Love is tragedy

MAMA JIMMY

Jimmy was washing his boda outside their room in *Bukoto* when a taxi from Gulu stopped.

"Jimmy Okello!"

He froze.

*Mama Jimmy.*

She had a kaveera with groundnuts and a bible. And fury in her eyes.

"Stand up," she said. "Now."

*The Interrogation*

Inside the 1 room. Mattress on floor. Jerrycan. Single saucepan.

Mama Jimmy looked around and her face fell.

"Son. Is this how you're living? With this girl?"

Jessica stood in the corner. Holding the black polythene bag with 560k.

"Hello aunty," she whispered.

"Don't 'aunty' me," Mama Jimmy snapped. "You're the reason my son is hiding."

Then she saw it. The paper on the table.

_"The loan boss is to keep 100 meters distance."_

She picked it up with shaking hands.

"What loan? What boss? Who is threatening my child?!"

And it all came out.

The 1.2M. The container in *Wandegeya Market*. The police. The threats in *Kikoni*.

Mama Jimmy started crying. Then shouting.

"You could have died! Over money?! Over a girl?!"

*The Ultimatum*

She stood up. "Pack your things. You're coming home to Gulu.

Tonight. I'm not letting some loan boss kill you in Kampala."

"Ma, no," Jimmy said. "Please."

"Don't 'ma' me," she said. "I carried you for 9 months."

Jessica stepped forward. "Aunty, we're okay now. The debt is cleared."

Mama Jimmy turned on her. "Cleared?! With what?! 560k in a polythene bag?!

That's not a life, girl. That's survival."

For 20 minutes it was just yelling.

Neighbors were listening at the door.

Finally Jimmy said, "Give us 3 months."

His voice was steady. "If we're not better by December, I'll come home."

Mama Jimmy stared at him. Her son. Tired. Scarred. But standing next to Jessica.

She sighed. Deep.

"3 months," she said. "And I'm calling every week.

And if I hear that loan boss's name again, I'm coming back with your uncles."

She hugged Jimmy hard. Whispered, "Be careful."

Then looked at Jessica. "Take care of my son."

She left. Got in a taxi back to the stage.

*That Night*

The room was quiet.

Jessica and Jimmy sat on the mattress.

"Do you think we can do 3 months?" Jessica asked.

"We have to," Jimmy said. "It's her or us."

He pulled her close.

"One mom down," he joked weakly.

"One to go," Jessica said, and didn't laugh.

Outside, Wandegeya kept moving.

Inside, they had 3 months to prove themselves.

Starting over just got a deadline.