Chapter 6

Eric got home and decided to watch his popular tv show, the Jackson. He loved the characters in the movie and did not like missing any episode of it. It made him laugh, he thought as he settled in with a glass of red wine. Hmmm…. he paused wondering what Sandra might be doing at this time. He was a happy man now knowing she had a small affection towards him. He reminisced on how the time he spent with her went. He was content and was adamant he was going to stick to his promise and make her want him. He settled in and continued watching his movie. After a few hours he fell asleep, he woke up a few minutes shortly, switched off the TV and went off to bed.

The next morning, Eric got a call from his ex-wife. "I'm just checking in with you," she said. I wanted to find out if you have signed the papers. Eric responded letting her know he was having a meeting with his lawyer later in the afternoon and scheduled a meeting with her for the next day at 10 am. As he hung up the phone, he placed a call to Sandra, morning, my love, moving to take a seat at the coffee table. Sandra just got out of bed. She was happy to hear his voice. He had this deep undertone voice that she loved to listen to. Did you have a good rest? He continued. Yes, she said as scratched the corners of her eyes. I will swing by your place to drop you off at work. Ok, she said as she realized she needed to hurry up with her morning routine. He ended the call, and she quickly prepared herself for work. 

Eric came around her apartment to fetch her and they talked as they drove to her workplace. She told him she was having a busy day as she had asked permission from her boss so she could go to the college of nursing to submit her application for a student scholarship. She had succeeded in gaining admission into the prestigious college of nursing in Arkansas but would appreciate it if they could grant her a part scholarship so that she can still afford to pay her fees and have enough to send home and maintain herself. As Eric dropped her off at work, he planted a kiss on her lips and promised to call her during the day.

At work, Sandra was determined to put in extra effort as she knew she needed to leave work early. Her boss was in a very happy mood as he talked about his two sons who were returning home after their holidays with his mother in Pennsylvania. He had missed them as they always gave him a run around when they were home. No doubt he enjoyed having his kids around as Sandra recalled one incident that happened at the shop when he scolded the kids for running around in the restaurant in fear that they might hurt themselves. After he had scolded the younger child, mike, he went and hid under an old tractor that was not in use in the parking lot when it was time to go home, they searched everywhere for him and although he heard their footsteps and saw their feet pacing up and down looking for him, he remained quiet not until his elder brother found him out. George was red with anger but thought perhaps he had scolded him too much. He patted him on the back, and they had a good laugh afterward.

Sandra walked into the administrative building of the college with her forms in her hands as she quickly said a silent prayer inside. Her mother was very religious and had always emphasized the importance of prayers to them when they were younger. Today, she thought aloud that God would hear my prayers. She opened the door and saw a few students standing in a queue. She quickly read the sign which pointed her to the far end of the hall. Thank God she gasped, only four students were standing in the queue. She hoped it was a very quick process. As they called out to her, she quickly handed over the form to the administrative officer who quickly indicated to her a few places she had skipped her signature. She signed and handed the papers back to her and waited for further information. The assistant quickly entered her information into the system and told her she would get an email response from them in less than two weeks.

Eric was busy with a few meetings in the morning and after his last meeting, he called Sandra to inquire about how she was doing and how her application went. He had earlier decided he was going to sponsor her studies but did not know how he was going to go about doing so. He did not want to ask her lest she feels he is invading her privacy as they had just met. She was happy he was concerned about her well-being and most importantly, her studies which she looked forward to. One issue that bothered her over the past few days was that no one in her family knew Eric and she wondered how she was going to introduce a man old enough to be her father as her boyfriend. I will cross that bridge when I get to it she missed. "I will like to see you later in the evening", he continued. She affirmed her availability and he hung up.

