CHAPTER 3

Daphne headed home from her doctor’s appointment with a feeling of relief within her. The weight of worry that had settled on her shoulders over the past few weeks had lifted, even if just a little. “Hopefully, things get better,” she mumbled under her breath, her voice barely audible over the hum of the car engine.

As she got down from the bus and headed home,Daphne heaved a sigh of relief, at least for now. The house was quiet when she stepped inside, the silence was comforting. It was a good thing Joe wasn’t home. She placed her bag on the kitchen counter and poured herself a glass of water, trying to push away the lingering thoughts of what the future held.

Daphne’s hand instinctively went to her belly, feeling the subtle movements of her baby. “It’s just you and me,” she whispered, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her lips. The road ahead might be uncertain, but for this moment, she allowed herself to feel at peace.

She settled onto the couch, feeling the exhaustion of the day wash over her. As her eyes drifted shut, Daphne silently hoped that each day would bring more of the small victories, like today,a good check-up, a sense of calm, and the knowledge that she was doing everything she could for her baby.

***

A new day had arrived, and Daphne woke up with a sense of unease gnawing at her. The relief she had felt after her doctor’s appointment had faded, replaced by the reality of her situation. She had made a decision the previous day to find a job, as the bills were piling up, and her savings were dwindling faster than she had anticipated.

Daphne wasn’t overly concerned about her long-term future; she knew that once the baby was born, she would do whatever it took to create a better life for both of them. But in the meantime, she needed money to keep things afloat—to cover the rent, utilities, and the baby essentials that seemed to grow more expensive by the day.

Stella, Daphne’s only close friend, was the only person she could think of who might be able to help. Taking a deep breath, Daphne picked up her phone and dialed Stella’s number. The phone rang a few times before a familiar, cheerful voice came through the speaker.

“Hello?”

“Hey girl, how are you doing?” Stella responded, her voice warm and full of energy.

Daphne smiled, feeling a bit of her anxiety ease just hearing Stella’s voice. “I’m hanging in there,” she replied, trying to keep her tone light. “Listen, I’ve been thinking… I really need to find a job. The bills are piling up, and I need to make sure I can take care of everything before the baby comes.”

There was a pause on the other end of the line before Stella responded. “I figured you might need some help soon. Don’t worry, Daphne. We’ll figure something out. I’ve actually heard about a few openings at some local shops and offices. They might not be glamorous, but it’s work.”

Daphne felt a wave of gratitude wash over her. “Thank you, Stella. I knew I could count on you.”

“You know I’ve always got your back,” Stella said, her voice filled with reassurance. “How about I swing by later today? We can go over the options and see what might work best for you.”

“That sounds perfect,” Daphne replied, feeling a bit of the weight lift off her shoulders. “I’ll see you later then.”

After hanging up the phone, Daphne let out a breath she didn’t realise she’d been holding. She still had a lot to figure out, but with Stella’s support, she felt a little more hopeful about what the future might bring.

Stella reached out to Daphne with a potential job offer as a janitor.” I’m sorry girl, but this is the only offer available that could go with your condition”. Knowing Daphne’s current situation being pregnant it was clear that finding steady employment like she previously suggested office work would be quite challenging for her at this stage in life. Although the job offer wasn’t ideal, especially considering the physical demands of janitorial work, it seemed like an opportunity worth considering. Given her pregnancy, it was likely that she wouldn’t easily secure a more stable or less physically strenuous position right away, making the offer somewhat appealing in the short term.

“Thank you so much Stella, I owe you one!” Daphne said with a little bit of reassurance in her. It wasn’t a job that would bring a lot of income for her but just enough for the meantime .

She sat down, her mind suddenly flooded with overwhelming thoughts. "Can I do this? What if everything goes wrong? What if I lose my baby?" The questions raced through her mind. Shaking her head, she tried to push those unsettling thoughts away. This wasn’t the time for doubt. She had to stay strong, especially for her baby. If nothing else, she needed to keep going for the sake of her child.

It was a Sunday. "Work starts tomorrow,"Daphne mumbled to herself,there was no time left to waste.She could already picture how exhausting it would be, especially with her pregnancy, but she knew she had no choice. This was a step she had to take, even if it wasn’t going to be easy.

***

At 5 a.m. on Monday morning, Daphne was jolted awake by the alarm she had set the night before. It was time to get up and prepare for the day. She reached out to the bedside table, turning off the ringing alarm. Next to her, Joe lay in a deep sleep.She had told him about the job and he had nothing to say as usual, snoring loudly, the smell of alcohol heavy in the air. It had become a daily routine she was completely unfazed by, a part of her life she had long grown used to.

Daphne slowly rose from the bed, her body heavy with fatigue, longing for just a few more minutes of sleep. Her limbs felt sluggish, her eyes barely open as she shuffled across the room. She could hear Joe’s snoring in the background, a constant reminder of the routine she had grown accustomed to. With a sigh, she made her way to the kitchen. Despite her exhaustion, there were things that had to be done. Breakfast needed to be prepared, and she knew all too well the kind of mood Joe would be in if he woke up to find nothing ready for him. 

She quietly moved about the kitchen, pulling out bread for toast and cracking a few eggs into the pan. The sizzle of the eggs filled the otherwise quiet house. Daphne’s mind wandered as she worked, her body going through the motions automatically. Once the food was ready, she carefully wrapped the toast and eggs in foil, making sure to keep them warm for him. Even though she was tired, she took extra care, knowing that even the smallest slip could spark unnecessary tension later.

Daphne took a long, soothing bath, hoping it would ease some of the exhaustion weighing her down. Her growing belly was a constant reminder of the new life inside her, and though she was starting a job as a janitor, she still wanted to make a good first impression. She knew she didn’t need to dress up like she was attending a ball, but looking presentable mattered to her.

She chose a bright red dress that was simple but beautiful, with a loose fit that comfortably accommodated her pregnant belly. It wasn’t extravagant, but it made her feel a little more confident. Letting her hair down, she sprayed a light mist of perfume, the familiar scent calming her nerves. With slow, deliberate strokes, she applied her lip gloss, watching the subtle sheen appear as she gently smacked her lips together. Despite the challenges ahead, she stood in front of the mirror feeling ready for the day, her baby bump a quiet source of strength.

Daphne made her way to the door, taking one last glance around the room before stepping out. Her heart felt a mixture of nerves and hope, but she pushed forward, determined to make the most of what lay ahead. With each step, she told herself she could do this for her and for her baby. As she left the house, the cool morning air greeted her, and despite everything, she felt a wave of optimism wash over her. Today was the start of something new, and she was ready to face it.