A stranger, a friend.
1904 Words
Elena had called out the address that her mother had sent her a while ago, and Linda drove her there.
" What if I told you I had another surprise for you. " Linda replied after a few minutes of silence.
" Surprise? " Elena asked.
" Well, it's more of a job offer "
Elena immediately sat erected as she was shocked by what Linda had said.
" Job offer? are you serious right now? "
" Of course, I have a job offer for you. "
" Well, what is it? " Elena asked in excitement.
" I told you that you deserved better and it's no coincidence that I got to meet you today, so... I'm currently in search of an assistant for the owner of a recognized clothing brand. " Linda glanced over to Elena watching her eyes broaden with joy and her mouth wide open in utter surprise.
" Clothing brand? "
" Yes, I won't tell you which now, you'll know when you accept the offer. "
" But... but how would I get it though, I'm. still an immigrant, I don't think any clothing brand would want to offer an immigrant a job much less a recognized one. " Elena replied now sounding a little bit sad.
" It's okay, I know the owner personally all I need is to put in a good word for you and you got it. "
Elena could not believe this, just like that she had an opportunity to finally leave Tim's bakery after two years of dreaming, it seemed to happen too soon that she couldn't even believe it was real. Was this some sort of a prank? How could this woman ' put ' in a good word for her? She was an immigrant and was still in the process of gaining citizenship so it sure as hell sounded like a joke to her.
" Here, have this. " Linda handed Elena a card that contained her number and address. " I know this came off too soon, but like I said I know you've got potential, plus you're a nice person you deserve better. When you make up your mind just give me a call. Don't take too long though. "
Elena took the card still in a pretty perplexed state. " Um. I don't know what to say. "
Linda made a stop at Elena's supposed location. " I understand, but I believe you'll make the right choice. I'm expecting your call, Elena. "
" Thanks, ma'am, I mean... Linda. "
Elena replied stepping out of the car, she waved to Linda as she drove off.
She stared at her mother's text message once more to be sure she was in the right location, she moved to a nearby house that had the number 84a on the building and she was still unstable about the events of today gave a calm knock on the door, and to her surprise, her mother opened the door.
" Mama? " she replied still confused as she walked into the house.
" Elena I have been waiting for you. " Her mother said hugging her tight.
Elena walked further into this strange house, she was quick to observe the house, it was small but wider compared to their previous home. The cushions were floral, the sitting room was well decorated, the space was well managed, there were amateur artworks placed all over the walls, the house even had a tv!. Overall the sitting room was pretty colorful and appealing to the eyes.
Her mother guided her over to the dining table which was in the middle of the kitchen, just a few walks from the sitting room. The kitchen was shielded by faint decorated concrete. They walked into the kitchen and Elena could smell her favorite dish already prepared on the table, it was her mother's infamous yet extremely delicious spaghetti and sauce with meatballs and mini-sized tacos by the side. Elena rushed over to the dining table and took a seat.
" Woah, mama you made all this? "
" Yeah, it's my baby's birthday. "
" Thank you, mama. " Elena sat down and began to dig into the food. " Uh-huh mama, how did you get here, who owns this house? "
" Well, that's the surprise. " Elena's mother began. " It belongs to you. "
Elena's fork dropped instantly on the table, she stared blankly at her mother.
" Yes Mi querida, it's yours... well it's ours but I bought it in your name. "
Elena could not speak she was still trying to fathom what she had just heard.
" Mama this is no April fool's okay, it's my birthday, now who owns the house? Mama, did you break in here? " Elena replied still stunned as she stood up walked towards her mother and picked her up from the chair. " common let's leave here. "
" Elena! " her mother laughed as she walked to the shelf and grabbed an envelope handing it over to Elena. " look at those papers. "
Elena went through the papers and it was indeed the property papers all in her name. She literally could not believe what she saw, first, it was a strange lady handing her a job on a silver platter now her mom purchased her a house? she felt something underneath the envelope and when she reached deeper for it, it was a key. She realized that it was a house key.
" Mama.. how did you afford this? " she asked with tears standing at the bridge of her eyes.
