R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Find out what it means to me:

So, I have a futon. It is very nice, all wood construction, quite sturdy, thick mattress, just the right size for my tiny apartment. It is put together (I know because I did it myself) with screws and studs that are very sturdy and fitted snuggly in place (very hard to put in, in fact). It has lasted me three months. I like it very much. I also spent a pretty penny on it--even having gotten an upgrade for a thicker mattress (an extra 50 dollars).

This morning I came out to find it completely smashed. Now, I know it did not happen over night. We had a good size split in one of the planks for about a month now. But this morning I took the mattress off to readjust the base to fix the issue, you know, not strain the wood, and I found the other side completly split through! When I tried to reposition it to last until my parents got here to fetch a new one (I don't have transportation to IKEA from here on my own)....it fell apart in my hands.

I have no idea how it happened. Honestly, I don't know. All I know is that I woke up at 10:00 yesterday and did not return to the room for any good length of time until about 12:30 when I came home and fell into bed, sleeping until I woke up this morning. I also know that everytime I get up (paranoid as I am) I check the futon to make sure that it is in order. And, every time I get up it is.

AND, everything that has been broken on it (at any given time) has only been after a length of time when I know that I am not in my room (nor any of my friends) but my roommate has been (with his friends). I hate to point fingers, I really do--it causes confrontation against which I wholeheartedly am. However, I think that in this case it is justified. I know it is not me or my friends (though we are in the room more), because I have been there all of those times paranoid-ed-ly (word?) tending to it.

Ah well, life goes on...I guess people will have to get used to sitting on the floor, because I'll be damned if I put forth that kind of money to purchase something that people will not respect and which they will smash.

Thanks for listening!

JCM