DECISION TO BYPASS

Last month, an acquaintance passed away. I chose not to acknowledge him (to say how his accomplishments impacted me) since our connection had long since soured. 

Some years back, you see, he reached out to me (during heart-tugging Christmas), asking my wife and I for financial assistance for a medical procedure he required; he promised in return to gift us with an artistic endeavor. Though the hefty donation would set us back, we agreed. Thereafter, whenever I'd inquire about the artwork's status (wherein months became years), I was told the gift had slipped through the cracks due to an "oversight" or something thereabout, and thereafter, it was just a matter of further lies and in the end, silence, with not even a solitary update on his health status throughout the perplexing process. 

Incidentally, the individual in question portrayed a horror character I hold in high regard,. I considered his performance in the film exceptional in every way. The gift was to have emblemized that performance, that character. Considering that an artist I admired (placed faith and hope in) had ripped me off made it difficult (if not impossible) to revisit the film, for it reminded me of the grave deceit my wife and I had been dealt. 

For the record, this person would often post his views on the "haves and haves not." He expressed marked disdain for the former. Maybe he thought my wife and I were relegated to that "affluent" group, making us worthy of his con (a ridiculous notion, if that's the case). I also have a suspicion that his "business partner" was in on the scam and may have even been its prime architect.  

That I chose to bypass a precise, ascribed post on this individual's demise (with name, direct photographs and so on) may make me as uncouth as he. Maybe I am. However, I felt compelled to detail the situation in my defense to those who've been curious (and perhaps even critical) of my decision.  

The situation is what it is, but please keep in mind, if you want to instill an honorable legacy, do right by those who go the extra mile to help you. Don't make promises you can't keep, and if it should happen that you can't keep them, at least have the forthrightness to explain why.