Perpetually Aggrieved

A ‘which came first?’ kind of thing

Gene had a lot to complain about. And he was constantly complaining, whether to others or silently in his head.

He had a deplorable job. His co-workers were always scheming against him. The pay was barely enough to cover his expenses and kept him poor. The management did not like him and were very unfair. The work was hard and wore him down.

Gene’s neighbor in the apartment building was loud and obnoxious. If she wasn’t playing her music loudly she was yelling and screaming. And she never parked centered in her parking spot. Since Gene’s parking spot was right next to hers this made it difficult for him to park.

He had a very manipulative sister who constantly called him and texted him about all her problems and then berated him when he couldn’t solve those problems for her.

His father was a drunk and never gave Gene the guidance he needed.

Women all seemed to hate him. Whenever he got friendly with one they would eventually betray him. And they all gossiped about him constantly.

And that one worker at the fast-food restaurant where he often ate always short-changed him on food portions.

Gene’s friends, Tammy and Randy, always acted friendly but he was convinced that…