Too Good
“You know, it really bothers me that you have money!”
“Bothers you?!”
“Yes!”
Emily said nothing, simply turned on her heels and walked away from the place. She was utterly shocked, but what could she do? And why bother?
Emily always worked hard for everything in her life. In school, she aimed for straight A’s, occasionally leaving both her teachers and classmates amazed. She was the kind of student who would cry over a B. Her peers would roll their eyes and secretly envy her B’s, which they would have been thrilled to receive. The teachers would sigh and remind her not to get so hung up on grades, assuring her that mistakes happen, and she could get an A next time. But for Emily, an A was needed right now.
As soon as she got home from school, she would dive right into her homework. Her mom and grandmother would watch her in amazement.
“Go out and get some fresh air, Emmy! The weather’s lovely,” her grandmother would say.
“I have a test tomorrow. I need to prepare,” Emily would reply.
Tossing her beautiful braid over her shoulder, she would get back to her books. She loved reading too.
“You’ll ruin your eyesight! I told you, don’t spend so much time with your nose in a book!” her mother would lament.
“Just a little more! It’s so interesting,” Emily would plead, clutching a book she had been devouring.
Her mom would shake her head and head to the kitchen, where she and her grandmother would talk about the brilliant future awaiting their girl.
“As long as she doesn’t sacrifice her health!” her grandmother would consistently add. “God willing…”
Of course, Emily graduated from school with flying colors. She got into a prestigious university, managing a stiff competition. She excelled there as well.
She didn’t even have to look for a job. She was offered a position right after defending her dissertation. Emily even had to choose between two options. She picked the one closer to home.
With her dedication and perseverance, she excelled at work too. Her efforts didn’t go unnoticed—she was rewarded, and her salary increased. Before long, Emily bought her own flat and moved out from her mom and grandma’s place.
“Oh, my dear granddaughter,” her grandma would sigh, “you’re all grown up and want to live alone; I understand… But we’re going to miss you so much!”
“Don’t worry, Gran! I’ll visit often, we’re still in the same city, not miles apart,” Emily would smile as she hugged her grandmother.
“And if you’re thinking about a suitor, be sure to bring him over to meet us,” smiled her grandmother, wiping away a tear. “You’re such a catch, financially secure, those rogues will be quick to deceive. My instincts are sharp; I’d spot a swindler from a mile away.”
“Oh, Gran, I’m not foolish either. I can spot them myself.”
“Look who’s claiming they can spot something,” Grandma would frown and look meaningfully at Emily’s mom, Daisy, who would protest:
“Mom, are you going to remind me all my life?”
Emily’s mom didn’t like talking about her past love affair. The one that swept her off her feet and resulted in Emily’s birth. She concealed the relationship from her mother, and he turned out not to be who he claimed. Eventually, he ended up in prison and reached out to Daisy from there. He thought she’d still love and forgive him, but she never did. She decided to keep Emily, a decision she never regretted. Emily had everything she needed, thanks in part to Daisy’s mom’s help.
Despite her grandmother’s warnings, Emily hesitated to introduce John to her family. She genuinely liked him. There was nothing she needed from him, and it endeared her to John. A smart, beautiful, self-assured young woman who knew what she wanted and paid her own way, completely independent. Besides, John had just come out of a relationship with someone entirely different from Emily. The stars aligned for them.
John was a free-spirited artist, who was “still finding himself.” Emily, being pragmatic and practical, found his romantic nature refreshing. John was incredibly romantic, gifting flowers and presents, often spending his last penny because money was always tight for him. Sometimes he had commissions, sometimes he didn’t. But it was clear as day—John was talented. Emily became his muse. He painted her portraits that sold well, though sometimes he lost inspiration and slipped into a depressive funk. Emily would often urge him to keep working. All he needed for success was persistence because he had the talent. He’d always joke that all he needed for happiness was her, Emily. And then they’d head to the bedroom…
John often stayed over at Emily’s. His tiny flat served as his studio, cluttered with canvases and paints. The small old sofa, where John sometimes slept, was in the kitchen.
Emily never suggested living together, nor did he insist. She didn’t control John, never demanded marriage or dreamed of a family and kids, nor did she ask for expensive gifts like his previous girlfriend had. Why would she? She could afford anything she wanted.
Emily often covered the costs for both of them: romantic dinners at restaurants, trips, and other leisure activities, forgiving his frequent “no-money phases,” yet always offering solutions. She tried helping John boost his art sales and find more commissions, sometimes suggesting jobs where he could earn while still painting. But John didn’t like change, and something typically bothered him about those job options, be it the pay or the schedule. He’d smile wryly, saying he was a free bird and it was meant to be. Emily disagreed and kept trying to help her beloved.
Yet, despite everything, John suited her perfectly, and she never held anything against him. She was happy with him. With him, she truly felt relaxed, both body and soul.
But one day, during a stroll after their usual chats about the weather and cultural events John was interested in, he suddenly said they needed to part ways. Emily was stunned. They stopped and sat on a bench. Emily had been mentally planning their dinner, already having food and drinks prepared. After the stroll, they’d head to her place. Nothing hinted at this turn of events…
John began, haltingly, to explain that she was too good for him, and he hadn’t achieved anything significant yet. His finances were shaky, and he had nothing to offer her. Emily was so cool and self-sufficient, solving her problems by herself, never asking for anything, carrying herself confidently and independently, and—she had money.
“And that bothers me! You know, it bothers me!” John insisted. “You decide how to spend it, deny yourself nothing. You can buy anything you want, while I count every penny. I see the look on your face when you get my gifts. You’re polite, thanking me warmly, but what I save up for two months, you can buy now with the swipe of a card from your purse. And yes, everything you have is top-tier! That purse of yours alone… just to buy it, I’d have to work three months.”
“So my financial security irritates you?!” Emily was astounded. “How can you say that? Of all people, you should know how hard I work for that money! And reproach me for my own success? I never judged or ridiculed you…”
John said nothing, sitting turned away from her.
Emily simply stood up and walked away. Why bother with words? What for? Instead of trying to meet her standards, he just hid, dropped out of the race. He could have shared his worries, and they’d have figured something out. But no. He decided to end it. Her money bothered him! Who stops you from earning? You’ve got the brains, the talent, skillful hands, work, create! No! Fine then. Let him live on his own. He is, after all, a free bird…
Emily was incredibly angry at John. Grandma was right; the world was full of those looking to freeload off someone else and then complain.
***
“Why haven’t you introduced us to your fiancé yet?” Grandma asked during one of Emily’s visits.
“There isn’t one, Grandma…” her granddaughter replied sadly.
“No fiancé, dear? How can that be?”
“Goodbye,” she thought with a sly smile. “I’ll probably end up with a dozen cats,” Emily chuckled.
“Don’t fret, love, there’s time for you yet,” her mom said. “You just need to find someone on your level.”
“Maybe so. But for some reason, I don’t want to. I’ve realized I can do everything by myself. Why take on a burden? Stress myself out?”
Despite feeling down, Emily eventually encountered someone. A driven young man who loved her, and she loved him back.
They understood each other perfectly because they were alike. With persistent effort, they methodically achieved their goals. Together, as a team. They discussed their plans and shared accomplishments.
Emily once saw John on the street. He was painting a girl, seated before an easel on a boulevard. Other artists were there too, painting from life. Emily didn’t recognize him immediately. John looked a bit tired and slightly haggard. He recognized her at once but quickly shifted his gaze, pretending not to know her.
As Emily walked by in her new shoes, which John once said cost as much as two of his salaries, she thought to herself that everyone finds their own place. Evidently, he was content at his level, not intending to rise higher. As they say, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush…
