CHAPTER FOUR - Epiphany
991 Words
“I am an orphan now, no parents, no family relatives, nothing, just Ella."
I kept thinking of my new status quo and my siblings and how we would strive through this hardship.
“But why did this happen after I got this job? Is this mom's way of bidding us farewell? That is a harsh way to say goodbye.”
I scoffed and looked up at the sky.
“What do I do now? What do we do now? You and Dad have left us in this unkind world."
I see life being tougher. I can't help but think about Ella’s endless school fees, provisions, and upkeep money. Talk less of the money for Mom's burial preparation and ceremony.
I do not know how much I will be earning in this new job, but I am sure the obligations on the ground will engulf everything.
While lost in thought, my phone rang. Looked over and it was Mrs Anita.
“Hello Hillary, I have just heard about your mother. I am very sorry” she said.
“I was lost for words when I heard it. Why do bad things happen to good people?” She said in a dejected voice.
“Are you home currently?” She asked. “Yes ma,” I replied.
“Okay, I will be coming over soon, hold on for me.”
I put down the phone and went to take a shower for the day since she would be visiting. At this point, I smell like hot tears and cooked sorrow.
Not long after, I heard a knock.
Behold it was Anita, a bombshell looking dashing as always in her purple gown and vintage scarf on her neck.
“Oh my sweet babies” She hugged me and held myself and Ella tight.
You can smell the strong musk of the oud perfume she wore. Hugging her felt like I was in the arms of my mother.
I miss her even more now from that scent. Almost like I could feel and smell her presence again.
I felt comfortable yet in despair.
“Look at your eyes, I can tell you both have been crying all day” Anita observed.
“You have to be strong for each other, especially during this period.”
She sat us down and asked “What is the plan for her burial, any thought towards that?”
“Well, have thought of it, but thoughts can't do much when there is no money to do anything about it” I explained.
“Hmmm that's true, see I have come with good news amid sadness looming” Anita chimes in.
Ella immediately looked at me. At the same time, I turned to her too.
“Good news? What good news? Please say "Ella cut in already.
There I was sitting, wondering what it could be. What kind of good news does she bring?
Mrs Anita adjusts herself while clearing her throat.
“Your father had a fixed deposit account that is currently at $55,000 with our bank before he passed.”
My eyes got emboldened, and before she continued I asked “What fixed deposit? Mom never told us of this.”
“She had her reasons. She decided not to say anything to you girls. She especially felt it would be selfish to spend the all of the money on her deteriorating health. So she was prompted to save it for both of you in case anything happened to her.” Anita rested her hand on her thighs.
Tears immediately poured out of my eyes as Ella wrapped her hands around mine.
“Why would mom do that?” Ella inquired.
“Well, that's your mother, that is who she is. We used to call her Mary Magdalene in high school.”
I swallowed a big spit.
Anita continued, “She loved you both, you girls were her life and all.”
I always knew my mother was selfless, kind, and loving to a fault, but this is too much. How could she sacrifice herself to make us happy?
“She was an angel on planet Earth. I have never met anyone like her in my entire lifetime,” Anita added.
She might be late, but her life on earth seems well spent.
She affected people, especially hearing Mrs Anita speak of her like this.
I felt huge relief at the same time, proud of who gave birth to me. I am the daughter of an angel, a goddess.
Anita with a sad face, “Though I will never get to spend time with her again. To see her beautiful face and that smile that would turn a bad day into a great one. I will always miss her.”
At that moment, I felt a sudden short wave of strength pass through my body.
I said to myself that I would live my life like my mother, she was my role model and I knew she would guide and keep us safe from harm's way.
Mrs Anita got up. “Come to the bank anytime, so we can sort the paperwork. You will have the money right after. Make sure you do not waste it.”
“Certainly not,” I responded with a serious face.
I could never do that, not after hearing this story.
“I will come to your office within the week, ma,” I said.
Anita stood, gave us a warm-felt hug, and dashed out to her car.
I hugged Ella as we wrapped our arms around each other, observing a sudden silence.
“We should use some of the money for Mom's burial,” I said.
“I agree,” Ella concurred.
This will save us the financial burden of trying to come up with the money ourselves.
Looks like
Mom and Dad are watching over us right from heaven.
Makes me wonder what else they might have in store?
- Writer
