Arthur, Isabella and I have been friends for more than five years. Our families have about the same income. Normal. The four of us used to go to the theater or the cinema, spend an evening in the kitchen, either at ours or at theirs, go to barbecues at our villa. We went camping with tents. We celebrated all holidays together. Each of our families had their own problems. We took a loan and made repairs in our apartment, they took a loan and bought a car. We helped each other as much as we could: to help with the preparation for the holiday, to meet at the train station, to paste wallpaper…
But six months ago Arthur was able to get a new job, where he began to receive twice as much. Then he was able to get Isabella a job in the same company. And in total, their income quadrupled. But our income remained the same. And this difference in family budgets began to affect our friendship.
No. Neither Arthur nor Isabella began to turn up their noses. But in our relationship began to slip incomprehensible notes. Now they do not accept invitations to go to barbecues to our villa. But they offer to rent a cottage for the same purpose. And the cost is in half. But if they can afford such expenses, then for us it is a solid hole in the budget. Instead of the usual gatherings in the kitchen, they insist on meetings in a restaurant or cafe. Again, this is an extra expense for us.
Isabella wanted to celebrate her birthday in a nearby city, where they rented a mansion with a swimming pool. We could not afford such a trip. Well, if you have the money, why not make it. But you can just come to visit your friends… In six months, our friends have turned into rich people, who no longer enjoy the simple pleasures of life. It turns out that we have lost our friends. And it’s a pity…
