HER CHOICE

"Thanks for your patronage ma'am" I said to the customer whose hair I just finished making

"Thanks, it's beautiful, I am certain my husband gonna love it" she beams while looking at herself in the mirror

"Of course, he will"

"Thanks once again, how much is my bill? She asked

" since you are my first customer today, you would get a ten percent off"

"Really"

"Yes"

"Oh thanks"

"You are welcome, you can pay over there" I said pointing to where my sister was.

"Okay"

Humming a song which words I knew not, I set to arrange the combs and equipment I just finished using

"Bye Jenny" the customer waved

"Oh bye, do have a nice day" I waved back

"And you too" she said leaving the shop

I continued my cleaning

"Jenny" I heard my little sister called

I decided to ignore her knowing fully well that she is calling to nag me

"Jennifer Arielle Lawrence!! She yelled

"You know you don't have to shout my name" I turned to face her with the tiniest smile

"When you pretended not to hear me the first time, you left with no choice at all then to call you in a way which you won't resist" she said leaving the counter to stand in front of me with a scowl evident on her countenance

"So sorry mom, what on earth did I do this time to warrant this? I asked

"Jenny, no doubt, I know you have a good heart and love giving discounts and all that"

"Yeah, so" I asked playing with my fingernails, I kinda knew where this is heading to

"Please and please, you can't afford to give discount anymore"

" I don't see why, it encourages the customers to patronize our service more"

"Yes, I know but if you continue to give out charity, we would be out on the street in no time"

"What do mean? I asked confused

"Maybe it had been a mistake hiding it from in the first place, I always thought I could handle it but it getting out of hand"

"Can you stop beating around the bush and go straight to the point?" I said getting impatient

Instead of answering, she drag one of the seats toward me, she signaled me to sit, which I reluctantly did.

Men, this is going to be a long lecture, I thought mentally rolling my eyes.

"You know, you've been a big support to Jesse and I ever since mom and dad died and I am super grateful for that but sometimes you act like a fool, before you talk, I am not trying to insult you or something but it's a fact" she said staring down at me

"I really don't know what you mean, can you please speak in clear terms" I said trying to process everything she said to no avail

"You in life, it is not every time you give charity, they are times you just have charged the right amount for a service but ever since I started working with you, you never had that sense of business and if you continue like that, we would have no choice but to close down the shop" she said

"I don't see any reason why the shop is going to close, I mean we are doing well right, right" I repeated when she didn't answer

I mean everything is going well, I do have up to 3 to 5 customers daily.

Instead of speaking, she went to her desk and bought some envelopes

"What are these? I asked glaring at the envelope as if they are a threat

"Bills Jenny, Bills waiting to be paid" she replied

"How come they are these much? I asked

She dragged another seat closer to me, I guess she is tired of standing.

"I never really wanted to drag you into this J" she said looking remorseful

"Why Joyce? I asked wondering why she couldn't trust me even when I told her to

"Look, ever since you made in charge of the accounts, I promised myself not to bother you, I thought I could take care of stuff but you kept giving discounts upon discounts, even when I always told not to, you never listen, you always thought I don't like giving but it isn't, the bills just keep piling up" she complained with tears threatening to drop from her eyes

"You would have told me"

"I know but I wanted to handle it myself, I never knew I was incompetent" She said

"You are not, you've been handling this for two years, seeing this envelope, I mean how did you manage to handle it? I asked scanning through the content of the envelope, damn these a lot of bills

"Well, I took some part-time job" She said

"What!!! I screamed shocked and extremely surprised

"Yeah" She laughed

"How did you manage to do it? I asked

"You know those times when I keep out late and you always thought I hang out with my friends" she said

"Yeah"

"Well, I don't hang out, I work as a waitress in a restaurant, night shift only, 3 times a week"

"Really"

"Yeah, well, unfortunately, the restaurant has closed up, so we have to rely on the shop to pay our bills" She said

"Joyce, why didn't you tell me? I asked

"I just wanted to do something for the family, you know everything has always been you, I know it isn't easy to carry the loads of the family on shoulders"

"But I have never complained" I said

"I heard you crying one time in your room"

"When was that? I asked

"Two years ago, I heard you saying you can't raise two kids but you going to try among a list of other things, I decided to do whatever it is to help" she said with a smug

"Come here" I said opening my arms to hug her

"You know, you don't have to try so hard" I whispered to her

"Woo woo, what going on here? A familiar voice asked

"Jesse" Joyce called

"Wanna join the family hug? I asked already knowing the answer

"Why not" he said bending to wrap his arms around us.

I smiled my babies are now grown up

TBC...

