CHAPTER 3
1049 Words
After five years.
"Take your hands off me."
I snapped recklessly, throwing a male hand off my butt.
A long haze of smoke was blown into my face. I couldn't withstand the smoke, so I began to cough, fanning away the smoke with my hand.
"Not so tough after all."
A couple of male voices began laughing, getting on my nerves. I wasn't going to lose it today of all the days being the last day of the month.
Piles of bills were waiting at home to be paid or else I would become homeless, and my daughter Alyssa wouldn't be able to attend school until next month or whenever I got a new job which is hard to find these days.
"April..."
A deep voice called from the kitchen's direction. My boss had a frown on his face. A plus-sized man in his late forties wrapping his short hands around his breast.
"What was that all about?"
l looked ahead of him, biting my lower lips. "Just a little misunderstanding."
"Really?"
He arched his left brow. "Was it really a misunderstanding in April?"
"Well he tried...."
"Customers are always right."
He quickly chipped in, cutting me off.
"Not in this case, boss."
"Well you're fired."
The word rolled out of his mouth as if he had been waiting for this day. He then turned his back against me, heading to his office. I followed behind.
"I'm going to get my pay, right?"
"Yes you will in April."
He brought out a brown envelope, counted some money and split it into half.
"Why do I get a half payment?"
My jaw clenched.
"For damages."
I remained stoic, not giving him the pleading look he wanted.
"I have never seen a proud single mother." He spat his words out, glaring at me. He hated my aura of boldness, hated the fact that I was the only waitress refusing to sleep with him.
"Now you see one."
Without another argument, I left his office, heading towards the female locker room. There I buried my head in my hands. My legs and waist felt sore.
"You've got a lot of balls girl."
My colleague walked in. Sonia was the only person who ever spoke to me just briefly. The rest gave me a cold shoulder.
"It's going to take food off my plate."
The thought of going back to apologizing crossed my mind. No. I shook the thought off my mind.
"There is a job vacancy at the biggest company here."
Said Sonia, rubbing her red lipstick. She later took out her purse applying more make-up.
Skyline limited was the only big paying job around the town. No one knew the CEO. Some workers in the office claimed he had his own lift to his office and no one knew what he looked like.
"Thank you, I will give it a try." My spirits lifted a bit.
Sonia just nodded and left the room. I sat there for a while thinking. Single motherhood can be daunting at times. Other days I enjoyed the company of Alyssa, still I wished that night never happened. I had to trek some miles under the scorching sun to save money. Several cars stopped by her side for a ride. With a smile I declined. None of these men were good news.
"Mummy."
Little Alyssa enveloped me in a tight hug.
"I had an A in my math test."
She held out her script with a big A written on it.
"That's good."
I perked her chubby cheeks.
We were about to leave when Alyssa's teacher stopped them.
"April we need to talk."
" Mrs. Clerk, I do not have any time to spare right now. I need to go back to work. I will see you once I drop Sarah tomorrow. "
I spoke without a pause between my words. I carried Alyssa working very fast to avoid further discussion.
"Do not bring your child back here without money. We do not run a charity organization. April."
"I can't hear you."
April responded at the end of the street, not looking back.
"I mean it."
Mrs. clerk retorted, forming three lines in her wrinkled forehead.
Taking the subway back home. Alyssa fell asleep. She, too, had a long day at school playing and fighting bullies. April had to carry her all the way back home that evening.
None of April's keys fit into the keyhole. She kept on trying, but it seemed the key had been changed. Dropping Sarah at a neighbor's house. She went over to Mrs. Hasan's home.
Once I rang the doorbell twice, a light switched on. By the door was a tall old lady wearing her glasses to see who it was by her door.
Drenched from the sudden downpour of rain, I looked worse than hell.
"It's April."
"I see."
Mrs Hanson said in a cold voice.
"I hope you got my money." She scrutinized April but couldn't find her with any purse or anything that looked like money.
"Your money is in that house."
I greeted my teeth.
"When you've got my money, come back. I'm not going to fall for any of your tricks."
She closed her door.
"Wait. Please just this weekend."
I said in a cracked voice, shivering from the cold.
"Please." A tear escaped her eyes.
"Today is Thursday and I'm counting. Next time I won't hesitate to throw your things out."
Her Mexican accent hung in the air for a while. The keys were given to me. I took it and returned into the pouring rain, soaking me down to my pants.
Back at my apartment, just a room, toilet, kitchen and bathroom is enough for one and a small child. While Alyssa slept peacefully enjoying the soothing sound of the rain on the window, I was in the bathroom placing my leg into a warm bucket of water. It's been this way every day.
Alyssa POV
The next morning felt tranquil. I couldn't go back to school. I ate my breakfast quietly watching my mum pace in and out of the room. Wearing a simple shirt with a blue suit trouser.
I have seen this so many times. Unfortunately, my mummy didn't get the job.
"Don't worry mummy, I will find you a husband."
- Writer
