Chapter Two: Moving On
While my mother sat there still as ever I got up to inspect the remaining suitcases. We each had a duffel bag filled with shoes, two suitcases and one duffel bag of clothes, and a toiletry case. Inside my case there was a manila envelope that contained a letter stating when we had to be out of the house and things we were allowed to take. There were also some letters included in the envelope but I had not care to even peak at what could possibly be written on the pages. At this point I dont care if I ever hear from him again. He left a few thousand dollars, it was enough for us to buy groceries to, and enough to put away for a deposit on a apartment eventually. With all the new responsibilities all I knew was that I had to be strong for me and my mother, because if I lost it we would get nowhere.
One week later. . .
With some of the money my father left I went and opened a bank account and deposited it. I was given a temporary debit card and was told I could come and pick up the new ones I ordered in two weeks. I went to an old hotel in the middle of the city and rented two adjoining rooms. I paid for one month in advance. It was a nice little chunk of the money but atleast we had a roof over our head and a place to lay down at night, and we still had plenty left.
Things were going good, I continued to go to school as if nothing had happened, while my mom went and looked for employment. We were slowly adjusting to the absence of my father, it really wasn't that hard. It was the end of the first week when I began to notice a change in my mother. Her appearance has become more and more disheveled, and her room was a mess and several empty wine bottles littered the floor. When I came back from purchasing dinner that evening my mom was in the shower so I set the food aside and cleaned her room before setting the small table in her room. When we sat down to eat she sat down and began to speak. "I'm torn up inside about how your father left. It pains me because I know that you are suffering because of a mistake I made. I've been trying to find a job so that I can continue to provide for you the life that I know you deserve and are accustomed too. Next year you'll be going off to college and now we cant afford that. Every time I go to an interview I hear them say we would love to hire but due to your inexperience and lack of even general skills we are unable to offer you a postion with us at this time maybe you can take some quick courses or something and then come back. I'm just beginning to feel like I let you down."
I could see the unshed tears in her eyes so I racked my brain for something to comfort her. "Mom I don't really blame you for what happened and even if I did, what my father did was worse. All I want is for you to be happy again. You have the opportunity to do that again. Find a hobby or something you enjoy doing for now and everything will work out in the end. Don't worry about me I'm doing fine, and we'll continue to be just fine as long as we have each other." The smile that graced her face let me know that she felt a bit better and we were good again. The most important thing is that there was hope back in her eyes.
A few days later. . .
As I was walking past the front desk to get back to my room, to Help Wanted signs caught my attention. I pulled them down and took them to my room for later observation. After my shower I read the ads as I towel-dried my red hair. One was for a café down the block called Bhandri's and the other was for a house keeping position within the hotel. I called the number to Bhandri's and set up and interview for me. I then went and showed my mom the add for the hotel and she went right up to the front desk and talked to the manager and got the job right then she starts tomarrow. As I lay in the bed adjusting my pillows I smile to myself, seems like everything is goind to be just fine after all.