Chapter 1
1124 Words
Makayla could not but help to feel like a total failure as she sat on the chair beside her sick younger brother Darren who just laid still.he had been like that for days and she could not figure out what exactly was wrong with him.
She had taken him to a hospital a few days back but once the doctors found out that that did not have money or any health insurance,they bluntly refused to take Darren in.
She hated herself for feeling so helpless, she'd spent the last few days trying to get an advance from her boss so she could pay for Darren’s treatment but she always got the same answer, she had to work for at least a month before she could request for an advance.
She became desperate one night that she had dressed up as a call girl and pararded the front of a hotel, just to find a man that would be willing to pay to spend a night with her.she had later found someone but could not just bring herself to do it and now she was completely out of options. She needed to do something quick otherwise, she was going to loose her only brother and family.
She looked down at her ,8-year-old brothers pale face and vowed to him that she was not going to let him die.She was willing to do anything it takes.
She spent the next day trying to figure out how she was going to go about gathering enough money for her brother’s treatment. Her options were very limited as she was only 19 and a college drop out at the same time. it was going to be difficult for her to find a good paying job but she still had to try, her current job was hardly enough to cover their daily expenses, she knew they couldn't survive this way for much longer especially her brother, he needed her now more than ever. Ever since their mother died unexpectedly of an undiscovered Cancer in her liver, she'd been the sole provider for the both of them and everything had been going well until Darren fell sick, she could afford food, but medical expenses was way out of her means.
She quickly picked up her phone and called her best friend Suzi. She and Suzi have known each other since they were six and their bond had only grown stronger ever since because they were similar in so many ways. They both grew up in the same neighborhood and even got into the same college until Makayla had to drop out after her mother passed away to take care of her younger brother. Her and Suzi’s financial situation weren't much different, they both grew up poor and now Suzi worked at a strip club to be able to pay her college tuition fees. She'd begged Makayla to join her at the beginning because the money was good but she'd initially refused because she never liked the idea of dancing naked in front of hundreds of people but now she didn't mind at all as long as she got paid and didn't have to sleep with any of the men.
Suzi answered the phone after the third ring.
“Hey Kayla, what's up?”
“Hi Suzi, I'm good. How is work?”
She heard Suzi laugh a little
“I think this is the first time you've ever asked about my job, I know you've always hated it… how’s Darren, is he getting better?” Suzi asked
Makayla sighed “no he's not honestly, I'm so scared Suzi, I don't know what's wrong with him” She felt her eyes tear up as she spoke but she didn't want Suzi to worry so she quickly composed herself.
“I'm sure he'll be fine Mac don't worry too much okay?, has he seen a doctor yet?”
“They wouldn't admit him because we can't afford it.. That's why I called, do you think I can…”
Suzi interrupts before Makayla could finish, “of course I can lend you some money Mac, what are friends for?”
“No, no that's not it, I know most of the money you earn goes to your tuition fees so I could never ask that of you.. I actually wanted to ask about your job”
“My job?” Suzi asks, confused
“I wanted to know if there was a job opening.. at the club, can you ask your boss for me?”
“Wow, are you sure about this Mac?, I know you've always hated that I have to do this for money.. Look I can lend you..”
“No Suzi, I can't ask that of you, just ask your boss for me okay?”
Suzi sighs “okay, if that's what you want, I'll ask him tonight”
“Thanks Suzi, you're the best” Makayla says and smiles sadly
**************
That evening Makayla gets a call from Suzi, who excitedly tells her that her boss wanted Makayla to come In for an interview that night.
“Tonight??.. I thought these things take longer, who's going to look after Darren?”
“Don’t worry about that, my shift ends earlier tonight so I can come take care of him while you go speak with my boss” Suzi says
“I don't know Suzi..” She was starting to feel nervous, she hadn't expected it to be so soon.
“kayla..” a little frail voice whispers beside her.
“Is that Suzi?” Darren says, his little body fighting to sit up on his bed.
“Yes it's Suzi.. Wait let me help you” she says and moves towards Darren who was still struggling to sit up properly.
“Hey Mac, are you still there?”
Suzi says over the phone
“Yes Suzi, I'm just helping Darren” she says while making sure her brother was comfortable.
“Look Mac if you're not comfortable with this job you don't have to come okay?.. I was serious about lending you some money for Darren”
Mackayla sighs and takes a quick glance at her brother before making up her mind.
“No Suzi, I’ll be there” she was going to do whatever it takes for Darren.
“Okay cool, I’ll be at your place by 8pm, my boss wants to see you by 9, is that okay?” Suzi asks
“Yeah, I’ll start getting ready now”
“Okay.. and Mac, please try and look sexy tonight” Suzi pleads
“Whatever suz.. byeee” she says and hangs up quickly before Suzi could get the change to lecture her about her poor fashion sense.
- Writer
