Confusing facades

We all wear facades of some sort.

The beleaguered divorced mother of two, the successful businessman, the carefree bachelor, the poor laborer, most people use their cover to hide more than I ever thought.

It's only after getting to know them that I begin to see the real person, the one who could not pay bills on time even if they made a million dollars, the one who could not commit no matter what, the quirks and traits of those we make excuses for until . . .

It becomes obvious that it is not only the situation that makes the person, but the person who often creates the situation.  Not always, but often enough.

When pleas for help are just part of the facade, I am baffled.