Between the Sun

chapter 1

            It was a cold Saturday morning when the unexpected happened.

                            Ann McDain ,a single mother lived in a small apartment in the rugged streets of Dutse with her kids; Eunice and Sam McDain .This morning was going as usual for Ann and her family, breakfast was almost ready while she got ready for work. She loved her job at the Dutse City Hospital where she assisted in caring for the old and special patients .Ann is a caring mother known for her hard work ,kindness to many and love for her kids for whom she fought hard each day to fend for with the ' shikini' she earns.

“Ann ! its another morning to go do your thing .You’re strong willed and God’s gat you “,she made it a habit to always motivate herself each morning while getting ready for work .

She turned heading to the kitchen when a little boy rushed in to meet her ,all wet down to his toes from playing with the tap.He looked excited ,the last time his sea blue eyes shone that bright was on his birthday when Ann got him a pair of boots.

“Mama!mama!! What’s for breakfast?I’m hungry ! “

“Hushhhh! Hold on pumpkin! Go get changed will ya ?And please get me your sister right now, someone needs to check the food while I get ready for work ,so shuuuuu go! ”.

The little boy turned away to the door reluctantly with his head faced down . He sure was hoping to dig into whatever delicacy his mum was making ,only to be sent on errands ,what a way to lose appetite .

Eunice was out the garden trimming and watering flowers ;her favorite Saturday morning chores .Roses are her favorite thing ,she hopes to grow flowers and own the first ever flower shop in Dutse . Eunice is 19,beautiful just like her mum with an unrefined smile on her face complemented by her ebony colored eyes, round face and blonde hair.With the look on Sam’s face ,she could already guess breakfast wasn’t ready yet or the kid was mad about something.

‘What’s with mickymouse? ‘ ,she thought to herself as she dropped the watering jug ,took off her hand gloves and formed a fist placing both on her round curvy hips .

“Yoo!,who bullied you this time ? Need big sis to go beat him up ?”,she asked .He blushed pink. Eunice always had her way in making him laugh .

“Mama said to get you now .And I need a change of clothes too “

“Out playing at the tap again huhn,come here “,she bent,brushed his hair with her hand and kissed him on his bare forehead . His blue eyes shone even more ,he loves when she does that;he loves everything about his sister .Eunice stood up and led him by the hand back into the house .He followed jumping on his feet ,clinging unto her.She got his clothes changed and they both headed for the kitchen . Sam poked her from behind and ran ahead “Race you to the kitchen !“ .The little boy always thought his big sis was a slow runner and was no match for a Olympic runner like him .

              On reaching the kitchen , the aroma of beef soup made their stomach’s cry,,its been ages since their mother made such meal for breakfast.

“Oh my ! Can’t wait to dig in “,little Sam licks his lips

“ haha .I’d specially serve you double scoops .On one condition though”

“Really sis ? What do you want now? A toy ? My new boots or I help you send flowers to Troy again ? “

“ Silly you ! You’d have to wait for it to cook properly before I tell ya.But you can bet its one of your options .”

“Yayyyyy ! I’ll go get the flowers ready ”,he jumped getting ready to leave when Eunice dragged him back .

“Mickey mouse ,no one said it was flowers “ ,she said laughing “besides Troy must have gotten tired of all the flowers I’ve been sending “

Sam looked lost ,”sooooo what you wanna give him this time ? “ ,he asked

“ Shhhhhh,mama will hear us ,I’d tell you later “,she winked at him

Ann came in shortly ,all dressed up for work with her hair packed up in ponytail .She looked even more beautiful with the new lipstick she had on which complemented her blue coat .Eunice smiled at her mum and turned to Sam ,

“ Micky mouse,don’t you agree with me that someone is looking dashing this morning ,like she has a date or something .Look,she’s got new lipsticks on “.

Sam blinked like he got something in his eyes and then looked critically at his mum,“ Hoo-hahs ,mama’s always pretty ,but you bet she’s going on a date with the new doctor you talked about “

Ann was caught up in all they said ,wondering where on earth they got those ideas about dates .She was always careful about mentioning her dates to her little kids .