"So I have decided to take on a new job" I said to Joyce and Jesse while putting a finishing touch on dinner

"Really? Jesse asked

"Yup, I have thought it through and come to the conclusion that taking a new job and a good paying one at that is the perfect solution to not only pay our bills but also keep the shop running, you know we can't afford to have mom's dream closing down" I said

"I completely agree" Jesse said

"So have you thought of the job you wanna do? Joyce asked

She has always been the thinking deep type among the three of us

"Well not really, Joyce set the tables, Jesse get Cutlery," I said

"Why can't Joyce do both" Jesse muttered

"Get your lazy ass up and do as you told" I said

Sometimes it feels good to have authority and most times it is tiring

"Yes mom" He mumbled rolling his eyes

Joyce stick her tongue out at him

I smiled, 'hey mom, I did a good job, right' I thought out loud raising my head up

Mom died eight years ago and dad joined two years.

Dad was never always home, all he does is to send money, I had never really appreciated it but now I know better.

"A penny for thought" I heard

"Oh Joyce"

"Care to share what you are thinking about"Joyce asked

"We all know you are the thinker not me" I replied, there is definitely no way I am telling her my thoughts,

"Common, I thought we were partners" She pout

"Nothing J, just regular stuff and by the way, are you done with what I asked you to do? I asked

"Of course, I am not a lazy bone like some set of humans" she said

"I heard that" Jesse called out

" it was meant to be heard" She replied back

"Hey, hey, please guys don't start, I don't have the strength to deal with your issues tonight, so can sit and eat like a normal family" I quietly but sternly said

"We are not a normal family" Joyce said

"For the first time even tho I hate to admit it, Joyce is right, we ain't a normal family" Jesse chips in coming to stand by the kitchen door

"Please guys, for my sanity" I said

"For her sanity" Jesse said

"Yeah, we can totally do that, as long as as someone behave himself" Joyce said

"Woaw, you should be the one to behave yourself" Jesse turned to face her

"What did..." Joyces started

"Hey!!! I screamed interrupting her, I am not ready to deal with them tonight, I had a lot today. My head is already swinging

"Please not today" I quietly begged

"What wrong with her? I heard Joyce whispered to Jesse

"How am I supposed to know? He asked back

"We should ask her? He suggested

"I don't think so" Joyce said

I pretended not to hear them, I left the kitchen, head to the dining to set up.

As soon as I finished, I peeped into the kitchen, my siblings were still trying to figure out what was wrong with me. I scoffed, mentally laughing at them

"Dinner is served"I called out

They acted as if no one spoke, still talking in hushed tone. I am certainly glad that ain't fighting but that doesn't mean they should ignore me

"If you both don't get your butt out in a second, I promise you, there won't be food for two good days" I said

They rushed out instantly

"Well lets sit and eat like every normal family" I said

"We aren't a normal family" Jesse said

"Whatever let eat, we are starving"I said

"Speak for yourself, Missy" Joyce said

"Can we eat? I asked annoyed

"Fine" They muttered

"Thank goodness, Jesse, say the grace" I said as we held hands

"Lord, thank you for this meal, Amen"

"Amen" Joyce and I choursed

We ate for the first in a long time in silence, I am super glad the meal is peaceful, Joyce and Jesse are throwing taunt at each other

Mom, I wish you were here. I wonder why the thought of mom kept coming to my head today.

"Pass me the sauce, please" Jesse said

"Did you just say please? I asked surprised

"Well, you attitude today isn't encouraging, so... He trailed off

"Is that why you guys are putting up with each other? I asked

"Kinda" He said

"Joyce?

"Yeah, he is right even tho it difficult to admit" She said

"Common guys, I am fine"

"Tell that to your face" Joyce said

"You are supposed to say expression, you know her expression is the one sad"Jesse corrected

"Thanks, tell that to your expression" She said

Wait, did she just thank Jesse, wonders would never seems to end

"Guys, I am totally fine, trust me"I said reaching out to hold their hand

"Then what's wrong? Jesse asked

"I am just about mom, I was wondering if I did a great job rauseibg the both of you, I really missed and wished she was around, that's all" I said checking to see their expression

"You should have said so" Joyce said

"Am sorry" I apologize

"You know, you really did a great a job, I mean take a good look at Jesse and I, no one knew would know we grew up without a mother, Mom would be proud of you, we miss too" Joyce said

"I miss her too, sometimes I forgot what she looks like" Jesse said

"Thanks guys, it really means a lot" I smiled

I am glad I told them, their words really gave me a lot of comfort

"Hey, for this, I would make you guys some cookies" I said

"Yay, cookies!!! They screamed

Kids, I smiled

I feel fulfilled looking at them

"Ok, enough of these munching stuff, let's eat" Jesse said

"Foodie" Joyce and I said rolling our eyes

I passed the sauce Jesse asked for, smiling

TBC.....

I twirled by the mirror, checking how I looked.

