[ WP ] Slowly start to realize that you have a roommate .

I returned from the graveyard shift, crabby as always, and threw my jacket on the couch. Kicking my shoes off, I trudged to my bedroom and slammed the door. 
 
 For a second, I could swear I heard a groan. Must have woken the neighbors. 
 
 With a twinge of regret, I slipped out off my scrubs and into a large tee. I could shower later. Up my hair went into a bun, and down my head went onto a pillow. It took only moments for me to fall asleep. 
 
 I woke up around noon and reluctantly got up to assess the damage. When I got into the kitchen, I noticed dishes on the drying rack, but I could n't remember washing them. My coat hung on its hook, my shoes gently lined up underneath them. This had been occurring intermittently for the last 2 months. Total false memories about the night before. I laughed at my strange, moody self. Too lazy to dry off a dish, I pulled a paper bowl from the pantry and poured myself a bowl of Cheerios. When I went for the milk, I saw the empty carton. Shoot, I did n't have time to shop today. I made a mental note and swallowed the cereal dry. 
 
 For the rest of the day, I ran various errands, such as drugstore runs, post office drop offs, and dry cleaning. Come 6 o'clock, I ran out of time. In a desperate attempt to avoid missing the train, I left my hair up. I could fix it on the trip to the hospital. 
 
 I felt much more cheerful the next morning. My shift had gone much more smoothly, most attributable to Doctor Addam's absence. I carefully placed my shoes and jacket in their proper place and slipped into my room. I did n't even get out of my scrubs before falling asleep. 
 
 Awaking sprawled out the next day, I wandered into the kitchen. I poured myself a glass and milk and added a generous helping of chocolate syrup. Leafing through the mail, I saw a my name neatly printed on an envelope, under the word `` RENT''. It looked peculiar to see my mother write in anything other than cursive. At least she wrote Penelope this time. 
 
 I opened the envelope and absent-mindedly flipped through the money. Huh, $ 20 short. I pulled out my phone and waited for my mother's signature drawl. 
 
 `` Hey Nellie! How ya doing?'' 
 
 `` Good mom, all good. Hey, I hate to be a pain, but you were $ 20 short on rent.'' 
 
 `` Excuse me?'' 
 
 `` I do n't mean to be demanding,'' I backpedaled. `` It's just that I ca n't afford this place without your help, so if you ca n't help out as much, then let me know so I can start up the apartment search again. But you know how it is these days. Or maybe you could grab your stuff from the second bedroom and I can get a roommate.'' 
 
 `` Honey, I only left a couple boxes in your cousin's closet, and she said it was alright. Are you and Elizabeth having financial trouble? I just spoke to her last night, and she said everything was fine. Well, she says you've been a bit noisy. And messy. You got ta be a better roommate Nell, I ca n't afford to help you anymore, that's why I got you a roommate. Remember?'' 
 
 I took a turn being confused. `` I have n't the slightest clue what you are referring to.'' 
 
 `` Honey, I got ta go. Just call your cousin. Jeez Louise, I know you two are on different schedules, but you would think that our talking a little, having lived together for 2 months.'' 
 
 I dropped my glass of milk.
