AGE( it is just a number)

Meet Hazel Dakota

A cold sweat broke out of my forehead and I mopped it away with my fore arm....

Opening my mouth , I tried to say something but didn't find my voice ....

Are you deaf? My employer ,Mrs Martin barked at me and I shook my head nervously

Good! Then tell me , how did you loose this much money? She asked, touching the account book

I erm er don't erm . I stuttered not knowing what to say

I was confused as well!

What the hell are you saying? are you trying to say you don't know how $ 1000 got missing? She half yelled and I swallowed hard

I thought you were a good girl Hazel but now I know better, you are nothing but a pathetic thief! She retorted angrily

No ma! I am not thief . I said trying to defend myself and she scoffed

Then tell me, did the money suddenly grow wings and fly ? She asked in sarcasm

I remained quiet , lost in my own thoughts

The only time I left my duty was when Donna sent me on an errand to...... wait! What if she knows something about the money?

And as if reading my mind , Mrs Martins asked

Do you by any chance leave your duty post today?

I exhaled deeply, this was the only chance I have got to vindicate myself

Yes ma, Donna sent me on ..... I tried to say but she butted in

Donna! And why would you drag my daughter into this mess? Are you trying to say my daughter stole the money! She retorted in a huff and I bit my lower lips trying to stop the tears from rolling down...

You are not only a thief Hazel , you are also a pathetic liar . She accused

having said that , she picked up her purse from the table , opened it and brought out a few cash

Take this. She said , handing the money to me

I looked at the money and then at her

What should I do with it? I asked confusedly

That is your pay off . She answered rudely

Pay off! I repeated staring at the few dollars I was holding and that was when the realisation hit me , I have just been fired!!!!

Immediately, I went down on my knees and clutched tightly to her clothes

You can't do this ma! You really need to believe me! I know nothing about the money . I pleaded but she did not budge instead she kicked my hands off her clothes and then stood up

I don't want to see you here when I am back or else I will call the cops . She threatened

Please ma don't do this to me. I pleaded as the tears rolled down but it was of no use as she walked out of the mall ignoring my pleas......

I watched her go and exhaled deeply

What will I do now? I wondered , staring at the three $20 note I was holding....

$60! It was not even up to my monthly pay

Standing up, I dusted my knees and walked slowly to the counter ...

I am sorry Hazel. My partner who had been watching the happenings quietly said and I broke down in tears

I didn't do it Mike , I didn't steal the money ....

I know you didn't do it. he agreed with me

Then why didn't you defend me in front of Mrs Martins? I asked , banging my fist on the table and he exhaled deeply .......

You Should know Mrs Martin does not go back on her words so there would be no point in doing that . he explained

Oh yeah! he is right

Picking up my purse from the table , I turned to leave when he suddenly asked...

What do you intend on doing now?

I turned to face him and then sighed

I really don't know , no one would want to employ a high school dropout like me . I blurted out and immediately regretted it ........

Erm I mean who would erm where would I see another job within a short period of time ? I asked trying to ease the awkward silence between us and he smiled lightly

I came across a job vacancy on my way to work this morning but I don't know if you would like it . he started

Vacancy! What is the job all about? I asked trying not to sound so desperate....

And without saying a word , he opened the drawer in front of him , brought out a flyer and handed it to me ......

I stared at the flyer and went through it

It was a vacancy for the post of a " personal maid"

Personal maid! I muttered and then looked up at mike

Can you do it? he asked with a small smile and I shrugged

I guess I can!

I am sorry Hazel but this is the only vacancy I know of . he apologised again , I could tell he was feeling guilty

No Mike! it is alright . I assured and he smiled lightly

I guess being a maid is not that bad ! he said trying to make a joke but it came out dryly.......

I chuckled nervously

I need to be on my way now , I wouldn't want Mrs Martins to meet me here when she comes back .

Okay Hazel! He said softly and then faced the customer who needed his attention ....

Staring at the flyer I was holding , I walked slowly out of the mall...

The address of the house was boldly written on it and as for the pay , it's space was blank ......

I sighed

Personal maid! there would be no harm in trying!!!!

*

I got out of the mall just in time to see Donna alighting from a big car

And without thinking, I rushed to her and held unto her clothes tightly

Why did you do it? I asked with anger

She looked at my hands on her cloth , her boyfriend who is seated in the car and then at me....

What are you doing Hazel! Are you trying to disgrace me in front of my boyfriend? She asked in a huff

Why did you do it? I repeated and she huffed

What are you even talking about?

$1000 got missing today , why did you take it? I asked bluntly and she laughed

Is that why you are all worked up , it is my mother's mall so I have all right to take whatever I want . She defended herself and my heart churned in pain

Then call to tell her about it . I insisted but as expected, she didn't listen instead , she pushed me off her and then adjusted her clothes

It is not my fault you were born poor ! She retorted, glaring at me and I gulped hard, making a sound

She was right , I was just an helpless poor girl ... oh lest I forget! Let me introduce myself.....

*

I am Hazel Dakota a twenty one years old girl who dropped out of high school

I am white , blue eyes, petite in stature which make most people mistake me for a teenager , funny isn't!!!!!

Hmmmh I live with my sick mother and a 13 year old teenage sister who is still in middle school ....

My dad is late , he died when I was in senior year at high school and I hope this explains why I dropped out of school .....

*

On getting home , I found my kid sister Alexia outside

She was leaning on the wall and was looking here and there with a bewildered look on her face

And on seeing me , she rushed to me

Hazel! She called with a trembling voice and I became alarmed

Are you alright? Is mother alright? What is wrong? I asked in a rush

It is mother, her medication just got finished and I am worried that she might.......she paused, breathing hard and I patted her to calm her down

Does mother knows about the finished drugs ? I asked calmly

No, she thinks it still remains little. She answered, shaking her head

Good!

I opened my purse and brought out two of the $20 note

Take it and go get mother drug . I instructed, handing the money to her .......

But how did you get this? Have you been paid half of your salary? She asked staring at the money

Yes. I lied and without saying anything more, she scurried out of the small compound....

I walked into the house and met my mom in the sitting room

She was laying down on a small foam placed in front of the old worn out sofa with her eyes wide opened

Hi mom! I greeted , sitting down on the floor and she smiled weakly

Hazel! how are you? She asked , fixing her gaze on me

I looked away

I am fine mum! I answered and she sighed

She held unto the sofa to sit up and I supported her by holding her waist ........

Are you worried about finding a new job ? She suddenly asked and I froze

how did you know about it mother? I inquired

Your boss called to inform me. She replied and I bit my lower lips

Damn her and her basket mouth . I cursed silently......

I know how you feel Hazel but I believe you didn't steal the money . She quickly added

Sure mom! and ......guess what? I said trying to lighten up the mood

And what is that? She asked with a curious look and I grinned

Tada! I exclaimed, placing the flyer in front of her......

She went through it and her eyes grew wide

Personal maid! She muttered as she closed her eyes

Mum! Are you alright? Please open your eyes . I pleaded and when she did , I saw her the tears

My mom was crying , she was clearly not happy about the job .....:

Mum!I called softly and she took my hands into hers

I am sorry for making you go through this , I am sorry for not being there for you and your sister . She apologised

No mom , it is not your fault . I assured and she smiled lightly

I will be fine . I added

She was quiet for a while and then she exhaled deeply

So have you gotten the Job? She asked but I shook my head

I will go over to the house tomorrow and if the vacancy is still on, I will give it a shot ......

Alright baby!

I shifted my gaze back to the flyer and sighed

Will I get the job? If yes , will the pay be good?

I just hope it is because my mum really needs better treatment ....

*

*

TBC