Take care of my heart

Mitchell is a young adult who lives with her mother, grandmother, sister, and nephew. Mitchell and her sister, Rose works so hard to make sure the needs of the family are met since their father left them years ago when they were still very young.

Their mother has refused to tell them the reason why their father has left them, hence they took it upon themselves to Meet the needs of the family. The responsibility is shared between both girls, although Rose takes the greater part of the responsibility even though she has a son to cater for.

She works extra hours at the restaurant to make sure that she can send her son to school and also send her sister, Mitchell to college.

The bills of the family pile up and as a result they have to decide what they needed the money to do. The decision making begins when Dan returns from school and demands his school fees from his mother, Rose. He stumbles on them while they were trying to raise the money for the electrical bill.

" What do we do now Rose? Mitchell asked her sister who is already out of reality. She doesn't want her son to experience the kind of life she is living and as a result she feels bad whenever he demands something that was not in her power to do.

What do you think we should do? She asked in response.

Rose, I think we should pay Daniel's fee, that's what is important now. The electricity can go off for now. When we have a lot of money or when we have been able to settle some of our pressing needs, then we can go ahead and fix it again.

I don't think that is okay. Rose responded at once.

But why? What do you think we should do then?

Mitch, we need the electricity because of mum's shop, our stuffs in the refrigerator and our clothing. How about Dan? How will he cope since he returns from school late? Let's sit down and plan towards it again.

Mitchell sat down as she watched her sister start the calculations again on another page of the book they have been using to calculate their expenses. After some minutes of silence in calculation, Mitchell decided to give her sister a suggestion.

Rose, I think I have an idea. She told her amid a yawn.

What's it?

The calculations you have been working on are enough, I don't think there's a way we can adjust the budget to our favor, the electricity should be cut off while we pay for Dan's school fees.

Then? She asked her immediately.

I think we should get a lamp, the lamp will be able to help him out at night with his assignments.

Rose became emotional again, she looked at her sister with a sad face, held her hands tightly "I'm sorry Mitch, I never wanted you to get into this situation we find ourselves. I had wanted to get enough for us since our father left us but time is my limit.

"It's nothing dear sister, you have been trying all you can to help us and I will also assist you to ensure that we can do all we can to help our mother and grandmother.

Thanks, Mitch, come here, Rose called her "I love hugging you whenever you show how intelligent you are in understanding the situation of our family.

Who among us will go to Dan's school tomorrow to pay up his fees? Mitchell asked her sister knowing well that she will be the one to do it.

" I don't know why you will always want to ask me what you know you will do. Rose commented. Well Mitch, get ready because you'll be doing that tomorrow.

Yes, Ma. Mitchell responded with a salute.

Mitchell watched her sister go to bed. She immediately went outside and sat on the wooden chair. Her mother usually tells her that, that was the chair her father usually seats when he was with them

" Funny me, Mitchell said with a smile. I never got to know him that much, but I'm always told I look like him and I always sit in his favorite chair. This blue seat of his.

"Father wherever you are, I wish you can hear the voice of your daughter, Mitchell, I never got to know you while I was growing up but I was told that you left us for reasons I can not tell because your wife, has refused to tell me.

I think Rose knows why you left but they're keeping it from me and your grandson, Dan. Come home soon, I'm not a stubborn girl and I promise you that I will take care of you no matter what happens when you return home to us.

And most importantly hug you in my arms like this all day long ( she hugged her mother so tight without knowing)

I can see how you long to see your father, Mrs. Williams told her daughter.

Mother! you? When did you arrive home, I didn't notice your presence. Where is your bag? Mitch asked her mother.

Rose had given her a warning not to do anything that will make her mother to have the thought of her husband, their Father.

I have taken it inside the house already. She replied.

Then, you must go and rest now. Go inside mum, you need to rest.

She watched her Mother walk inside the house and then she continued talking to the stars.

She turned to see if her mother was behind her but she wasn't. She pointed her finger to the sky.

" I hope you tell Mr. Williams what I said. Good night, I'll see you tomorrow. She smiled while she placed her hands on her chest showing that she wished she was hugging something or someone.

It was already late, she got inside to join the others on the bed but discovered that her space has been occupied. She smiled and walked to the chair that was adjacent to the bed.

" I'm always comfortable, it doesn't matter where I lay my head to rest". She said as she tried to stretch her body on the chair.

