Raising Tasha

Jerry 3

Jerry's POV I had matched out of that hospital feeling all sorts of ways. One part of me felt sorry for Claire and Tasha for the potion the world had handed to then but rest of me felt proud of them. Yes they had problems but Claire had her held high and was doing everything she could for her daughter even if it was at her own expense. Tasha's clothes although old were of very good quality, she appeared healthy but Claire was dressed in tatters and was malnourished clearly any little she earned always went to her daughter. I was not sure whether that should be happy or sad. It was indeed the duty of a parent to put their children first but killing yourself doing it just wasn't right.The poor woman was giving her all but it was not good enough, she needed help but in this country very few people would help anybody. Most charity organizations were a money grabbing scam, most beggars on the streets were not really poor some were just too lazy to work. People that genuinely need help were always over looked.

On my way home I was so lost in thought in thought that I ran a few red lights, not that anyone cared anyway this was Nairobi traffic lights were there just for show. I mean, our roads had to look like those in the UK that did not mean we had to follow the ruled. I know some people would call me non patriotic for bashing my own country but was just being a realist.

When I finally got home, thank you Nairobi traffic I had made up  my mind to help Claire, how I did not know. I was not even sure she would accept my help. She did look a little proud but I was good at persuasion especially now that I knew what her weak spot. 

When my man servant Joel had served my dinner my mind drifted back to Claire and Tasha, today they had a meal and a warm bed but what about tomorrow? The day after? I could not understand why I suddenly wanted to help them, I had seen poor people before but I had never been this compelled to lend a hand before but now I was losing sleep over two strangers. I was a superstitious person I would have said she did something to me because none of this was normal. Why was not mad when the doctors kept calling Tasha my daughter? I had even entertained the thought for a moment. 'We would honestly make a beautiful family.' I had thought with a smile on my face.

After having a restless night I had rushed over to the hospital to check on Claire and Tasha. I had wanted to buy them flower but thought that would be too creepy so I settled for just fruit. "f**k why am I too early, I look desperate" I grumbled to myself after I was informed by the security guard that it was still too early to visit the in patients so I like a fool sat in my car playing on my phone to pass time. 

I had almost ran in when I was finally give the green light. I took every ounce of control in my body to act nonchalant. What was happening to me? I was acting like a sappy teenage boy, how embarrassing! I face palm only to wince in pain.

Claire had sleep when I got to her room but Tasha was a wake playing by herself in the corner, trust children to find toys anywhere but this was a hospital she could touching something dangerous of infected. The risks were to high, I had just opened my mouth to admonish her but she got me first. Can you believe that little thing had the gull to shush me! I was so shocked, she pointed to her mother then went back to playing by herself. That was clear indication that she wanted Claire to get more sleep, such a considerate little girl.

"Would like some fruit?" I whisper to her instead, gesturing to the bag I had brought with me. I knew she was hungry and wanted some because she was basically drooling but did not take any step forward just tilting her head in question. "I got some for you and your mum, plenty to share," then she made a move. Claire was sacrificing herself for her daughter but it seems like Tasha was doing the same thing for her mom. I could imagine how many time she had refused something just so Claire could have it. Just thinking of it brought tears to my eyes. These to were a team, pitiful, but great team nonetheless. 

"You!" I said reaching into my pocket for my wallet and pulling out a thousand shilling note, calling for the person who had walked buy the door. " Go wash these fruits me" I ordered handing the bag together with the money. I could almost swear the man almost kissed me, his eyes  practically twinkled at the site of the money, he probably made three thousand shilling a month from cleaning and now he had made one third of that just washing fruit.

I chuckled at the way he ran out the room, he may I have been scared I was going to change my mind. Tasha on the other hand was looking  at me with disapproval. " What?" I asked her

"What is what" she sassily questioned back.

"Why are you looking at me that way?" I asked in between chuckles, this child was to precious.

She looked at me for a minute then mumbled "fool" before turning back to play. My jaw almost hit the floor. Had a five year old just called me a fool? What was up with kids these days? 

"Why?" I asked instead with a smile on my face. Then I came to learn that I was a fool for handing out a thousand shillings to someone to wash fruit when the was a tap in the room. She even went as far as telling that I should have handed her the money and let her wash them instead that which earned a laugh from me. 

Life had taught her the value of money at such a young age and it hurt just thinking about it.