A woman's dilemma - Episode 4

 

Six years later

Amy:

"Hey girl! Where are you hurrying out to?!" Buchi, my fellow petrol attendant calls from her post as I pull my t-shirt on to cover the petrol station's t-shirt.
"I have to get to my mother!" I call back to her. My shift ends in two minutes but I'm already late for relieving the young girl taking care of my mother. I stop a tricycle and jump in.
"Be careful!" I hear Buchi yell to me before the tricycle drives off.
 My phone starts ringing as soon as I get settled in and I pull it out . It's Clara. She's in charge of taking care of my mother when I go to work at the petrol station. Or any of my numerous side jobs.
"Hello? Amarachi please tell me you are on your way. I need to get to my evening lessons." She's taking jamb lessons for the upcoming jamb and the measly salary  I pay her is to cater for her birthday which is coming up next month. I look down at my watch. I still have a few minutes.
"I'm almost at the house, Clara. Can you watch her for a bit more? I'll compensate you for the extra time." I plead and look out the tricycle. Five minutes and I'll be home

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/a-woman-s-dilemma

. I don't really work far from home because I always want to be close enough to help my mother.
"How long will you be?" Clara asks.
"Five minutes okay?"
"Fine. Please be quick. My mother won't take lightly to this if she finds out." She says and I nod. I end the call then ask the tricyclist to be quick. He grunts about the traffic and I shut up.
 I get to my stop just in time.
"Here." I push the N50 note into his palm and jog the rest way to our house.
"I'm here!" I yell before I enter the house and Clara meets me at the small gate of our house.
"Thank Christ! Have to run now. Bye Amara." She starts to sidestep me but I grab her hand.
"You should take a bus." I say when she opens her hand to find the N200 note I put in it. She gives me a grateful smile and I wave her on.
"Go on, now."
"Yeah. Bye! Say bye to Mrs Gloria for me!" She yells as she runs off. Knowing her, she'll rather trek the distance to her lesson but she deserves the money. Even if it will affect what I eat tonight. I let myself into the house and lock the gate after me.
"Mom?" I grab a bottle of water from the top of the small fridge which stopped working again. I remind myself to keep out money for it's repair next week.
"Mom?" I enter the only room in the small one room apartment and find her sleeping. I smile fondly at her. The wrinkles on her face makes her look older than her 51 years. I sit beside her on the too soft bed and caress her cheek softly. After my father's death, she's never been the same. And I'm not talking about the life of affluence we can no longer afford. This is her second stroke attack and I worry that this time will not end well. My siblings are all in the University now and paying for their tuition and all has me more broke than usual.
"I wish I could give you better treatment mom." The tears threaten to attack but my phone starts ringing again. I push the silent button to avoid waking my mother then silently walk out to the living room.
"I've got a job for you, girl. You in?" Buchi's voice filters into my ear. I feel excitement coarse through my body at this good news.
"Of course. You know I'm in for anything that'll bring me money. Well except selling my body that is. I can't stomach that. Yet" I joke and buchi chuckles.
"Sweetheart, I know what you can do and prostitution isn't one of them. Me on the other hand? Bring the men. I'll gladly take them on. Easy money." She giggles and I roll my eyes.
"You're rolling your eyes aren't you?" She asks drily.
"So about the job..." I steer her back to the reason for her call.
"Right! It's an event tomorrow night. 7:00pm." Oh no. I can't! No one's going to watch my mom.
"Buchi, I can't." I bite down on my nails in frustration.
"It's quick money and it's a lot girl. N10,000 for the night." My mouth hang at the insane amount.
"Buchi, this isn't one of your 'gig' right?" I don't want to say the scandalous meaning of the word gig in this context.
"Chill. It's not. I know you need this since you said your rent has been due for months now." She's right.
"What's this job about?" I ask
"I knew you'll come around! It's a party. For the Elites of the state. I heard one of the governorship candidate will be there." She sounds excited.
"And?"
"We serve drinks. We get paid that much money to keep quiet. You know politicians. They might be with someone who isn't their wife and all." She says and I nod. I get what she's saying.
"But tomorrow night..."
"Get your brother to watch her. It's just for one day. We'll be back the next day." She says. I sigh deeply.
"You know he doesn't like coming here. And I don't blame him." I say weakly.
"She's his mother too. He has to learn to deal with it!" She snaps.
"It's not easy seeing his mother in such a state. She can barely move the right side of her body these days and needs help cleaning her self up and all that." I feel distraught with everything once again.
"You have been dealing with it for so long. He should take responsibility now. He's mostly done in the University. The University you sponsored him through with your hard earned money. The least he can do is take care of his mother during his holiday." Buchi says. I nod slowly. Chinedu doesn't even want to live here during his holiday no matter how much I try to persuade him. Will he at least cover for me for one night? I can't even ask Clara. Her mother won't stand for it.
"I'll tell my client that you're in then." Buchi says before I even accept. She knows I need this.
"You need me to ask your brother for you? I can slap sense into him for you as well." She says when I don't reply.
"Cut him some slack Buchi. He's a man. This isn't his job. It's mine." I defend my brother.
"That's ridiculous. You're training three boys through school and taking care of a sick mother. Are you saying that's a girl's job?" She sounds appalled.
"I'm their elder sister. I'm not complaining!" I can't help but snap at her. I hear her take a calming breath. This argument never gets her anywhere.
"You need to live your life, Amy." My eyes water at the no longer familiar short form for my name.
"I'll see you tomorrow. Text me the details." I say with shaky resolve and end the call before my tears betray my feelings.

Read " Falling For Innocence " by the same author ( Ameh juliet )

. I hurry out the house before mother hears my sobs. I deserve a few moments to myself. I sit on the wooden chair outside the apartment and try to steady myself.
"I miss you, daddy." I whisper into the darkening day. I miss my mother too.
 My phone buzz in my hand.

  4PM. MEET ME AT THE CAR PARK. I'M SORRY IF I SAID TOO MUCH.

  I shake my tears off and sit upright. I need this money and I'm not passing on the offer. I text my brother to call me then go back into the house to prepare dinner.

This one is dedicated to Young Royalty. Beautiful and witty. And to all of you for your supportive comments so far and even the critics are much appreciated. PS I tried proofreading this one so I hope you enjoy this one Esther yeboah.