Small Town Girl

Just like every other day after my job as a waiter, I proceeded to the locker room and changed back into my casual clothes. Being a waiter isn't anyone's dream job, it isn't what I love to do but I have no choice because I need to provide for my daughter and me

After changing back into the clothes I wore to work this morning, I grabbed my handbag and made my way out of the restaurant building. I work in a restaurant but yeah, I work as a waiter.

Coming out of the restaurant building, I turned to my right and began to work down the road to my daughter's preschool which was a few minutes' walk away from where I work.

My lips curved into a small smile when I remember my daughter. Her name is Mia, she looks so much like me. She's smart and she's my life. She's my source of motivation and I promise myself to always do my best to give her a good life, a life far better than mine.

Moments later, I arrived at Mia's preschool. I was talking with her Teacher when I heard that very familiar voice.

"Mama," Mia said excitedly before running up to me.

I smiled, crouched down to my knees, and spread out my hands, ready to hug her.

"My love, I missed you," I said as I embraced her into a hug and kissed her forehead.

"Miss you too mama." She grinned at me.

I rose to my feet with Mia on my lap. "Were you good to Aunty Maya today?" I asked my little girl, referring to the teacher who was standing in front of us.

"Yes, mama." Mia nodded her head and I kissed her cheek for being a good girl.

I talked some more with Mia's teacher, picked up Mia's backpack and lunch back then my daughter and I made our way home.

................

The smile on my face turned into a frown when Mia and I stepped into our home. Everywhere was a mess, it was the exact opposite of how I left it this morning. Thanks to my baby daddy who was always giving me so much work to do. He couldn't care less about personal hygiene and I'm honestly fed up with him. He never helps with cleaning the house, running errands, or doing dishes and laundry. Instead, I have to remind him all the time where he has to place his shoes and dirty clothes.

He never helps with anything, not even to watch over Mia when I had to run errands. He doesn't pay Mia's school fees, I buy groceries most of the time, I pay the house rent. He only gave me the part payment of our house rent a few times.

I do not know what to do, maybe we should get separated but I don't want my daughter to grow up without a father but as things are going now, I think getting separated is better because I can't let my daughter see the mess her father makes every day. God this is not how I want my life to be, my life is even better before I met him when I was with my parents.

"Mama, why are you crying? Are you hungry?" My daughter brought me out of my thought and wipe away my tears I did not even know that is there

"I am fine my baby, I am not crying something enter my eyes that is why there is water in my eyes

I take her to the living room to watch kids TV and clean the entire house then make food for us. How I wish to go back to my life before I came to California, I am not rich but am happy with my family

Flashback

My name is Bella Williams, I am from Nigeria, I am 18 years old, I am the first child of my parents and I have 2 younger brothers, we are not rich but my parents still afford to put food on our table and send us to school until when I finish high school.

One day my dad comes back from work and said he want to talk to me after dinner, after dinner I went to meet him and I saw my mother also with him, I had a feeling that this is not going to end well because I can see that my father face change when he saw entering the living room.

"Bella please forgive me for what I want to say to you, I know it is always your dream or goals to finish your school without any delay and find a good job, and get married to the love of your life but am sorry to tell you that I afford to pay your college fees now so you have to wait for me to sort out your brother's fees," my father said sadly

After what my father said it is like everything around me just stops because I always say nothing will disturb my education till I finish College.

"Please dad and mum I know you are trying for us but please how much is the college fee? I will go out and find any job and you can add it to the little you want to give me for my College fees" I said already crying

"Did you think that College fee is little money? How many months did you think you could work that will complete the whole fees? We don't want you to start college now and drop out halfway because of school fees. I promise you that I and your dad will try our best and you will not wait for long" my Mom said

I don't know what to say or do, I said thanks to them and went to my room, hug my pillow, and cry till I fell asleep

The next day I wake and all that happened yesterday replay in my head and I cry more, after some more crying I wipe my tears away and have my morning prayer after I stand up and head to the bathroom to clean up myself and look forward to what will happen today. I saw my dad on the dining table having breakfast about to go to work, I greet him good morning and sat beside him

"Dad, I am thinking that I should find some work to do at least if I can't go to school I can find some work to do better than sitting at home without doing nothing," I said

As I said that I can see that his face change and what to say something

"Dad I know what you want to say but I am not working because of saving money for my school I just want to do it to make myself busy, please daddy," I said

"Which work did you have in mind that you want to look for?" He asked me

"I have a friend that works in a restaurant as a waitress and she said I can come and meet his boss and see how things go" I reply him and he nodded his head positively.

