Everything is much simpler now with the internet, cell service, smartphones, and so many other useful gadgets. But back when I was young, things were far more complicated. A mobile phone was considered a luxury, and my family lived very modestly. The lack of a simple cell phone nearly cost me my happiness—and my life as a whole.
***
"Lauren, I have such great news. My parents gave me my grandfather's apartment. We finally have our own place!" Mark said, his voice full of excitement.
"Oh my god! Does that mean we're getting married soon?" I asked, thrilled.
"Yes, honey! I've decided to go to the city for a month to earn enough for the renovations and some new furniture. To be honest, the place is a wreck right now," Mark said.
"Wow, a whole month? What am I going to do without you?" I felt a pang of sadness.
"Don't be silly, the time will fly by. Before you know it, I'll be back. We'll start the repairs and head straight to the courthouse to file the paperwork," Mark said, pulling me into a hug.
I knew he was right. We had been dating for three years, but we hadn't dared to get married yet. The "housing question" was the culprit. I lived in a crowded house with two younger sisters and a brother. No matter how much I wanted to, I couldn't bring a husband home. Mark lived with his parents and his older sister, who had two small children. I didn't want to move in with his family, either. His mother treated me well enough, but his sister had disliked me from the moment we met.
"Mark, promise you'll call me every day," I said.
"I promise! Every night at 9:00 PM, I'll call. It'll be my way of checking if you're home or out partying with your friends," Mark laughed.
"It's a deal then! Every night at nine!" I said, hugging him tight.
A few days later, Mark left. True to his word, he called me every single day. He told me things were going well; he'd found a high-paying job, and the money would be enough for the renovations, the furniture, and even a wedding dress.
"Where has that fiancé of yours disappeared to?" my mother asked me snidely one afternoon.
"Mark is away working. He'll be back in a month, and then we're getting married," I said proudly.
"And what exactly do you see in him? He's just as broke as your father was. You'll spend your whole life counting pennies, living paycheck to paycheck!" my mother started in on her usual lecture.
"I don't 'see' anything in him, Mom. I just love him! I don't want anyone else!" I snapped.
"Why won't you marry Fred, our neighbor? He loves you, and his family is very well-off. They have two houses, a summer place, a car... and he's an only child. What more could you want?" she asked.
"Mom, I love Mark, and I'm only marrying him!" I said, annoyed, and walked away to my room.
A few days later, Fred—the very one my mother was trying to set me up with—dropped by.
"Hi, Lauren. I wanted to invite you to my birthday dinner at a restaurant tomorrow. Will you come?" he asked.
"Of course she'll come! She just sits at home every evening anyway. It'll do her good to get out," my mother said, rushing out from the kitchen.
"It's settled then! I'll see you at the restaurant tomorrow at 7:00 PM. Just don't let us down—everything is already paid for in advance," Fred said before leaving.
"I've never seen such a cheapskate in my life!" my sister laughed after he left.
"He's not a cheapskate; he's just not used to wasting money. And he's right to be that way—men like him will always be providers!" my mother countered.
The next day, I went to the dinner. Honestly, I didn't really want to go, but I didn't want to be rude to the birthday boy. After congratulating Fred and dancing a bit, I started getting ready to leave because Mark would be calling soon.
"Lauren, where are you going? The evening is just starting! Stay a while longer, and we'll all drive home together later," Fred's mother, Mrs. Miller, stopped me. "Don't upset Fred. He worked so hard to put this party together."
"Alright, I'll stay a little longer," I agreed reluctantly.
It's fine, I thought. I'll just explain to Mark tomorrow that I was at a birthday party.
We stayed out until almost midnight. Afterward, Fred walked me home.
"Lauren, marry me," Fred said suddenly, his voice completely devoid of emotion.
"Did my mother talk you into this?" I laughed.
"You shouldn't laugh. Your mother only wants what's best for you. I have everything—what's the problem? Why are you being so difficult?" he asked.
"Fred, do you love me? Tell the truth!" I demanded.
"What does love have to do with it? You're a beautiful girl, I'm wealthy... we'd have a successful family," Fred said.
"I feel sorry for you. I hope you find real love someday!" I said and ran inside.
The next morning, I woke up and went straight to my mother.
"Mom, did Mark call yesterday?"
"Oh, he called, alright!"
"What did you tell him?"
"I told him you were out. Mark asked me to tell you something. He said he's fallen for another girl and he isn't coming back. Said he's going to marry her and stay there," my mother said flatly.
