Gold Behind Closed Hands

"Caleb, you really should end the lease next month. You can't keep letting strangers mooch off you.

"Or maybe Jess should put it in writing. That seems fair."

If it was not against the law to hit people, I would have loved to slap them both.

However, if I did, they would surely try to squeeze money out of me.

Rich folks lacking class loved playing nasty games.

Seven years was enough. I was done with this charade.

"I won't put it in writing. If you want money, go ahead and sue me. Let's see if the court takes your side.

"I won’t be staying in the house anymore, Ms. Smith. Since you're so keen on spending the night, don't forget to pay Caleb the rent.

"Otherwise, you'll just be another moocher."

I was about to walk away when Caleb grabbed me. His teasing look was gone, replaced by a stern warmth.

"Jess, do you have to be like this? Nevaeh and I were only joking.

"Think about it. If you leave, you'll never find a place as nice as this again."

I was so wrong, so incredibly wrong.

I should not have dropped the idea of breaking up when I learned Caleb was a rich heir, charmed by his words.

I should not have believed in an 'equal love' that was not supposed to be about money.

I should not remember the coldest days of winter, when he would warm my feet with his belly.

The times when I had cramps, when he would gently soothe me with his warm hands.

We really did love each other once, and we had our happy times.

However, our love could not mix with money, not even a little bit.

"Caleb, we should break up."

Only when I said those words did he stop smiling that sly smile.

Then, his face got all panicky.

"Break up? Jess, you're actually breaking up with me?

"I won't accept that. What gives you the right to leave me? You can't just get mad and call it quits."

He always acted like he was better than everyone else. Like dating me was some kind of gift he was giving.

However, I just looked at him emotionlessly.

"I'm not mad, but since you think I'm after your money all the time, you should find someone who matches your wealth and have a fair relationship."

I did not want to talk to him anymore. I turned around, went back to my room, and started packing.

About half a minute later, I heard him yell.

"Jess, you're going to regret this."

I did not listen to his threats, and I did not care when he stormed out with Nevaeh and slammed the door.

I had put up with a love that felt like a crime for seven years.

I never blamed Caleb for not saving my mom.

He did not have to lend me the money.

However, when I needed help the most, even when I begged him with a promise to pay him back to save my mom, he just ignored me, all the while thinking that I was just after his money.

That was when I gave up on him and on our seven years of love.

In the middle of the night, with all my bags, I walked down the empty streets.

In the big city, I had no place to call home and, without my mom or love, there was no reason to stay.

Every second here just made me sadder.

With nowhere to go, I sat in the hospital lobby all night.

The first thing I did when I got to work was quit.

My supervisor was shocked when he got my resignation letter.

"You’re quitting your job? Did Mr. Brooks say it was okay for you to quit?

"Oh, right, since you're leaving, this month's bonus won't be much. We'll put the rest of your pay on a card."