………….

In a mild fit of rage, mild because I’m not usually the angry type, I scrunched up my rent bill and pitched it across the room. It disappeared under the bed with a satisfying flutter. The growing stack of unpaid bills on my dresser had become overwhelming, and I guess I snapped.

Almost immediately, I realized how childish it was. Sighing, I leaned over to retrieve it. That’s when I saw it.

The bill lay on the floor at the edge of the bed, uncrumpled, but not alone. Sitting neatly on top of the paper was a wad of cash. I stared for a moment, then picked it up and counted it. It was the exact amount of my rent.

I should’ve been freaked out. Really, I should’ve run. But somehow, the sudden appearance of money dulled the panic. Was someone under there pranking me?

I picked up a shoe and tossed it under the bed. Nothing.

Then I grabbed another bill, an overdue phone bill, crumpled it, and tossed it under too. A moment later, it slid back out, smooth as new, with another wad of cash on top. Again, the exact amount.

I didn’t hesitate. I balled up the rest of the bills on my dresser and threw them under in one go. Seconds later, out they came, neatly stacked, each topped with the correct payment in cash.

I stared, dumbfounded.

Then, one last sheet of paper slid out. Not a bill, this one was clean, printed, and carried a message:

Only ever for bills.

The first time you break this rule will be the only time.

Oh.. and never, ever look under the bed…