Elma's POV
I can't bear to see my family and I in that kind of misery. I normally see some people living on the streets. Mostly, people live under the bridge. I can't imagine living that kind of life. I have to do something and fast. Speaking of my father, he is useless. He doesn't care about us. He should be the one having all these thoughts am having. But no, it's the other way round. He would rather spend all his time at the bar and squander all the little money he mange to get from his friends.
"Gosh am tired sis" Christine said sitting down on one of the cape stones lined up by the roadside. We are just coming back from where we went for quick job hunt with other people of this town. We are on our way home. Unfortunately we didn't find any job. We were not lucky enough to get even the smallest job there. We managed to get some money from some people that knew about our mother's condition. I could see that there are still good people in this world.
"Come on Christine, we are only a couple of blocks away from home. We will soon be there" I said feeling week as well but I have to be strong as the eldest.
"What are we going to do now? We haven't gotten half of the money for our house rent" Christian said while joining Christine on the cape stone.
I sighed. "At least we have some money with us. It's better than none"
"It's not up to half!" Christine said angrily. "The way this is going, I don't think we are going to raise the money before that jerk of a landlord come and kick us out. I can't live on the streets"
Christian gasped. "Streets! The sound of it always gives me the creeps. We really have to work hard"
"We are going through all these pressure when we have a father who is supposed to be the bread winner of the family" Christine said in irritation. "Why is he so wicked to us like this?"
"That man is a disgrace to fatherhood. I will never be like him and do that to my family" Christian said.
"Come on guys, no matter what he is still our father" I corrected them. I understand how they feel but nothing can change the fact that he is our father. No body is perfect.
"Father indeed sis. He is an horrible druck for a father. If only one can break up with his father I would have done that long time ago" Christian said with distaste.
"What makes you any better than him Christian?" I asked but he kept silent. "Look, we don't have time to waste on our father. Let's focus on paying the damn rent okay?" There was no response from both of them. I asked again.. " okay??!" "Fine" they both said standing up and we continue our journey home.
I sighed.
"Well well well see who we have here. If it isn't the poorest of the poor in this town." A familiar voice spoke up
"You must be very stupid to call us that you idiot" Christine snapped.
"Ooh! Pls don't be mad, am just greeting you. You should be polite enough to respond" the person said.
"Greeting? You mean insulting. I thought you are among the smart people but no, you are obviously senseless" my brother said.
The person laughs. " Look at you, begger of the family. Think I don't know how you go around begging your mates for money?
Christian clenched his jaw and almost hit him"you- " "Enough Christian" I managed to stop him from letting his temper get the best of him.
"What do you want Steve?" I asked in a gentle tune.
"Well my darling darling Elma" he smirks. "Always beautiful like the morning sun. You would have looked more beautiful if it weren't for those rags you are putting on"
I felt angry after those words came out of his mouth and I could feel the anger of my siblings but I gestured that they leave it and allow me to deal with it. "Why do you find joy in humiliating others?"
He laughs and wipe his shirt feeling himself but I ignored his sauciness. Steve is no lie a very handsome guy. He is tall, almost taller than my brother but muscular. He has green eyes and broad shoulders and pointed nose. I heard he is the center of attraction in this town. Girls fall on his feet. Many even fight over him but I call that stupidity.
I can't see myself with such a man. He disrespects women and he is also mannerless. He is one of the richest man in this small town but I know it's only in this small town. Out there his money is just crap. Even though women throw themselves at him he still chase after me. Even after making it clear to him that I am not interested he still insist on chasing me. He is determined to insult and humiliate me and my family till I accept his advances but I will never stoop so low for a mannerless and disrespectful man like him
"Whatever and however I choose to dress is none of your business. Why can't you leave us the hell alone Steve?" I yelled at him in anger
He smiles and move closer to me. He was so close that it remained an inch between us and he said "I won't leave you until you accept to be my woman"
"She will never be your woman Steve. Never!" My sister snapped out in anger
Steve laughed like an evil master and said to her "we shall see about that puppy" he then looked at me and smiled. He raised my chin with his finger making me look up into his eyes "I am the only man that can bring you out of poverty. Think about it. You and your family will live well if you accept me"
I removed my chin from his hand and look away without looking at him. He laughed and walked away from us.
I sighed and my siblings came to me and hug me. " Elma, don't listen to him. You don't have to listen to him. He is bad man."My sister said with worry filled in her eyes. I hold her hand and look up at her "Don't worry, I won't accept him" "Good" Christian said.
"That man is bad and ruthless. He will do nothing but bad to you and us"
"Come on let's go. Mum will be waiting for us alright?" I said as we continue our journey.
I won't lie but I did had a thought about what Steve said. Right now I could do anything for my family's sake. Anything to end this sufferings. My family is my priority. I could even die for them. That's how important they are to me. We need breakthrough from this poverty. I'll rather be Steve's woman and he will help us out than reject his offer and let my family suffer. My family is a hundred times worth my happiness. Even though Steve disrespects and humiliate women, my family are worth the risk. Life is all about taking risk.
