Chapter 5

Abigail went to the nearby shop to get more medicine and a meat pie for Daniel. On her way, she thought about how she was going to get some money before starting to work at Megabase Company. “I’m exhausted like this how I’m going to handle my family’s situation. No father, no helper. All the money I had left has exhausted. What will happen to me and my children if there is no food to eat? Where am I going to stay when my house bill is due? I’m not sure what I’m going to do with myself. I pray just to find someone who can help me so that I can use the money to feed my children, God help me.” She cried inside herself while asking rhetorical questions.

She bought the medicine and returned home, worried about her financial situation.

“Take this, Daniel, and give the second pie to your sister.”

***

“Here’s your medicine,” Abigail told Miss Anita after finishing her supper.

“Why wouldn’t you be home for dinner at night with us?”

“I would, son, but I’m probably going to see one of my friends around the corner at night, so I might sleep late. Don’t worry, I’ll get more meat pie and cookies for you and Daniella, okay?”

“Yes-yes, Mom, I want cookies too. Thanks, Mom.”

“Go get some rest. I’ll be right back, my baby.”

“OK, Mom!” Daniel was overjoyed by his mother’s promise.

Abigail went out again, seeking a solution for Daniel and Daniella. She decided to stay at the bar with a cookie and a glass of wine to forget her worries.

When she saw Samuel’s car arrive at the bar, she didn’t recognize him at first, but she could feel Samuel getting out of the car.

“Hello, Samuel.”

He looked around for the person calling him, and she called again.

“Hi, Samuel, this is Abigail. Do you remember me?” She approached him with a cheerful dance.

“How are you doing, Abigail? I never expected to encounter you here after such a long time, what a faithful day.”

“I’m alright, and you look wonderful,” Abigail said, patting him on the shoulder.

“What exactly are you doing here? Do you come with anyone? Where is your man?” He asked, glancing around.

They entered the pub as a couple, sat down, and asked the bartender to give Abigail anything she desired.

“No, I don’t need much; just give me some wine and some pizza, Samuel.”

“Welcome, dear; you look lovely. I hope your boyfriend is the finest caretaker in the world.”

She grinned, expecting Samuel to toast her, falling in love with him at first sight.

“I don’t have a boyfriend. I’m lonely, taking care of myself and the kids alone; I am the parent of two kids,” Abigail stated soberly.

“I’m so sorry for that; please excuse my stupid brain.”

“No, it’s okay,” Abigail said. “Samuel, tell me about your family.” She placed her hand under her chin to listen to what Sam had to say.

“My loved ones, I don’t have a family; I live alone,” Samuel said with a grin. “My only family is my work and a friend. You are also a part of my family.”

“How could I be your family?” she laughed. “You must be joking with me.”

“Stop saying this; just meeting doesn’t mean we’re just friends. As long as we stay together, we talk, you’re also my family,” Samuel asserted.

“Okay, accepted. Can you tell me more? How come you didn’t have any family? How are your mum and father doing? They are also family.”

“No, I don’t have one,” he said, tears streaming down his cheeks. “My family was murdered 15 years ago when I was 15 years old. We were robbed, and the first thing they demanded was money. We provided the money, but my sisters were assaulted, my father got shot, and my mother was raped. That’s when my brother and I began working hard and living like men.”

Abigail felt like crying upon hearing the heartbreaking story. “I’m sorry, Samuel. Just stop; it’s okay for now. I just feel the suffering, how you’ve been living since then, and how you survived it.”

They began scrutinizing each other’s faces. Drawn to each other by the moving narrative, they both stayed silent and stared at each other.

They began drinking and eating while still looking at each other. Abigail inquired, “Why are you staring at me? Do you fancy me? I’m not particularly attractive.”

“No, you are beautiful and caring,” he said. “I was just imagining how it would be to have someone like this as a friend. I wish you could spend days with me like this because I’m always depressed. I need someone like you to be my favorite friend because you’re over and simply someone I like.”

“When did love begin?” Samuel wondered how he fell in love with the young woman after just two days of meeting her.

“I don’t know,” he said, “I don’t know, I think it’s God.”

Abigail blushed.

“Where are you going tonight after you leave here?” Samuel inquired.

“I’m going to meet my children. They’d have been expecting me by now because I promised them meat pie and cookies,” Abigail ordered another glass of wine since she realized Samuel loved her after their chat and planned to fool him.

She intended to become intoxicated so Samuel could take her home or log her; it had been a long time since she’d had sex with a guy.

“Hey, waiter, can I order two drinks?”

Samuel also drank to erase the memories of his family’s murder, and they both got drunk.

“I’m dizzy, Samuel,” Abigail said, her head wobbling as though it’s being removed. “Are you able to drive Sam?”

“Yes, I can drive.”

“I don’t think you’ll be able to drive Sam.”

“If it’s not too much trouble, there’s a hotel on Order Street.”

“That’s great, take me there.”

Samuel responded by getting up and shaking his leg on the floor. They held their hands and went to the hotel.

“Good evening, everyone,” they said in such a loud manner that everyone present began gazing at them and laughing.

They approached the receptionist. “Are there any available rooms?”

“Sure, sir.”

“OK,” he said, “can I have the key?”

“This is the key to room 213; take the stairs, turn right, and the last room is 213.” The receptionist detailed the moment she realized they were both intoxicated.

They followed the path until they reached the room.