Daniel's fees were cleared the following day with the electricity cut off. Although Mitchell and Rose found it difficult to cope without electricity but there was nothing they could to do since they were out of cash to meet up the needs of the family.

About a month later, nothing seems to work out for both sisters but they made sure the square meals were always available. They do not want their mother to be aware of what they were going through lately.

The job they switched to doing at the Sea side was paying as it used to. Most times they went on empty stomach to make sure that everything was in order.

Mrs Williams has noticed the sad attitude of her daughters lately, she tried to know about what was happening but they have always assured her that all was well with them.

Before they could realise what was going on, it was the raining season. Daniel was almost done with an academic session, so the rain will not disturb him whenever he wants to go to school or return from school.

" Rose what do you think we can do to sustain our family now that it is the rainy season? Mitchell had asked her on one of the cold mornings.

" I don't know for now, I have to visit a friend of mine in the neighborhood because She was telling me about something two weeks ago but I couldn't get all the details since I was in a hurry.

She has invited me to come over this morning. I will go and see her. When I return then we can decide on what to do

Is it a job related issue? Mitchell asked her.

Yes, my dear. It is. If it isn't a business idea, I won't go for sure.

Rose got prepared and off she went with Dan, to the neighborhood.

************

How was it Rose? Mitchell asked her immediately she got to where she was.

Rose didn't respond until after ten minutes of bowing her head. Mitchell already knew what the outcome was a negative one.

" It didn't work out, she finally responded. Mitch, how are we going to cope? Dan is on holiday now but I still need to save up some money because he is resuming another session soon. Grandma needs her drugs, mother is also there to take care of, Dan is here.

I get tired sometimes that I want to give up on everything. Everything is becoming harder and harder at the dawn of each day with nothing to make up for each day! How about me? How about you, Mitchell? We have abandoned our dreams just because of the family needs.

"Big sister, it's okay. I truly understand how you feel over everything. Times are indeed hard and we have nothing to make up for each day but with us together as a family, we are making up each day and moving on.

You don't have to be disturbed over us, my dreams can wait till anytime we have enough for that. Dan is important here, Grandmother is also important here. Let's do what we can to make it possible for each day.

Mitchell had barely finish talking when they heard a Knock on the door.

"Hold on a bit. Mitchell replied. She opened the door, raised her face to exchange pleasantries but she found herself using her hands to cover her mouth tightly.

" Please ma'am. Rose will visit you soon, she pleaded. I understand how you feel, she has gone out to look for a job since the dawn of today but she didn't get any.

I'm sorry about that ma'am but you still have to be patient with us.

When is that? The lady asked in anger.

It will be ten days from today.

That won't be possible Mitchell, my husband is sick in the hospital. We have been asked to pay part of his bills so that treatment can commence but we haven't been able to raise the money for that.

I'm sorry ma, but it will not be possible immediately. We don't have anything to give to you now. I hope you understand me?

I don't understand you, didn't you hear what I told you? My husband is sick and I need money to take care of him. Mitchell I don't have money, the only money I have is the one that I have lent you months ago. I need it now!

Mitchell got confused, "this woman is a stubborn woman. Can't she see what we are going through?". She thought of what to do. Going inside to meet her sister wasn't the best idea because there would be no solution from her.

She went into the room, as she rolled her eyes around it to search for an expensive ware that she can exchange for the debt they were owing.

" I think this would do, she told herself as she removed her Clothes from the big brown box that contains her personal belongings

.As she tried taking it outside.Her grandmother stopped her to know about what she wanted to use it for. In order for her to succeed with her plans she told her she wanted to shake dust off it.

" Well, you can go ahead then. She told her.

Ma'am this is what we have. This box is the only valuable material we have to make an exchange for the debt she we owe you.

But this is so expensive, the value of it is worth more than the bag. The lady told her.

That's for sure ma'am. But we have nothing to offer other than this.

I wouldn't have accepted this if not that my husband is so sick and I am helpless. She told her with so much pain that was written all over her.

Thanks for your understanding Ma'am. She told her. The lady turned to leave while she stood at the entrance of the door to watch the woman leave with her bag.

" It may be very difficult now but there's one thing I know, everything will soon be fine". Mitchell told herself.

Mitchell returned to the house to meet her sister already sleeping. She decided to take a stroll down the street to get off some thoughts that has been running through her mind lately. As she walked down the street, she had a conversation with her.

