The unstoppable Achiever - Episode 3

 

Sammy POV..

On going back to the US,we got married after two weeks and the processes of my permanent visa ensued. As usual, I entered Dr Stevens office to greet him. After offering me a seat, he looked at me sternly. I was startled thinking whether I did something wrong.

Then he bellowed at me. 

"Mr Sammy, what would you consider as your strength and most valuable assets  in life as you are here in America," Dr Steven quizzed me

I was caught in another round of interrogations, He does that very well. I didn't know why this was so but I was determined  to give him my best shot anytime anyday and never knowing where this would lead me.

"Sir, my biggest assets here  wouldn't be cars, houses or other property, but courage, commitment to what I do, creativity, proactiveness and good work ethics . A combination of this will make me an UNSTOPPABLE ACHIEVER.

I didn't know if I had answered him to the standard he expected. I was satisfied with myself that I always wanted to be the best in all I do irrespective of my disabilities.

He was silent for a while, then he removed his glasses, placed it on the table and told me his life story.

 He was an adopted child at age nine, whose foster parents kicked him out of the house  to roam the street of New York all because they were white and he was colored. His Parents were involved in a ghastly accident and they decided to take him in

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/the-unstoppable-achiever

. Being doctors themselves, they treated him and he recovered from the minor injury he had. Everything was going on well until one night. As they came back from work an argument ensued as if they were  seeing him for the first time in their house.

" Darling, what is this little Niger doing here in this house? We should have adopted a white cute boy and certainly not this darkness. " the wife said.

 ( hmmm, she called me darkness!)

"Please stop this nonsense dear" the husband replied

*I won't stop it , I say we could have adopted a white boy than this Niger". She continued

" Well ,I guess so dear"

"  kick his ass outta here" she concluded

"That was what they did. They ordered me out. Gave me a few dollars and my clothes in a knapsack. Onto the street I went. Just turning ten years, a vagabond .

I had nowhere to go, but one tiny voice within me said "Steven, you will be a doctor like them, someday " DR Stevens continued.

"One thing led to another and here I am , a qualified surgeon and you know what, in their old age, I was their personal doctor  for a couple of years before they passed on." Dr Stevens concluded ,looking up to the ceiling as if saying, thank you Lord. 

"I'm glad your desire came to fruition sir" I said

"Now Mr Sammy, I don't know your story and why you are disabled but ...never wait for people to believe in your dreams  and capability, move ahead, add the value you are created for and you will certainly be that unstoppable achiever you said"

" When people throw stones at you, use those stones to build yourself a fortress" he added.

"Thank you sir" I responded. I felt lightened. My determination to succeed in life fired up.

He coughed and cleared his throat.

"Mr Sammy, I have made a review of everything here in this hotel and I'm glad to inform you that I want you to permanently work in this hotel with me. Sandra will show you your office and we will have a management meeting tomorrow ,10 am , where your duties and remuneration shall be explained to you" Dr Stevens said. 

I almost jump to high heavens. I was like, laughing or screaming. I did none….I had to maintain my personality  ( if I had any under that circumstance). 

" Very appreciative of your kind gesture , Dr. Stevens." I said . I almost hugged him or knelt on the floor as we did back home in Nigeria, but my sharp instinct restrained me and I stood up.

"Sit down Mr Sammy, why are you standing up"

Sincerely, I refused to answer him because I was uncoordinated at that point . Thank goodness he didn't press on having an answer.

 Why does he want me to work in his hotel?  I pondered over this all the time and then one day ,he called me to his office ….