Mia walked out of the hospital feeling devastated. She wondered why nature kept piling up problems for her, knowing fully well she didn't have any source of income.
“The interview!” Her eyes widened and at that moment, she started her very own marathon, running with all her might to the store where she was supposed to have her interview.
When she had run some distance, she paused and her chest moved up and down as she tried so hard to even her breath. Her chest felt like it was on fire, and her lungs tried too hard to draw in enough oxygen for her body.
“Ahhhh…” she screamed and rested her hand on a nearby tree, panting, “You can do this, Mia, you have to do this for Gideon.” She took in a deep breath as she proceeded to run again.
The wind blew her hair back as she increased her speed.
She came to a halt once she arrived at the glass door of the store.
“Hello?” She saw someone who was arranging the empty store and no one was seen inside.
“Sorry, how can I help you?” The young boy with coil hair asked her.
“An interview to be help here. I know I'm late, but please, can I be given a chance.” She asked, peeping through the glass if she would see anyone but nothing.
“The interview was at noon, Miss. Do you not check your time? It's almost 6pm.” He asked and stared at his wristwatch.
“I know. I was wondering if I would be able to get an opportunity for the job interview. You see, maybe…” she was totally exhausted.
“My apologies miss but, the boss picked all the workers today.” The boy interrupted, “The interview was done hours ago, and I got the job and some others too. I'm not convinced that there will be another opening.” He explained.
“No, I was supposed to be here. Then something came up. Please help me…. Please…” tears had formed in her eyes.
“I'm sorry ma'am I don't own this place, I can't help you.” The boy locked the door of the store before walking away.
Mia's vision became blurry due to the tears that had gathered in her eyes and soon, the tears trickled down her cheeks.
“Just once, I need help, just this once.” She lamented.
Her ringtone caused her to quickly wipe the tears off her eyes.
“Hello, where are you?” Jenny had some sort of panic in her tone.
“By the store.” Mia forged a smile.
“Great. I can tell you got the job, but the problem is your brother isn't home yet.” Jenny concluded even before Mia would say anything.
“Oh yea, I was also busy with that.” She itched her head, “And as for Gideon, he was rushed to the hospital. He had an asthmatic attack.” She replied sadly.
“What!? And you're just saying this now? What hospital is he in?” She asked and Mia gave her the details.
“Would you be coming there?” Jenny asked.
“No, I have night shift.” She lied.
“Okay then, I'll go stay at the hospital with him. I'll also bring him some food.” Jenny added.
“But…”
“No buts, go ahead with your night shift, I'll take care of Gideon.” Jenny said before dropping the call.
The instant the call dropped, Mia sighed in worry. Her hands ran through her head in frustration as she thought about what to do. She had never lied to Jenny before and truthfully, lying didn't sit well with her. But she couldn't break the news to her about everything. She noticed how Jenny sounded excited about the job thing.
“This means I have to get another job.” She put herself together and began to roam around the city.
“Someone's here to see you.” A young-looking nurse told Gideon and shortly after, Jenny walked in.
“Jenny!” He mentioned, and she smiled up at him.
“Shhh…. Not so loud. You're sick, remember?” She raised her brow in a questionable manner, and he nodded.
“Did my sister get the job?” Worry was imprinted all over his face.
“Yeah, I face timed her, and she was smiling, so she got the job. Besides, she said she had a night shift too.” Jenny told, and they both wore a bright smile.
“Thank Goodness. I was scared she didn't get the job because of me.” His sad countenance instantly changed.
“Well, it's a good thing she did.” Jenny brought out the liver soup and meat sausage she had prepared.
“I made this especially for you, so drink up.” Jenny had a smile, one that showed her tender care towards Gideon. She, too, treated Gideon like a brother, since she has none and was the only child of her parents.
★★★
Mark was looking confusedly at them. He didn't know what they were up to.
“Common, on, let's go have fun. You've been sulking all morning. Besides, you'll be back before morning, and your daughter gave us the go ahead to take you out.”
“What? You told her about everything?” His eyes widened in shock.
“No, we wouldn't. We just told her about how daddy needs some time to have a little fun.” They explained with grins plastered on their faces.
“Fine, where do you suggest we go?” Mark gazed at both of them with tired eyes.
“Well, I heard there's a new club in town.” Taylor smirked in a sinister way.
“Okay?” Mark nodded confused.
“Aren't you going to get dressed?” Taylor and Victor asked in unison.
