My Dearest Sofia (Completed)

Chapter 3

" I know what I'm doing, Dad." Sofia muttered, folding her dress and then stuffing it inside her suitcase. She could not believe that Mr. Elliot had called her and told her she was going to get the position. Yes, the job description was a little bit confusing but it paid five times better than what she and her father was making.

"But you are moving into a house with an old man, alone! What sort of proposition did he give you, huh? Sofia Wright, you stop packing this instant!" 

Sofia stopped what she was doing and then stood up to face her father. She tried to remember that he was just looking out for her well-being but to think that he would actually imply she would take money from an old man to be some mistress, that was way too much!

"Do you even understand what you're saying, dad? You just said I would sell my body to a lecher for money!" Sofia did not mean to shout but she was just to angry right now. 

It hurt her that after all the sacrifices she had done and what she had given up for the past few weeks were not enough. She planned, figured out what to do and worked her ass off but none of it was working! The bills just keep piling up!

"I'm sorry, honey. I- I am -I don't know-" She watched as his father sat down on her bed, rubbing his face as if to wake himself up from a terrible dream. 

"I would never think that of you, sweetie. I'm just too tired and worried. Now, you're telling me you're moving out and living off into some huge mansion away from the city…"

"To work, dad! That's all I have been doing, remember? I've been working my butt off everyday so that you and mom don't have to worry about anything!" She cried. 

She did not mean to make it sound like she regretted any of her decisions or that she was blaming them for all her failed plans. She was just really sick and tired of being on the shitty end of life.

"I'm so sick of living like this! I am so tired of working too hard, being patient and kind to people who treat us like crap and still losing at the end of the day! I am so sick of seeing you come home, all covered in monkey grease, not getting enough rest and worrying the night away when you're supposed to be sleeping. I'm sick of seeing mom trying to mask her pain and trying to act all fine when she isn't all because she does not want us to dig ourselves an early grave!”

She stopped shouting when she heard her mother, hobbling into her room with crutches. "We're quite sorry you feel that way, Sofia. I-I know we always did not have the best of things but-“

"Oh mom! What are you doing up?" She sighed and went to guide her mother and sat her down on the bed with her husband. 

She then stood up and glowered at both of them. She was done being the obedient, meek and nice daughter. They were going to have to listen and agree to whatever she said. They can be angry later when they're living out of the rathole apartment they were all in and living in an actual house with a front and back yard full of flowers.

"Listen to me, Mom, Dad" She eyed them both. "I don't want either of you to think that I never loved my life with both of you, because I did and I do. You got me out of that miserable orphanage and you gave me all the love and care in the world.”

“Next, I don't want you to feel like I regret not using the money to go to New York and study at the university. NO mom, just listen up!" She held out her hand when her mother started to protest.

"Again, I never regretted anything I have done for both of you! I love you and I will always take care of you no matter what. But, you both know we're all not making enough. There will be bills knocking on that door pretty soon and we cannot afford them. Mr. Flinch, our landlord, is having a hissy fit because we're actually behind the rent again this month. Mom, you need to continue taking your medicine and your therapy sessions!" 

She continued, trying hard to keep her voice firm against the tears that were falling down from her mother's face. She closed her eyes and continued to explain.

"Mr. Elliot -yes, the one who owns the fanciest restaurant in Raleigh and a series of other establishment offered me a job. I myself do not understand the whole of it except that I had to move in with him and take care of him. Nowhere does it state there that I have to sleep with him or marry him, is that clear dad?" 

"But honey- are you sure you want to do this? Because I can take on another job-“

"And what, dad? Kill yourself? Get your self sick?”

"I am your father, goddammit! I should be the one taking care of you and your mother. I should be the one making sacrifices. And yes, even if I have to lose sleep! It's what fathers are supposed to do! Do you think I like seeing you waste away in here with us? Do you think it was my dream for you to give up yours so you could take care of us?" 

Sofia glared at her father. "Stop! Stop! Stop! You have to think about this, dad! How is this job really different from being a nurse? Or being a candy stripper at the local hospital? And, don't you make this about your ego either! You have done enough and a whole lot more for this family and it's time that you get to have your reprieve.”

