Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: GREED (03/08/18)
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TITLE: Stoic Mask | Previous Challenge Entry
By Michelle Gretz
03/10/18 -
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I then heard him say, “Well, I see and understand your predicament honey. As your father, I am in a predicament also. Do I just give you money every time you ask or do I teach you to become more self-reliant? Tell me, what do you suppose you could do to earn a hundred dollars?”
Junie’s pitch and volume upped a notch as she cried out, “But Dad, I need the money now!”
I felt for Junie, but couldn’t keep back a smile as I remembered my attempts to get money from Dad. At least I could hear Dad was not showing any favoritism. That was some comfort. I refocused on the tax forms before me.
Last summer I left home to work full time and attend college. Mom, without Dad’s knowledge, sometimes paid my rent or tuition. However, at nineteen I felt fairly self-sufficient. Doing one’s taxes for the first time I thought should include “an induction to adulthood” celebration of some kind. However, nobody seemed to notice this major milestone’s passing. Welcome to adulthood. Fortunately, I soon would have another chunk to put into my savings.
Meanwhile, a huffy and teary-eyed Junie stormed off to her room. Dad then made a rather shocking announcement. “Roger, since you lived here last year, I will be claiming you as a dependent.”
I looked him in the eye and said, “That’s just plain wrong, and you know it. I provided for myself long before I moved out. Don’t you remember when I turned eighteen I started paying you rent? Furthermore, I am counting on those tax refunds so that I can continue to be independent.”
His Dad responded as usual with a logical rationale. “Yes, I understand. What you don’t realize yet, since you don’t have children, is that I receive a much greater financial gain by claiming you as a dependent than you can get by claiming yourself.”
I snapped back with, “Alright then. You claim me as a dependent, and then reimburse the amount due me. In this way, we both come out ahead.”
His Dad unexpectedly went silent. Slowly the stoicism seemed to crack, and obvious displeasure peeked through. Apparently, he wanted it all. A few scales upon my eyes painfully popped off. “I see. Since you don’t want to share, I will move forward and file my taxes. If you claim me as a dependent, then that is on you.”
He remained silent, and I left the house.
Some weeks passed, and I was alone in the house with Mom. I asked her, “Mom, do you know if Dad claimed me on his tax return?”
She nervously answered, “Yes, yes he did. He doesn’t think there is much risk of being audited. At some level, I hope he is right, but I also kind of hope he is wrong.”
With those illuminating words, more scales drop off my eyes, and I understand my Dad more as my Mom has all along. His stoic presentation as a tough, responsible father during my teen years was a mask. He was far more concerned about money than he was about raising a son or a daughter. My head spun. Finally, one complete thought came together. Now I know the sounds and looks of greed.
My mom continued, “Sometimes I think if someone outside of the family confronted him, he would be forced to face his true condition. You have no idea, how hard it is for a mom to watch as I have watched. Roger, promise me that you won’t become like him. It is off balance, and greed only knows to grow. Your heavenly Father gives and withholds. Can you learn from him instead?
I see my mom’s pain and hear her plea. Instinctively, I wrap a comforting arm around her tense shoulders. Then I whispered in her ear. “Mom you already taught me. Thank you, for sometimes paying my bills. It felt nice to be remembered and loved. Oh, and don’t worry; I’ll see Junie gets her hundred dollars.”
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