" Telling Rose about this idea is a very difficult one for me, and we cannot continue exchanging our properties for the debt we owe, Mitch! You have to do something, open up, you cannot continue doing this all by yourself.

If the payment of a day is doubled, then the debt will be easier to pay than when it is just you that's doing everything. Rose will buy the idea, come on, speak up!

But how do you want me to start the conversation? It's so difficult to say, she complained. How can I tell Rose? I know she will understand but it's so difficult to say.

You're not doing anything bad, are you selling your body? No! You're not, and you can never sell your body for money.

Yes I know that, but Mitchell tried to explain

There's no but, you have no option, my dear, go baby and tell her about it. That's the only way you can get yourself out of debt.

Mitchell immediately made a U-turn. She walked as fast as her legs could carry her and then when she got home, she was told that Rose had gone out to get some materials that will be used for the roofing of their house in case the rain should fall and destroy any of the roofs that were already worn out.

Mitchell, therefore, decides to help her mother in her shop.

Thank Goodness you came! Her mother exclaimed.

Are you serious? She asked in return

Yes, my dear, you came at the right time. Can't you see the work, that's here Mitchell? There are lots of customers and I can barely attend to them.

It's okay mum, I'm here to help out now. Let me help you with that, she said as she attempted to take the tray that was with her mother.

Mitchell helped her mother for four hours before leaving for home to catch up with her sister.

She tried to leave when she sighted her sister walking in.

Where in the world have you been? Rose asked.

I took a stroll down the street but when I returned I didn't meet you in the house so I decided to come, help mother. Mitchell told her sister as she placed her hand on her shoulder.

" Don't use that tone with me Rose, if you try it again, I am going to give you four knocks on your head right now. Mitchell told her sister

" Try it if you can, then you will see what I can do, spoilt little monkey like you. Rose told her again.

Big sister, don't forget that I'm up here and you're down there. I can do anything to this head of yours.

Then try it if you can, Rose gave her a command.

" Huh! You don't mean it, I was only kidding. I didn't mean it, I was trying to make you laugh because your face looks like that of a man who has been defeated on the war front.

Mrs. Williams smiled as she sees her daughters engaging in an argument that does not worth their time.

Mother! Mother! She called, come see your daughters, they're arguing again.

I can see Stella, her mother told her as she observed the expression on her face. "What is that on your eyes? She asked her daughter immediately.

Mother, I know you're aware of what makes me shed tears. My children are moving on with their lives without their father. Rose has treated her little sister very well even when she has her responsibilities.

She bears the responsibilities of a mother, a sister, a daughter, and even a granddaughter. Mother this is not what I planned for us.

I understand you, my daughter. Nothing happened because you made it happen, it wasn't your plan for your family to be this way, nothing was your fault and you don't have to blame yourself. Your husband left because he wants to leave.

Your daughters are with you, and your grandson is also here. We love you Stella, so wipe those tears off your eyes.

Mrs. Williams was cuddled in the arms of her mother as they watched their daughters engaging in an exciting conversation.

The two happy girls went to inform their parents that they were leaving for home.

Take care of my grandson you two. Mrs. Williams told them.

Yeah, sure, we will. Dan will be fine.

Mitchell thought of a way to tell her sister what she has been thinking of." How will I start the conversation? She got an idea immediately, the money she gave to Rose to get the roofing sheet in preparation for the rainy season is what she will start with.

Rose entered the room and discovered that her sister's box was missing, she didn't bother to ask her about it.

" Another box for a settlement of debt again, how many do we have left? She asked aloud.

" We have just four left and I don't think we can continue going on with this system of refunding our debt. Mitchell answered from behind her.

Rose, you didn't ask me how I got the money we used for the roofing sheets. I gave you the money and you collected it from me without knowing the source of it.

I'm sorry my sister, it wasn't intentional. I forgot if not that you just reminded me. Mitch, you know that I don't act that way, I had a lot on my mind lately.

Yeah, sister, I understand. I'm sorry for using that tone with you. I almost lost it. Mitchell replied as she placed her hand on her forehead.

Yeah, I understand you, my dear. Please don't be offended. Can I hear you now?

Yes sister, but you have to make a promise.

And what is that Mitch? She asked in a serious tone.

Nobody has to Know about this, I am telling you this because I trust you with everything I have.

There's no problem then Mitch. Tell me.