ABC Discovers Useless Aptitude and Talent

Andrew Bysshe Cole (known to all as ABC) sat at the boardroom table with the rest of the council. He was supremely bored.
Michael Shelley (known to all as Shelly), a stickler for detail and process, was going line-by-line, item-by-item through the yearly report. He was making sure that the "approved by the board" stamp meant what it said.
Andrew was very familiar with the document. His team wrote it, and he edited it, so he just sat there playing with his pen. It was beautiful, 14 karat gold, had come with a free custom inscription (made it Andrew B. Cole), a lifetime warranty, and complimentary refills for as long as you own it. These days, he mostly typed or tapped; so he didn't use the pen so much, but he always carried it

Out of boredom, Andrew started sketching Shelly on his legal pad. He was struck by how realistic his drawing looked after just a few strokes. He added some shading and suddenly stared at a perfect portrait. Wow! As Shelly wrapped up "Planned v. Actual" and started "Forward Looking and Profit Projection", Andrew tried another drawing. He picked Appolonia Curtiz (known to all as Poppy), sitting at the front. He was amazed at how quickly and easily he captured not only a good likeness but also the VP for corporate HR's shifty-eyed expression and menacing look.

He realized that he had a talent hidden from him for all these years. He worked hard to get into Uni, graduated well, got a job, worked harder, and got ahead in the company. He was making 350k a year plus bonuses of twice or three times that much. His condo was paid off, and he had money in the bank. Andrew was very satisfied with his life. At family gatherings, he was the center of attention, admiration and envy

His cousin Gwen Cole (known to all as Gecko) was a talented painter. She worked hard, graduated, tops, was well regarded by critics and fellow artists, had shows and exhibitions, and was represented by a good gallery, but sold few pieces. Gwen was always broke and relied on teaching art classes and on her partner for rent and expenses. Andrew had a couple of her paintings, which he really liked, Gwen thought them as pitty purchases.

Andrew was suddenly horrified by the realisation that his life would have been so much different had he discovered and pursued his artistic talent. He quickly tore up the two drawings.

Shelly stopped reading and asked, "ABC, alright?"

Andrew smiled, nodded, "All cool, Shelly, no worries," and he put away the pen.