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Jack, my husband, was an artist, so good that the first painting he made of me made me fall in love with him. I, too, was a sucker for art. So when I met someone like Jack, who could draw even with his eyes closed, I felt that instant connection.
He was 28 and I was 25.
Apart from being a good artist, I knew of Jack's hunger for fame. He wanted to be famous and known far and wide for his art. He wanted his work to be in the weekly art magazine, on the news, in the world-renowned museum, and the mansions of rich and famous billionaires and world leaders. He wanted one of his paintings to be the next Monalisa.
But we had a problem: we weren't wealthy enough to market his paintings as we should have. We applied for loans and did all we could just to raise money to market Jack's paintings and provide him with the best painting equipment. I even had to work two jobs just to support him in his lifelong dream. While he painted more
Sadly, painting became an obsession for him. He painted day and night and barely had time for himself, me and our kids. Sometimes, he even forgets to shower before bed; he forgets to eat. All day he locked himself in the study and painted all day.
He gradually began to lose touch with himself and his family.
Whenever I asked out of worry for what he was gradually becoming and for fear that I was losing him, he'd only reply
"Babe, you have to trust me. This painting is going to be the next big thing. The next Monalisa".
I'll always nod and trust him. Besides, if I couldn't trust my husband, who else would I trust?
Little did I know that his ambition would be the end of something beautiful.
A few years later, Jack got the recognition he had always dreamt about. His latest creation became the new school Monalisa, he became famous and we swam in wealth. But one thing was lacking in our family. The love of a husband, father and friend.
Jack was always travelling the world and missed our kid's birthdays, our anniversary, and the birth of our last child. He wasn't even present when his mother took her last breath. And when I complain he'll yell back at me for trying to stop him from living his dream. It was all about him.
It felt like I was a single mother raising our kids alone.
I tried to endure but I couldn't any longer. I had no choice but to file for a divorce. Surprisingly Jack was devastated when he heard the news. Realising why his blind ambition had cost him, he tried turning a new leaf but it was too late. He finally had the fame he craved but he was lonely. I knew this from the look in his eyes whenever we met for our children's sake.
People say I acted too fast, but I was only putting the emotional well-being of my kids before me. They deserve to grow up in an environment where love thrives from both parents.
Tell me, what's an ambition without the people you love?
Hello @marriot5464, You show interesting development of character in this story, although it is a little lean, still it has insight. The idea behind the piece is very good. Blind ambition can lead to ruin. There is one problem with the story though. At the end you address the reader directly. This is known as author intrusion and it is not helpful in fiction. Refer to our article on author intrusion to get a good idea of what it is and how to avoid it.
From time to time we like to give our authors tips that may help them to be even better writers. Looking forward to reading more from you.
Hummm, from frying pan to fire. The narrator character never had a good time even though she was married to an artist, someone that was might to make her life beautiful. I hard from someone years ago, and I don't think I can forget, he said "That you get married to a comedian does not guarantee that you will have a happy home"
Some people forget what's really important in life transcends material things. This story portrays that in a striking way!
You're absolutely correct. Sometimes it's not about the material stuff
Jack got fame but he lost his family and relations. I think he paid alot for it but I am agree with the decision his wife made.
I guess she did too.
Thank you for reading