When I wake up this morning, I saw my friend missed call and I called her back and explain everything to her so she said that she has someone that has a restaurant and the person need a girl to work as a waitress and I said I will take the offer but I have to lie to my dad that my friend work there so he can allow me to go.

"Ok, you can go and check the place and talk to the boss but if the place is not good or the work is too stressful believe me you have to stop the work. I just agree for you to go because you will not be bored at home and I will come and check the place myself and talk to the owner "my dad said

I agree with all that he said and said thanks to him for allowing me to go and check things out in the restaurant and work there.

As soon as I finish my breakfast I get my things from my room and call my friend to let us meet and go to the restaurant. When we got there I met the owner of the restaurant and we discussed all the necessary things and he told me the time and the payment and everything went well. He said I should start the next day which I am very grateful for. When my dad comes from work I explain everything to him and my mum and they said ok if that is what I want but I should take care of myself, they also said that if I see that the work is very stressful I should leave it.

I wake up early morning to meet up with the time for work, I say my morning prayer and head to the bathroom to do my usual routine, after that I went to the dining table I met my mum, my dad and my brother are about to go to school, I greet them and sit to have my breakfast and after I finish my breakfast I say my goodbye to them and my parent wish me good luck.

I get to work on time and I met other employees that are working there and the owner introduced me to them. I start working and some people that come to the restaurant give me tips and the work is somehow stressful but I just have to do it, it is better than sitting at home without anything. That is how my work is going and sometimes I take an extra shift if one of my colleagues did not come, the owner will ask me if I can do it.

After several months of working, I later enjoyed going to work, one day after I come back from work, I met my Aunt at home and I am so happy to meet her because it has been like 5 years that I have seen her, she is living in California. I sat beside her and we talk about a lot of things until she asks me which years am I in College, then my mum explains everything to her and she feels so bad because she knows how I like going to school because I believe that if one is not well educated, no one will allow you to work in a good company. I don't know about other people but that is my own belief, when I am in high school my school mates that are from rich families normally abuse the kids from poor families and I am also among the students that are abused. So when the night came we have our dinner with my Aunt and she went back to her place.

After one week that my Aunt came back from California, she called me on phone and ask me when I will be at home that she wants to have a conversation with my parent and she want me to be there, I told her that I will be around on weekend and we talk about something

During the weekend, my Aunt came to our house as she promised and my parents were also around, my mum made some snacks for her after greeting and eating the snack, we gathered in the living room to discuss.

"Jenny, what did you want to discuss that made you gather us all together?" my dad said

"Ok, I will go straight to the point, what I want to say is that maybe you can allow Bella to follow me back to California, why I said this is that first, she can apply for a scholarship there second she can work and received good payment more than the payment she is receiving from the restaurant here, even she can do two jobs with shifting time and the little I and my husband have we will support her for her school fees," said my Aunt.

I won't lie I like the idea and I am smiling right now but now I am looking forward to my parent reply most especially my dad because since I was born they never allow us, I mean me and brother to go on holiday or to visit anybody and stay more than 2 days, my dad will say I don't know what is happening there or what they are doing for you, so stay here with me, he will take us out to park, watch movies, and eat ice cream sometimes my dad takes us to some restaurant to have family dinner and sometimes with our mum alone.

My parents did not say anything and my aunt continued and she faces my dad since he is her brother. She also understands that my dad may not agree.

"Brother, I know that you have never allowed your kids to go out on a holiday or anything but I just want to help and I can understand that you are trying your best for them but at least my living in California today is not by my power or my money, it is by God grace and your support that make me study and live in California today, please brother take this as if I am returning the favor to your kids and Bella is not a baby anymore she is now 18 years old now, some years after she will get married, no matter what she will leave and also applies to her brothers when they grow up to be a man and they will get married and living in their own house with their family, so please I want you to think about it very well and I want to hear a positive reply," my aunt said

"Please dear I think what your sister said is good and it will be an opportunity for our daughter to experience new things and it will be good for her education too, when she gets there and she is financially good she will also help her brother, please," my mom also supports my aunt.

