Too Good
“Do you understand that it annoys me you have money!”
“It annoys you?”
“Yes!”
Adeline said nothing, turned silently on her heels, and walked away from that spot. She was utterly frustrated, but there was nothing she could do about it. Besides, why should she?
Adeline had always been used to achieving everything by herself. In school, she strived to get straight A’s, surprising both her teachers and classmates. She was one of those who cried over a B. Her peers would roll their eyes and secretly envy the B’s she got. They would have been thrilled with those grades. And the teachers sighed and reassured her not to be so obsessed, saying that mistakes happen and there’s always a chance to get an A next time. But Adeline needed it immediately. Right then and there.
When she got home from school, she would dive straight into her homework. Her mom and grandmother watched her with amazement.
“Go out for a bit, Addie! Just look at how nice the weather is,” her grandmother would suggest.
“But there’s a test tomorrow. I need to prepare,” the girl would reply.
She would then toss her beautiful braid over her shoulder and reach for her textbooks. And she loved reading books too.
“You’ve spoiled your eyesight! We’ve told you not to spend so much time with books!” her mother would lament.
“Just a bit longer! It’s really interesting,” begged Adeline, clutching the book she had been devouring.
Her mother would shake her head and head into the kitchen. There, she and her grandmother would talk about the bright future awaiting their girl.
“But let it not come at the expense of her health!” the grandmother would always add. “God willing…”
Of course, Adeline graduated high school with top honors. She got into a prestigious university, excelling even amid fierce competition. She graduated with distinction.
Finding a job wasn’t something Adeline needed to worry about. She was offered one immediately after defending her thesis. She even had a choice between two jobs and picked the one closer to home.
With her dedication and persistence, she excelled at work too. Her efforts were recognized and rewarded, and her income increased. Soon, Adeline bought herself a flat and moved out of her mom and grandmother’s place.
“Oh, sweetie,” her grandmother sighed, “You’re all grown up now, and you want to live on your own, I understand… But we’ll miss you so much!”
“Don’t worry, Grandma! I’ll visit often; we’re still in the same city, not miles apart,” Adeline reassured her grandmother with a smile and a hug.
“Just remember, if a suitor comes along, bring him over for a visit,” her grandmother said with a smile, brushing away tears. “You’re a fine young lady and have money. Some might try to hoodwink you, but my keen eye can spot a trickster from a mile away.”
“Oh Grandma, I’m not a fool either. I’ll spot them myself.”
“See that? Spotted one once,” her grandmother frowned, casting a significant look at Adeline’s mother, Olivia, who snapped back:
“Mom, really! Are you going to remind me forever?”
Olivia disliked talking about her former lover – the one who made her lose her head and from whom Adeline was born. She had kept the relationship a secret from her mother, and he had deceived her and proved not to be who he claimed. Then he ended up somewhere far away and sent word to Olivia, thinking she still loved and would forgive him, but she didn’t. However, she decided to have Adeline, a decision she never regretted. The girl had everything, as Olivia had her mother’s help…
Contrary to her grandmother’s advice, Adeline wasn’t in a rush to introduce Serge to her family. She simply liked him. She didn’t need anything from him, and this endeared her to Serge. An intelligent, beautiful girl, confident, knowing what she wants and how to get it, pays her own way, and is entirely independent. Meanwhile, Serge had recently broken up with a girl who was the complete opposite of Adeline. Stars aligned for them.
Serge was a free-spirited artist, one of those still “finding themselves.” For practical and pragmatic Adeline, a bit of romance in her life was just what she needed. And Serge was indeed romantic. He brought her flowers, bought her gifts, often spending his last penny, as money was always in short supply. Commissions came and went. But it was clear he was talented. And Adeline became his muse. He painted her portraits, which sold well, though at times he lost inspiration and fell into a creative slump, producing nothing. Adeline often told him not to be lazy. Success in life only required dedication since he undoubtedly had talent. He would joke that what he was missing for happiness was her, Adeline. And they would head to the bedroom…
Serge often stayed overnight at Adeline’s flat. His small apartment served as his studio. Canvases and paints lay everywhere, and a tiny old sofa on which Serge sometimes slept was parked in the kitchen.
