It all started with a glass of merlot
That's not fair, she knows what merlot does to me.
“Let’s hang out, just us girls...it will be fun!”
I should have known, it’s never ‘just fun’ with Cass.
With her dark, brown hair and her hazel, stormy eyes - Cassandra attracts chaos to her everywhere she goes.
“Why do you put up with her?” My ex-boyfriend Eric would ask.
“It’s Cass...she’s like a sister,” I would defensively reply.
I have been cooped up in my studio apartment for the past three weeks since Eric decided he didn’t love me anymore or whatever jerk excuse he came up with.
Cass shows up uninvited (impromptu how she would call it) with a bottle of my favorite merlot. That’s not fair, she knows what merlot does to me.
I reluctantly agree, trading the night of misery for a sweet glass of merlot.
“Where are we going?” I ask as we walk for what seems like days through the busy streets of Brooklyn. “You’ll see,’ replies Cass. The same cryptic responses she would give when we were just kids. I roll my eyes, internally cursing at myself for agreeing to go on this excursion with Cass.
“We’re here,” she claims, as we stand in this sketcho looking alley.
Great.
She looks around the concrete floor, spots a big red X, and lifts up a storm drain.
“Let’s go.”
Ugh. Cass, why can’t we just visit a freaking wine bar?!
We climb down this icky, gross drain. Music and lights start peeking out from the bottom as we approach Brooklyn’s newest speakeasy.
As we ascend from the stairs into the club, Cass spots the bar.
“I’m going to go get us some drinks,” Cass states.
Just like that...Cass disappears into the bedazzled nightclub.
This really isn’t my scene. It’s not. I’m boring - I like tea, books, and to be asleep by 8pm. It’s getting close to my bedtime.
At this point, it’s getting pretty clear that Cass isn’t coming back, she probably met Pablo, Paul, Drew, Dre or whatever new boytoy. It’s not the first time Cass has ditched me but she’ll probably show up in the morning with coffee and bagels and act like all is peachy.
I open my Instagram and find myself scrolling through Eric’s feed. Ugh I need to stop. He’s probably out with some chick from Tinder since he doesn’t ‘love me’ or ‘needs to find himself’ or whatever bull excuse he gave.
“Hi,” says a shadowy figure.
“Hey?” I reply annoyingly. Ugh, I’m really not looking to get ‘picked up.’
“Sofie? Cass told me I’d find you here,” replies the stranger.
OF COURSE. That b**** signed me up for blind date.
Jeremy ‘blind date dude’ is okay, sweet guy, meant well blah, blah, blah.
He was thrilled to be meeting a ‘professional dancer’ -- thank you, Cass, for exaggerating my weekend Zumba classes.
He ordered a bottle of merlot so I agreed to hang out for a tad. We spoke about career, hobbies, politics, travel, and other superficial ‘first-date’ topics.
As we were reaching the last drops of the bottle, he offered to walk me home as Cass was nowhere to be found. I thanked him but politely turned down his offer.
As I retreated into the busy Brooklyn night, I spotted a little crepe shop which I used to frequent.
Eric hated crepes, he said they were gooey.
Eric hated a lot of things, but most of all, he hated Cass.
He always said she was immature and made me act irrational.
Cass always said Eric was a controlling bore.
I guess they were both right.
As I steal a bite of the nutella crepe I’ve missed so much, I smile.
Maybe this is what Cass wanted all along - the perfect date by myself.
I finally arrive home, put on some PJs, and turn on the TV.
I hear a knock on the door.
I open the door and there is Cass, with bagels, coffee...and a bottle of Bright Cellars Merlot.
About the Creator
Lexi C.
Marketer by day, writer by night ;)
Avid tea drinker, storyteller, and cat lady 🐱
Lost and Alone in the French Alps
Looking back, I can trace some of my life’s biggest adventures to a simple action from my sister. She’d introduced me to Tommy (a very long time ago), a colleague of hers, who had overshared his penchant for Italian-looking women, and I ticked that box.