Mr. Steward walked in through his office door just as he finished his conversation with Sandra. He remembered he needed to discuss the paperwork and process of divorce with him. He handed the papers to Eric. He had highlighted some areas in pink as he wanted Eric's attention on those areas. Eric quickly scanned through the documents and became instantly infuriated. He looked up at Steward who was seated across the table from him. How could she? He retorted. She knew what we had agreed upon during our last meeting with her lawyer. I'm not going to sign these papers. He picked up the phone on his desk and asked his receptionist to put a call through to Rebecca. Hello, he started as soon as the phone on his desk rang, on the other side, Steward tried to signal him with his hands to calm down. You know very well what we discussed, he continued as he ignored the signs from Steward. I'm not going to sign these papers. Those properties which you have included are not part of the deal. He paused for a few moments listening to the conversation from her. . I'm not going to waste my time going back and forth with your lawyers. I will instruct my lawyer to file for a divorce in court since we can not reach an amicable settlement without you trying to change what was agreed upon. He banged the phone not wanting to hear what Rebecca had to say. He was done! He turned to Steward and said, " please file these papers in court". I don't want to speak any further with Rebecca on this matter.

Sandra finished off early at the administrative office and decided to take a walk around the college. She wanted to see how the nursing department looked. She knew she would be attending online classes but will go to college for practicals. She walked through several blocks until she sighted the nursing college. It was located on the left wing of the college close to the medical school. It was quiet and few students scattered here and there as the school was still on holiday. She spotted a handful of students gathered looking at the notice board. Here a student called Scott called out to her. He was tall and well built, he had a haircut that hung over his left ear. He looked good or at least so she thought .she walked towards the beckoning hands and said "hello" with a smile on her face. She and Scott had met a few months back and they barely exchanged pleasantries. She was surprised he recognized her after so many months.  What is all the fuss about? She asked, pointing towards the other students gathered around a notice board. They have given a deadline for fee payment he said and classes commence in three weeks. They have put us up in groups for practice. Come, see he continued holding her hands and pulling her towards the board. Did not get your full names the last time I saw you". "Sandra Fletcher" she said as he quickly scrolled through the different lists filled with names. Here Sandra said her eyes lighting up as she saw her name. We have practice on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We are in the same group he said as he pointed to his name on the list. He had earlier on seen his name on the list but was more excited they were in the same group. He smiled naughtily as the thought of them being closer together made him happy. She did not notice and moved past the few blocks then she decided she would go home. Tuesdays and Thursdays were perfect for her as she did not have her dance practice on those days. She was happy. Now she will have to speak to George and ask for her to come in at 1 pm on those days as she cannot afford to miss practical classes which usually count towards year-end scores. She felt fulfilled at least. The next major hurdle to cross was her fees. I will figure it out, she thought and then suddenly said a small prayer. She spoke briefly with Scott who asked to drop her off and she declined to lie she had to stop at the shops just close to the college. As he drove off they waved goodbye to each other.

She looked at her watch, it was 3 pm. She hurries home just in time to freshen up. She sat looking through her school papers and drinking a glass of lemonade. She needed to speak to her mother and find out how she's doing with her siblings. As she picked up the phone to call her mother she heard her doorbell ring .she walked towards the door and opened it. There stood Eric in an immaculate white golf collared t-shirt and brown corduroy trousers. He smelt good as he always did. They exchanged pleasantries and she beckoned him in as she still needed to do the finishing touches on her dressing. She told him to sit whilst she placed a call through to her mum. Hell,o she started and she was happy to inform her that she got accepted to study nursing at Arkansas college of nursing. Eric could hear the excitement at the other and when suddenly Sandra told her mother how hard it was going to be for her to juggle her school and work and how she had applied for part scholarships in the hopes she will be considered because of her good grades in high school. She promised to visit home before the start of school as she missed them dearly.

As she finished up with her dressing, she called out to Eric and he was holding back himself, he could hear the sadness in her voice as she spoke with her mother.  He could not see her suffer when he could afford to see her through school. I have to do something he thought to himself.

As they walked out of her apartment, he walked her up to his car where he opened the door and let her in. He loved her figure, she looked pretty in her dresses. They drove for a while chatting all the way and he suddenly asked her. When are you planning on going home? I would love to drive you there and if you allow me, to meet your family. She was taken aback and did not immediately answer as she did not expect that question from him. It was too soon she thought. I barely know him but her thoughts were intercepted as he continued I have a house in Arizona so I'm not planning to sleep in your house and be an inconvenience he stated as she stopped him before he could continue no…no…she said, I don't mean that…i haven't even told my mum I'm seeing someone as we are just getting to know each other. I will be going in two weeks during the weekend as I have to get back in time before school resumes.