Chapter 13 The Fall at Work
Savannah woke up early.
The sun was still low, the air still cold, but she had no time to rest. She had to work. She had to keep moving. Work was her only chance to earn a little money. Work was the only thing that could give her a future.
She washed her face with cold water, tied her hair back, and wore the same plain clothes she had. Her small bag was on her shoulder. She touched her belly softly before leaving the small room. “We will be fine,” she whispered. “I will not stop. I will fight for you.”
Her steps were slow as she walked to the laundry shop. Her body felt heavy, and her head hurt, but she forced herself forward. She told herself it was only stress, only lack of sleep. She had to ignore it.
When she reached the shop, Rosa was already standing at the door, her apron tied tight. She gave Savannah a short look. “You are here early again,” Rosa said. “Good. We have a big order today. No time to waste.”
Savannah nodded quickly and forced a smile. “Yes, madam. I am ready.”
Rosa did not ask more. She led her inside. The shop was hot as always, machines already humming. The smell of soap filled the air. Baskets of clothes were waiting. Savannah took one and began to fold, her hands moving even though her mind was tired.
The hours went by. Savannah worked without rest. She folded, she washed, she carried baskets heavier than her. Her back ached, her arms shook, but she did not stop. She wanted Rosa to see she was useful. She wanted to keep this job.
By noon, Rosa came with a paper bag again. “Eat,” she said, dropping it on the table.
Savannah opened it slowly. Bread, a small fruit, and a bottle of water. She thanked Rosa in a low voice and ate slowly. The food gave her some strength, but her head still felt heavy.
She told herself it was nothing. She told herself she only needed sleep. But deep inside she felt a fear she could not explain.
After lunch, Rosa gave orders for the hotel delivery. “Be fast,” she said. “The van will come soon.”
Savannah bent down to lift a basket of wet clothes. The moment she did, her vision went blurry. Her legs felt weak. She steadied herself, forced a smile, and pushed on.
Rosa watched her from the corner. “Are you fine?” Rosa asked, her voice sharp.
Savannah straightened and wiped her forehead. “Yes, madam. I am fine.”
But she was not fine. Her chest hurt, her breath was fast. She tried to hide it, folding another pile of towels.
Minutes later, Rosa called her again. “Girl, you don’t look fine. Sit down for a while.”
Savannah shook her head quickly. “No, I am fine. I can work.”
She bent down again, picked up another basket, and tried to carry it across the shop. Her steps were slow. Her arms shook harder. Her vision blurred again. She blinked fast but it did not clear.
Rosa walked closer, her eyes narrowed. “You are pale. Tell me the truth, what is wrong with you?”
Savannah wanted to speak. She wanted to say something, but the words stuck in her throat. Her mouth felt dry. Her knees gave way.
The basket slipped from her hands and fell to the ground with a loud thud.
And then Savannah’s body followed. She fell forward, her arms limp, her head hitting the hard floor.
“Savannah!” Rosa shouted, running forward.
The machines kept humming, but every worker turned at once. Marco dropped the shirt in his hands and rushed to help. Another girl screamed, covering her mouth.
Savannah lay still on the floor. Her eyes were closed. Her face was pale, almost white.
Rosa bent down, shaking her shoulder. “Savannah! Wake up! Can you hear me?”
But Savannah did not move. Her lips were parted, her breath slow, her body weak like a doll.
“Call someone!” Rosa shouted. “Call a doctor, now!”
Workers rushed to the door, their voices loud in the street. The shop was in chaos. The basket of wet clothes was still on the floor, water spilling slowly onto the tiles.
Rosa kept shaking her. Her voice grew softer, but her hands were firm. “Don’t do this, girl. Stay with me. You cannot leave now. Open your eyes.”
But Savannah did not open them.
Her world had gone dark.
And in that dark, the only thing she felt was the small kick inside her belly.
The baby.
Then everything faded.
The shop was filled with voices. Footsteps. Fear.
And Savannah lay on the ground, fainted.