CHAPTER 2

Amaka's POV

"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 say, 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 preschool here. So I will go there with you now," Maureen says to Jason and he smiles sweetly at her.

"Thanks Aunt," he says.

"You're welcome sweetie," she replies and tells him to wait, while she prepares his bath for his new school.

"Maureen, you cannot be so serious. Jason is my son and I get to decide for him," I tell her. As her mother has another room, Maureen and I share her room. Although I can move out and get an apartment of my own. But I do not want to become selfish.

I go for part-time training business class with Maureen's mother's help. She looks after Jason for me until I am able to work. My family does not want to have anything to do with me. Well, maybe now that they see that I am well off on my own. My mother phones me last week and claims she wants to know how I am and if I still have the baby.

Unbelievable. I grit my teeth and end the call on her. Mom does not need to know about her grandchild. I am 22 years now. And I do not need such parents as grandparents for Jason. They would never welcome him or love him like Maureen's mother does. Although, she encourages Maureen not to fall pregnant like I did as Maureen and I are agemates and fair in complexion.

Maureen is in a relationship with a good man from around here. He owns a small business that has gone globally recognised and now he sets to get married to Maureen and to take her off to the city.

As her wedding is still pending, her groom has arrived with his family, and I watch with teary eyes how my best friend gets engaged to the love of her life. But I remember about Joseph Ericson and the silly promises he makes to me. After that night he sleeps with me, he never contacts me again. I search for his home address after my parents throw me out. But the harsh reality hits me hard.

Joseph and his family have truly packed out and none of their neighbours know where the affluent family are living.

"You should not worry, Amaka. Jason is my son as I am there on the day he is born and also, watching him grow up. So I am his big aunt, and Mommy too. While my mom is his God mother." Maureen smiles.

"Fine. I have to hurry up from this business interview I tell you about. You know I want to have another work to be supporting us now that you will be getting married. I plan to pack out too and to get a new apartment. So that you can go to your new house with your Mom," I tell Maureen. She is done folding out Jason's clothes as she intends to take him to a new school.

I know my son wants to go to school. He sees other kids around going to school, but I just want him to grow up smarter first before taking him to school.

"My Mom would not send you away, even if I am going with my husband tomorrow, Amaka. Why do you seem to worry about irrelevant things. Anyway, you are running late and Jason will be late for school. So I have to hurry up and take him to school. You know, as a new student. He will need to do a lot of registration. What surname should I file for him?" Maureen asks me, as I am done applying a little pink gloss on my lips.

I don a red top and black skirt, understanding that the company does not approve of trousers.

Although I do not want to discuss about my son's Dad with him, I know that Joseph will get to meet him one day. So long as he is still alive and in the city. It is not far from where Maureen's mother lives.

After my parents send me away from home, I call Maureen on the phone, knowing that she is the last friend I have, before her mother relocates to the city. But then, they have those billionaires living in one side of the city, while the industrial people like us live on another busy area. So that is why I want my son to grow up before putting him in school.

It is so busy around here.

"Just his name, Jason," I say. Not wanting to mention my father's last name. My father says that my child is not his, so I should take my baby to his father. But as Joseph has blocked me online, even as I have his younger brother profile page, we have not chatted since the last time I introduce myself to him as Joseph's girlfriend.

I do not want to ask Aaron about Joseph. I am heartbroken that Joseph blocks me and tells me to get rid of his sperm. So traumatic.

"You must be joking Amaka. As you are Amaka Richard. I think your son has a full birth name. That reminds me. Jason Ericson. So deal with the fact that you got pregnant by someone and your child has to bear his father's surname in case of tomorrow," Maureen says as she strips off Jason's clothes to help him have his bath.

"Fine. Just name Jason whatever you want as his surname, but know that I do not have anything to do with his dad again," I say.

Maureen replies, "I know. You should get going as I hear that new company, J. E Global are very strict. You should not get late and miss your chances of securing a job with them. It will help with your studies and online job too."

"Fine." I wear my black shoe beside the bed and wave goodbye to my son as I clutch my black handbag.

Once I get out of the room, I come across Mrs. Ann Austin. She is a good woman and Maureen's mother too.

"Good morning, Ma." I greet her and she smiles at me. "Morning my dear, are you going out?"

"Yes, ma," I reply and she asks, "Would not you have breakfast first. There is still time. Or is not school that you are going?"

"No, Ma. I am going for a new job interview. But quite far from here. So I have to get a bus to take me to the area," I say.

"Will you get on the Island?" She asks.

"No, I am not going there. Still on this mainland. It is a new branch office," I say.

"Okay. But still have your breakfast so that you appear smart at work," she advises.

"Okay, ma," I agree and go to the kitchen and prepare my tea.

"What of Maureen? Has she left the house too?" Mrs. Ann asks me, walking into the kitchen to meet me.

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

"Oh!" Mrs. Ann smiles understandingly and nods her head. "Maureen loves Jason and now she will soon be going to her husband's house, I wonder how she will cope. Maybe take Jason along with her."

I smile and drink my tea, "Maybe," I reply. I do not know. Maureen may want to take my son with her.