Chapter 2 The Union 1

"Fine. Have you seen my mother?" Sarah asked. Instantly, her husband's face beamed. Then, he sat up from the bed, and requested, "When did she come?"

"I can't say the time, but I met her at home when I returned from school."

"Wow! Mother-in-law and her impromptu visits," he exclaimed.

"You got it. I have looked for her food around, and found none."

"Oh! No. You must have been stressed up. Did you check the suburbs?"

"Yes. I did, but it was fruitless, too. I will check again tomorrow."

"It's all right. Cheer up."

"Thank you. What about George and Benson? Did you come with them?"

"Nope. George went to work with his bucket of bolts, and would not return with me."

"You are correct."

Nevertheless, her husband's presence gave her some boost, and she cheered up. She helped him to pull off his shoes, and afterward, they rested before the dinner. However, he was happy to see his mother-in-law when they walked to the guest room to welcome her.

"Welcome, mother-in-law," Evans greeted.

"Thank you, son. I can see that you are good," his mother-in-law responded.

"Yes. I'm fine."

"That's good."

At the Dinner Table

The couple was at the dining table when George, their successor, and Benson Owens, Evans' nephew, joined them.

"Good evening, Mom and Dad," they greeted one after the other.

"Good evening, George and Benson," the couple responded simultaneously. Now they were seated, and George looked at his grandmother, who was sitting opposite him. Then George spoke, "Welcome once again, grandma. Unfortunately, I could not get your stuff. I searched for it in the suburbs, but was not lucky."

"Did you search for it too?" His mother asked at once.

"Yes, mom. I got back from work earlier and met her, and I decided to drive around and get her food."

"That is thoughtful of you, George, I did the same thing, but my search was fruitless."

"It's okay. I will make do with what I have. Thank you for your efforts," Grandma responded. Thereafter, they had their dinner silently.

The Next day.

Just as Mrs. Owens was thinking of pacifying Rose, she was also thinking of how to quell her anger and disappointment. Although Mrs. Owens was unnecessarily angry, she did not hold it against her. She was conversant with the stress of managing an ailment. After she closed her shop that evening, she bought some plantains, and when she got home, she prepared it just the way she did for her late mother. Although it was stressful because she was determined to placate her mother's look-alike and client, she was unperturbed.

"I pray that she comes around today," she wished while leaving her house in the morning. Based on her school timetable for that day, she had to go to her shop and open for some sales before she left for school. Subsequently, she returned to her shop after her lectures for that day. Not long, Mrs. Owens, who just got off work, arrived, and she was happy to see her.

"Good day, madam," she greeted cheerfully. Now, Sarah was surprised at the warm smile on her face. She expected to see a hostile or withdrawn salesgirl. To daze her further, she announced, "Here we are, ma'am," she declared and showed her the stuff.

"The unripe Plantago you requested for yesterday," she explained.

Now, Sarah was excited. She stretched out her hand, and asked, "How come you have it today? Yesterday, you said you don't sell it, and today..."

"You are right, ma'am. I took the pain to prepare it for you," Rose interrupted.

"Oh! Really, why the pain?" Sarah, who had collected the packs from her, asked calmly.

Now, tears had gathered in Rose's eyes, and she tried to fight them back.

"Never mind, ma'am, just have them," she sobbed. Suddenly, a customer walked in, and she hurriedly attended to him while Sarah observed her calm mien.

"What's the problem? I hope I have not caused you pain?" She inquired with concern after the customer left.

"Not at all, ma'am. It's just that you remind me of my mother. Just have them, and have a nice day," Rose declared and dried the tears that flowed down her cheeks with her palms. Now, Sarah, who came to apologize to her, was distraught. She thought that she was upset because she was hard on her the previous day. Likewise, she apologized at once, "I apologize for being hard on you yesterday, my dear. I hope you understand."

Now, Rose was impressed by her level of humility. She looked into her eyes with delight, and stopped her, "Not at all, ma'am. You were not hard on me. I could feel your disappointment, ma'am."

Now, Sarah was transfixed. She wondered why a girl, who ought to be offended by her, would go out of her way to be courteous to her.

"It is okay. I'm glad that you understand."

"Consider it as nothing, ma'am."

"By the way, what is my bill?" She asked. Now, Rose locked eyes with her in astonishment, and made clear, "You have not made any purchase. Which bill are you talking about?"

Nevertheless, Sarah looked at the stuff in her hand, before she faced her, and responded, "I am talking about the bill for the flour."

"Oh!" She exclaimed, and stated, "Never mind. It's from me to you."

"Oh! My God. I'm grateful for this. Let me run along," she announced and happily walked out.

"Have a pleasant evening, ma'am," Rose greeted and concentrated on her studies.

"What a nice girl," Sarah mumbled after she took her seat in the car, and looked at the shop again.

"Let's go," she ordered her driver.

A Week Later

Sarah was delighted to have the flour which had stabilized her mother's health. Now, her mother was ready to return to her native home, and she needed to give her enough. To patronize Rose, she decided to contact her to do that. Subsequently, she visited her.