It was a Saturday evening, so it was date night for Sally and Marcus. They had established a routine, including going on a date every Saturday to keep their connection alive.
Sally loved that Marcus made an effort. She had come from a relationship where her ex had gotten complacent. “That’s for people in their honeymoon phase,” she’d often heard when she sought to keep things interesting.
It frustrated her, and she felt unseen. Marcus was different. He loved new experiences and shared them with Sally. He was also good-looking and had a good job. Marcus provided the sense of stability many women look for in a partner.
On this particular evening, they were going to a wine-tasting event. Sally had recently gotten interested in wine. They saw a poster for a tasting event and decided to try it out.
The night turned out better than expected. They had lots of fun and learnt a lot from the event. They even made friends.
Like many people today, Sally posted some moments she had captured on social media. On their way home, she checked her notifications. While doing that, she saw a trending story of someone who had committed suicide.
“Oh no,” said Sally.
“What’s wrong?” Marcus asked her.
“Looks like a popular guy on this platform has died,” Sally said.
“How did it happen?” Marcus asked.
“Guys are saying it was suicide. That’s so sad. I have his posts with his girlfriend,” Sally said.
“Senseless death,” said Marcus.
“What?” Sally asked.
“Only cowards and weak people take their lives. Even worse, he was a man,” said Marcus.
“Are you serious right now?” Sally asked in shock.
“Why wouldn’t I be?” Marcus asked with a straight face.
“Can you imagine the kind of mental anguish a person goes through to decide that suicide is the only solution?” Sally asked him.
“People go through problems all the time. There’s nothing special about their problems,” said Marcus.
“Sure, but people have different coping mechanisms. Clearly, they couldn’t come up with another solution or get help in time,” Sally tried explaining.
“What was the problem? Money? Men are supposed to toughen up,” Marcus argued.
“Have we not had rich male celebrities commit suicide? Money isn’t the only issue that pushes people to the edge. It’s funny how you mention men should toughen up, yet the number of men with mental health challenges keeps rising. Say your friend was struggling; would that be the response you’d give them?” Sally asked him.
“Money is the biggest problem for most people. Find ways to get money, and the stress is gone,” replied Marcus.
“Yes, money is a major issue but not the only problem. How have you even concluded that his issue was money?” Sally asked him.
“I’m pretty sure that will be the story. Anyway, Darwinism at work,” Marcus told her.
“I feel like I’m speaking to a stranger right now. Your lack of empathy is shocking. Someone died because they were struggling mentally, and you have reduced it to natural selection?” Sally asked in disbelief.
“You women are too emotional. Are you getting this worked up over a stranger?” Marcus asked her.
“I am dumbfounded. I don’t know who I am dating right now,” said Sally as she turned up the music volume.
They were silent until they got to Marcus’ house. Sally said nothing to him as she prepared to go to bed. She went to one side of the bed and slept.
“You’re seriously not talking to me over a social media story?” Marcus asked her.
“I just want to sleep,” said Sally.
The following morning, she took a long shower as she thought through the previous night’s conversation. Each time she replayed Marcus’ comments, they sounded worse. She left his house and headed to her place, where she called her friend. She narrated everything verbatim.
“Am I overreacting?” Sally asked the friend.
“I think he lacks empathy. You know we lost a family member to suicide years ago, right?” The friend asked.
“Oh, I had no idea. I’m sorry if this is triggering,” Sally said apologetically.
“No problem. I can tell you’re quite upset. I wasn’t old enough to understand everything, but I later found out that he had struggled with depression for a while, but many family members shamed him for not “manning up”. I know it was a different era with less information about mental health struggles, but still, there’s always a lingering “what if”. Maybe he’d have gotten better with more support,” said the friend.
“I can imagine. It’s sad and difficult to navigate,” Sally told her friend.
After the phone call, she knew something had changed between her and Marcus. Unfortunately, once you are aware of someone’s insensitivity, you notice it more often. She eventually left him. His lack of empathy for others overshadowed the good traits she had seen in him.
Check out more stories
I Really Liked Him. I Was Ready To Date Him But Seeing His Messy House Was A Turnoff
He Got Offended Because I Didn’t Like His Cooking
She Thought His Death Was An Accident Until She Found The Note
I Didn’t Find Out Until It Was Too Late That Prince Charming Was A “Homeless Hottie“