She sighed and knelt in front of her parents. She worked on keeping her temper down and calming her breathing. It was one of the traits she did not like about herself. She always had a quick temper and she was sometimes impatient. But right now, having a shouting match with her father was not doing anybody any good.

"I love you so, so much. I am so grateful for both of you and I know how hard it is for you guys to allow me to take care of you. I am not losing anything. I am not sacrificing anything. I still get to visit you on the weekends. It's not like I'm throwing my life away over this. I'm just transferring to another job- a better job!”

By this time, Sofia's mother was sobbing into her husband's shoulder. Sofia watched the emotions play across Adam Wright's face. She knew he was battling with himself over pride and practicality. It hurt him that this child, whom he chose from the orphanage to have a better life, was actually not getting her dreams.

He and his wife wanted to adopt a child because they could not conceive, they were already almost in their forties. They wanted to get a baby but when he stepped into St. Augustine's Orphanage, he saw this little child giggling and shrieking with laughter, running down the dreary and depressing hallway. Immediately, his heart was touched. 

Somebody with such spirit and beauty deserved more than some run down old school filled with different nameless children who only had strict and sometimes wicked women to take care of them.

Sofia had bruises on her back when they got her. They knew it was one of the women at the orphanage who had a heavy hand and a twisted way of looking at discipline. But, he realized that despite her condition, she was a happy child, her green eyes sparkling with delight over being chased by her friends. 

They quickly decided to adopt her and take her home. She was six years old and they fell in love with her.

Now, it pained him to see that the child he hoped to rescue was going to go back in some dreary place, living with a man older than he was! Yes, this man could pay and must be living a life of luxury but he saw this place as a prison for his daughter. 

How could he allow this to happen? She should be in college, living her life and discovering places, falling in love!

"I never wanted this life for you, Sofia." He murmured, touching her face. "Your mother and I had big dreams and plans for you. I cannot believe we're letting you throw them all away.”

"Dad, you're overreacting. This is not a prison sentence. Mr. Elliot is pretty nice and he kind of reminds me of you, in a way. Mom, he really does seem kind. Please, do not worry or overthink this. He will pay me good money. Once I have enough saved and we have settled all our bills- I will use the money to buy us a house we've always wanted. Then, once I get you settled down, I will have enough to get me to school.”

"I cannot let you do this, Sofia! No, not for me!" Her mother whispered. Sofia rolled her eyes unable to help the tears from escaping down her cheeks. "Mom, who should I do this for, huh? You're my family! You're all I have. Trust me, I know what I'm doing.”

"You don't have to stay there for long. I'm allowing you 3 months, Sofia Wright. Then, I'll go there and get you myself." Her father replied, finally relenting to her request. "I don't care if you make or don't make enough money for a house or our bills or your education. We'll sort it out and plan like we've done so in the past! Your mother will heal and she can go back to her job. I might look old but I can still do a lot of things!”

Sofia sighed. "Can't we settle for at least, half of the year? 6 months dad? That's going to be enough time for me to save money!”

“Four"

"Six, dad. Take it or I leave this house, send you the money but I will never speak to either of you again!"  

She knew it was an empty threat, she could never be happy if she did not talk to them but, it was time she got to do something that was a sure way to getting their family out of dire straits. This new plan is going to work.

Finally, Adam Wright gave a small nod and shook his head with defeat. 

"You really should do something about that pride of yours, Dad. Why don't you start dreaming of our very own house, huh? We'll be rich soon!”

She was joking, trying to lighten up the mood. When her father did not smile, she stood up and hugged them both. "Trust me, dad. I'll do it. I'll make things work!" 

She closed her eyes and prayed hard that her words will ring out true. She sighed with contentment as her parents hugged her back. She was excited and nervous and scared to be with Mr. Elliot in his huge house but she knew in her heart, this was their ticket to a better life. 

She would work hard and save up so that she could come home and actually start living the life she wanted for her and her parents! Sofia prayed with all her heart that she will have enough courage and determination to succeed.