"Dad please I know it is not easy for you to let me go far away from you but see this as an opportunity for me, as your sister said you are the one that sponsors her to travel, please see it as if she is returning the favor back, I promise that if I can cope with the situation there I will come back," I said

I don't know what I am saying, I just say anything that comes to my mouth just to convince him to let me go.

He let out a long sigh "All of you did not give me any chance to say no, even my dear wife support this and I can see that Bella is also happy to go, so why will I not agree, no problem but please Jenny if you see that she cannot cope with everything or the work make sure you let her come back home" my dad said

As soon as he said that I went straight to him and hugged him and I can see my dad is holding back his tears but my tears fall and he wipes them out. I also hug my mum for the support.

"Thanks, Dad, thanks mum I really appreciate this for allowing me to follow Aunt Jenny, thank you once again" I also went to my Aunt and thank her also for this

"No problem dear please make sure you know what you are doing, think of where you are coming from and please make sure you listen to your Aunt and her husband," my mom said happily

I am so happy right now, my aunt said I can go because she has something to discuss with my parents, I thank them once again and I head to my room to call my friend that introduced me to the restaurant, her name is Sophia, we went to the same High School. I explain everything to her, she is so happy for me.

Some hours later after all the discussions, I heard a knock on my door and I said come in, it's my Aunt

"Can I talk to you, Bella?

"Yes, please come in and have your seat," I said to her and make some space for her on my bed because I am sitting on the bed.

"Bella did you like what I said that you should follow me?" she asked

"Yes, I don't like it but I love it, thank you so much for giving me this opportunity," I said

"I am sorry for not discussing it with you first because I know my brother he may not allow you that is why I don't want to tell you first and later he did not agree, that is why I told you all at the same time"

"You don't need to be sorry, you are right, thanks once again" I move closer to her and hug her

"I want you to give me your passport or if you don't have you go and do one because I need it to get your visa and ticket. Prepare yourself and get everything you will need, we will be leaving as soon as your visa and ticket is ready" my aunt said

"Thank you so much for everything I am very grateful and I promise that I will be a good girl and I will never disappoint you"

After two weeks, I went to the restaurant where I am working to resign and get prepared, when I get to the restaurant I told my boss that did he remember that I will stop working today. I already told him about leaving when my aunt mentioned my traveling so it just remains 2 weeks to get my salary then, so today is my payday so I will not come to work again, I already told my colleague before.

After today's work, I said my goodbyes to them and went home. When I got home my mom bought a lot of this for me that I might need and prepared my bag in case.

Some weeks later

We are at the airport saying my goodbyes to my parents and my brothers, we already had our emotional goodbyes at home that all of us are crying, me, my mum, my dad, and my brothers. I hug them last time and we (I mean me, my Aunt, her husband, and her 2 kids) head to the plane.

3 years later

A lot has occurred during these 3 years, my aunt and her husband helped me a lot during those times, now I am in 2nd year in college. When I first get here, I get a job and save money, like almost 1 year after I got here, I get admitted into college, I study business management/Accounting. After 6 months I got admitted into College, my aunt and her family relocated because of work, they suggested that I should follow them that they will get a transfer letter from the College but I told them that they should not worry about me and that I will manage myself. After a lot of discussions, I was able to convince them.

Here am I today, I am going to school and after that, I will go to work in the afternoon and on weekend I do 2 jobs a full day with shifting times, along the line I meet my boyfriend his name is Jack Thompson, he is from Arizona and he is 28 years, he works as a Marketing Manager in one good company, he is a very caring and lovely man. I met him when I was in first year in college like 2 months after my aunt left, I told my aunt and my parents about him, and sometimes he calls them and they talk. I sometimes spent the weekend at his house.

2 years later, today is my graduation day, we celebrate and everything went well. In the night my boyfriend said he has a surprise for me. He told me to come and meet him at one restaurant. As soon as I get there I enter the restaurant the decoration of the restaurant is so amazing I am thinking maybe there is some occasion or the restaurant is always like that. A waiter come to me and show me to our table but I am surprised because I did not say anything to him or say my name or who I am looking for, I get to our table, I saw my boyfriend and he pulls out a chair for me to sit, he orders food as soon as we finish our dinner, the waiter bring cake I think the cake is to celebrate my graduation but as soon as the waiter opens the cake the word written on the cake "Please will marry me" make me happy before I could face him to say something I already find him on his knee with a nice ring and said he word again and I said yes. After the proposal, he said I should move in with him and I accept. I called my aunt and my parents and told them about the proposal and they are so happy for us. One month after the proposal we went to visit my family and I am so happy to meet them.

