Episode 2

AMAKA

“Maureen, you know that I cannot put Jason in school now. He is only a baby, and I don’t want to force books into his head,” I said, looking back at my best friend and my son in her arms.

“Don’t mind your mother. I will put you in school, okay? There’s a pre-school here, so I will go there with you now,” Maureen told Jason, and he smiled.

“Thanks, Aunt,” he said.

“You’re welcome, sweetie,” she replied. She told him to wait while she prepared his bath for his new school.

“Maureen, you cannot be so serious. Jason is my son, and I get to decide for him,” I told her.

Her mother had another room, while Maureen and I shared hers. I could move out and get an apartment of my own, but I didn’t want to become selfish.

I was able to attend a part-time business-training class with the help of Maureen’s mother. She looked after Jason for me until he could walk.

My family didn’t want to have anything to do with me. Well, perhaps they did now that they saw I was doing well on my own.

My mother phoned me the previous week and claimed that she wanted to know how I was and whether I still had the baby.

Unbelievable.

I gritted my teeth and ended the call. My mother didn’t need to know about her grandchild. I was twenty-two years old now, and I didn’t need parents like them as grandparents for Jason. They would never welcome him or love him the way Maureen’s mother did.

Although Maureen and I were the same age and both fair in complexion, her mother had encouraged her not to become pregnant as I had.

Maureen was in a relationship with a good man from around there. He owned a small business that had gained global recognition, and he was now set to marry Maureen and take her to the city.

As her wedding was still pending, her groom arrived with his family. I watched with teary eyes as my best friend got engaged to the love of her life. Then I remembered Joseph Ericson and the silly promises he had made to me. After that night when he slept with me, he never contacted me again.

I searched for Joseph's home address after my parents threw me out, but the harsh reality hit me hard.

Joseph and his family had truly moved away, and none of their neighbors knew where the affluent family was living.

“You shouldn’t worry, Amaka. Jason is my son because I was there on the day he was born, and I have watched him grow up. So, I’m his big aunt and his mommy, too, while my mom is his godmother.” Maureen smiled.

“Fine. I have to hurry up for the business interview I told you about. You know I want to have another job to support us now that you will be getting married. I plan to move out and get a new apartment so that you can go to your new house with your mom,” I told Maureen.

She had finished folding Jason’s clothes because she intended to take him to a new school.

I knew my son wanted to go to school. He saw other children going to school, but I wanted him to grow up smarter first before taking him.

“My mom wouldn’t send you away, even if I went with my husband tomorrow, Amaka. Why do you worry about irrelevant things? Anyway, you’re running late, and Jason will be late for school. I have to hurry up and take him there. You know, as a new student, he will need to complete a lot of registration. What surname should I file for him?” Maureen asked me as I finished applying a little pink gloss to my pink lips.

I donned a red top and black skirt, knowing that the company didn’t approve of trousers.

Although I didn’t want to discuss my son’s father with Maureen, I knew that Joseph would meet him one day, as long as he was still alive and in the city. The city wasn’t far from where Maureen’s mother lived.

After my parents sent me away, I called Maureen, knowing that she was the last friend I had before her mother relocated to the city.

The billionaires lived on one side of the city, while industrial workers like us lived in another busy area. That was why I wanted my son to grow up before I put him in school. It was extremely busy around there.

“Just his name, Jason,” I said. I didn’t want to mention my father’s surname.

My father had said that my child wasn’t his, so I should take my baby to his father. However, Joseph had blocked me online. I still had his younger brother’s profile page, but we hadn’t chatted since the last time I introduced myself to him as Joseph’s girlfriend.

I didn’t want to ask Aaron about Joseph. I was heartbroken that Joseph had blocked me online and told me to get rid of his seed. It was so traumatic.

“You must be joking, Amaka. You’re Amaka Richard. I believe your son has a full birth name. That reminds me—Jason Ericson. So deal with the fact that you got pregnant by a man, and your child has to bear his father’s surname in case of tomorrow,” Maureen said as she stripped off Jason’s clothes to help him bathe.

“Fine. Just name Jason whatever you want as his surname, but know that I don’t have anything to do with his dad anymore,” I said.

“I know. You should get going. I heard that the new company, J. E. Global, is very strict. You shouldn’t be late and miss your chance of securing a job with them. It will help with your studies and online job, too,” Maureen replied.

“Fine.” I put on my black shoes beside the bed and waved goodbye to my son as I clutched my black bag.

Once I left the room, I came across Mrs. Ann Austin. She was a good woman and Maureen’s mother.

“Good morning, Ma,” I greeted her.

“Morning, my dear. Are you going out?” she smiled.

“Yes, Ma,” I replied.

“Wouldn’t you have breakfast first? There is still time. Or is it school that you’re going to?”

“No, Ma. I’m going for a new-job interview, but it’s quite far from here. I have to take a bus to that area,” I said.

“Okay. Will you go to the island?” she asked.

“No, I’m not going there. I’m still staying on the mainland. It’s a new branch office,” I said.

“Okay. But still have your breakfast so that you appear smart at work,” she advised.

“Okay, Ma,” I agreed and went to prepare my tea in the kitchen.

“What about Maureen? Has she left the house, too?” Mrs. Ann asked me as she walked into the kitchen.

“No, Ma. Maureen is in her room, preparing Jason for school.”

“Oh!” Mrs. Ann smiled understandingly and nodded her head. “Maureen loves Jason so much, and now she will soon be going to her husband’s house. I wonder how she will cope. Maybe she will take Jason along with her.”

I smiled and drank my tea. “Maybe.”

I didn’t know. Maureen might want to take my son with her.