10
530words
He sent resumes to hundreds of companies,but the only job offers he got were for sales positions or factory work.
Sales jobs required a personality he didn't have; factory jobs demanded 12 - hour shifts he couldn't handle.
His mom,seeing he couldn’t find work,said his being at her house was “bad for Emma’s luck” and threw him out.
“Sarah,I know I was wrong.Please help me.”
I sighed.“Ethan,we were married once.If I had money,I’d help,but you know my situation.”
“I can barely take care of myself,let alone you.”
He pleaded,“Let’s remarry.Together,we can get through this.”
I laughed.Remarry?I’ve just climbed out of the grave. Why would I jump back in?
“Are you sure?I’ve got over a million in debt.You really want to face that with me?”
He went silent,probably imagining a life of poverty,arguing over pennies.He didn’t want that.
After that,Ethan never contacted me again.
A year flew by.
Tommy started elementary school—a big event for our family.
My mom made a lavish breakfast,and we all took Tommy to school together.
Afterward,my mom wanted to visit the market,so I went with her.
While picking vegetables,I heard a commotion at the butcher’s stall,growing louder.
My dad went to break it up and discovered Ethan and Emma arguing with the butcher.
Ethan looked 20 years older,his temples gray,wrinkles deep enough to trap mosquitoes.
Emma had lost her arrogance,clutching a piece of lean meat and hiding behind Ethan.
“This…”I hadn’t expected such a drastic change in just a year.
The butcher, fuming, pointed at them. “They're repeat offenders. They steal from the market every few days.”
“I figured they were struggling,so I let it slide when they took some meat.”
“But letting it slide doesn’t mean I’m a fool.Taking meat right in front of me is robbery!”
Emma clutched the meat,defiant.“It’s just a piece of meat.Is it worth this?”
“Yeah,is it worth it?”Ethan echoed.
I stepped in to mediate.“I’ll pay,I’ll pay.”
I turned to the butcher.“How much?”
He snorted.“Don’t do them any favors,miss.”
Sure enough,the moment I offered to pay,Emma grabbed a huge slab of meat and bolted for the door,shouting,“She’s paying,she’s paying,don’t come after me!”
After paying,I chatted with the butcher and learned Ethan and Emma’s family had moved here three months ago.
Apparently,their startup failed,leaving them in debt.
They sold everything they could,Emma’s husband took their kid and left,and their mom died of anger.Now,just the siblings lived in a basement.
After so much turmoil,their mental state had deteriorated,and they often stole.
I said I’d stood right in front of them,and they didn’t recognize me.Turns out,their memories were failing.
Oh,what a pity.
Hearing their story,I didn’t feel particularly satisfied—just a bit of感慨.
One lived by leeching off her brother;the other,off his wife.Neither ever thought to rely on themselves.
But mountains fall,and people leave.The only thing you can truly rely on is yourself.
After my parents finished shopping,we headed home.
The weather was perfect,the sky cloudless.
Life is like driving a car—you only have real control when you're the one holding the steering wheel.
And I’ll never hand the wheel of my life to anyone else.
