SCARLET
We
had just opened at the jewellery store. I took the job because it pays well but
I'm also keeping the job at the bar. At the end of the month I will be making a
lot of money that will help my family in many ways. Mom was pleased when I told
her I had gotten the job but wasn't so happy when I told her I will be keeping
my old job. Michelle has been sick lately, the doctors can't find anything &
its stressing really. Mulenga had even suggested we see a sangoma but mom is a
full believer, she’s a Christian who never miss church & she's totally
against the traditional ways. In the morning when I left she was still sleeping,
mom had taken leave at work so to take care of Michelle. As I wiped the
counters Antoinette got in, my work mate.
Her:
Carl!
Me:
Nette
Her
name is pretty long so cutting it making it short is much better. She was a bit
wet. That made me look outside, it was drizzling.
Her:
ohh God, I'm going to catch a cold
Me:
pretty much
She
got to her counter.
Her:
wow! your hair is really long
Me:
thank you
I
had unplaited & just held a bun. I hate my hair when it’s unplaited because
it puts me through a lot combing it. Its natural hair. Antoinette is a South
African Afrikaans girl; so basically she’s white. Just then the first customer
got in. I didn't see the person until they were standing on my counter. He was
holding a kid in his hands.
Him:
I'm seeing you again?
Me:
I believe so.
It
was the guy I had accidentally bumped into at the shop.
Him:
ummh I'm looking for something for her.
He
said looking at the kid he was holding, she looked like she was five or so.
Me:
ummh ok.
I
looked around for a necklace. I finally took out the one with blue details.
Me:
how about this one?
She
clapped her hands.
Her:
it’s pretty, I love it.
I
looked at him.
Him:
ok, I'm taking it.
After
paying for it he made her wear it.
Him:
perfect.
Her:
I'm looking pretty.
Him:
you look beautiful sweetheart.
He
looked at me.
Him:
thank you.
Me:
just doing my job.
Him:
I thought you worked at the bar.
Me:
I don’t know how that is any of your business.
He
chuckled.
Him:
it’s not, it’s just a conclusion I had made naturally
Me:
next time don’t make conclusions about things you don’t kno
Him:
Whoa!
Me:
anything else?
Him:
no… no… Makeila, let's go sweetie.
He
picked her up & walked out.
Antoinette
was just looking at me.
Me:
what?
Her:
I can't believe you just spoke to… oh my!
Me:
I just told him to mind his own business
Her:
do you know who he is?
Me:
no & I don’t care really.
Her:
either way you can't talk to customers like that… it’s rude.
Me:
he was busy putting his head in my business & I just simply told him to fuck
off, how's that being rude!
Her:
Carl! You are something else.
Me:
So I have been told.
The
rain got worse that not even one customer got in.
Just
then my phone started ringing, it was Uncle Dee, my father's elder brother.
Me:
Uncle!
Him:
ohh Scarlet! How do you do?
Me:
I'm good & you?
Him:
I'm afraid not, I'm coming to your house today.
My
Uncle stays in Botswana, Jwaneng.
It
must have been very important for him to travel such a distance.
Me:
ok, I will alert mom.
Him:
no, I have called her but I want you there. I want to have a word with both of
you.
Me:
oh ok. I will be there.
Him:
thank you, we will talk.
Me:
yes.
He
then hung up, I couldn't help but get worried. I kept wondering what the
problem might be. I took my earphones then stuck them in as it seemed like due
to the rain it was going to be a slow day.
