Chapter 3 An unforeseen event

Faced with such a situation, what could I do? Cry, mope, or hold my head high. What I knew was that there was no way I was shedding a single tear. Taking Aimé's hand, I left the market. Having nothing left to take a taxi, I walked with her. The shopping bags were weighing me down in one hand, and in the other, Aimé's, who had started to cry. Stopping, I crouched down in front of her.

"Why are you crying, my princess?"

She looked at me with her brown eyes and innocent face, then said, "Big sister, it's because of me that that man stole your bag."

Huh! And I thought she was crying because of the shoe I hadn't bought her.

"It's not your fault, princess. It's that man who didn't take pity on big sister." And please dry your tears because I don't like to see you cry. Especially not a word to Mom or your brothers, okay?

_ Yes, big sister

_ Now let's go

_ Together we walk to the studio. I open the door and Aimé goes to join his brothers who were watching TV, and Mom comes over to me.

_ Why did you take so long?

Looking at my mother, I couldn't tell her that I'd been robbed and that we didn't even have enough money to cover this month's expenses, so I made up an excuse.

_ I wanted to walk a little.

_ You know you can tell me anything, my daughter.

_ Yes, Mother, don't worry.

I walked past her and went into the kitchen. I refused to cry, and the tears weren't going to come out now. I turned on the stove and prepared a nice vegetable sauce with rice, then everyone ate their fill. The children reviewed their lessons and then went to bed. Mom also went to bed after her prayers, while I, staring at the ceiling, thought about what to do for the days to come.

As for the children's afternoon food, I had no worries because the school provided them with food in the cafeteria, but what should I do for breakfast? If I have to prepare breakfast for them every day, the supplies might not be enough for the month. Tomorrow night, I'm going to talk to Odile to see if she can give me an advance on my salary. I just hope she'll understand. That's the thought I sleep with. The next morning, I heat up yesterday's leftovers and fill the children's bowls before putting them in their respective bags.

"I put the bowls of food in your bags, my loves, so there's no money today."

"I thought I could give some to Angel," said Tommy.

"Who is Angel again? And why are you sharing your money?"

"Big sister, she's a poor girl, and her guardian mistreats her every day. Sometimes she stays hungry all day, so I help her."

"It's very noble of you to help her, but I don't have any money to give you today, so you can share your meal with her."

_ That's what I plan to do.

_ Well, we have to go so we're not late like yesterday.

_ But it's too early, said Nicole.

_ Stop talking and walk ahead.

_ The kids are right, Naomi, it's still too early to take them to school. Said my mother, sitting on the bed.

_ I know, Mom, but it's better to go early than late.

_ Okay

_ Bye Mom!!

_ Have a nice day, my babies, and no more nonsense.

On the road, Tommy is surprised that we're not taking a taxi, so he starts bombarding me with questions, but I ignore him and keep walking. But he's still insisting, so I finally say to him:

_ Today we're going to do some exercise, so walk and don't ask me any more questions. _ But big sister...

_ Tommy, please don't annoy me early in the morning. I don't have money for a taxi, so just walk and be quiet like the others.

He finally falls silent, and we walk. Arriving in front of their establishment, I kiss each of them on the forehead and part ways, heading towards Odile's restaurant. I hope she can still help me.

Sitting in her office, I wait for her to arrive because one of her employees told me she'd be a little late. Odile always wanted to pursue vocational training instead of a long course of study. Thanks to her parents' funding, she finished her training and earned her diploma, then opened this restaurant, which is doing very well, unlike To me, who chose to finish university, and here I am, looking for a job for two months, but no answer.

The door opens behind me and my friend's silhouette appears. She looked very beautiful in her not-so-tight oval dress. Sitting down on her seat, she sets her bag aside and then turns her attention to me.

_ Hello Naomi, how are you?

_ Feeling bad, Odile, very bad.

_ And why? You start work tonight, and by the end of the month you'll get your paycheck, so I don't see what's got you in this state.

_ Yesterday at the market, my purse was stolen, containing my last savings and my papers. I have nothing left. Even this morning, I couldn't give the children their pocket money, and we had to walk from the studio to the school where they study.