" Well I've been saving for this ever since I got the job at the hospital, and it was a good investment. Don't you think? "
" Mama, how did you even get this house? "
" A friend at the hospital said her son was now moving out of this home and was looking to sell it, I figured it was a good idea to buy it. "
Elena was crying profusely now. " but Mama.. "
" Enough with the question Elena, do you like it or not? "
" Of course, I like it mama, but why would you buy it in my name, it was your hard work, you deserve it more than I do. "
" No Mi querida, you deserve this and more, you've been working your butts off for a while now. I know we are still in the process of getting those stupid green cards but I wanted to support and motivate you. "
" But.. but you've been working even harder, those late nights and triple shifts... I... "
" I am your mother Elena, I'm trying my very best to secure your future, sure it's a tiny house but it's a start, right? "
Elena nodded repeatedly " Of course it is, it's beautiful mama, thank you so much, I love you, Mama. "
" Love you too Mi querida. " her mother replied hugging her " Now go on.. finish your food "
Dinner had ended with both of them exchanging smiles and Elena had retreated to her very own room, unlike their other apartment where she had to share a room with her mother. She was beyond happy for the first time in a long time, it felt like they were moving forward and into greener pastures, she wouldn't continue to feel sad about the fact that her mother probably sacrificed her savings to acquire her this house, but instead, she would feel gratitude and just like her mother said, motivation to work even harder and make her mother proud. And one day she would surprise her mother with those ' stupid ' green cards as she would call them.
She was tempted to tell her mother of the sudden job offer at a clothing brand that was still a mystery to her, but she later decided to keep it a secret until she has secured the job before telling her. She could already picture the broad smile on her mother's face when she heard the news. finally, she thought things were only going to get better from here and those late-hour business classes she took will finally pay off. Sure she didn't have experience yet but she wouldn't have it if she didn't try, besides if she could work and endure with Tim all these years she was determined that she could work with anyone.
She brought out the card Linda had given her and anxiously dialed the number.
" Hello... it's Linda Stackhouse, who is this? " Elena heard Linda's voice, it sent chills down her spine
" Uh. it's Elena... "
" Oh hi, Elena how are you? being a while. "
" I'm sorry for calling you back this late. "
" It's okay, I'm glad you did, you sure made up your mind quickly, didn't you? "
" Yes, I did. "
" How was your surprise? "
" It was good, too good in fact. " Elena chuckled.
" So tell me what's your decision? "
" I. I accept the job, where and when can I meet you? "
" You can start immediately after you meet with the owner. Say on Monday, how does that sound? "
" Perfect! it's perfect, "
" Okay then, text me your address on Monday then I'll come to get you. "
" Of course "
" Okay. "
" Thank you so much, Linda, I do appreciate it. "
" You're welcome. I'll see you soon, take care of yourself. " Linda ended the call.
Elena, filled with so much joy screamed into her pillow to avoid waking up her mom. She already crafted up a cool way of resigning from Tim's bakery, one which Tim would never forget. She could as well show up for work one final time right? Before moving into the next phase of her life. She lay on the bed as she was mesmerized about how her epic job resignation would go, and damn had she dreamt about it for a long time.
" Who was that? "
Linda heard his stern voice as he joined her at the dining table. He had just come out of the shower and was partially wet. He wore black boxers, with orange vests that exposed his perfectly carved shoulders.
" happy birthday Snoopy, I bought you cake. " she rushed over to him and hugged him closely, inhaling his roll-on and Cologne.
" Thank you, I'm twenty-nine old now, I wish you'd just stop calling me Snoopy. "
" You know I won't. " Linda replied pulling out a chair for him, which he sat on.
Pete smiled, " I figured but it was worth the shot. "
They both sat down "Make a wish. " Linda told him. And there was a minute of silence as she watched him close his eyes making a wish as he was told. Once his eyes were open she began cutting the cake and handed him a piece.
" Delicious," he stated taking a bite from it.
" I'm glad you love it. "
" So, who was that on the phone, Linda. "
Linda sighed as she braced herself for his response to what she was about to say. " It's your new assistant. "
- Writer
