Money, For What?

Por Rafael Fellové

When there is money, everything can be done and bought. However, certain things cannot be bought because their value is not material. In life, there are sometimes many situations that hurt and are easy to heal since they take a long time to accept them as they are. Because I think they are never forgotten since they are very deep and indelible scars.

• Idioma: Español
• Editorial: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Fecha de lanzamiento: 27 ago 2021
• ISBN: 9781643346304

Vista previa del libro

Chapter 1

Iwas in a bar. It was a very elegant establishment. The decor reminded me of something from the roaring twenties. It was definitely the type of place someone like Al Capone would have frequented often. The tables were oval shaped and made of high-quality oak with suede in lays. The seats were also made of oak. The cushions were plush and upholstered with the finest black leather. Black-and-white marble ashtrays had been placed on every table, which complimented the rest of the decor. There were at least two hundred wine and liquor bottles organized and displayed in the backdrop, which was also crafted using the finest wood available to the proprietors of this establishment.

The place was packed. On one side of the bar, people were talking and laughing, and on the other side there was a live jazz band playing. Many of the patrons were simply enjoying the music, while the others sang along. I sat at the bar with a very distinguished gentleman in his seventies. His name was Don Manuel.

Yes, sir, I said to him. I might be much younger than you are, but I have lived a very eventful life. At times I have been downright miserable, and I didn’t see any point in going on. I contemplated taking my own life.

Don Manuel’s facial expression was full of skepticism. I set my beer down on the bar and asked. What is it? You look as though you don’t believe me. The old man smiled. The look in his eyes showed years of experience and wisdom.

He cleared his throat before he spoke. Okay, Oscar, he said. Please tell me your story, and I will let you know if I think your experiences were as bad as you say they were.

I must warn you, I offered. My story is very long and full of suffering.

That’s fine, my friend, he said. We have all night to talk. Then he lit a cigar. You look as though you have a lot on your mind, so if we need to break dawn, so be it.

You’re very right, sir, I responded. I probably should have started to talk about my problems several years ago instead of running away from them.

In most cases, you must verbalize what your problems are before you can begin working on dealing with your issues.

I felt as though Don Manuel had peered deep into my soul and he knew the story of my life better than I did. I quickly said to him, I don’t want you to think I am one of those self-absorbed people who goes on and on about how much more important my experiences and problems are than the next person’s.

Don Manuel’s eyes narrowed. One who begins explaining himself before he has told his story is usually pretentious, and I have dealt with plenty of people over the years who are, as you put it, self-absorbed. I don’t get that vibe from you, Oscar, so you shouldn’t have anything to worry about.

We started at each other for what seemed like an eternity, then out of nowhere the both of us began laughing out loud.

Once the laughter subsided, Don Manuel spoke. Oscar, you are a very interesting fellow, and you have sparked my curiosity. Please, tell me your story. I have no preconceived notions about you, nor do I doubt that your experience have had a profound effect on your life. Everything happens for a reason, my friend. It was meant for you to be here with me this evening, so tell me your story, and we’ll see where it goes from there.

I took a deep breath before I began. People say time cures all wounds, but I do not agree with the idea. A number of years ago I lost my entire family. I’ve tried to move on. However, there is still a longing and a deep-rooted pain that I feel way down in the bowels of my soul.

What have you done to try and deal with these issues? he asked.

I try to take the good with the bad, I said to him. Although I’ve had some life-altering experience, I do take solace in knowing that I have also had many good times and unforgettable memories.

You have to appreciate all of those good times and know that without the bad ones, you would never even know pain and suffering. Just think if you were one of those people and could not compare the good to the bad.

I took in his knowledge-filled words. I understand your point, sir.

Come on, young man. Now I am really curious, he said.

I try to use the things I have gone through to motivate me. Either I have learned to overcome those issues, or I have become immune to the feelings I once felt, I explained. I told the story of how some of my friends had tried to give me advice, but their words of encouragement fell on deaf ears. I was lost in a pool of self-floating and depression. I wallowed in my own sorrows without acknowledgment the assistance that people were offering me. Why me? was the question I continued to ask myself. But I could never come up with an answer.

Don Manuel nodded his head as though he understood my plight.

I was twenty-three years old when I got married, and at the time I figured I would be happy for the rest of my life. I married my childhood sweetheart, Marisol.

Was she the only woman you had ever been in love with? he asked.

Yes, I answered. At the time, I knew she was the love of my life, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I was living in what many people would call marital bliss, but my happiness would be short-lived.

Chapter 2

My parents were business owners. They owned two gas stations in Mexico, and they also operated a company that exported meat products to different regions. My mother and father instilled in me a set of values that focused on failure in the future would be based on my willingness to commit to what was important. In their eyes, it was necessary to work