Morality Shaken

She won… SHE WON! My roommate who knows nothing about art, won the painting contest. As I watch her open the letter in excitement, I feel enraged. I worked hard. I put in effort and time and SHE won. She worked on her piece for five minutes. Literally doing nothing. As she pulled out the check of twenty thousand dollars, I stormed out.

“Hey , better luck next time Hun.” she calls back at me. I am bewildered. I got a degree in Art design. She works at a bar and only entered for the extra cash.

“I want the new Louis Vuitton's” she had said when I brought home the flyer. I wanted to enter so I could finally open my own business down the street, instead of working from an extra bedroom. I worked hard for this and I just can’t believe someone so selfish could win.

I am an artist. I dabble in almost everything. Little writing, little painting, and even little pottery. My main source of art is Photography.It’s a dying art. I want to capture moments and bring joy from what I make. I sit on my bed and bring out my little black book. My journal that was gifted to me for Graduation. I write down my feelings to clear my head. She knew this meant a lot to me.

The night goes on and my frustration doesn't go away. “Alright, heading to work, don’t eat out tonight I cooked pasta” She calls out from the living room.

“Yeah ok” I say back to her. Yeah, totally not gonna eat your selfish pasta.

The night drags and I try to relax. A bath seemed like a good thing until the front door burst open. Intruders. They rummage through the front rooms. I get out and try to look out without getting seen. I reach for my phone as one man passes the bathroom to the bedrooms. I try to sneak back to my room as they both are now tearing apart her room. I get to my room and call the cops.They keep me calm and stay on the line as a cruiser is on the way.

Just as the men finished with her room, they headed towards mine. All my equipment is expensive. I can’t lose anything. As they start to unlock the door the cops arrive. They ask me questions and search the place. Nothing was taken. If anything showed up they would contact me.

As I stare at the mess I now have to clean, an unnerving thought pops into my head. What if they had taken the check? What if “they” had taken the check? The intrusive thoughts of taking what was rightfully mine fill my head as I make my way to her room. I head right to her closet where the miniature safe she kept is located. I stare at the safe for a good moment before unlocking it.

When I open the door all I see is cash. When did she go to the bank? I stare at the block of fresh money once again not able to make a decision. This is wrong. I shouldn’t steal from her...But she took the lazy way out like always. She shouldn’t have won... I hear the steps outside creaking. At this hour it could only be one person. I quickly take the cash and dash to my room.

What have I done... I panicked. I stuff the money under my pillow as the hasty keys giggle. She comes in.

“Kate!? Oh My God! Are you ok?” she hollers out.

“Yeah, just a little shaken up” I say back to her. I come out of my room and we meet in the hall. She hugs me. “The police wouldn’t tell me much, what happened.” she asks again.

“I was relaxing in the tub when the two burglars came in. They trashed the place, seeming to look for something in particular... They took the cash” I hesitated. She sighs.

“It’s no big deal...as long as you're alright. The police will find the money.” she says hugging me again.

“I hope” she whispers under her breath, not noticing what I heard.

“Lets get cleaning.” she pulls from me finally and with a smile on her face.

We start to clean and all I can think of is how much I messed up. What I did was wrong. I watch her from time to time as she cleans. She looks upset but not wanting to show it. Once the apartment was cleaned we set off to bed but I couldn’t sleep. My head was racing with thoughts of morality. I pace my room as the money lays in my bed. This was wrong. She didn’t deserve the reward. I have to give it back. I’ve worked so hard to get here. I deserve this.

My head wouldn’t stop. I needed to get some sleep. I gathered the money and stuffed it into my little black booklet journal. As I lay down to rest I try my best to calm down.

“KATE! KATE! KATE! WAKE UP!” I am shaken awake by my roommate.

“What, what is it?” I say groggily.

“You won! The contest! You won.” she says waving an open envelope in front of me.

“Huh?” I say, confused.

“Look,” she opens the envelope and shows me the letter and check.

Dear Miss, Kathryn Evergreen,

I am happy to inform you that you have won the Painters Of Chicago Contest. First place grand prize is $20,000. Enjoy your reward and keep up the amazing work.

Yours truly,

Painters Of Chicago Museum

My eyes wide as I read the letter. I look over the check and low and behold, my name resides on the check.

“I am so proud of you,” my roommate says before heading out. I continue to stare at the letter and Check in my hand. How could this be possible? I thought she won? I get up and look for my journal. Knocked over and under my desk. I search through the pages and find nothing. Not even yesterday's entry. Was it all just a bad dream? I sigh with relief. What a crazy dream but it was all so real.