_ Now what do you want me to do next? _ If you don't mind, could you give me a salary advance? I'll take even ten thousand. I really need this money and I don't want my mother to know I'm penniless.

_ Naomi, you know you're like a sister to me, and I can't see you struggling and turn my back on you, so I'll give you the amount you're asking for, but know that in the future you'll have to be more careful.

_ Thank you very much, my friend.

She opens her bag, then takes out her wallet and gives me twenty thousand.

_ But...

_ I'll give you the rest. You'll need money to redo your paperwork because I need it to put together a file for my archives.

Getting down on my knees, I thank her in a thousand ways. How lucky! She picks me up and then hugs me.

"Don't ever do that again, my dear. Once upon a time, you were a support to me when I was at my lowest, so I owe you that. Go and don't forget tonight at nine o'clock."

"I'll be on time, you can count on me."

"When you get there, the head waitress will give you the appropriate outfit for your shift."

"Okay, and where will I find her?"

"Oh, no need to look, just ask for Roxane at the counter and we'll take you to her."

"Understood."

"With a smile on my face, I leave the restaurant and go to the town hall to send my card and retrieve my papers. In the end, they ask me to come back in two weeks. In total, I had thirteen thousand and something left, so I quickly took a taxi and went to the studio. Mom, sitting in front of the TV, welcomed me and handed me my cell phone.

"A woman called, and I told her you were out and that when you came back, you'd call her back.

It's the only thing I hadn't kept for yesterday for the market, not out of desire, but out of forgetfulness.

"And she didn't say anything about the reason for her call?"

"No, not at all, but I didn't ask either."

"Okay."

I take a seat next to her and call the number again. A few minutes later, a woman's voice is heard on the other end of the line.

"Hello, madam, I missed your call earlier."

_ Is that you, Miss Naomi?

_ Yes, herself.

_ Very well, I'm calling from the ******* company where you submitted your application for a position in the logistics department.

_ Yes?

_ You're expected tomorrow morning at nine o'clock for an interview with the boss.

_ Oh really! Thank you very much, ma'am, I'll be there without fail.

_ Okay, miss, we'll be expecting you there. Have a nice day.

_ I hang up then jump for joy. Taking my mother's hands, I lift her up and dance with her.

_ Mother God heard your prayers; one of the companies I applied to wants to interview me tomorrow.

_ Oh Lord! You're wonderful. Thank God, finally, my daughter. But how are you going to manage with your waitressing job?

_ I'll do both. If the company's hours are reasonable. In any case, having a backup job is always better.

"Okay, my daughter, but aren't you tired?"

"I'll manage, Mother."

"If you say so."

That evening, as agreed, after picking up my brothers and heating up the meal, I went to the restaurant. Arriving at the counter, I asked for Roxane, the chef, and the bartender showed me a small door through which I entered, finding a young woman sorting clothes.

"Good evening," I said, my voice barely audible.

"Yes, good evening. You must be the new girl Mrs. Odile told me about this morning. Here's your outfit," she said, handing me a black skirt and white Lacoste pants. "Go change because it'll soon be time."

Without saying anything, I changed, but the skirt was too short, so I asked her for another one, but she told me that's what they all wear. I grabbed a tray, a notebook, and a pen from the bartender, and then began serving. The room was full and there were a lot of customers. I didn't even have a single minute of respite except for bathroom breaks. The evening ended without a hitch, and around 1:00, I left the restaurant after checking in with the chef. Exhausted, I returned to the studio. Everyone was asleep, so I took a shower, then found my mattress on the floor, and let myself drift off to sleep. By 6:00, I was up cleaning and getting the kids ready for school. I drop them off as usual this time by taking a taxi, then dress in jeans, a shirt, and sneakers for the interview. Upon arrival, I'm immediately taken to the boss's office after my ID is checked. I enter the office and greet my future boss, but when he turns around, I almost fall.

_ Welcome back, Naomi

It's... it's that man I slapped a few days ago. At that moment, I wished the floor would open up beneath my feet so I could disappear.