Chapter 2 2

AMAKA RICHARD:

"Maureen, you know that I cannot put Jason in school now. He is only a baby, and I don't want to force learning on him," I said, looking back at my friend and her small husband in her arms.

"Don't mind your mother, I will put you in school, okay? There's a small children's school here. So I will go there with you now," Maureen said to Jason, and he smiled sweetly at her.

"Thanks, Aunt," he said.

"You're welcome, sweetie," she replied to him and told him to wait while she prepared his bath and dressed him up for his new school.

"Maureen, you cannot be so serious. Jason is my son, and I get to decide for him," I told her. While her mother has another room, Maureen and I shared her room, although I could move out and get an apartment of my own. But I didn't want to become selfish.

I was able to go for part-time business training classes with Maureen's mother's help. She looked after Jason for me until he was able to walk. My family doesn't want to have anything to do with me. Well, maybe now that they see that I am well off on my own. My mother phoned me last week and claimed she wanted to know how I was and if I still had the baby.

Unbelievable. I gritted my teeth and ended the call on her. She didn't need to know about her grandchild. I am 22 years old now, and I don't need such parents as grandparents for Jason. They would never welcome him or love him like Maureen's mother does. Although, she encouraged Maureen not to fall pregnant like I did, as Maureen and I were age-mates and fair in complexion.

Good heavens, Maureen is in a relationship with a good man from around here. He owns a small business that has gone globally recognized, and he is set to get married to Maureen and take her off to the Island.

While her marriage was still pending as her groom had arrived with his family, I watched with teary eyes how my best friend got engaged to the love of her life. But remembering about Joseph Ericson and the silly promises he made to me. After that night he slept with me, he never contacted me again. I searched for his home address after my parents threw me out, but the harsh reality hit me hard.

Joseph and his family had truly packed out, and none of their neighbors knew where the affluent family was leaving.

"You shouldn't worry, Amaka. Jason is my son as I was there on the day he was born and also, watching him grow up. So I am his big aunt, and Mommy too. While my mom is his godmother," Maureen smiled.

"Fine. I have to hurry up from this business interview I told you about. You know I want to have another job to be supporting us now that you will be getting married. I plan to pack out too and get a new apartment so that you can go to your new house with your Mom," I told Maureen. She was done folding out Jason's clothes as she intended to take him to a new school.

I knew my son wants to go to school. He sees other kids around going to school, but I just wanted him to grow up smarter first before taking him to school.

"My Mom wouldn't send you away, even if I am going with my husband tomorrow, Amaka. Why do you seem to worry about irrelevant things? Anyway, you're running late, and Jason will be late for school. So I have to hurry up and take him to school. You know, as a new student, he will need to do a lot of registration. What name should I file for him?" Maureen asked me as I was done applying a little pink gloss on my lips.

I donned a red top and black skirt, understanding that the company doesn't approve of trousers.

While I didn't want to discuss my son's father with him, I knew that Joseph will get to meet Jason one day, as long as he was still alive and in the city. It wasn't far from where Maureen's mother lives.

After I was sent away from my parents' home, I had called Maureen on the phone, knowing that she was the last friend I had before her mother relocated to the city. But then, they had those billionaires living in one side of the city, while the industrial people like us live on another busy area. So that was why I wanted my son to grow up before putting him in school.

It was so busy around here.

"Just his name, Jason," I said, not wanting to mention my father's name. My father said that my child wasn't his, so I should take my baby to his father. But as Joseph has blocked me online, even as I have his younger brother's profile page, we hadn't chatted since the last time I introduced myself to him as Joseph's girlfriend.

I didn't want to ask Aaron about Joseph. I was heartbroken that Joseph blocked me online and told me to get rid of his spérm. It was so traumatic.

"You must be joking, Amaka. While you're Amaka Richard, I think your son has a full birth name. That reminds me - Jason Ericson. So deal with the fact that you got pregnant by someone, and your child has to bear his father's name in case of tomorrow," Maureen said while she stripped off Jason's clothes to help him have his bath.

"Fine, just give Jason whatever you want as his surname, but know that I don't have anything to do with his dad again," I said. And Maureen replied, "I know. You should get going as I heard that the new company, J.E. Global, are very strict. You shouldn't get late and miss your chances of securing a job with them. It will help with your studies and online job too."

"Alright," I wore my black shoes beside the bed and waved goodbye to my son as I clutched my bag.

Once I got out of the room, I came across Mrs. Ann Austin in the living room. She was a good woman and Maureen's mother.

"Good morning, Ma," I greeted her, and she smiled at me. "Morning, my dear, are you going out?"

"Yes, ma," I replied, and she asked, "Wouldn't you have breakfast first? There is still time. Or is it not school that you're going to?"

"No, ma. I am going for a new job interview, but it's quite far from here. So I have to get a bus to take me to the area."

"Will you get on the Island?" She asked.

"No, I'm not going there. It's still on this mainland. It's a new branch office," I said.

"Okay, but still have your breakfast so that you appear smart at work," she said.

"Okay, ma," I agreed and went to prepare my tea in the kitchen.

"What about Maureen? Has she left the house too?" Mrs. Ann asked me, walking into the kitchen to meet me.

"No, ma. She's in her room, preparing Jason for school."

"Oh!" Mrs. Ann smiled, understanding and nodding her head. "Maureen loves Jason so much, and now she will soon be going to her husband's house. I wonder how she will cope, maybe take Jason along with her."

I smiled and drank my tea. "Maybe," I didn't know. Maureen may want to take my son with her.