Almost at our house, I saw my mother leaning out against the door. She was talking to a man. She look so weak. I wonder how important the conversation is that she had to come out in her weak state. Then I glanced at the man she was talking to. He looked familiar but I couldn't make out of it because he was facing my mother and I can only see his back. But the familiarity is strong. 'Who is that with mother? Christian asked curiously "I don't...." I was cut off by Christine. "Shit! That's the landlord! Gosh what is he saying to mum?I ran towards them with my siblings following from behind. I know how annoying and frustrating the man can be. I don't want him stressing my mother or even worsening her condition.I reached them and my mother looked relieved to see us. I was right. He was stressing her. I felt angry about this. He is supposed to consider her condition and just wait for us to come back or better still leave. How would he? He doesn't care. All he wants is his pay."Mum" sh
"Christian!" I yelled out my brother's name. I need his help to bring dad inside. He is still lying on the ground along the road and we have to carry him out of the road."Sis why are you..." I cut him off"Dad on the ground, let's go get him"I ran ahead. Christian followed me behind. "Why does he always has to humiliate us like this sis? Look at him" Christian points his fingers at our father "Who gets drunk at noon?""Just help me with him okay? There is no time for complains" Christian shutted up and did as I said.My words were void of any emotions but at a point I just didn't know what to feel. Frustration or anger as I looked at my father on the ground.How could he allow himself to be useless? How did he end up like this? Wasted and drunk? Gosh...he is making things hard for me.I didn't know how long I have been wondering in my thoughts till Christian called me out "sis what's wrong?" I sighed and nodded."Nothing let's carry him home already" I bend down to pick him up but C
Jones POV"Ruby!" I yelled out her name but she ignored me walking away angrily. I definitely know how she can be when she is angry. I ran following her till I was able to get a hold of her hand."Calm down baby geez" I said trying to sound as apologetic as I can"Get your damn hand away from me Jones" she snapped grabbing her hand away from my grip. She is way too upset with me."Who do you think you are huh? What exactly do you take me for?" She was looking at me with those cute green eyes filled with anger and I think love. Don't blame me, she is mad at me but she is also madly in love with me."Baby please" I put my palms together pleading. "I am so so so sorry okay? I didn't mean to keep you waiting. Just don't..."Don't give me shit Jones" she cut me off. I sighed."We haven't seen each other for the pasted damn weeks. I agreed to this freaking date thinking that you will do better but yet you made it worse by coming late?!Do you think am a ball or something you can play with
Elma's POVFive thirty in the morning, am ready to do something to raise the money for our rent. My family are still sound asleep, I didn't want to wake them or tell them about my plans. I just want to do this alone. I don't like them suffering. I have to do this without them and am sure that when I go out there I will surely find something to do that will earn me some money. Without them being with me, I will be able to concentrate and work harder bearing in mind that this is for my family. Yes they give me some much strength. I really cannot live without them cause they are like the air that I breathe.Come on El, this is for your family.I stepped out of the house quietly after grabbing my small worn out bag and hung it on my shoulders. Not wanting to wake anyone, I closed the door gently and moved out.Walking along the road, last night's drama came to my mind. After Christian and I had carried dad inside, he woke up around nine pm yesterday. My mother was beside him yesterday. S
Did he just... Am I hearing things?"Um... Sir are you serious? He smiled and said "I am" he put his hands inside his drawer and brought some money. "Here's the advance and a little more for the help you gave me today" I was still shocked, I never saw this coming. He is actually offering me a job and paying advance geez, aren't that a miracle?"Here you go" he said handing me the money. I couldn't help but stare at it in his hand. That was more than enough, I could pay the rent and use the remaining for something else. How is it that I made the money for our rent in a day? double OMG!"Aren't you going to take it?"Oh!"I snapped out of my thoughts and collected the money but still couldn't believe it. This man was a not only nice but generous too."Thank you very much sir, you don't know how much you helped me, am so so grateful sir!" I knelt down before thanking him, I thought good people were scarce in this world but I was wrong.But this was too much. I helped him just a day and h
Elma's POV"Where did you get all these money from El?" My mother asked. I knew what she was thinking. That i got it illegally or by other possible dubious means. She could think anything but I don't blame her, how I got the money was still shocking to me."I have told you mum"I said"But sis the story is awkward" Christine said looking at Christian."Yeah sis, how could that be?" Christian asked. These twins share same sensitivity."Look, it's the truth okay? I couldn't believe it either" Mum kept staring at me. The woman is finding it hard to believe.I sighed "mum I didn't do anything thing illegal to get this money. Besides, you know your child."I said trying to convince her."This is serious, I didn't know there are still good people in this world" she said looking at the money in disbelief."I thought the same thing mum" I said"Doesn't he have any children or family to take care of?" Christian asked."That's the point, the man has no one except himself." I said and the all real
Elma's POV"Bye guys" I left the house after bidding my family goodbye, I couldn't afford to be late that's why I didn't eat breakfast but mum insisted I carry the food to work. She packaged it in a lunch box.Mum was worrying too much besides I don't like taking breakfast but I had to so as not to make her worry too much. Am glad she is recovering little by little, am becoming tired of her weak side.The road was as quiet as usual. It's just 5:30am, there are no much people around. Just a few people.The morning smell so good. Maybe it's because things are becoming to turn around for my family and I.I hope we get lots of customers today, i can't wait to see Mr Benson's happy face once he sells all his fishes. I just like seeing people happy. Mum scolds me sometimes about that, she said I should think about my happiness first before others but that seems hard.My day was starting to go well not until I bumped into someone. Shit.. that one person I hated with passion in this town."C
Elma's POVIt was 10:00am, Sunday morning. I didn't go to work today cause Mr Benson kept the day sacred. He said he spends the day cleaning up his house, resting and visit his wife in the cemetery. I offered to help out in the cleaning but he insisted I stay at home and rest. I have been working there for three days now and it has been nothing but fun. Mr Benson was very happy since the passed three days. He still calls me his lucky charm. According to him, he hasn't made so much like he did since I started working for him. I was very glad that I brought happiness to his heart, he is such a kind man.There wasn't much to do at home, my siblings finished all the work. I had finished cooking, served my mum and siblings. Dad isn't always around even on Sundays that is suppose to be family bonding time. I guess the man will never change.I finished eating so I decided to go and buy mum's remaining drugs. Am very happy that mum is getting better and we have also paid our rent so no troubl