EBIERE 7

"Hello Ebiere, Imade is very sick. You need to come over." Mama sounded hysterical on the phone like she has been crying. "I am on my way to Koku General Hospital, please come fast."

This definitely had to be the devil. Not today for Christ's sake. Not on the day I had to resume at my new workplace.

"Mama, I just got this job and I am to resume today, so I can't come now. I'll be there as soon as I close." Mama did not bother to hide her disapproval. "Your daughter is very sick and all you can think of is a job that you and I know you will only keep for two weeks. Sometimes, I wonder if they didn't switch my daughter with someone else at the hospital. You are nothing like me." She hung up immediately after saying those words.

Mama's words hit me hard as I dressed up for work. It hurt so much because she was right. I couldn't keep a job and I was nothing like her. I need this job and Mama knows how much I need the money. She could have been more understanding, but so typical of mama to understand nothing.

It was a hectic first day at work. I work as both the front desk officer and the PA to the Managing Director. When I left M&N pharmaceutical at 8 pm, I headed straight to the hospital. I was already exhausted and famished by the time I got to the hospital. I had only eaten two slices of bread all day. The thought of staying all night at the hospital was scary but I had to do it for my baby. Mama needed some rest.

The deadline Nonye gave me to move out is tomorrow. I already arranged a cab to move my things to mama's place while I'm at work. All my stuff has been packed and arranged, ready to move. 'Lord help me' I muttered as I headed for the children's ward. After seconds of glancing around, I located mama. She had dozed off on a chair beside the hospital bed.

I woke her up with a gentle nudge. 'Please go home mama, you need to rest.' 'No, you go home and rest so you can be alert at work tomorrow.' God bless mama. She had taken care of the bills and stayed with Imade all day. I could not stop the tears from flowing freely down my eyes. Tears of regret for the turn my life was taking. Tears of frustration for my sick baby girl. I walked out of the hospital determined to keep this new job and to make things work.