CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Lawson looked at me for a while before answering me.

“ Why are you in a rush? We are married for crying out loud and we can decide to have children anytime we are ready for it, let's just enjoy this moment before children start coming”. He spoke like a responsible guy, but deep down I know he didn't mean anything he said.

Do I even wish to have kids for him? That's a question I don't want to answer, not with the way he behaves.

“ Honey”. He was shocked I called him that because I never use that for him.

“ I will be going out tomorrow to see Roselyn, just to while away time” 

“I don't like that girl, I just don't know why. You need to be careful with her”. He warned me.

“ Careful about what exactly?” Then I remembered Roselyn said she knew him somewhere.

“ How can you say I should be careful around someone you didn't know before, or have you met before?” I asked, but he didn't answer and just fell asleep.

Roselyn had mentioned that she was a manager at a very popular nightclub on 10th Avenue in New York.

I searched for the address she sent me and drove there without calling to surprise her.

“Hi bestie” I spotted her immediately I entered. She was indeed surprised to see me. I met a few workers around since it's in the afternoon. They were trying to arrange and put everything in order.

“Wow, you really surprised me, I am so delighted to have you here” She offers me a drink.

“ Rachel, don't you want to work? You shouldn't be like this, you know. Even if your husband provides everything, it doesn't stop you from making your own money. What Roselyn said made me wake up from my slumber.

“ Can you believe I haven't thought about this, I will think about it and inform Lawson about what I wanted to do, thanks so much”. 

I couldn't stay long with her because of the advice she gave me, yes I truly need to find something to do.

I got home thinking.

“What if Lawson declined, he had once told me he doesn't want his woman working, he wants them home always so that he can get them anytime he needs them”.

Lawson wasn't home when I got home, so I quickly messaged him.

“ Please come home early, we need to talk”.

I am a cosmetologist and I am good at what I do which people attest to, I can go for that.

Lawson got home earlier than usual. 

“ Rachel, what do you want to talk about?” he asked immediately as he entered.

“ I want to start doing something, I always feel bored at home. I want to start cosmetology”.

“ Cosmetology? Without any prior knowledge or experience? How do you want to do that? "

“ Firstly, I am experienced, I attended a beauty school after high school, I just need to renew my licence to start”. He was shocked to hear all that.

“ I need a space for my beauty studio”.

“ Why do you need to work? I provide you with everything you need, and I give you a monthly allowance. What else do you need to work for?” Lawson questioned me.

“ Yes you provide everything but I can't just be idle, I need to have my own money, I can't depend on you forever”. I spoke gently.

“I just want to be independent, think about it. I will be going out tomorrow to find a space I can use”. He was speechless for some minutes before going upstairs.

The next morning, I called Roselyn to inform her of the decision I had made about what we had discussed.

“Hi Rosie, I think I will go with cosmetology, I have the experience. Thanks for waking me up”.

“ I told Lawson but he is still skeptical about it, but that's what I want to do”.

“ That's a great choice, we will talk about it when we see, I need to go now”. 

I contacted some agents for a space I can use for my beauty studio.

“ Hi Rachel, it's been a while, how are you doing, please forgive me, and let's start talking again”. That's Aaron, I don't have a choice but to answer him.

“Aaron I am good, it has been a while, I am fine thanks. I forgave you a long time ago,  I am just too busy to call you. Yes we can still be friends”. Sure we will always be friends.

I need to visit Mom, I haven't done that since she was discharged, I need to see how she is recovering.

I got there and met Mom in the compound.

“ Mom, you should be resting, you shouldn't be found roaming about. Have you forgotten so quickly what you went through?” She didn't know I would be coming and she was happy to see me.

“ Rachel, I just need to stroll, I have been sitting for a while then I decided to walk for a few minutes, besides I am the only one at home and I feel bored”.

“ Where is Grace, hasn't she been around to take care of you?” I asked 

“ Grace found a job, she works for Crown and Poise Models now, she rarely stays home so I am all by myself”. She informed me.

“ Wow, that's so nice of her, I am also planning to set up my beauty studio, at least it will keep me busy”. I said happily

“I am so proud of you girls for doing something for yourself”.

“I can't be here all alone by myself, I will need a helping hand like a maid in this house since the doctor made it clear I need enough rest”. 

I accepted that she needs help, although the house is not that big, coupled with the fact that Grace won't be around most of the time and Dad also needs to go to work, we can't leave Mom to do the whole house chores.

“ Okay that's a good idea, I will see what I can do about that soon. I need to go now, I have to meet a real estate broker for a shop for my beauty studio”. I excused myself after making her eat her meal and putting her to bed.

I met with the agent who showed me some spaces and shops but I didn't see the actual one I wanted because I would need a very big space for what I want to do.

On my way home, I called a cleaning company to request a maid for Mom.

“ Hello, how can we help you? From the other end of the phone.

“ Hi, I would like to request a live-in maid for my Mom. I need a maid for cleaning at my Mother's residence at 102 Linden Street, Basement unit, Queens, NY 12754. The duties will include cleaning, laundry, cooking etc. Please let me know your prices, availability, and if the staff is vetted. Thank you”.

“Hi, our prices start from $150 - $350 depending on the size of the building for a live-in maid. We are available this week except on Sunday. Yes, all our staff are vetted and well-trained. Kindly send your location and when you would like us to come”. I sent the address and concluded to come on Friday which is the day after tomorrow.

“Thank you for your booking, we have scheduled your cleaning for Friday at 10am. Our team will arrive on time.”

I met them on Friday and sealed the deal. She started work immediately. Her name is Evelyn.