Love is tragedy

MAMA JESSICA

Day 16.

Two days after Mama Jimmy left.

The sun in *Wandegeya* was already down. The streets were glowing with yellow bulbs and boda lights.

Jessica locked the salon in *Wandegeya Market* at 8pm. Her feet hurt.

3 weaves, 4 pedicures, 2 braids. 52k in her bag today.

She was walking fast toward *Bukoto* because Jimmy told her not to be late.

"The Kikoni shortcut is closed," he said on the phone. "Take the long way."

When she reached their compound, her heart stopped.

A woman sat on the steps of their room.

Kaveera on her lap. Bible in her hand. Headwrap tied tight.

"Jessica."

"Mom?"

*Mama Jessica.*

Jessica dropped her bag. "What are you doing here? How did you find me?"

"Waiting," her mom said. Standing up. "We need to talk. Now."

*The Confrontation*

Inside the room. It smelled like beans and soap.

Jimmy was stirring a saucepan on a charcoal stove.

He froze when he saw her. "Aunty. Good evening."

Mama Jessica didn’t answer him. She walked around the room slowly.

Touching the wall. Looking at the mattress on the floor. The jerrycan. The single plate and 2 cups.

"So this is it?" she said finally. "This is the life you left school for?"

"Mom, please sit," Jessica said.

"I’m not sitting," Mama Jessica said. "I came from Fort Portal on a night bus.

I haven’t slept. Because my daughter is living like this."

She turned to Jimmy.

"And you. You’re the boda man."

"Yes aunty," Jimmy said quietly.

"Do you know what my daughter went through?" Mama Jessica’s voice rose.

"Do you know Aunty Prossy called me crying?

She said Jessica was running through *Kikoni* at 10pm.

That there was a loan boss. That there was police."

Jessica and Jimmy looked at each other.

"Who told you about the loan boss?" Jessica whispered.

"I asked," Mama Jessica said. "And people talk in Wandegeya.

They said ‘the salon girl and the boda guy had police trouble.’

So I took the first taxi."

She pulled something from her kaveera.

The folded paper.

_“The loan boss is to keep 100 meters distance.”_

"Is this how you want to live, Jessica?

Looking over your shoulder? In one room with no windows?"

The beans started burning. Jimmy quickly took them off the stove.

*The Offer*

Mama Jessica sat down finally. On the edge of the mattress.

She looked old. Tired.

"I’m not here to insult you," she said. Softer now.

"I’m here to save you."

She opened her kaveera. Pulled out clothes, food, 50k.

"For you," she said to Jessica. "And for you," she said to Jimmy, but didn’t look at him.

"I spoke to your uncle in Fort Portal," she continued.

"He owns a salon. On Main Street. 3 chairs. Running water.

He said he can give you a job. Manager.

Rent is paid for 6 months. You can start next week."

Jessica’s eyes filled with tears.

"Mom..."

"No loan boss in Fort Portal," Mama Jessica said.

"No boda stages. No police papers.

A real job. A real house. With me."

She looked at Jimmy.

"No offense, young man. But what can you give my daughter here?

560k in a polythene bag? That’s not a future."

Jimmy didn’t speak. His jaw was tight.

"Please, mom," Jessica said. "We cleared the debt.

The loan boss said don’t come back. We’re safe now."

"Safe?" Mama Jessica stood up. "Safe is not hiding.

Safe is not counting money at night.

Safe is me being able to sleep knowing my child is okay."

She walked to the door.

"I booked you a ticket. 6am bus to Fort Portal.

Be on it, Jessica. Or don’t. But I’m not leaving until you decide."

*The Begging*

After she left to sleep at a guest house nearby, the room was silent.

Jessica cried. Not loud. Just tears falling into her hands.

"I didn’t want her to see this," she said. "I’m ashamed."

Jimmy sat next to her. Put an arm around her.

"Don’t be ashamed. We’re building."

"She’s right though," Jessica said. "What if the loan boss comes back?

What if in 3 months we have nothing?

Then I’ll have wasted her chance and yours."

Jimmy turned her to face him.

"Then let’s not have nothing in 3 months.

Let’s work. Double shifts. Save.

You said 3 months. I said 3 months.

Now we prove it."

Jessica wiped her face. "What if I fail?"

"Then we fail together," Jimmy said. "But we don’t quit before we start."

At 2am, Jessica knocked on the guest house door.

Mama Jessica opened it, still dressed.

"Mom," Jessica said. "I’m not getting on that bus."

Mama Jessica’s face fell.

"Jessica..."

"Give me 3 months," Jessica said. Voice shaking but strong.

"If by December I’m not better, I’ll come home.

But let me try. With him."

Mama Jessica stared at her for a long time.

Then she sighed. Pulled Jessica into a hug.

"You’re just like your father," she whispered. "Stubborn."

She pulled back. Reached into her bag.

Counted out 200k. New notes.

"For salon rent," she said. "1 month. That’s all I can do.

I’m calling you every day. And I’m coming back in December."

*That Night*

Back in Bukoto, they didn’t sleep.

They sat on the mattress counting.

560k + 200k from mom = 760k.

Minus rent, food, transport.

"We have to make this work," Jessica said.

"We will," Jimmy said.

He pulled her down to lie next to him.

Outside, Wandegeya was quiet for once. No music. No hooting.

"Two moms," Jimmy said. "Two chances. One deadline."

"3 months," Jessica said.

She rested her head on his chest.

Starting over was no longer just about escaping debt.

It was about proving love could pay rent too.