify the book's orignal owner has no weight.

Subject: Re: The Book

The book was left in your care and is your problem to deal with. I did not threaten to give out your information, I gave it out. The owner has known that the book has been in your possession & that you have refused to find or replace it. I'm tired of dealing with him.


Subject: Re: The Book

I'll deal with him the same way I'm dealing with you. You can't squeeze blood from a stone. What is come down to Trey is that you had no right to loan it out in the first place. And giving out my information, in my eyes, is harassment. Your aggressive demeanor may intimidate some people, but not myself.

Lindsey

While I do appreciate your effort to turn this around and make it my fault, it is no longer my issue. I let you read the book while we were living in the same house. Once the book left the house in your possession, it became your responsibility. You have refused to accept that responsibility since I first asked you to return the book.

I'm sorry that you feel like you are being harassed, or that I'm being aggressive. The truth of the matter is that neither is actually the case. You've heard about this about a tenth as often as I have. You have had ample opportunity to resolve the matter, but, again, have refused to. It is no secret that you have spent a great sum of money on numerous flights out of town, as well as on personal entertainment (i.e., iPod, going to shows out of town, etc.) in the past year. A mere $10 + shipping should not have made a dent in your seemingly limitless finances at that point.

As I've said before, this is no longer my issue. If you feel the need to, please contact Joey (the book's owner) at superdeluxejoey@hotmail.com I'm quite certain that he'd love to hear from you.

Regards,

Trey