By Chantal Christie Weiss20 days ago in Humans
Los Angeles Billionaire Moves to Nevada After California Threatens to Tax Wealth
When a prominent Los Angeles billionaire quietly packed up and moved to Nevada, it wasn’t just a personal lifestyle change — it was a political statement. The move came shortly after California lawmakers revived proposals to tax extreme wealth, targeting the state’s richest residents as a way to fund public services and address inequality. Now, that single relocation has become a symbol in a much larger debate: Do wealth taxes strengthen states — or drive their most valuable taxpayers away? The Trigger: California’s Wealth Tax Proposal California has long wrestled with how to fund its ambitious social programs while addressing widening income inequality. In recent years, progressive lawmakers have floated proposals to introduce a wealth tax, aimed at individuals with net worths above a certain threshold — often tens or hundreds of millions of dollars. Unlike income taxes, which apply to yearly earnings, wealth taxes target accumulated assets such as stocks, real estate, and business holdings. Supporters argue that this approach ensures the ultra-rich contribute a fairer share to public infrastructure, education, and housing. Critics, however, warn that wealth taxes are difficult to enforce and easy to avoid, especially in a mobile economy where residency can shift across state lines. The Los Angeles billionaire’s move appears to validate those concerns. Why Nevada? Nevada has become a magnet for wealthy individuals — and the reasons are straightforward. The state has: No personal income tax No capital gains tax Business-friendly regulations A growing financial and tech services sector For high-net-worth individuals, relocating to Nevada can mean saving millions of dollars annually. For someone facing the possibility of a wealth tax layered on top of California’s already high income taxes, the financial incentive is hard to ignore. In this case, the billionaire reportedly established legal residency in Nevada, purchased property, and shifted business operations — all steps that tax experts say are increasingly common among ultra-wealthy Californians. A Broader Trend, Not an Isolated Case This move is far from unique. Over the past decade, California has seen a steady outflow of wealthy residents to states like Nevada, Texas, Florida, and Arizona. While climate, housing costs, and lifestyle play roles, tax policy has become a central factor. High-profile departures — from tech executives to hedge fund managers — often spark political backlash. Critics argue that the wealthy are abandoning the state that helped them succeed. Defenders counter that states should not penalize success to fund unsustainable spending. The Los Angeles billionaire’s relocation has once again brought this tension into the spotlight. The Political Reaction in California California lawmakers defending the wealth tax proposal insist that fear of capital flight is exaggerated. They argue that the state’s economic advantages — including access to talent, innovation hubs, and cultural influence — outweigh tax concerns for most entrepreneurs. Some lawmakers also point out that California already relies heavily on its highest earners, with a small percentage of taxpayers contributing a large share of total revenue. In their view, asking the ultra-rich to contribute more is not radical — it’s necessary. Opponents, however, see the billionaire’s move as a warning sign. They argue that when even a single wealthy individual leaves, the state can lose not only tax revenue but also investment, philanthropy, and job creation. What This Means for State Finances The departure of one billionaire may not immediately dent California’s massive budget, but the long-term implications are harder to ignore. Wealthy individuals often: Pay a disproportionate share of state taxes Fund startups and venture capital Support universities, museums, and nonprofits If enough high-net-worth residents follow the same path, critics warn, the tax base could shrink faster than lawmakers expect. Supporters of the wealth tax counter that public investment funded by higher taxes could improve quality of life for millions — potentially attracting new residents and businesses in the long run. A National Debate Over Wealth and Mobility This story extends beyond California. Across the U.S., states are competing for residents — especially wealthy ones. Tax policy has become one of the most powerful tools in that competition. While progressive states push for redistribution, low-tax states market themselves as havens for capital. The Los Angeles billionaire’s move underscores a key reality of modern economics: wealth is increasingly mobile. Assets can move digitally, businesses can relocate headquarters, and individuals can change residency with relative ease. This mobility complicates efforts to tax extreme wealth at the state level, fueling calls for federal solutions instead. The Ethical Divide At the heart of the controversy lies a philosophical question: Should wealthy individuals feel a moral obligation to remain and pay higher taxes in the states that enabled their success — or are they justified in seeking the most favorable financial environment? Supporters of wealth taxes argue that extreme inequality threatens social stability and that those who benefit most from the system should help sustain it. Opponents argue that punitive taxation discourages innovation and rewards capital flight, ultimately harming the very communities lawmakers aim to help. The billionaire’s move doesn’t settle the debate — but it sharpens it. What Happens Next? California’s wealth tax proposals are still evolving, and it remains unclear whether a final version will pass. Even if enacted, legal challenges and enforcement hurdles loom large. Meanwhile, states like Nevada are likely to continue benefiting from California’s policy uncertainty, attracting wealthy residents and businesses seeking predictability. For policymakers, the challenge is balancing fairness, revenue needs, and competitiveness in a system where borders are increasingly porous. Final Thoughts The Los Angeles billionaire’s move to Nevada is more than a headline — it’s a case study in how tax policy shapes behavior. It highlights the difficulty of taxing wealth at the state level and the unintended consequences that can follow even well-intentioned reforms. As California debates its economic future, one thing is clear: in a mobile, interconnected economy, policy decisions don’t just redistribute wealth — they redirect it. Whether wealth taxes become a solution or a cautionary tale will depend on how lawmakers respond to the signals already being sent.
By Muhammad Hassan4 days ago in Humans
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