“Hmmmmm… Okay!?” Mark replied as he went to get dressed. In a few minutes time, Mark returned, looking like a single dude.
He wore a black colored puffer sport jacket, white inner ware, black Jena's and white canvas to match.
“Dude, you're looking clean.” Taylor yelled out, “I think you're going to get yourself a new wife tonight.” He joked, but Mark frowned.
“We aren't going to get a girl, we are going, so I can forget my sorrow.” He emphasized.
“Fine! We agree with your terms.” Victor added.
They had been like an emotional support to Mark since he told them about his marriage issues.
“Who's going to watch over Eunice?” He paused to look at both his friends.
“Don't worry, I've got that covered.” Taylor had a silly smile plastered on his face, “Well, the thing is, I convinced my girlfriend to come over and spend time with Eunice. Don't worry about it, she'll be here before you know it.” He added.
Just then, a knock was heard on the door and when Taylor when to open it, his girlfriend stood there. She wore pink colored pajamas and held a big brown teddy bear.
“Hey baby…” She gave Taylor a peck on the lips, “Where is the little pumpkin you told me about?” She asked, looking around.
“She is upstairs. The room on the left.” Taylor answered before calling out to his brother, “Mark, Queen is here. She's going to keep Eunice company. I think they will be up late, right?”
“I don't think so… Eunice can be up until 10pm, but nothing later than that.” Mark warned.
“Hey Mark, you don't need to worry… I've got your back.” Queen spoke in a manner that made Mark suspicious.
“Eunice? Baby girl?” He called out and soon, his daughter was out, running down the stairs as they all watched.
“I'm going out with the boys, make sure you go to bed early.” He instructed.
“No promises dad.” She had a silly smile on her face as she winked at Queen.
“Hmmm.” He chuckled,
“Just be alright okay, don't miss me too much.” He kissed her forehead before leaving.
“So, what do you want to do?” Queen asked with a smile on her face and then, handed the big teddy bear to Eunice.
“Thank you.” Eunice hugged her.
“You're welcome. So now, tell me what you want?” Queen smirked.
“How about we watch a scary movie?” Eunice suggested.
“Okay girl. Finally, someone I can watch scary movies with, your uncle doesn't like those kinds of movies, you know?” Queen stated before they heard the entrance door shut.
“Same as my dad.” Eunice commented on Queens words.
The night sky had started to form, and the streetlight had begun to contrast with the darkness.
Mia moved on the lonely roads as the wind blew her hair all around. Fear, anxiety and depression had started to set as her face was lowered to the ground while her hands left in her pocket.
“Hey pretty lady.” A complete stranger said to her and scanning him, he looked like a thug, “Common, at least say something.” The man grabbed her hand, but she shoved him aside.
“Don't come close to me.” She warned. Ever since the incident with the clothing store, she had become tougher and held a pocket knife just in case, “I'm not afraid to use this.” She brought out the pocket knife to scar the man away.
“Hey, put down the knife down pretty, before you hurt yourself.” He gave her a maniac grin.
His teeth looked incomplete and irregular, as though they were missing from a fight.
“I ain't your bitch, go talk to someone else and leave me alone.” Her words caused him to chuckle in a way that irritated her.
Her heart thudded loudly in her chest and her hands shook nervously. It was cold out but sweat trailed down her head as though the atmosphere were fuming hot.
Not wasting more time, she started racing away and only stopped when she felt she had put a good distance between herself and the ugly drunkard.
She stopped, taking time to breathe in some air. She was glad that Jenny had forced her to take breakfast because if she hadn't, she wouldn't have gotten any energy left. Apart from that, nothing had entered her mouth since then.
The streets were lonely again and not a single soul was out there. She was far away from home, and she couldn't even return because she told her friend she was on a night shift.
She moved in a vigilant manner, her eyes darting around as she scanned the area. Betty's words were no joke, “This city isn't safe at night.” As she concluded her words, she felt a masculine hand grab her butt and without thinking, she turned around and punched the huge looking guy in the balls.
“Shit! You little bitch!” He screamed because of her small stature, crouching to the ground as he held his balls in pain.
Without looking back, she zapped out of the area and without thinking tried to enter a club but got stopped by a bouncer.
“Whoa.” He paused, “Do you need help with something?” A bouncer in the club asked her.
Her eyes darted around to find excuses just to get into the place to feel safe. Finally, she found a sign written boldly, 'female stripper needed urgently.'
“I'm here for that.” She pointed at the signboard.