AITA

This blog post was inspired by Reddit’s AITA thread.

Is Frank the AH for trying to bribe Gemma to leave Danny? Or does he have his son’s best interests at heart?

Am I the Asshole for offering my son’s girlfriend money?

I am a very wealthy man. As the owner of a huge corporation that deals with everything from farming, to construction, to warehousing, I am considered one of the elite members of society. I have an adult son, Danny, who is keen to make his way in the world, and my wife has a teenaged daughter who is still in school. We live a very comfortable life.

Danny, 21m, is wealthy, good looking, intelligent, well educated. He has all the attributes that will make him a successful man. But he insists on wasting his time with an insignificant casher girl from Gromdon. This girl, Gemma, comes from nothing. She has no money, no citizenship, no education. I highly doubt she can read, write, or hold an intelligent conversation. This may sound crass, but I’m certain this girl can only provide my son with one thing… and that is something he can get for free from countless other high-class women, who have something else to offer besides what is between their legs.

I’m so ashamed. My son is worth more than this. I’ve discussed it with him, and tried to make him see this girl is using him for his wealth and his citizen status, but he tells me they love each other. I don’t know how, but this girl has her claws stuck into my son, and he is delusional, thinking she cares for him, and not for what is in his wallet.

Since I was getting nowhere by speaking to Danny, I arranged to meet with Gemma. The state of her when she arrived at my office was enough to fill me with disgust. What he sees in a woman who cannot afford a decent pair of shoes, or a hairbrush is beyond me.

I care for my son’s safety and his wellbeing. I do not want to see him used or hurt by some gold-digging whore who is out for all she can get. My son could have his pick of women. What is so special about one with no prospects? Wealthy elite only stay that way by following the rules of the elite circle. Matches are supposed to be beneficial for both families, and resources are meant to expand. This girl can bring nothing to the table, and in reality, I foresee her depleting our fortune and decreasing our prestigious place in society.

The girl is obviously desperate for money and basic amenities. Cashers have no right to electricity or clean running water. They do not drive, and they cannot own cell phones. It is even illegal for them to rent properties. So, I offered her more money than she could possibly know what to do with. $10,000. That would be an absolute fortune to her, more money than she will ever see in her entire lifetime.

I was certain she would jump at the chance to line her pockets. My only stipulation was that she needed to cut ties with my son. Leave him alone and live her life, and allow him to reach his full potential, without being held back by some desperate beggar.

Of course, Gemma declined the money. You may think that perhaps I am mistaken, and she really does love my son, but I know better. This girl is smarter than I gave her credit for. She is in it for the long game, and I believe she is holding out for marriage. If she marries into my family, she will become a legal citizen of New America, and she will automatically be entitled to half of Danny’s fortune.

She said I was a despicable person, and now I am afraid that she will tell Danny that I tried to bribe her to leave him. The way she will twist it will make me look terrible, but I promise, I only have my son’s interests at heart. AITA?

To hear more about these characters, and the differences between legitimate citizens and cashers, check out the Almost human books.