2 months later, I got a good job as one of the staff in the accounting department in a good company. I am so happy right now that my life is going the way I want, not knowing that my struggle or my battle just begin.

I am working and everything is fine until one day Jack called me that he has something to discuss with me after dinner then I said ok.

"Bella I am thinking that we should plan our wedding and I want to tell you when we get married you will have to stop working so you can take care of the house and our kids," Jack said looking serious because he knows how I love working, am thinking that why will be getting married and having kids going to disturb my work because I don't understand

"It is good we should start planning our wedding but how will that one disturb my work," I asked

"Bella this is what I want and you have to accept it as that" Jack said

"Excuse me, you can't just tell me that I should stop working because it is what you want, at least give me a good reason for me to stop working," I said

"The reason why I said that is because I don't want the work to be disturbing you from your home responsibility," said Jack

"Please Jack since the time we are together almost four years now till we get engaged you never mention anything like this for me and you know how I love my work and it is the same work am using the salary to help my family back home, so you can just sleep and wake up one day and tell me I will have to resign from my work because is what you want or because it will disturb my responsibility as a wife," I said angrily

"Bella that is what I want and you have to stick to it," he said and head inside the bedroom

I don't know what to do or say I should sit there like a fool because it is like all the air in my lung just went on vacation.

It's been 2 weeks that jack told me about leaving work and I don't have anyone to talk to, I don't have friends because he said he doesn't want that because they will be teaching me bad things, the time he said that is when I am in 3rd year in College, sometimes my school mate come to my house for homework or just to hang out. I should have suspect that he will demand more. The only best friend that I have in school and traveled out of the country after our graduation but we still get in contact with each other but it is only when I am at work that I talk to her. He has not given me any reason apart from what he said the last time but I have feelings that there is more to it. I can't sit at home without doing anything.

I am still at work and I am feeling tired right now, I don't know why maybe because I have not eaten lunch but I don't have any appetite for eating. I am cut of my thought with the ringing of my phone, I checked the caller and it is my best friend Annie.

"Hello babe, how are you doing? I miss you so much," she said happily

I replied to her and I explain everything to her about what Jack said and she said what am I going to do now

"Honestly I don't know because if I sit at home what will I be doing all day? How will I be able to send money to my parents, it is not that they ask but at least I know how my family is but I am just doing it to help them with my brother's school fees and sometimes they use it for groceries. I replied to her

"Talk to him and explain all this to him and tell him that how will you be sending money to your parent and all other things, hey babe don't let this bother your mind because I can see that in your voice, sit him down and talk to him, I will just advise you to sort everything out before you proceed for the wedding preparation," she said

"Thanks, I will do that" I reply and we said our goodbyes and hang up

I am preparing dinner and I hear the front door and I know that it is Jack, I went out of the kitchen and greeted him, he made his way to the bedroom to freshen up after that we had our dinner. We are sitting down in the living room because I already told him that I want to talk to him.

"Bella, what is it that you want to tell me?

"Please don't interrupt me until I finish, what I want to say is that, when I resign from my work, how will you manage the bill, you know sometimes I pay for some bill and groceries, now that you said I should resign from work, first how will you manage the bill alone with your salary? Second, how will I send money to my parents? Third, when we have kids, some bills will increase and we will need to buy baby stuff like diapers, baby cloth, baby food, toys, and so on. So how will you manage it with your salary?

He is just looking at me, he did not say anything, he heaves a sigh and said "I will manage everything don't worry about that and you can tell your parent that you want to resign from your work and you won't be able to send them money to them every month that once in a while, so whenever I get my salary, after deducting all our bill and other stuff if there is some money left you can send it to them. Even before you start working, is there not anything they depend on before you start sending money to them, they should go back to that thing or the business and your dad is working so they should manage on that" He said

"Excuse me Jack, my parents are not beggars that you will send some leftover money to them, so please have some respect because I never abuse or say anything bad about your parents. Even if they are working it is my responsibility to take care of them either by sending money to them or anything to them. Because I get married does not mean I should forget my parents or I should forget my background" I said angrily

"It is man responsibility to take of their parents, so you are a woman and your responsibility is to take care of your home, husband and kids," he said