Sofia Hayes

~Sofia~

When Carl and I returned to the university, we were shocked to find Mark waiting for my pack up. 

"Didn't know your brother was picking you at pack up too." Carl thought out loud.

"I didn't know either." I almost hissed. What was Mark doing? What happened to the subway?

We had to take a slight detour and once Carl had dropped me off at the second gate, I came out of the first one like I had just come out of my last class. 

"Mark? What a surprise?" I remarked as I walked over to him.

"Yeah, get in. I was in the area, so I decided to pick you up, " he said and started driving.

"Good idea." I muttered and wondered what had gotten into him. He never picked me up from university.

~

Marcus dropped me at home and went back to work.

"Sofie, you are home early." Mom said as I walked in.

"Yeah, Mark picked me up from the university. Saved the wait at Subway." I answered and went to help around the house.

"Your brother picked you up from university?" My sister-in-law interrogated me.

"That's what I said," I replied and walked into the kitchen.

Suddenly, she got up and handed me a tray full of vegetables that she was about to chop, "Ah, my back has been aching all day. I'm so glad you got home early. Help me with these. Ah, my back!" She exclaimed and walked out of the kitchen, her hand on her lower back for support.

Mom and I shared a look. We both knew she was pretending but for the sake of peace in the house, we let her be. I had no problem helping around the house anyway. 

I sat down and looked at the tray in my hands, then gasped dramatically before complaining to Mom half-heartedly, "We're making vegan stew again? Why do we always make Mia's favorite dishes? Why not make my favorite dish once?"

"Stop your drama, Sofie. Mia asked for it specifically before going to work today. There're so few days before her marriage now. Your sister-in-law is gone to rest with that perfect excuse. Now, be a good girl and help me out."

I scratched my ear and gently handed the tray to my Mom, "My sweet, lovely, amazing Mom. How about I do the dishes and bake some garlic bread? I promise I'll cook the stew, can you chop these instead, pretty please?" I gave her a sweet smile and she shook her head at my antics. 

~

Mia stomped her way through the front door and I asked sarcastically, "Another great day at work?"

Mia did not deem my sarcasm with a response and instead started taking off her earrings while muttering, "This is life? Is this all that life is supposed to be?"

I glanced at her from where I was painting my nails a bubblegum pink color. She looked so frustrated and tired. With a mischievous glint in my eye, I turned to her and exclaimed mimicking her mother-in-law-to-be's voice, "Oh, Mia, what happened now, my dear?!"

Mia threw a cushion at me, "I am already at my wit's end, don't use my mother-in-law's voice to irritate me further."

"Sorry, sorry," I laughed and then calmed down a little, "But do tell what happened? Outside weather is so fine, why are you under a grey cloud?"

She sighed and walked over to sit beside me, "Clark dropped by the office to pronounce another order today. He wants me to quit my job since it doesn't pay as much as his and his mother doesn't like working girls."

"OMG, what's that even supposed to mean? It's not your problem what his mother likes or dislikes. You aren't marrying her. Where does Clark stand on this?" I asked.

"When girlfriends become wives, no man wants them to be financially independent. I have learned that now." Mia said bitterly.

"Don't say that. Remind Clark of all his promises." I tried to help.

"It's useless. I'm tired of arguments." She stood up and declared, "I have finally understood that when men know that the woman is not going anywhere, they turn into owners and not partners. And then, they either use emotional blackmail to manipulate us or threaten to remind us of their claim." She sighed wistfully, "And when things go that far, it is better for women like us to shut up and compromise otherwise we are left with nothing."

It was painful to hear her say things like that. I stood up stubbornly as Carl's face crossed my eyes, "I don't believe that."

She rolled her eyes at my naivety.

"I can't believe I am hearing you say all these things." Then, I turned her face me and asked softly, "May I talk to Clark, if you want? As a third person?"

She shook her head and I insisted, "It is so hard to get good jobs these days. And you got yours on merit."

"I don't care about merit anymore. I am more worried about Dad. His health. His debt. You know the type of people Mr. and Mrs. Black are. They're not going to wait around to demand the loan back with interest. And our sister-in-law makes sure we can't even sniff a cent of Mark's salary. I have no idea how to make ends meet if I quit now." She vented.

Her worries were valid. She wasn't being pessimistic or cynical. I knew the burden she carried. This was why I hated poverty. It ruined the kindest, happiest souls and turned them weary. I hated seeing my sister like that, especially before her wedding. She was supposed to be overjoyed these days not overworked.

I let her be. She needed to be alone to get her mood right before Mom or Dad saw and started worrying with her.