Chapter One

Today started just like any other, me and dad both up at the crack of dawn. Me shuffling  through the kitchen to prepare breakfast before our busy day at work. Every morning starts the same him sitting at the table with the paper and a cup of coffee reading the weekly comics. Me doing the house chores, cooking and cleaning. It's been our routine since my mom passed three years ago, and something I've come to treasure. My father isn't a very verbal man but the time spent with him  is most precious to me. Today was an important day he has a meeting with our bank to see if he can refinance his business loan. When the pandemic hit we suffered a huge income loss and lately we've just been staggering along. He doesn't seem to worried so I try not to ask any questions. 

We both head out and he drops me off downtown at the small cafe that I work at. The small shop sits on the business corner in the city's most profitable location. "Annies" is the name of the cafe and we are surrounded by firms and corporations all located in central downtown. I enter the building immediately throwing on my apron and hoping on the front counter. Mrs. Ann smiles sending me a wink as she heads off to do inventory. It’s the same each day we have people bustling in and out of here from 7 am until 5 pm secretaries, clerks, lawyers, everyone and I greet them all with a friendly smile even those who are not so friendly.

My day passes swiftly and I'm clocking out and waiting at the bus stop to fetch a ride home. Dad had the most important errands to run so he kept the car which was fine by me. I don't mind the bus at all it gives me time to reflect on myself. Sitting at the stop I watch as the evening regulars begin to pull up for their coffee, nice cars beautiful clothes and snobby attitudes. That I admire from afar. The bus comes and the thirty-minute ride ends with me walking the block to reach home. As it comes into view I see my father sitting on the curb and I rush over to him.

"Dad" I call out and his head lifts slightly standing  just as I reach him. Looking at him I can see his tear-stained face and I know something wrong. I walk him into the house helping him to take a seat at the table, running to the kitchen  I grab him a glass of water and rush it back to him. Once he has calmed a little he begins to explain, I wasn't able to get the loan, and we've been given 3 days to leave the premises he sigh out looking defeated. They say I have nothing left and I don't understand how, I mean we suffered a lost but I've been on time for our payments and we have no defaults. I stand there in a bit of a shock confused by what he just said.

You... You just said that we have nothing, “I thought we were managing very well what happened I ask looking at him directly”. “I don't quite understand it either darling but yeah that is the case were broke”. With that, I slump down onto a chair feeling defeated mumbling under my breath, you should get cleaned up and I will get dinner started. He nods in agreement and walks to his room, getting up from my chair I go into the kitchen and start dinner spaghetti and meatballs something quick and easy. It's my go-to when I need to think. 

Calling Dad to the kitchen I go and set the table and place the food in the middle. Taking the sweet tea from the fridge I take my seat and wait for dad to come and join me. I hear him talking on the phone so I figure it's business-related if they are calling at supper time. I pour myself a glass of tea and distribute the food amongst us still waiting for him to come out. When he finally enters the room the dread of the day is gone although I can see how much this is weighing on him. Is everything ok I ask as he slides into the chair?

That was an important phone call with my chief advisor I was looking for a way out of this mess he sighs picking up his fork and beginning to eat. I grab mine and join in letting the quietness drift between u.s I guess we're both at a loss for words so we stick to the silence after dinner I clean up and then go take a shower.  Rinsing away the troubles of today hoping tomorrow is better. Lost in thought I zone out. “ I can't let him lose everything I just can't I sigh out as I leave the bathroom quickly”. Going to bed I tuck myself in and fall into a restless slumber, tossing and turning all night.

Up at the crack of dawn, I leap from the bed smelling coffee that is being freshly brewed. I throw on my housecoat and exit my room almost bumping into a figure standing in the hallway. I quickly jump back and pull my robe tightly securing it around my waist seeing as there’s a stranger in my home. Walking past him I peak into the kitchen and see my father reading over some documents and although I'm interested in what it is I scurry back to my room and change into more appropriate attire. After ten minutes I'm much more presentable than before feeling more confident I come back to see the stranger has gone and my father looking upset.

Is everything ok I ask just as he sighs and calls me over to him? Rose my dear, he says peering at me on bended knees in front of him. Dear, I'm afraid that I've failed you and we have lost everything. With dread-filled eyes, he peers at me and continues, the man who stopped by here this morning I thought he would be able to help us out but I'm afraid the cost was too high. With confusion flaring on my face, I ask what I really wish to know. "What was the cost father? he looks away and I grab his hands in a plea for him to tell me. He offered to pay off my debt and restore my business my eyes go wide as I listen to him speak. He wants me to give up something too precious. I swallow the lump in the back of my throat and my eyes begin to fill with tears. The price was me I whispered and see his eyes dim just a little. Lifting his head his gaze meets mine once more.

"Yes my dear and I won't do it, I can't, squeezing his hand, I lean in close enough so that he can hear me. I will do it,"He stills as  his eyes grow wide as he begins to shake his head no". I smile and continue for you dad I will do it. His small frown begins to fade oh my dear Rose, he wants to be wed this evening my dear and we don't know anything about him not even if we can trust him. Father If he can stick to his end of the deal then the  rest does not matter to me. I will serve him if it means you won't have to worry. My tears begin to tickle my face, the ones I didn't realize had begun to escaped, standing to my feet I look at him, if there is to be a wedding today we should get ready with that I take my leave locking myself in my room.