“You little chipmunk!Who’s feeding you all these info . I can also bet it’s a pretty peanut that can’t keep her mouth shut “,they all laughed . Anna quickly served breakfast at the table and kissed them goodbye rushing out .Sam opened the door just after she left ”mama ,don’t forget what you promised “,he said aloud

“okay pumpkin ,I promise to get it once I receive my pay cheque today ,love ya”,she didn’t stay to hear what else he had to say .She was almost late for work and the last thing she needed was scolding from her grumpy boss .

DUTSE CITY HOSPITAL .

 Dutse City hospital is the only functional health centre  in the whole city .The building was big ,though old and crackly but was under renovation. Every section of the building was painted blue and white even sheets ,chairs and windows decorated with flowers and a few art works at some corners of the building.

                       Seated at the lobby was a dark skinned woman in her late fifties ,neatly dressed with a smile on her face that made her fine lines and wrinkles almost invisible. Ma’am Ferg was everyone’s favourite ,jovial ,kind and very funny . There was always something to joke about whenever she was around .But this time ,on seeing Ann ,the smile on her face vanished like she had seen a ghost she wasn’t expecting .

Ann looked around, the building was quiet and that was unusual ,something has to be wrong .The sudden frown on Miss Ferg's face wasn’t helping matters either ,she had to ask forcing a smile

“Morning Miss Ferg,what’s with the quiet .Are the team out on emergency ?

“Miss Ann ,you’d have to make your way to the Director’s office “

“Directors office ,Dire… Hold on ,the only time someone is summoned to her office is on account of being sac..”,her eyes flashed wide,the probability of her thoughts being real was unbelievable. Miss ferg nodded her head,her eyes were teary ,she tried so hard to hold it in but couldn’t .She knew Ann depended so much on this job to keep her home together ,now the Director for personal reasons will get her back to the labour market .She left her seat,held Ann by the hand and drew her close .

Ann was beyond broken ,the one place she loved to be at ,the one job that has sent her kids to school and put food on the table since her irresponsible partner fled with his mistress .What could she possibly have done wrong ,what ?

“Why me? Dear Lord ,what exactly did I do wrong .I’m a good person aren’t I ? I try my best to get here early ,do my job as instructed ,I even work overtime without pay! my my kids ? “ She dropped to the ground ,confused and drained .For a moment ,she couldn’t think then she quickly stood up ,ignored the dirt on her dress and ran to the Directors office .

Director Flora looked happy like she just hit a jackpot .The quick jerk at the door caught her attention, she frowned like she just saw the devil ,

“ You ! I guess you’ve gotten the news already .The hospital can’t afford to pay all the staffs ,so I suggested we lay off the lazy workers “,she smiled devishly .

“Lazy! Flora ,you know how hard I work for this city ,I beg you please .My kids would be heart broken ,I beg you “

“Beg? Kids? You’ve got the nerves .Did you for once think about your kids when you had an affair with George. I vowed to ruin you and this is just the start “,Director Flora banged her hand on her table ,stood from her seat and pointed to the door “Out”

               Ann fell to her knees ,dropped her bag and clasped her hands together with tears in her eyes“Flora! You know me since school days ,I promise you ,the accusations are not true .Yes ,he came at me but only offered coffee .Even if he tried,I’d never have accepted .Please don’t do this ,I have nowhere else to go “

“You have the audacity to insult my husband right at my face .You witch ! You threw yourself at him .Get out or I call the security “

Anna didn’t move an inch ,she couldn’t help but cry “please Flora ,please .For my kids ! Please,I’d do anything “,with tears running down her eyes ,she could barely make up words out loud .

“Same way you’d do anything to take George . Your kids can go to hell for all I care ,you caused it ,blame yourself! .I’ve always known you were cheap ,petty beggar! ”she spat at Ann and hit her on the face .

Ann can endure anything but not such treatment from someone she once considered a friend .Yet she knelt by Flora ,held her by the legs begging for her job back ” I beg you,please” .She had nowhere else to go to ,no one to help , just her kids .Flora yanked her hands off and walked out the office ,not looking back at Anna who was drowned in tears begging .

