Writing Prompt

From writing group I’m in

Great character options.

First option, someone who doesn’t know how to love herself. Or she doesn’t see her worth and is just glad a man with an actual career wants to live with her.

Or. She has a plan. 35K isn’t her long term salary. She’s in school. Her long term goal is to be a nurse practitioner. Once she’s done with school she’ll be starting at a minimum 125K, working three days a week.

And Jameson is the perfect height, weight and skintone for siring children. Not to mention, his parents are both healthy well into their 50s. Both successful and connected. Her children will be in line to inherit. And though his mom hates her, they will still pay her for every heir, even more for males.

This is a test of love or devotion… to herself. Lol

Another Character.
The radical.
Or a hardline feminist who wants equality, because she doesn’t yet understand equity, or freedom.

She actually declined her partner’s offer to cover all the bills. Which has created a growing wedge in their relationship. He sees how she denies herself basic necessities to cover her half of their living experiences.

It’s painful to see your love suffer. D’Angelo and Attila use to be best friends.

Now he’s denying himself because he feels so guilty about enjoying the luxuries he’s use to. Attila quietly judges how he spends money.

90K is just what’s on paper. Between his inheritance, side projects, investments, savings and patents  he could support them comfortably.

Still, D’Angelo remembers how his love’s father, Jeremiah, lorded over her mother, Carolyn.

While they were growing up,
Jeremiah demanded absolute submission from his Carolyn. He treated her like a maid and his personal servant.

Attila promised herself and him, she would never depend on a man. Her father had controlled every cent in the house. He’d give Mrs. Thompson the third degree over cuts of meat, while splurging on fishing gear.

He bought a Harley and a boat without so much as mentioning them. While expecting Mrs. Thompson to mend her clothes, coupon clip and account for every dollar she spent.

D, would find Attila crying after witnessing her mother’s indignities.

Attila believed in the idea of freedom but she had no tangible way of being free.

D’s mom married for money and a certain lifestyle. She didn’t work in her house or outside of it. Not in anyway outsiders could measure.

Mrs. Dr. Robinson, came with a dowry. She requested a salary or an allowance just for waking up in his father’s arms.

His mother painted. Took dance classes. Went to college just to learn, without ever considering she might need specific skills to work. That was part of their prenuptial.

Other women feared prenups. Ma Robinson began jotting down her  requirements for marriage at  8yo. She wanted to oversee her children’s rearing, not be anchored to them.

She like the idea of breast feeding but not the broken rest or time commitment.

Ma Ro, spent his father’s money like she earned it. His name was a shield she weilded at the world, before she called his lawyers.

His mother was dark as night with thick cotton hair just a shade darker, who lived in thrift stores, coffee houses, poetry spots and museums. She knew everyone there was to know, she spoke four languages and planned to learn more.

His mother took care of their family’s soul. She made his father feel safer in a world hostile for Black men. Her laugh is bigger than the challenges Dr. Robinson faced climbing the ladder of a global corporation.

She was sometimes his dedicated soldier, but most times his captain. She brought jazz, mixed drinks to chase brutal honesty, while sharpening his knife and building his confidence before THEY declared war. His parents are a team. Money is a tool.

Attila, with her wild ideas, big heart, passion, zealous discipline and sharp wit reminded him of his mother. Attiya helped him give birth to his ideas and dreams. She encouraged and nurtured him… Knowing she believed in him made him believe in himself.

He dreamed of freeing her to explore all her dreams. In five years or maybe sooner, they would never have to worry about money again. While in reality, all they worry about is money.

Attila is not unlike her father, in how she questions D’Angelo’s flashy new car. Even if it was a gift. It’s an impractical gas guzzler. Red makes their insurance higher and cars lose a 3rd of their value as soon as they are driven off the lot.

Atilla argued they didn’t need such a large house. But D needed a home office and a sound proof studio. Tbh, Attila needed work space too….

So I don’t waste energy or lose my words. I’m reposting my response without editing. Practicing character development like so. I don’t believe this was the intent of the post. Lol!

Love is life.