Chapter 7 A DESPERATE DECISION

MID DAY

Ava's shift was over and she was back in the storeroom, as usual, sharing how her day went with her diary. She had to let go of her sulking mood and switch to a happy mode to attend to every customer the café had that day.

*"Dear diary, life isn't fair, and I am informing you because you don't have any idea what it's like here. Brent is slowly dying; the doctor said he has just a month to live. Why? Hasn't he suffered enough? Why would such misfortune be afflicted on my adorable and humble brother? He hasn't even lived his life yet. Why does his illness want to snatch that away from him too? He's too young to understand this world but the world isn't giving him a chance.

"Dear diary, do you know that my poor Brent turned out to be like me? He lost his childhood at an early age and began to make sacrifices a boy his age would never dream of. My brother is no longer the cute little muffin I used to know; he now behaves like a father to me. Sometimes I wonder who is older. He has grown detached from his teenage world into that of mine and I don't want that to continue. This is why I have chosen to do anything to save my brother and give him a better life. I don't mind being a hoe for a night to achieve that because his life is worth more than my pride."*

Ava sighed sadly, closing her diary. The one-night stand Julia had talked about was her only hope left. Saving her brother's life felt more important than her pride. She would not be the first woman to do something so desperate. No one could replace her brother in her heart, so why give up on him?

"Ava!" Julia called from the storeroom's doorpost. She had been standing there, observing her friend communicate her inner feelings to the diary.

"Julia, you're here? Come on in," Ava offered and Julia walked in fully, joining her best friend on the rusty table with two wooden chairs.

"What is it?" Ava asked, noticing how silent her best friend was. Julia wasn't the silent type unless something was bothering her.

"I am so sorry for bringing up the one-night stand idea. Ava, I heard everything. Listen, you don't have to do this. There are other ways we could arrange money rather than selling your pride. Don't wreck your dreams of being a virgin until your wedding night," Julia pleaded, almost clasping her hands together but Ava stopped her.

"Stop being sentimental, Julia. Who cares about being a virgin on her wedding night? It's Brent we're talking about here. Those were petty dreams of mine. I'm waking up to reality, and that is saving my brother's life," Ava said, grabbing hold of Julia's hands gently.

"If Brent lives, then I live. And if he dies, I will die too, Julia. I won't be able to bear the pain. He's been through a lot, sacrificed so much for me; then why can't I do the same?" Ava added, giving Julia reasons why a one-night stand would not end her life but actually save it.

"If you're gonna do this, then so am I. We could both make up $20,000 in one night if we give it our very best. What do you think?" Julia said but Ava shook her head negatively.

"No!"

Ava blatantly refused, which came as a surprise to Julia. She did not expect such a blunt reply.

"W–Why? Ava, if you're doing this, why can't I?" Julia asked, curious to know her best friend's reply.

"Don't take this the wrong way, Julia but I can't let you lose your pride. People would criticize you more than they would criticize me..."

"Why? Because I'm Black? Ava, don't forget that I'm not a virgin anymore. I'm not as pure as you think. It won't hurt to try too, now would it?" Julia asked.

"No, it won't but I don't want you doing this. Yes, I know you aren't a virgin but it wasn't by your choice. Those bastards forced themselves on you. But that's not the issue. I love you so much I can't bear to see you go back to that life, not anymore, please," Ava clasped her hands in a pleading manner and this time Julia stopped her.

"Ava, please, I just want to help," Julia said, sincerely speaking from her heart.

"And I understand, Julia but I'm right, and you know that. You have to listen to me," Ava urged her best friend to think it through but she wasn't making much progress.

"What about the promise we made to each other? We promised to help each other in times of need. I want to fulfill that promise, Ava. Why are you stopping me?" Julia asked, confused by Ava's request.

"Julia, you fulfilling this promise is by listening to me and not getting involved in this vile act. You will be doing me a great favor if you agreed," Ava replied, stubbornly refusing Julia's help.

"Are you sure you can do this alone?" Julia asked, and Ava passed her a reassuring smile.

"You bet I can," Ava replied confidently, even if she didn't know the first thing about being a call girl.

"But how do we get a big catch? I've been wondering how to get a millionaire for the night and I haven't gotten any idea," Ava whined, itching her hair in a state of thought.

"Are you seriously worrying about that? I'm here for you, Ava. Remember Mr. Ray?" Julia asked, and Ava thought about who she could be referring to.

"No, I don't think so," she replied after a minute's check.

"Well, he's not only going to get us millionaires but billionaires," Julia replied, smiling widely, forgetting the impact of what she said.

"You mean me, right?" Ava asked for clarification.

"Yeah, of course, I meant you-silly me. Wait right here; I'll give him a call," Julia said and stood up, taking out her phone in the process.

Ava waited patiently for her to return, inwardly thanking God that Julia agreed not to involve herself in such an act. Her reasons were justifiable. Julia had a really rough past and she had begun to finally let go and live her life. Ava couldn't watch history repeat itself and traumatize her best friend again.

Ava's love and respect grew more as she thought of the huge sacrifice her best friend was willing to make just for her brother. But thankfully, nothing of such would happen and she would be able to live peacefully, knowing that her friend would be alright.

Julia returned a few minutes later and joined Ava at the table, who eagerly waited for Julia to say something.

"He wants to meet you. I think he has a deal. We should leave before he gives it to someone else. This might just be what we need. Come on! Our extra shift doesn't start until an hour. I'll go inform Mrs. Jenna about the change while you get ready," Julia announced and scurried out immediately.

Ava gulped nervously and did a short prayer, hoping she would get a good deal and all her effort wouldn't be wasted.

She left the storeroom and returned to her locker. She took out her brown hobo bag, a crescent-shaped bag with a top zip closure that's worn over the shoulder.

She went back to the kitchen and hung her apron on its shelf. She said her goodbyes to everyone she met before joining Julia outside.

"What did she say?" Ava asked Julia about Mrs. Jenna, the coffee shop owner.

"We could leave but shouldn't return for the extra shift because she has no money to spare lazy women like us," Julia replied in a cold tone, clearly pissed.

"Let's go. It's just for today, and you shouldn't let Mrs. Jenna get to you. We all know her. She's just a lousy mouth," Ava said to cheer Julia up. It did have an effect because Julia chuckled.

"Fine, let's go."