The Marriage Bargain

Chapter 2

As I opened the door, the landlord, Mr. Jenkins, was standing there, his face stern. “You're behind on rent again. You have two weeks to pay up, or you're out.” His words felt like a punch to the gut.

My heart sank. We were already living on the edge, and now we're facing eviction. I felt like I'm drowning, and I don't know how to keep my head above water. At this point, I didn't even know how to be positive for my family. I sat at the kitchen table, staring at the stack of unpaid bills. Mom, and Jack looked on, worry etched on their faces. We've been struggling for so long, and it feels like there's no way out.

“I know, Mr. Jenkins,” I said, trying to keep my voice even. “We're doing the best we can. But please, can't you see that we're struggling? Can't you give us a little more time?”

Mr. Jenkins snorted. “You've had plenty of time, Sophia. You've had a full year to make up for your rent, yet you still owe me…. Tell me, must daddy always do everything for you?”

I felt a surge of anger at his words, but I knew I had to stay calm. I couldn't afford to antagonize him any further.

“Please, Mr. Jenkins,” I said, trying to reason with him. “Have a heart. We're not just talking about a roof over our heads, we're talking about our lives. Where are we supposed to go?”

Mr. Jenkins shrugged. “That's not my problem, Sophia. You need to pay your rent or get out. It's as simple as that.”

I felt a different kind of paint in my heart. Turning back to see my mother, and my brother, sitting down in anticipation, I felt the weight of being the bread winner of the family stronger than before. We were running out of options, and time was running out.

“Please, Mr. Jenkins,” I said, desperation creeping into my voice. “Can't you see that we're desperate? We'll do anything to keep a roof over our heads.”

Mr. Jenkins raised an eyebrow. “I see.Anything, Sophia? That's a pretty bold statement. Are you sure you're willing to do anything?”

I hesitated, unsure of what he was getting at. But before I could respond, he turned and walked away, leaving me feeling more defeated than ever. As I closed the door and turned back to my family, I saw the fear and worry etched on their faces. We were running out of time, and we had no idea how we were going to get out of this situation.

“We can't keep living like this,” Mom said, her voice trembling. “We need a miracle.” After my little advice to mother, she's been trying to stay positive, but the news of the eviction, destroyed all my hard work.

Just then, Jack, who's only 10, spoke up, “Maybe I can sell my toys? Or do something to help?” His innocent face broke my heart. My little brother shouldn't have to worry about adult problems.

“Why is life just so unfair to us? Why?” Mom said, trying to hold back tears.

“I know, Mom,” I replied, feeling helpless. “But what can we do? I'm already working multiple jobs and selling everything I can.”

“Maybe I can sell my toys?” Jack suggested once again, his big brown eyes looking up at us. “Or do something to help?”

My heart broke at his words. If only I was rich, my little brother wouldn't have to worry about adult issues. “No, Jack, that's not necessary,” I said, trying to reassure him. “We'll figure something out.”

But the truth was, I had no idea how we were going to get out of this situation. We were already living on the edge, and now we were facing eviction. The thought of being homeless was terrifying.

“We need to talk to Mr. Jenkins,” mom said, her voice firm. “Maybe we can work out a payment plan or something.”

“I already tried that,” I said, shaking my head. “He's not willing to listen. He just wants his money.”

“Well, we can't just sit here and do nothing,” Mom said, her voice rising. “We have to do something.”

“I know, Mom,” I said, feeling the weight of the situation on my shoulders. “But what can we do? We're running out of options.”

As we sat there, feeling hopeless and defeated, I still recalled Mr. Jenkins words resounding in my ears. “I see you're still behind on rent,” he said, his voice dripping with condescension. “You're running out of time, Sophia. You need to pay up or get out.”

I felt a surge of anger as I remembered his words, but I knew I had to stay calm. I couldn't afford to create more cause for alarm. Mom, and Jack's hopes were already dashed because of the news, and I couldn't afford to dash their hopes further.

My little brother looked up to me as a hero, and my mother looked at me as a gift from God. However, I felt like none of these things. Rather, I felt like a sore loser. There was no comparison to what I felt at that moment, and just the slightest memory of my dad made me so annoyed, and broken at the same time.

This was precisely how my father said we'd end up without him. He predicted us like we were some crazy Bollywood movie. I could still remember his last words before he drove of that night.

“You all are just a bunch of stray dogs without me, and you'd never survive without me.”

Tears gathered in my eyes, and my face was down cast as I sat there, lost in thoughts. Mother was also there, crying here eyes out, and Jack who didn't really understand what was going on was trying to console her. I knew I was supposed to be the one consoling my mom, but at this point, it was difficult for even me to stay positive.

However, in a creepy déjà vu manner, we heard another violent knock on the door, and whoever it was persistent, and kept shouting my name.

“What's it now? Couldn't we just have a moment of peace? Or are we the only debtors I'm this f*****g county.” Mom yelled in anger.

I was reluctant in opening the door because I assumed it was one of our creditors, however, when I opened the door, I was even more shocked to see who it was.