“I’ll say.”
“But I can’t kick out a tenant for having a difficult personality type.”
“Obviously.”
“Is reading the book helping you? I mean, to deal with Kitty?”
Laurel shrugged. “My plan is to avoid Kitty, not deal with her. But I suppose the book is helping me to understand her a little better. And there are some tools we can use.”
“Such as?”
“Right now, I’m focused on distancing and diversion.”
“I get distancing. How does diversion work?”
“For one thing a narcissist loves attention and compliments. So next time Kitty goes after me, I’ll try to divert her by feeding her ego.”
“Interesting.” Riva wasn’t so sure. Kitty might be shallow, but she wasn’t stupid.
“Also, we need to put up boundaries for her.”
Riva was confused. “What kind of boundaries?”
“Personal boundaries. According to the book I’m reading, you have to step away from them, not let them get to you.” Laurel looked determined.
“Do you think that really works?” Riva studied her friend. “When emotions run high, some people have difficulty stepping away.”
“That’s probably true, but we need some tools. And from what I’ve learned from that book, and from this experience, narcissists are not easy to live with.” She reached across the counter for her mug. “And since we can’t kick her out, I guess I’ll need to learn how to survive, preferably with my sanity still intact.”
“Sounds like a good plan.” Riva smiled. “I admire how you’re taking the high road on this.”
“Better than running.” Laurel grimaced as she put her mug in the dishwasher. “I’ve decided I won’t let her drive me out, Riva.” She removed a can of cat food from her shelf in the pantry. “If you’ll excuse me, Fred is waiting for his breakfast.”
“Give Fred my regards.” Riva filled her coffee mug, then went outside where she spotted Windy working in the backyard. “You’re at it early.” She went over to see what Windy was doing with the raised bed.
“I’m transplanting these seedlings.” Windy pointed out the tomatoes, beans, cucumbers, and squash. “I’d been babying them inside, but all threat of frost is gone, and it was time to get them into the ground.”
“Looks like you’ve got your work cut out for you.”
Windy nodded, wiping the sweat from her forehead with the back of her arm. “I saw you talking to Laurel. How’s she doing?”
Riva told her about Laurel’s research into narcissism and Windy just laughed. “Leave it to Laurel to want to figure this all out. I doubt it’ll be that simple.”
“I know.” Riva sat on the edge of the raised bed. “Laurel thinks Kitty has scared Marcus off from visiting here. Do you think that’s true?”
“He did mention something like that to me. But he’s not scared. Just being cautious. I suggested he bring a friend or two next time he comes to dinner. I mean a male friend. And mostly for Kitty’s sake. Give her someone besides Marcus to zero in on.”
“Do you think he’d do that? Bring friends?” Riva tugged a stray weed out.
Windy held out the bucket of yard waste toward her. “He said he’d think about it.”
“Not that we need to have lots of dinner parties.”
“I enjoy having a table full of guests. It makes cooking even more fun, but if you’re not comfortable with—”
“No, no ... I’m okay. I just don’t want it to be too much work for you...”
“Or for a fun evening to evolve into a knockdown drag-out brawl between Kitty and Laurel.” Windy reached for a spade. “We could become the local WWE.”
