Love at First Fight

by Carrie Aarons

“For your information, both of those men grew up in a very lower middle-class neighborhood in Queens. Smith is one of eight children, and his mother and father worked every day to provide those kids with food and a roof over their heads. Yes, Justin was a piece of crap. He boasted about his money and threw around the newfound privilege he’d earned. I’ll give you that. But aside from the way he broke up with me, he was never anything but kind to your daughter, and you. You should remember that. As for Smith, he’s one of the most hardworking people I’ve ever encountered. You know he never went to college, just like Dad? He worked as a dishwasher in restaurants until he could learn enough and work his way up to a more prominent position. And then when the option came along to not work for someone else anymore, he did most of the construction on his first eatery. He only has one other partner, and they work just as hard if not harder as you and me. You have no idea the kind of man he is, but you’re judging him based on his income. Which he’s worked like a dog for. Not that you’d know he’s worth that much, since he’s one of the kindest, and most understanding humans I’ve ever encountered. You would know, if you bothered to ask him anything about himself, that he still takes his mother to church on Sundays and volunteers at his niece’s ballet recital to work the bake sale table. Just because someone has money doesn’t make them a villain, and I’m sick of you and Dad treating peop...