The weekend went by quickly and soon, it was Monday. Jenny helped Gideon prepare for school, while Mia prepared breakfast and Gideon's lunch.
“Yup, he's ready to go.” Jenny hurried down the stairs with Gideon.
“Wow, someone looks excited on their school day.” Mia smiled, her mind playing back to her school days when she would fake being sick just to skip school.
“Quit smiling to yourself and serve us breakfast. Gideon doesn't want to be late for school.” Jenny teased and Mia giggled.
“You seem happy today, what's the secret?” Jenny inhaled the intoxicating aroma of the pancake Mia had just made.
“Well, I have a job interview today and I sense something good coming.” Mia poured them a smoothie before taking her seat.
“Where's your food?” Jenny asked.
“In the kitchen, I'm too excited to eat.” She continued to smile.
“Well, I say, you should.” Jenny went to the kitchen which was opposite to the dinning and brought Mia her pancakes and a glass of smoothie.
“You have to eat this or there is no interview for you today.” Jenny crossed her arms and pouted her lips like a mother.
“Yes mommy.” Mia teased.
Jenny had this mother instinct and was able to make her do things she didn't want to.
“Eat up Gideon, you'll be late for school if you don't…”
“I'm done.” Jenny, whose eyes had been on Mia, suddenly snapped her head to Gideon.
“Wow, do you always have to rush like that because of your sister's words?” Jenny asked, earning a chuckle from Gideon.
“I've got to go.” He placed a kiss on Mia and then on Jenny's cheek before grabbing his backpack and his lunch.
“Oh my, I didn't give him his bus fare.” Mia facepalmed herself and attempted to go after him.
“I asked our neighbor to help out, remember?” Jenny took a bite from her pancake.
“Oh, that's true. You're the best.” Mia rose to hug Jenny before returning to her seat.
“It's nothing, friend, you deserve the best.” Jenny paused for a while.
“Tell me about your job interview.” Jenny's eyes lit up. She was someone who loved to talk about everything. She wasn't a gossip, but she was like an interviewer.
“Well, it's a job at the thrift store.” Mia smiled,
“It's a new store, so I'm going to try out, and I'm sure I'll get employed.”
“I'm sure you will.” Jenny smiled back.
“You've suffered enough, you really deserve this.” Jenny spoke, her smile slowly dying down.
“Yeah, I guess so.” Mia too had already begun to think.
“I didn't like your experience at that clothing store.” Jenny had put her food aside and had become more serious.
“Yeah, luckily, I was smart enough to escape.” Mia spoke and she nodded.
“You should be extremely careful in this job hunt of yours.” Jenny advised.
“I am.” Mia responded.
“It's alright, when is your interview?” The gloomy atmosphere was pushed away by Jenny's smile.
“12pm and I don't even know what to wear.” Mia was nervous and it caused Jenny to laugh.
“It's okay, you'll look great.” Jenny encouraged Mia with a pat on the shoulder.
“Yes.” She nodded in response to jenny's words.
Meanwhile, Gideon had gotten to school in Jenny's neighbor's car.
“Thanks ma'am.” He waved to the lady who had dropped them at school.
“You're welcome.” She responded before driving off.
Gideon loved school. It was one place he went to take off his mind from the problems of home. He was also a very intelligent student that gained awards from his teacher, who often told him that if he worked hard enough, he would be able to get a scholarship to help him further his education.
“Hey Gideon.” His friend came close to him, snapping him out of his thoughts, and they exchanged a smile.
“Are you excited about chemistry class?” Tony, his friend asked.
“Yea, as always.” Gideon had a grin on his face.
“Great, see you in class.” His friend ran off, and he was about to follow, but he began to cough like he was choking. Luckily, after about five minutes, he returned to normal and decided to head to class.
Most people, who saw him, wondered what went wrong. They even offered him water and were glad to see him better. Though, on the other hand, he felt embarrassed.
“What happened, why did you delay?” Tony whispered in his ears during class. It was a chemistry lab practical and his friend was his partner.
“Nothing important, just a little cough.” He whispered back.
“Cough? Isn't that a sign of…”
“It hasn't happened in a while, so don't worry it isn't what you're thinking. Let's just work on our project and how to get straight A's.” he answered and patted his friend on the shoulder.
While at home at Jenny's house, Mia checked the time, and it was getting close to when she would get her interview.
“Are you sure you want to go now? It's just 11 am.” Jenny spoke to Mia, who was getting prepared to leave anytime soon. There was no way she would go late for such an opportunity.
“Yes, you can never be too early for an interview.” Mia was holding her brown long hair up in a ponytail.
“Alright, alright.” Jenny waved her hands in the air, “I have something for you.” She ran to her closet and came back with a nice looking pink sweatshirt.
“I got this for you, I hope you like it.” Jenny handed Mia the sweatshirt.