"Did you just make that up?" I laughed. "You're wasting your breath. I'll never believe that nonsense!" I snapped at her and left for work.
That evening, I sat by the phone and waited for the call. Mark didn't call—for the first time in three weeks. I sat there, devastated, not knowing what to think. Could my mother have been telling the truth? How could he do this to me?
"Lauren, honey, don't just sit there. He isn't going to call again. I told you the truth. You have to learn that you can't blindly trust men; it's in their nature to betray women!" my mother said.
For two weeks, I walked around the house like a ghost. I jumped at every ring of the phone, hoping Mark would finally show up and explain why he'd disappeared. But time passed, and the man I loved never called.
"How could he? I trusted him so much!" I said aloud, bursting into tears.
"Don't cry, sweetheart. You should get back at him!" my mother urged.
"How? And why would I even want to?" I didn't understand.
"Listen to me. Marry Fred. When Mark finds out, he'll be kicking himself. He'll realize exactly what he lost! Or do you want to be the girl who got dumped and cheated on, with everyone whispering behind your back?" she said.
After thinking about it, I decided my mother was right. I didn't want Mark to think I was sitting around pining for him and crying over a traitor.
"Fine, Mom. I'll do it," I said, feeling defeated.
"Lauren, don't do something stupid! You'll regret this for the rest of your life!" my sister, Sarah, warned.
"Sarah, go to your room! You're too young to be giving your big sister advice!" my mother yelled, then went to call Fred.
***
Two months passed.
The entire time, I felt like I was under a spell, driven only by the desire to get back at Mark.
"Good morning, honey! Wake up! Today is the happiest day of your life!" my mother said happily.
I woke up and was suddenly struck by horror. My god, what am I doing? I thought. I had finally snapped out of it and realized what I'd done. I knew I couldn't live with Fred; we were completely different people. In fact, his very presence irritated me. I didn't want to get married out of some petty revenge. But it was too late. There was no going back—it was my wedding day, the restaurant was booked, and hundreds of guests were invited. I got up numbness and began to dress.
A crowd had gathered at the courthouse. Everyone was admiring me, showering me with compliments. Soon, the ceremony began. Half an hour later, I stepped out onto the sidewalk a married woman.
"Lauren!" I heard a familiar voice and nearly fainted.
Mark was standing there.
"What are you doing? Why did you do this?" Mark asked in despair.
"Mark, get out of here! Lauren isn't your fiancé anymore!" my mother shouted.
"Mom, please, be quiet!" I begged.
"Mark, where's your bride? Or are you already married?" I asked him.
"Lauren, do you have a fever? What bride? What are you talking about?" Mark was bewildered.
"What do you mean 'what bride'? You told my mother you found someone else, that you were marrying her and never coming back," I said, my voice trembling.
"Lauren, when I called that last time, I asked your mother to tell you I'd be delayed for two months. my boss asked me to help him build a summer cabin. He offered me a huge bonus; I couldn't turn down that kind of money. The site I was working on was out in the middle of nowhere, and there was no phone service. That's why I couldn't call you," he explained.
"Mom, why aren't you saying anything? You lied to me? Why?" I cried.
My mother stood there silently, her head bowed.
"Lauren, come with me," Mark said, reaching out his hand.
"You can't do this to my son!" Fred's mother screamed.
"Yeah, my parents spent a fortune on your dress and this wedding!" Fred complained. "You're my wife now, and you have to do what I say!"
"That's an easy fix. I'm getting this marriage annulled tomorrow," I said.
I pulled off my veil and threw it at my mother.
"Mom, I will never forgive you for this," I said bitterly. "You tried to destroy my happiness with your own two hands."
"Give back the gold rings!" Fred yelled.
I took off the two rings he'd given me and threw them in his face.
"And pay us back for the reception!" the jilted groom shouted.
"If you don't shut up, I'm going to have to shut you up myself," Mark told Fred.
Fred looked scared and immediately went quiet.
"I'm ready. Let's go," I said, taking Mark's hand.
"Lauren, don't ever scare me like that again. How could you believe I'd ever leave you?" Mark couldn't stop shaking his head.
"I didn't believe it at first... but when the calls stopped, I thought she was telling the truth."
"You're such a silly girl," Mark said.
Years have passed since then. Mark and I have two children, a big house, and a beautiful garden. In all this time, we haven't had a single real fight. It just proves that we were truly meant to be.
I did eventually forgive my mother. Over time, even she realized that there was no better husband for me or father for her grandchildren. She learned that the most important things in life are love and understanding, not money.
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