Marriage of Convenience

Lucinda met Kofi online. They made arrangements to meet. Lucinda’s first impression of Kofi was quiet and reserved, not her usual type. She felt there was a connection. They dated for several months. Lucinda was established unlike Kofi working under the table and living in the country illegally although a hard worker. Lucinda wanted to help Kofi. She hired an attorney, married Kofi. and he was able to acquire working papers within 90 days. Once Kofi had proper documentation, he enrolled in school, obtained his college degree, and worked his way up the corporate ladder. Kofi handled all financial responsibilities within the household, ensuring Lucinda was provided for. By all accounts, Lucinda was happy, she kept it sexy. On the very day, Kofi received his permanent green card everything shifted. Kofi now chose which bill he was going to pay. He would not come home for days and when he returned the indifference was jarring. Going out to dinner, now became a chore and deemed frivolous by Kofi. The nuances of the marriage evaporated. Lucinda felt she was the reason everything changed although could not understand why. Months passed before Lucinda approached Kofi about the break within the marriage. Kofi replies, I did not marry you for a green card. As though, betrayed by his own words. That is when Lucinda realized, the marriage was a lie. She was solely Kofi’s come-up. Lucinda paved the way for Kofi’s upward mobility. Lucinda understood why someone would go to great lengths although had there been any transparency she would have happily married for monetary compensation instead of heartache.