Two days to the eviction and she still had no money. She returned home to a praying Helen. It warmed her heart that she had a sister who believed. She was not sure what to do anymore rather than to pack their items one after the other and throw them into bags.
"Wait, Alicia, what are you doing?"
Helen asked as she came into the room. Alicia ignored the question and had Helen stand by the door for a few more minutes before looking up at her.
"Let me know when Tony arrives..I want to talk to you two about something very Important and I need you to understand, hmm?"
"That is your car engine revving. He just arrived."
Helen said. Alicia dropped the sack she was holding and craned her neck and towards the window. True, that was her car revving, he was yet to turn off the ignition and leave the car in the lot.
The ring of the doorbell made Alicia jumped. She had been jittery for the past few days and each hour that drifted pass made her even more so. Helen left the room and went to open the door for Tony.
Alicia joined them in the living room as soon as she was sure Tony was inside.
"Hey, sister. No work today?"
He asked as he took one look at his watch. It was almost past seven and he knew she did not enjoy going to work late..
"I'll leave soon amd that is why I need you two to give me your attention."
" Sure. You have it. Wait, you got money for our rent? Jesus, that's some good news you got there, Sis".
" Did I say anything that sounded like that? Stop being a dickie and listen,"
Alicia snapped. Tony held up his
hands in mock surrender, the car keys dangling from his hands.
"We will be evicted from our apartment in the next forty eight hours guys ane_"
Helen did not let her finish. She cut her short.
"You sound so sure. We could get our money today and still pay up before the next forty eight hours."
She said. Alicia was going to ask her to shut the hell up and listen but she did not. She let Helen finish and then she continued.
"What I am saying is, I need you both to start picking up a few things and we could go put up with Ruth until we can figure out something. "
"Wait, all three of us? No way anyone is doing that much. Where are gon' sleep ?"
"You have never been at her house, Tony. That means, you have basically no idea how large her house is".
" Doesn't mean I don't know she lives in a two bedroom apartment like ours."
Alicia sighed.
" I could put up with Pete for sometime and pro'lly get Allan to lend me some more money so we can get another place".
" Who is Allan? A loan shack? Better don't go get yourself messed up over the rest of us. We will be good."
" I did not tell you who Allan is. He is Pete's dad, fam!"
Both ladies exchanged glances.
" Okay. Do what you want while staying out of trouble. I'm off to work now"
Alicia said as she picked up her bag..she stopped at the door.
" I'm almost late. Let me have my truck key".
She called to Tony. Tony threw the key at her and caught it.
"Why's the house key not here?"
She asked upon receipt of the bundle. She had not thought seriously about it when he had rang the bell rather than open the door by himself.
"Misplaced it. Sorry About that, really".
"You should be because you are never touching these again!".
Alicia spat as she ran out. She had only fifteen minutes to get to work. It was not everyday that she was privileged to reach work without having to face too many traffic.