Dollars
1172 Words
Doris stood quietly as Mrs. Ugochi admired herself in front of the full-length mirror, she turned once, then again. Her fingers smoothed over the fitted waist before tracing the intricate beadwork along the neckline. The dress hugged her perfectly, as though it had been designed with only her in mind. Doris clasped her hands together to stop them from trembling. This was the longest three minutes of her life. Mrs. Ugochi looked at her reflection one last time before smiling.
"Fantastic," Mrs Ugochi said.
The single word loosened the knot in Doris's chest.
"I like it."
A smile spread across Doris's face. "Thank you so much, ma."
"You have good eyes," Mrs. Ugochi said, adjusting one sleeve. "Very good eyes."
Doris lowered her head modestly. "I'm glad you like it."
"I do." Mrs. Ugochi turned toward Funmi, who had been standing silently near the door.
"Funmi."
"Yes, ma."
"Bring my purse."
Funmi disappeared without another word. As always, her face carried the same distant expression. No smile, curiosity, nor excitement. It was as though she'd forgotten how. She returned moments later with a black leather handbag. Mrs. Ugochi opened it and brought out a thick white envelope. She held it out to Doris.
"For your work."
Doris accepted it carefully. "Thank you, ma."
"Open it."
She hesitated before sliding a finger beneath the flap. Inside were crisp dollar notes. Her breath caught. She counted once. Then again. Slowly, she looked up.
"Ma..." Her voice almost disappeared. "This is two thousand dollars."
Mrs. Ugochi smiled. "The dress isn't worth two thousand dollars."
"No."
Mrs. Ugochi took another look at the dress. "Your talent is great." For a second, Doris couldn't speak. Nobody had ever looked at her work that way. Nobody had ever believed in her enough to pay for her potential instead of merely her effort. Tears stung her eyes.
"Thank you, ma."
Mrs. Ugochi waved a hand dismissively. "Don't thank me yet. This is only the beginning." She walked toward the large window. "I have friends." Important friends. Women who appreciate quality. If they like your work..." She glanced over her shoulder. "...they'll come looking for you."
Hope exploded inside Doris. "I won't disappoint you."
"I know." Mrs. Ugochi smiled. "Enjoy your weekend."
Doris hugged the envelope against her chest. "Thank you so much." She turned happily toward the door. For a brief second, she looked at Funmi. Almost instinctively, she wanted to share her excitement. She smiled. Funmi simply stared back. No smile. Just those cold, unreadable eyes. Doris's smile faded.
"Bye."
Funmi gave the slightest nod. That was all. The door closed behind Doris.
Mrs. Ugochi remained standing before the mirror. She adjusted the shoulder of the dress once more. "She has talent," she murmured.
Funmi remained silent.
Mrs. Ugochi caught her reflection in the mirror. "What do you think?"
"It's beautiful," Funmi said.
"The girl made it well."
"Yes, ma."
Mrs. Ugochi smiled thoughtfully. "I told you..." She smoothed the fabric one last time. "...good things are hard to find."
By the time Doris reached home, she could barely contain herself. She burst through the door before Temi even had the chance to ask what had happened.
Temi jumped. "Why are you shouting?"
Instead of answering, Doris dropped the white envelope onto the table. "Open it."
Temi frowned. "What is this?"
"Just open it."
Curiosity replaced confusion. She opened the envelope. Then she froze. Her eyes widened. "Doris..." She looked up. "Doris!"
"What?"
"This..." She held up the dollars with both hands. "...are dollars!"
Doris laughed. "I know!"
Temi quickly counted them. Once. Twice. Then a third time. She looked like she might faint. "Two thousand dollars?"
Doris nodded excitedly. "She paid me."
Temi screamed. The tiny apartment instantly erupted into celebration. They danced around the room like children. Temi grabbed Doris's hands. Both of them spun until they became dizzy.
"My sister!" Temi laughed breathlessly. "We have entered the big league!"
"We've entered!"
They collapsed onto the floor laughing. After catching her breath, Temi picked up one of the notes and fanned herself dramatically. "I should start speaking through my nose now."
Doris burst into laughter. "Why?"
"Because rich people don't talk anyhow." She cleared her throat. "Doris... would you care for some tea?" Both of them laughed again.
"You this girl..."
Temi pointed at the money. "First thing..." She became serious. "Rent."
Doris nodded. "Rent, then food."
"Food.
"Then..." Temi rubbed her hands together. "Market ….. Proper market, no more borrowing seasoning from neighbors or managing."
Doris smiled. "No more." She leaned back against the wall. "And she promised something else."
Temi looked up. "What?"
"She said she'll introduce me to her friends."
Temi's mouth fell open. "The rich ones?"
Doris nodded. "The very rich ones."
"My dear..." Temi whispered. "Our lives are about to change."
"I believe so too."
They sat quietly for a moment, both imagining a future that suddenly didn't seem impossible anymore. Then… Doris's phone rang. She glanced at the screen. Her smile disappeared instantly.
"Bisi." She answered immediately. "Hello?" There was no reply, only crying. Doris sat upright. "Bisi?"
"It's me..."
Her sister's voice shook.
"I'm not fine."
Doris's heartbeat quickened. "What happened?"
"It's Mama."
"What about her?"
"She wants me to marry Chief Uzis."
Doris stopped breathing. "No."
"I'm serious."
"She says..." Bisi struggles to continue. "...she says the wedding will happen before the end of the month."
"No…. Mama cannot do that."
"I don't want to marry him," Bisi sobbed openly now. "I want to go to university and become a doctor, please…please help me."
Doris felt tears burning her own eyes. "Listen to me." Her voice became firm. "You are not getting married, do you hear me?"
A loud voice interrupted from the background. "Who are you talking to?"
Bisi gasped. "Mama..."
The phone shuffled violently. Then another voice came through.
"Doris."
Her mother's voice cut through the line like a knife. "So you're still filling this girl's head with nonsense?"
"Mummy, please." Doris stood to her feet. "I'm begging you, don't do this, she's only sixteen, she deserves school."
"You are not her mother."
"I'm her sister."
"Exactly."
There was nothing but contempt in the older woman's voice. "You ran away, you disgraced this family, you have no right to tell me how to raise my daughter."
"Mummy—"
"And listen carefully." The words came slowly. "Don't ever call this number again."
The line went dead.
Silence swallowed the room. The phone slipped from Doris's hand onto the floor. She stared ahead. "Oh God..." The cry tore from somewhere deep inside her. "How can a mother do this? For money?" She sobbed. "Again?"
Temi hurried over and wrapped her arms around her. She didn't speak. There were no words big enough.
The dollars still lay scattered across the floor. Only minutes ago they had looked like freedom. Now… They looked like time. Time Doris didn't have.
Somewhere back in the village… Bisi was waiting. And unless Doris did something soon… History was about to repeat itself.
- Writer