                  Miss Ferg noticed the Director leave the office angrily ,she quickly went in to check on Ann .Ann was on the floor in tears ,

“oh dear ,come here “,she fell to the ground and embraced Ann tightly ,”the Lord will make a way ,you need to be strong for your kids .Maybe its God’s way of saying you deserve better .For God sake ,we’ve done so much for these people and they never appreciate us .Be strong my dear “

“my kids don’t deserve this,its my fault ,I shouldn’t have agreed to take coffee with Mr George that night “

“it was just a harmless coffee besides Mr George is a nice man, I sure would take coffee with him .Its quite unfortunate he married wrongly .You should talk to him ,he’d sure talk to his wife and help you out “

Ann looked strangely at Miss ferg,it was the first time she made a suggestion that wasn’t sensible, “ And be accused wrongly again of chasing after her husband? What do you think she’d say if her husband begs on my behalf ,it’d only arouse her suspicion .No ! I’d get through this alone” .She stood up ,thanked Miss ferg and strode out the hospital .

Everyone at the hospital came out to see what all the fuss was about ,they already knew about the news of Ann losing her job .Director Flora had already publicly announced the hospital's decision to put off some workers .

              A couple of women from the church Ann attends were patients at the hospital . They couldn’t help but wonder what sort of misfortune Ann always had despite her kind heart .

“That woman was really hardworking and kind you know , she did the most for my kid while he was undergoing surgery “ ,one said pitifully .

“She just has bad luck . First,she lost her parents at a ghastly accident same day she got the job at the hospital .Next her husband ran off with his mistress and ripped her off her money and property ,left her on the street in that cranky apartment of hers that can barely stand the winter breeze not to mention a real Storm .Now ,she has lost her job .I pity her kids ,poor kids!“ ,the other said shaking her head .

A group of elderly stood at the lobby criticizing as if they found something against her or had seen her flirting with a man.

“ so much for a mother who sleeps around with the boss’s husband, it won’t be surprising if her little girl joins the business “,the others responded with a contemptuous look . Other staffs at the hospital wished they could help especially Miss Ferg but didn’t move an inch let alone step up against the Director .

After some moments the Director stepped in and everyone immediately pretended not to know what was happening ;rushing to their duty post and respecting rooms . For some reasons ,everyone ,patients inclusive feared Flora like she was some sort of lioness. She headed to her office door but turned ,

“Y’all listen up ! Get back to work and no one dares come in my office except you wanna end up on the streets “ she said loudly ,slamming the door behind her .

On entering her office ,her office phone rang ,it was an unknown number .The look on her face tells the call was disturbing but had to pick up since it was an office call

“ Director Flora on the line ,who is this? “ ,she asked frowning

“Great job Flora ! You sure have done a great job by taking my advice .She was no good for the hospital ,a cheat and a p********e !”,the voice over the line was masculine.

Flora looked relaxed on hearing from the caller ,“ oh you !”

“Yes ,me . Finish your part of the bargain and I’ll fulfil mine .I’m sure you’re a smart woman “,

“You can’t dictate what I can and cannot do .Do your job by giving me information, I’d ruin her for flirting with George !”

The strange caller laughed mischievously, “ Oh Darling ,good for you. I mean ,good for us. She must pay for ruining me too “ .

“ Bye for now ,but please don’t call my office line no more . I can’t have anyone finding out huhn “ ,Flora said as she hung up .

Whomever this strange caller was ,he sure was after Ann’s downfall for something she had done in the past .Flora picked up a brown file from her cupboard and dialed a number written at the top right of it . No one responded at first , she tried again and again but no response .She seemed concerned about something or needed something done immediately. She walked to and fro her office trying to figure out whatever she had on her mind until she received a call . It was the number she had dialed moments back .

“ The job is done ma’am Flora ! All traces are covered ,you can be rest assured she’d be there in no time “ ,the caller said

“I’ve always known you’d do a great job scorpion! You’d get your pay once I confirm you got the tracks covered “

“ you know where to find me boss “

(Hangs up)