I need a job

MARGA

After Sally hung up, I sluggishly walked towards the bathroom. I looked at myself in the mirror and I didn’t like what I just saw. I had grown so pale I could barely see my eyes, cracked lips, eye bags, my hair was fizzled. I looked a mess. Just then I remembered the card I found at the grocery store. I was going to return it back instantly.

I quickly dashed out of the bathroom, threw my sweatshirt on and grabbed my phone and a $5 bill I found at the back of my pocket. I hurried downstairs and found my Mom at the dining table reading a book 

“See you later Mom!”, I yelled as I ran to the door.

“ where are you off to Honey?”

“Uhhh downtown Mom, what’s up?”, I stopped abruptly panting and looking her way 

“Nothing dear, just be careful”

“Kay Mom!!”, I let out a sigh and rushed out the door 

I’ve been walking for over an hour and I haven’t seen a ride. Well that’s what happens when you live in the hoods right?

“Taxi??”, I called out a taxi from 10 meters away

It stopped in front of me and I got in 

When I got to Paul’s bar I alighted and paid the last $5 bill I had.

“Okay Marga, this is it.” I walked slowly towards the bar 

Just as I walked in, I saw a huge guy from the guy who I made out to be Paul.

“Paul!”, I called out and he turned around surprised to see me.

“What? Marga??!”, his face was all lit up at this point

“What are you doing here? I mean do you live around here?”

“N-nope”, I stuttered shyly as I took out his card and handed it over to him 

“Ohh, my card, I must’ve dropped it at the store.” He took the card from my hand and shoved it to the side cupboard on the wall

“Forgive my manners please sit”, he ushered me to a table and we both sat down 

“So tell me, what’s up with you girl?”

Whats up with me. I didn’t have an answer for this. The only thing that’s up is ‘I need a job…..desperately’

“You don’t look so good Marga, what’s up?”, he looked worried, genuinely, and I felt like opening up to him.

“Okay so here goes, my Mom is sick, she needs surgery before August 15th, and it costs $2M, and I’m jobless, broke, frustrated, I don’t know what to do. I have barely 3 months to raise cash for her treatment.”

I was soaking in tears at this point, I couldn’t help it. 

Paul came closer and gave me a hug. 

“ I want to give you a job Marga, but I don’t know if you can do it”, I wiped the tears off my face and raised my head 

“What job?, I can do anything right now. Anything at all that will give me at least a million dollars in 2 months”

“Well I can’t promise u a million dollars, but if you’re ready to go above and beyond like you say, then you  can even make more”, he shrugged and looked at me with pity. 

“Stripping. I need a female stripper in the club, you work 5 days in a week excluding Mondays, you’ll be paid per day, that’s $500 and for every client you take a room with, you  get an extra $1,500.”

I was shook! Stripping? Showing off my body? Not like I even looked too good like that but? 

I didn’t have a choice, the pay was good; I mean $500 per day and extra $1,500 for every client I entertain in a room privately. I didn’t like this, but right now, I had no choice. I was going to take the job. No one had to know. Right?

“Okay Paul.” I responded after being silent for about 10 minutes. 

“ I will do it, I need the cash”, I looked him straight in the eye as I took the biggest decision in my life.

“Okay, u start tomorrow. 10pm.”

“Yeah sure”

I stood up and made my way through to door.

Walking downtown, I reminisced on everything that’s been happening these last few days. At least now I have a job even though it’s not something I fancy. 

I needed a head start and maybe this was it.

I had no money left so I had to walk all the way to Port Ampston, and into the woods, where I live.

When I got home, I smelled something. It smelt nice. Food…mmmm good food. Who was cooking something so nice at home? 

“Mom!, did you ge—“, my mouth dropped open as I opened the door and found Denis spoon-feeding My mom.

“What? Denis? Mom?”, I looked at them confused on what to do or say.

I shut the door behind me and moved slowly towards the dining, realizing that Denis had come back home with his bags and he looked like sharp, like he was very healthy. 

“Hi Kiddo”, Denis’s eyes lit up as they met mine.

“What’s up?, I’m back home”, he said, grinning 

“Yeah…can see that for sure..why did you come? What are you doing here?” I asked him, dying to bash him if he said something stupid.

“C’mon Chum, I know I’ve not been the best but let me make amends. Look I’m sorry okay? I’ve neglected you, Mom, and my duties as your older brother. But look I’m back now..peace will reign won’t it?”

At this point, I wasn’t having it. Denis is a chronic drug addict. How did he just change like that? Had he been to rehab? I wasn’t ready for this conversation

I shook my head and ran upstairs. I had a long day already, he wasn’t going to add to it.

I got to my room and took out the sweatshirt and jumped on my bed like a pumpkin.

“Good riddance. Why is Denis here?”

I tried not to think about it. It was 10pm already and I was damn tired. As I lay on my bed, that’s how I slept till 5am when my alarm noisily woke me up.