Adeline didn’t propose living together, and he didn’t insist. She didn’t try to control Serge; she didn’t demand marriage, wasn’t dreaming of a family and kids, didn’t beg for expensive gifts like his last girlfriend. Why should she? She could buy herself anything she wanted.
Often, Adeline paid not just for herself but for him too: romantic dinners at restaurants, trips, and other entertainment, forgiving his constant “broke phases,” yet always offering solutions. She tried to help Serge improve his art sales and increase commissions and sometimes even found job opportunities for him to earn without giving up painting. But Serge disliked these novelties, and when it came to work, he always found something dissatisfying—either the pay or the schedule. He would smile sadly and say he was a free bird and maybe that’s just how it was supposed to be. But Adeline refused to accept this and kept trying to help her beloved.
Despite all this, Serge was enough for her, and she never complained about him. She liked being with him. Only with him could she relax, in mind and body.
Once, during one of their walks after their usual light conversations about weather and cultural events that interested Serge, he suddenly declared that they needed to break up. Adeline was stunned. They stopped and sat on a bench. Adeline had already mentally planned tonight’s dinner, having prepared food and drinks in advance. After the walk, they were supposed to head to her place. Nothing hinted at such a turn of events…
Serge mumbled confusedly that she was too good for him, that he hadn’t yet achieved anything significant in life, his financial situation was unstable, and he had nothing to offer her. While she was so remarkable and self-sufficient, handling her problems with ease, never asking anyone for anything, she exuded confidence and independence and had money.
“And it irritates me! Understand, it irritates me!” Serge stated. “You decide how and where to spend it yourself, deny yourself nothing. You can buy anything you want while I count pennies. I see your face when you get my gifts. You’re polite, thank me, and say sweet things, but what I saved for two months you could buy right now, with a simple swipe of your card from your purse. And yes, all your stuff is so fancy! That purse of yours alone, it costs more than I make in three months.”
“So, you’re annoyed by my prosperity?!” Adeline was shocked. “How can you say that? You, of all people, know how hard I work for that money! And you reproach me for my success? I’ve never once reproached you, neither by word nor deed. I’ve never forced you into anything, never mocked…”
Serge remained silent, turned away from her.
Adeline just stood up and walked away. Why would they talk, to what end? Instead of striving to reach her level, the man just withdrew, gave up. He could have shared his feelings with her, and they would have surely come up with a plan. But no. He decided to break up. Money irritated him! Who stops you from earning it? Brains, talent, skillful hands, keep working, create! No? Fine then. Let him live his way. He’s a free bird after all…
Adeline was incredibly mad at Serge. Her grandmother was right; there were plenty of people looking to take advantage of others, only to later voice grievances.
***
“So, why haven’t you introduced us to your fiancé yet?” her grandmother asked during Adeline’s next visit.
“There isn’t one, Grandma…” the granddaughter replied sadly.
“What do you mean, dear? That can’t be.”
“It can. I suppose I’ll end up on my own, with forty cats, as they say,” Adeline smiled.
“Don’t worry, love, you’ve got time!” her mom chimed in. “You just need to find someone your equal.”
“Maybe. But right now, I don’t feel like it. I realized I can do everything myself, why take on extra burdens? Why stress myself out?”
Despite the low spirits, with some time, Adeline managed to find love. A similarly ambitious young man fell in love with her, and she with him.
They understood each other effortlessly, being so much alike. Through hard work, they steadily reached their goals together, as a team. They discussed plans and shared their achievements.
Once, Adeline saw Serge on the street. He was sketching a girl while sitting with his easel on the boulevard. Other artists around him were also drawing from life. Adeline barely recognized him at first. Serge looked worn out and had let himself go a bit. But he recognized her immediately and quickly looked away, as though they had never met.
Walking by in her new shoes, pricey as Serge once pointed out – two of his salaries’ worth – Adeline thought to herself that everyone has their place. Evidently, he was comfortable on his own level and had no intention of rising. As the saying goes, “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush…”
