One Woman Visits Her Old Friend, Supporting Her Through a Painful Divorce and Cheers as She Finds Ha…

A woman arrived at her friends new flat for a visit. This friend had remarried, after a first marriage that had been difficult and bitter. Her first husband drank too much, was impossible to live with, and eventually left for someone else. It was a heartbreaking tale. Throughout it all, Emily stood by her friend, consoled her, and helped however she could. Thats the essence of friendship, isnt it?

Ten years passed. Abigail eventually met another mana genuinely good one. He was educated, held a respectable job, and was the complete opposite of her first husband. Emily rejoiced for her friend. At last, she went to see Abigails new placethe flat shed just bought with her husband. She brought a chocolate cake, some presents, and gushed over the tasteful décor, admiring how lovely it all looked.

They sat around the table, sipping tea with cake. Abigails new husband, Jonathan, turned out to be quick-witted and sharp-tongued. He was well-read and made quips and jokesoften at Emilys expense. He poked fun at Emilys narrow horizons and the random clutter filling her mind. He actually said that, laughing. Emily hadnt read Murdoch or Amis, she had no time for modern novels, and Jonathan dismissed all the little superstitions and stories Emily mentioned, saying science had rendered them obsolete and silly.

He didnt stop there. He made jokes about Emilys hair, her figure, her outdated dressStraight out of the Nineties, he laughed. Such a witty man he seemed to be. Emily sat there, frozen, unsure how to answer such brilliance. Her friend joined in, chuckling, clearly dazzled by her husbands wit.

Jonathan even mocked Emilys cat. Trying to change the subject and stop his endless torrent of jokes, Emily mentioned that shed adopted a stray kitten. Cats just spread disease, Jonathan declared, sneering. Anyone taking in strays must be mad or desperate for attention. Abigail giggled as he shared stories about lonely old women collecting cats.

Suddenly, Emily couldnt help herselfshe burst into tears. It was childish, embarrassing, and surprising. She apologised, muttered that she had a headache, bade them farewell, and left.

Her head genuinely throbbed, as if someone were beating a drum against her skull. She was mortified by her outburstwhat a scene shed made! But as Emily walked home, she wasnt crying anymore; her head hurt and she was shivering, even though it was supposed to be summer. She was ashamedashamed of her tears, her uselessness in witty conversation, ashamed that shed never read Murdoch, and of her silly ghost story.

But truly, shame falls on the one who invites someone into their home and allows them to be humiliated. Shame belongs to those who share their taste in friends, films, or beliefs, only to let another mock them freely. Its like posting a beloved quote online, then standing by as others pour scorn on it. All these are quiet betrayals.

Betrayalwhen you hand someone over to ridicule or destruction. Thats what it is.

Emily couldnt quite articulate itshe hadnt read much, she wasnt an intellectual. All she could do was hurry home, to her cat. Her cat didnt read books, didnt stun with wit. Her cat simply curled up next to her on the sofa and purred softly.

Emily never visited Abigail again. Before long, there was no reasonAbigail and Jonathan began dividing the flat, battling through the courts. The clever husband turned out to be rather too much socleverer than he ought to be.

Its always the way, isnt it? The one you betray for, betrays you in turna simple chain. And perhaps all that was needed was a gentle word to rein in the wit at someone elses expense. Not to let your friend be mocked in your home. Perhaps the husband would have respected his wife more, and never acted as he did.

A traitor wins no respect. And is, in the end, betrayed so easily.