Chapter 2 Her Last Resort

It was 4am in the morning, sound of punches and grunts emanated from the single room in the rooftop house at Vernon avenue, Nevin in Los Angeles.Streams of sweat tripped through Swan's skin as she continued her exercise. She hit the boxing bag hard and repeatedly in a crazy speed that made her enlarged biceps ripple.

The usual unsettling feeling swept over Mrs Elise as she watched Swan walked across from the other side of the road. Swan's gait and strides were always too intentional and precise. "She is just a feeble lady. Moreover, she looked too under- nourished for such display of strength. I wonder how skinny she would look like under her oversized dresses," Mrs Elise thought as Swan walked closer. Swan approached her, bowed slightly in greetings and resumed the day's work.

*****

Mr Mark Slawson hanged up and yelled angrily at his wife, "Did you hear that? Did you hear what your son has done?! He is such an ingrate and I won't take that from him. This is the most appropriate way he can pay me back for my long years of labour over him but he chose to be a traitor... Don't tell me you two are in this together!"

"You should be mindful of your health and keep calm. I am sure Trevor is just acting up, it's unlike him to keep chains of girlfriends. I am sure..." Mrs Slawson responded but was interrupted by her husband. "Isn't it obvious? You need not tell me that. I know he is deliberately being defiant. He is doing it to let me know he isn't in agreement with my choice...You should make him know it's all decided already and he has no say in the matter."

"He has no choice? How could you say that father? Mother! Will you just sit by and do nothing? I hope you guys won't ship me off one-day to be married to a stranger as the payment of a business deal," Natasha; Trevor's younger sister said as she bumped in and walked over to her father. She threw a newspaper at his face and flipped the pages. Therein, was a bold picture of her brother.

In the picture, Trevor wound his arm around Fiona's waist and the other hand settled overtop her breasts. Natasha pointed repeatedly at the picture and said, "all because he wanted to show you he isn't interested in your bullshit, you made him resort to this!"

Mark gave Natasha a demeaning look and looked from mother to daughter. Natasha looked pathetically at her mother, shook her head and walked into her room. She slammed the door shut behind her.

Mark held up the newspaper and gave it a knee look. He read the heading out loud and clear.

TREVOR SLAWSON CAUGHT WITH A WOMAN IN HIS HOTEL AMIDST THE RUMOR OF HIS PROPOSED CONTRACT MARRIAGE

"This is scandalous! I wonder how Lonnie would feel after seeing this. Little wonder her mother lambasted me on the phone. Talk to your son, else you both would regret this." Mark warned his wife who remained silent.

*****

A car revved and came to a screeching halt right in front of Elise Stores and mini Mart. A sturdy man who looked like the leader of a gang alighted from the car, he was followed by his underlings. They made their way into the store. "Aren't they loan sharks?" Mrs Elise asked Swan. Swan turned around and saw them approached. "Shit!" She exclaimed and rose abruptly. She walked towards the exit. They met by the door and she walked them out.

"Where is what you promised?... We had an agreement." The sturdy man asked feigning calmness. "Yeah, we had and agreement but I am sorry I don't have it right now." Swan said and moved backwards to dodge the punch that was meant for her mouth. "Wow, nice show, I know you've got the spirit, we are ready for this." The sturdy boss said and signaled to his underlings

The five underlings rushed at Swan at a go. She dodged some of the punches while some made their landings on her face. She was out for defense, she knew she couldn't manage a face off with the five guys.

She was lucky enough as the police siren blew past. Her attackers stopped immediately. "You are lucky today, when we return, we will raze down all you've got in there," The sturdy man threatened and led his boys away.

Mrs Elise was right behind Swan, she watched all that transpired and walked back in as soon as the loan sharks disappeared.

"Who are those? Mrs Elise asked Swan immediately she walked in. "They are loan sharks... My parents... I mean, we have debts to settle with them..."Swan stammered. "Oh I see... Where do you learn such attack and defense skills? I was sore afraid. I think you will be better off as a guard than a sales girl. I empathize with you but I can't condole such shameful act in my store. Moreover I heard them clearly. They are returning to raze my store? No way! You can't continue here. I will give you a full month payment," Mrs Elise said and Swan fell on her knees.

"Please ma, don't send me away, I will be more careful..." Swan's pleas fell on Mrs Elise's deaf ears. She counted five dollars and handed it to Swan. "Good luck girl," Mrs Elise said and pushed Swan out of the store.

"Crazy girl. I said it... She wasn't ordinary, what a great fighting skill! I need a sales girl not a fighter. Good radiance!" Mrs Elise yelled and walked into the store and straight down into her office. She redressed a board with an inscription, 'Sales girl wanted'.

Swan cleaned up her face which practically was dry and tearless. The bruises on her face hurts badly and she flinched as her hands ran over them. "It not over until it is, this is just the beginning," Swan told herself and walked around in search of another menial job.

Swan returned to her mother's bedside tearfully. She had walked hopelessly all around during the day but her search for a new job was futile. Despite the dialysis, her mother was barely awake. She was weak and could barely lift a finger.

"Her body cannot bear the level of toxicity anymore. The dialysis can only help a little, she needs an urgent kidney transplant. Luckily enough, we have a donor already. We have carried out the compatibility test and it's a match. You should act fast else it would be too late to safe her." The doctor had told Swan the previous night.

"Mother, I am sorry, I have to do this and I hope father will have to forgive my foolishness. I can't afford to lose you too," Swan muttered and brought up her phone. She took her leave and looked behind sorrowfully at her mother as she took she last step out of the hospital room. She secured the door and dialled Rosey's number as she walked away.