THICKER TROUBLE
644 Words
The envelope was empty.
250k. Gone.
Jimmy handed it to the nurse without looking at Jessica.
“Thank you,” the nurse said. “Surgery is scheduled for tomorrow.”
Jessica nodded. Her stomach was in knots.
That was half the loan money.
That was their safety.
On the walk home, Jimmy finally spoke.
“The boss called while you were at the salon.”
Jessica stopped. “And?”
“1 week. Not 1 month. He found out I moved money.”
His voice was dead. “1.2 million. 7 days. Or they take everything.”
Jessica didn’t cry. She just laughed. One sharp, broken laugh.
“Of course he did.”
---
*Panic*
That night they didn’t sleep.
They sat on the floor with a notebook. Numbers everywhere.
Salon: 30k on a good day.
Boda: 20k after fuel.
Total: 50k x 7 days = 350k.
Still short 850k.
“We’re screwed,” Jimmy said, rubbing his face.
“Don’t say that,” Jessica snapped. Then softer: “Don’t.”
He looked at her. “You shouldn’t have given me that money.” 7
“And you shouldn’t have lied to save me,” she shot back.
They stared at each other. Angry. Tired. Scared.
Then Jessica exhaled. “Okay. New plan. I’ll ask my boss for an advance.
You work double shifts. We sell my TV. We sell anything and that's gonna work "
Jimmy shook his head. “It won’t be enough.”
“Then we’ll figure out the rest in 6 days,” she said.
“Liar,” he whispered.
“Yeah,” she whispered back. “But I’m your liar.”
*The Rain*
Day 3. They were walking home at midnight. Broke.
No money for boda. No money for food.
Then the sky opened.
Uganda rain. Heavy. Cold. The kind that soaks you in 10 seconds.
They ran under a small veranda of a closed shop. Dripping. Shivering. Cold. Helpless and hungry.
Jessica was in her black hoodie again. It was the only dry thing they had.
Silence.
Just rain.
“Was this a mistake?” Jessica asked suddenly.
Jimmy didn’t answer at first.
“Taking you in? Lying for you? Using the money?”
“No,” she said. “Us. This. Pretending.”
Jimmy turned to her. Water running down his face.
“The only mistake,” he said, voice low, “would be letting you go.”
Jessica’s breath caught.She looked at Jimmy like her life had been reignited with something she quite couldn't place .
“That’s not pretending anymore, Jimmy.”
“I know,” he said. “And I’m terrified.”
“Me too,” she whispered.
He reached out. Brushed wet hair from her face.
His hand lingered.
For a second, they almost.....
They got lost in the moment
BODA HORN. Bright lights.
Loan boss’s boys. 2 of them. Smiling.
“Boss says hi,” one said. “1 week, lovebirds. Don’t be late.”
They sped off, splashing them. Giggling loudly like they owned the city.
Jessica and Jimmy stood there, soaked amidst their frustration, the shared tragedy.
The moment was gone.
---
*Midnight*
They got home at 1am.
Cold. Hungry. Hopeless.
There was a note on their door.
Written in red pen.
*6 DAYS. WE’RE WATCHING.*
Jimmy crumpled it. Punched the wall.
Jessica just slid down and sat on the floor.
Jimmy sat next to her.
Shoulder to shoulder.
Not touching. But not apart.
“I’m so sorry,” he said.
“For what?”
“For making you choose this.”
Jessica leaned her head on his shoulder. Feeling the weight of their tragedy like she's the cause of it all.
“I chose you,” she said. “I’d choose you again.”
Outside, the rain kept falling.
Inside, the clock was ticking.
*6 days.*
- Writer