“For real?” Mia pulled Jenny in for a hug with tears in her eyes,
“You're the best friend ever.”
“Whatever. Now, get ready for your interview.” Jenny spoke before walking out of the room.
Mia smiled before going ahead to change her clothes. She put on the pink sweatshirt, black pants and a pair of white canvas. Convince that she looked alright, she took her black pouch and wore it across her arm.
“Wow, you look great.” Jenny complimented as soon as she set her eyes on Mia.
“Thank you, dear. Wish me luck…” Mia yelled, running towards the door to meet with her interview.
“Good luck!” Jenny screamed.
The weather of the day was favorable and so Mia felt very comfortable in her sweatshirt. She rehearsed answering a few questions she believed they were going to ask her.
“Why do you need this job?” She thought.
“I believe I am capable of handling the job. I love to interact with customers and also have a good…” her phone's ringtone diverted her attention.
“Jenny, you didn't even let me get to the store.” She lamented as she picked up her phone to find out it was a strange number.
Her heart thudded loudly in her chest as her mind thought of the only person who could call her with a strange number, her father.
She was still contemplating if she should pick the call when the call dropped.
“Could it be the employer at the store I tried the other day on the way to Betty?” She calmed herself down with the thought.
“Okay. I will take the call then tell him it will be…” the phone call interrupted her again.
“Hello… what?... My brother…” she paused with her eyes wide open.
“Where?! Okay, I'll be right there.” She quickly stopped a cab.
“Where are you going, ma'am?” The cab man asked.
“Drive, I'll tell you when to stop. Please, it's an emergency.” She said in panic as her heart was beating so fast.
“Yes ma'am.” The driver turned back to the road.
“Stop here.” She came down from the cab and was about to run into the hospital when the driver called out her attention.
“Ma'am, you haven't paid me.” He shouted.
“Oh.” She abruptly stopped her movement.
“I'm sorry.” She searched her small pouch and handed him the last cash she had with her.
“Ma'am, your…” she ran off before he could complete his statement. All he wanted to do was give her the change.
Inside the hospital, Mia was unable to hold herself, “Calm down, the doctors are doing their best.” One of the teachers who accompanied Gideon to the hospital spoke.
“Are you certain?” Mia's hands were shaking profusely, and cold drops of sweat dripped down from her forehead.
Sure she knew Gideon had asthma, but it's been a long time since he had a severe attack. She had tried her best to keep up with him.
“Oh God, please help me.” The pressure she felt caused her to cry. Her face had turned all red.
“He'll be fine, it's a good thing we brought him here on time.” The teacher patted her on the shoulder.
“We have to get back to school, lunch hours are almost over, please take care of yourself and our young scholar also.” They spoke to Mia before leaving back for school.
“Are you related to the young boy who was brought in?” The doctor asked her after hours of waiting.
“Y…es, yes.” She spoke in a hurry.
“Well, he's stable now, but he's not awake yet.” The doctor announced.
“Really, can I see him now?” Mia asked, panic evident in her eyes.
“Yes, but only for a little while. You see, due to the attack, most of the muscles in his body were over stressed so, he needs to rest, hopefully, he will be discharged soon.” The doctor said and Mia smiled, cleaning her tears.
“Thanks so much, doctor. Thank you.” She hugged the doctor, who's eyes widened in surprise.
“No need to thank me, it's my job. Besides, there are still plenty of bills to cover, and you also need to get him an inhaler. A few drugs as well.” The doctor added.
“Yes, doctor, there's no problem with that. Let me go see him now.” She left the doctor and stormed into her brother's ward.
Her footsteps caused him to open his eyes. And she smiled at him.
“Are you okay?” Her breathing was uneven as she touched her brother.
“Yeah, I'm fine.” Gideon's face was gloomy, “I'm sorry for messing up your interview.” He spoke, not being able to look at his sister.
“Hey, don't say that. Family always comes first.” She replied with tears in her eyes.
“I'm just glad you're okay.” She hugged him.
“Sis, don't cover up. I'm always a burden to you. If I weren't around, you wouldn't have…”
“No, don't say that… I love and would wish to have you in my life, anytime, any day. Even in the next life. I do want you to be my brother again.” She wiped her tears and brushed his hair.
“The doctor said you need enough rest. So, you can't talk for long yet. I'm going to go now, but I promise to come back when I can, okay? I need to get you something and food too.” She spoke, and he nodded in understanding as she left the room.
Mia didn't like the words of her brother. He was the only family she had and loved working for the both of them because he always gave her the motivation to. If not for him, she would have given up on life already. She watched him grow and took care of his every need, he gave her life without knowing.
“I'm glad you're fine, bro, but right now, I have to find a way to pay the bills.” She thought while heading out to find the doctor's office.