Lighting equipment.
Every purchase came with the same promise.
“This is the last big thing I need, Claire.”
Then another big thing appeared.
When rent increased, I covered the difference.
When Marcus forgot the internet bill, I paid it before service was disconnected.
When his car needed repairs, I put $1,800 on my credit card because he had a shoot the following morning.
When he couldn’t pay his portion of groceries, I said nothing.
When he stopped paying his portion altogether, somehow I said even less.
Marcus never directly asked me to support him.
That was part of what made it easy for him.
He would simply look stressed.
Mention how close he was to landing a major client.
Tell me he hated disappointing me.
And eventually I would say:
“Don’t worry. I’ve got it.”
Those four words became the foundation of our relationship.
I’ve got it.
Rent?
I’ve got it.
Electricity?
I’ve got it.
Groceries?
I’ve got it.
Car insurance?
I’ve got it.
Dinner?
Laundry?
Cleaning?
Appointments?
Taxes?
Birthday gifts for his mother?
I had all of it.
Marcus had his dream.
My sister Natalie noticed long before I did.
She visited one Saturday morning and found me sitting at our dining table with two laptops open.
One contained spreadsheets from work.
The other contained our household budget.
“Are you seriously working on a Saturday?”
“Only for an hour.”
“You said that last Saturday.”
I shrugged.
Natalie opened the refrigerator.
It was almost empty.
“Why do you have four different kinds of energy drinks and no actual food?”
“Marcus bought those.”
“With what money?”
I gave her a look.
She slowly closed the refrigerator.
“Claire.”
“Please don’t.”
“I haven’t even said anything.”
“You’re about to.”
Natalie sat across from me.
