Chapter two ( His smile)

CHAPTER TWO

Karen Donna

‘There’s no way on earth you’re leaving me?

My best friend Jane tugs at my cloth. She looks like a child who being deprived of candy.

     I click my tongue and shove her away from me.”I have to go” I can’t keep living my life this way.

“You don’t have to; we can find somewhere where we can work together.

I sigh. “I have been jobless for almost year. Ralph has to go to school. Mum bakery needs to expand into something big.”

She shrugs.” I can’t believe you are actually leaving me all by myself.”

 I look at her, a sad look on her face. I will miss her to, but I need to do it for my family

     “I’ll always come back.”

‘Whatever, 

When are you leaving?

Friday, the interview is on Monday.” I say walking to my bathroom. I came out to find Jane still in her previous position.

      “You look stressed, what’s up?

She let out a sign, her slender fingers running through her blonde hair. “Being babysitting my siblings, damns them; They are going to kill me one day.”

 I let out a snort, earning an eye roll from Jane.

“Dam nit, I’m going to miss you. No more hanging out, I’ll just have t stay locked up in my room, stuffing food in my face.”

A smirk plays on my lips, “Don’t forget to send me a video.” I laugh and she throws a pillow at me. It hit my pretty face.

“You want to go get food, maybe get your mind off things?” I ask, throwing a tan top over my head

Jane nods.

            “I got only bucks with me.”

I clicked my tongue, “I have some money here, and both will do.”

                            ***

I chew on my almost cold pizza. Jane and I sit in silence, eating out pizza and sipping on coke leaving is one of the hardest things, I have to do in life.

I will leave my brother, mother, best friend, and Mike behind far away from them.

The television plays on its own without anyone giving it a second glance.

Ralph walks in, his eyes lands on Jane as we munch our pizza.

         “Any room for me?” he ask, already plopping himself beside Jane.

It is weird to know my nineteen years old brother is madly in love with my best friend. Jane isn’t interested but keeps leading him on, that alone makes me so mad at her.

He picks up a slice of pizza and took a huge bite from it. “Um…Karen? Ralph calls and I turn to him.

“Mum said to come over to the bakery, she needs some help,”

“Why don’t you go, I’m having a little moment with Jane.”

Ralph scoffs. “Hell n. I have to hang out with the boys. Besides, you can go, I’ll keep Jane Company.” He wriggles his bows and Jane giggles. 

“Fine, but you both better don’t do the nasty.”

I grab my hoodie from my closet, and head to mum’s bakery. Surprisingly, she has more than enough customers, the ones we have not had for years.

A sign of relief escapes her lips the moment she sees me. “Thank goodness you are here Karen; I need help with the cinnamon bread. It’s in the oven.”

“On it.”

I move to the back of the tiny shop to check up on the bread that is almost burnt. I am just right to save the bread from getting burnt.

The customers are so much and not enough space to hold some people, so they have to wait.

I wait till mum finish serving, before I ask her questions.

Mum laughs the moment she sees me. “I get this most times.”  

I swallow; my throat begins to dry up. I sit on the counter.”Don’t you think you need help?” She clearly needs help. I will not always be available, and Ralph has practice. He will rather be stuck at home, eating pizza than helping mum out.

“I can handle.”

“And if I leave?”

Mum laughs it off, but the evident panic looks appears n her face. “I can always handle.”

I look around the place. Everywhere is tattered, I can’t help but frown at my mum who isn’t looking bothered.

She sighs, when I arch a brow at her. “What if I don’t get enough money to pay my employee? Come on Karen, I’ll hold up like I’ve always been doing.”

I nod. I pick cake crumbs from a tray on the counter. I chew, my eyes rolling at the delicious taste.

“How’s Mike? You’re sure he’s okay with you leaving?” Mum breaks the silence, her back facing me.

Mike will be fine. He already assured me.

“He wants me to go. Besides he can always visit. “Mum nod, not sparing me a glance.

My eyes roam at her, taking in how tiny she is getting. Her skirt looks way too big for her than I remember. I blink, not allowing the crazy thought run through my head.

I jump off the counter, fixing my dress. “I better get going. “You good?” I ask and she nod. I pull her for a hug, her tiny frame all over me.

Mum got really skinny over the year.

                            ***

“I don’t need anything for the interview?” I ask Mike over the phone.

“Nope, I’ll be there with you. He’s my cousin and I already told him about you.”

Great.

I pause, my mouth too heavy to ask him the scary question I’ve been dreading to ask him.

“Mike?” I call when he doesn’t say anything for too long.

“Yes babe.”

I take in few deep breaths. “Are you comfortable with me leaving?

I expect a yes, but his response made me frown

A laugh escapes his lips, echoing in my ear. I am obsessed with his laughter, but it isn’t the moment. I am serious, not even saying a word as I hear him laugh. His laughter dies down, and his voice comes up on the phone, again.

“Why would you even think about that? Come on Karen, I brought up the idea. I wouldn’t have said a word if I never want to leave.”

A smile finds its way to my lips as I hear him speak. I feel quilt flow around my body.

“I’m sorry, I only wanted to be sure.”

He waves it off with a chuckle. “It’s okay baby. I’ll always come see you any time, despite the distance.”

I nod, wishing he is with me, so he can wrap his hands around me, snuggling me closer.