Day 1 of my job hunting, Dear God, please help me. I am as nervous as hell right now.

Yesterday I stayed up late praying and rehearsing.

This is the first time in my life that I would ever have to look for a job. I took over mom's salon as soon as past. Thank goodness, I learnt the skills before she died. The salon has been sustaining us even when dad was alive, his income wasn't enough for the family. When he died, it became worse even if his income weren't much at least, there were coming. It became worst when Joyce finished high school, there was no money for college. I had to drop out too, I just hoped I got a chance but who would employed a drop out over graduates.

I felt something wet on my cheek

"Oh my God, I didn't realised I have been crying" I chuckle

I quickly wipe my face. I can't afford to have my face swallowed

"Who is the hell is home? I heard from the sitting room

Instantly, I knew it was my bad ass friend. She doesn't respect the no cursing principle Mom set. She and Mom had never gotten alone but when Mom died, she cried her eyes out refusing to be console, one could think she was the one who lost her mother.

Beatrice and I are two opposite personalities, how we got along, no one can explain.

"Hey B" I heard Joyce said

"If it isn't my favourite kid sis" I imagine her spreading her arms wide to engulf her a motherly tight hug. She does that anytime she visit, it become a regular stuff ever since Mom died

"I am your only kid sis" Joyce said. Yup, Beatrice is an only child

"How is my baby doing? She asked

"Great, you? Joyce voice echoes in my ears

"Awesome, what of my favorite little brother?

"He went to school" She replied

"Wow, so early"

"Your late coming didn't rob on him" I imagined a small smile playing on her lips as she said that

"Oh, you are right, I kinda of groom him well, I am good mother and I am super proud of my self, what do think, I should given an award for best young mother or best parenting as a teenager or something beautiful with a sophisticated name, what do you think? She asked

Beatrice has always been a talkative, she could for hours none stop.

I have a feeling that my job hunting is cancel already

"Well, something like that" From Joyce tone I figure she is bored already. My clue to go to her rescue

"I am thinking of..."

"Did you come to see me or to bombard my little sister? I asked interrupting her

"Oh, if it isn't my sweet wonderful friend" She coming to engulf in a hug

My sister threw me the tiniest smile of gratitude. I nodded my head to acknowledge.

Beatrice squeezed me, I could hardly breathe

"Too tight" I managed

"Oh, so sorry girlie, I thought you needed it" She said

"Just say you needed it" I said smiling

We may be two different persons but no one understands her like better than I do not even her own

"Whatever, I am in your room" she scowl

"Alright, catch you in a bit and DO NOT TOUCH ANYTHING" I stressed. Beatrice can walk into a perfectly arranged room and the next minute, the room would be scattered, completely unrecognizable

"Joyce, can you do me a favour? I asked turning to face her, I met her intently watching her favourite program. I doubt if she heard me

"Joyce!!! I called a bit loudly

"I heard you the first time, just spill" She said eyes focus on the TV

"I doubt if I would stop by the salon today" I said

She turned and face me, her screaming what do you mean

I just pointed to the door of my room, mouthing 'Beatrice'

All of a sudden, her program was forgotten, she came close to me

"What happened to her? She asked whispering

We all loved Beatrice even tho, she is extremely different from the way mom bought us up.

She stood by us when mom died, her constant cheerly kept us going. She had become a part of the family and we hold her really dear in our heart.

"I don't know but I can feel it, she isn't her usual self" I said whispering back

"But she doesn't look like it" She said

"You know, Beatrice has learnt the act of keeping her emotions bottled up, it becomes very difficult to read her or know what she is feeling at time" I said

"Well, except that person is you"

"Yup, except that person is me, we grew up together, her dad leaving left a huge gap on her" I said recounting how she had cried that night when she can to tell me ever seen then, she always masks her fears, sacred to be vulnerable in front of others

"Yeah, that's right" Joyce said

"So..."

"So? She asked

"So, the favour? I asked

"Oh, consider it done, just do whatever it takes to bring her back to normal even tho she looks pretty normal to me"

"Thanks sis, you are the best" I said

She hummed back to sit on the couch,

I smiled, I got the best siblings in the whole world

I entered the room to see Beatrice laying on the bed her legs folded together, she looked like a cute baby

"Are you okay? I asked

My questions were met with a huge block of silence.

"B, you okay? I asked

She turned to face me, I saw tears threatening to drop from her eyes

"B, what happened? I asked alarmed evident in my voice

"J" She called

I instantly went to sit beside her by the bed. I held her hands in mine

"What happened? I asked a little bit calmly

"He..." Tears chocked her voice

"It okay, B, you can cry it out" I said pulling her to my arms

Her gentle sob filled the room. By the time I turn to look at her again, she was fast asleep.

TBC.