I have known Todd for nearly eight years. He used to brag about his perfect life. On numerous occasions, he said he had the greatest marriage and mentioned romantic trips to Paris and scuba diving off the Florida Keys.
He could take so many trips because free travel was a fringe benefit of his wife's job. He always told me how I should see Paris or spend a carefree weekend in San Diego. I would have loved to have taken those trips, but my employer didn't provide free travel benefits.
Although I have known Todd for many years, I still consider him just an acquaintance. His life is an open book because he shares details with anyone willing to listen.
Everyone knows he is a former college athlete that missed an opportunity to play for a major league team because of injuries. All he has left are his glory days.
Others avoid him and his stories because they consider him a braggart. I once introduced him to my wife. As he does with everyone else, he shared his entire life story with her. She found him to be a dull and long-winded.
I told my wife he brags because he lives a great life. She disagreed with me; she said anyone who talks that much about their perfect life is overcompensating for something.
She said he’s like the person who brags about their sex life or finances. The people who brag the most about their sex life and bank account are usually broke and lonely. After knowing Todd for so many years, my wife had him figured out within minutes of meeting him.
Todd recently confided in me that he was going through a family crisis. He said his wife had lost her job and that she had a shopping addiction. He discovered that she had racked up nearly $70,000 in credit card debt.
The web of deceit began when he received a phone call from the post office. For some reason, his post office box was overflowing with mail. He went to the post office and found hundreds of envelopes full of unpaid bills.
He discovered that he owed $6,000 in unpaid property taxes. He soon realized that his wife had spent their property tax money on a shopping spree. To avoid foreclosure, Todd looted his son’s college fund to pay the taxes.
He told me he cannot account for the money his wife spent because he doesn’t have any new furniture or clothing. She told him she doesn't even know how she spent the money.
When I heard all the details, I was in shock. For many years, I was envious of his adventurous life. From him, I have learned that great outward appearances can also mask deception.
Todd has since worked out a repayment plan with his creditors and forgiven his wife.
He learned the hard way.
No one has a perfect life.
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