Chapter 6: Life isn't fair to the helpless

Mandy's POV

I open my eyes to find myself staring at the ceiling.

“Oh you're awake!” I heard a voice say.

I turned my head to see a nurse, cradling a baby in her arms.

“Is that my baby?” I asked the nurse.

“Yes ,” she answered with a smile on her face.

“Can I see her?” I asked.

“Sure,” she then bent a little so I could see the baby's face.

I gasped.

“She’s Beautiful,”

And she's all mine. Finally, I have a family in this world now,”

Suddenly, my world went dark out of pain once again.

********************

The persistent knocking on my door woke me up.

“Come in,” I said weakly.

The door opened and the nurse from earlier stuck her head through the open door.

“I came to discuss your hospital expenses,” she said hesitantly.

My face fell immediately when she said that.

My mind went back to the fire that happened at the ghetto home.

I remembered how all I had was lost in that fire.

Tears welled up in my eyes.

“I wish there was something I could do to help but my hands are tied…” I bit my lips.

“I’ve heard about your situation, ma’am. Well, is there anyone you can think of that can help you out with the bills, family or friends?” She asked.

“I could have called but my phone was destroyed in the fire,” I answered.

“That's okay. I can lend you my phone. ” the nurse said.

I looked at her with grateful eyes and thanked her.

I stared at the phone, Lucas’s number burning in my mind like a reminder.

I hated asking for help,especially from him.

But desperation clawed my heart,as this was the only number I could recall.

“Just this once,” I whispered,steeling myself.

The line rang for a while before it was eventually answered.

Before I could speak, a lady's voice echoed through the speakers.

“Hello?”

I was shocked.

“Who is this?” The lady asked again with a soft and sweet voice.

“Mary?” I called

“Mandy! How are you doing? How’s your life abroad?” She asked.

Is she kidding me?

How could she have asked me such a question after our last encounter?

I ignored her and asked,

“Where is Lucas?”

“He's busy,” she answered.

Are you serious? I thought shockingly.

“But I need to speak to him now. It's really urgent,” I said.

“Whatever message you have for him, you can give it to me and I'll relay it to him later,” she replied.

I thought about the situation. I can't tell Mary about my baby.

“I needed to talk to Lucas about lending me some money. It's really urgent,” I said.

“Okay. I'll make sure he gets your message,” she said.

Before I could speak again, she ended the call.

The audacity of that woman!

Would Lucas really lend me the money?

Maybe he would since he's so wealthy, and actually generous. He’d never be stingy about money.

“Any luck?” The nurse asked with an expectant look on his face.

“I hope so,” I said to her with uncertainty.

I gave the nurse back her phone and thanked her again. I reminded her about bringing my baby and she said she would.

Days passed since the phone call with Mary and still there was neither a returned call or any money sent.

I knew because I kept asking the nurse who lent me her phone and she said she hadn't seen any call or money.

On day 5, I was sent out of the hospital in the most embarrassing way with my baby.

I've never experienced that before and I felt ashamed.

While I sat outside the hospital, weeping with my baby cradled in my arms, the kind nurse came to me and began to apologize.

“I'm so sorry about what happened to you. I'm sorry I couldn't do much.”

I smiled at her weakly and said,

“It's not your fault. Anyways, thank you for all you did for me while I was here.”

She smiled at me before giving me a hug.

She gave me a few tips on how to care for my newborn baby before leaving.

After she left, I felt tears gather in my eyes.

I looked up at the sky to prevent the tears from flowing down my cheeks.

I was a mother now and I had to be strong not only for myself but also for my baby.

****************

“You're fired,” My boss said.

My eyes widened in shock.

“What? Why?” I asked.

“You’re bad luck to my restaurant. You have to leave,” he said.

“What does that even mean?” I asked, confused.

“Since you got here I've been losing customers. I can't take it anymore. You've got to leave,” he replied.

Where is this coming from? I wondered.

I have been working at this restaurant for the past 2 weeks as a part-time waitress and there's been no complaint.

Why this all of a sudden? I wondered.

“Okay but can I get paid for the work done this week? I need it urgently,” I said.

“Paid for what? This week's job isn't over. There's no way I'm paying you,” he said.

“What? But that's not fair. I did my job even though it was a half-week,” I cried.

This infuriated him even more.

“Get out of my restaurant before I call the cops to pick you up,” he said.

At the mention of the cops, I became afraid and decided to leave.

I was so heartbroken because I didn't do anything wrong to deserve being fired.

I knew he was just using an excuse to avoid paying me more. The new girl was willing to wear less.

Screw him.

As I walked down the street, all I could think about was how I would get some money to buy my baby some diapers.

I had run out of cash and was hoping to use today's income to get the new diapers.

But now that I've been fired and denied payment, there was no way that could be possible.

As I kept walking down the street, I looked across the road and saw a supermarket.

But it wasn't the supermarket itself that got my attention.

It was the pack of diapers abandoned at the cashier near the door that got me.

I looked around and saw that no one was keeping an eye on it.

Thinking of my baby, I swallowed.