Both of them mull over the issue, exhausting all possibilities they could think of. However, one thing was certain; Mary needs a job and there's a mouthwatering offer staring her in the face.
"Perhaps, I should inform mum about it to know her thought", Mary said after a while.
"Well, that's not a bad idea, since it involves her too but do you think she would ever agree to it if she knows its source? I mean it's this same company that placed her in this situation", Jennifer responded.
Jennifer was right, Mary thought. Her mother would never jeopardize her family's safety or well-being. She would immediately reject the offer if she knows her former employer is entangled in this.
"Okay, so what are you suggesting I do"? Mary asked Jennifer. "You know I won't leave my mother to herself while I work a 12hours or more job out there", Mary said, exasperated.
"Now, you hurt me with your words. Mrs Minali is as much your mother, as mine and you think leaving her with me is leaving her to herself?".
"No, no, Jenny! That's not what I meant at all. How can you think that!", Mary rushed to say. "I was just being emotional when I said that. I didn't mean you are indifferent to our predicament. I know you care dear, a lot, and I'm so glad to have you around", she said, opening her arms wide for a hug
Jennifer took a minute before she finally open her arms too, to hug her in return.
"I'm so sorry dear", Mary whispered in her ear.
Jennifer hugged her tightly in response.
They both felt a vibration within them. It was Mary's phone. She disengaged from the hug, bringing out her phone. It was her best friend, Cynthia, calling. They grew up together with Jennifer, except Jennifer relocated with her parents to the outskirt of town, leaving Mary and Cynthia behind. Thereafter, Mary and Cynthia had become best of friends, almost inseparable. Though Mary and her cousin, Jennifer had been able to be in sync, Cynthia, on the other hand, could barely tolerate Jennifer's presence whenever she came visiting. In Cynthia's opinion, Jennifer was a crude element.
The feeling was, however, mutual between Cynthia and Jennifer. When she realized Cynthia's unconcealed dislike for her, she outright told it to Cynthia's face that she was an ostracizer. Since then, they have always been phlegmatic around each other.
"It's Cynthia calling", Mary said to Jennifer, and quickly answered her call. "Hello babes, ....."
Jennifer made a face as she went inside, leaving Mary to her call. She decided to get herself a book to read, as she went through Mary's bookshelf. She could hear a fragment of their conversation from Mary's end. It seems Cynthia is coming back to town. Mary had told her she had gone on a visit to her sister's in California, USA. Jennifer could only imagine the pompous state of that feeble-minded girl. Suddenly, she burst into laughter, at her own silly train of thought, as she could detect a tone of jealousy in it. That's quite unlike her, she thought. She ce out just in time to see Mary give her a bewildered look, as if to ask her the reason for her sudden joy. Jennifer just rolled her eyes at her, directing her attention back to the shelf.
"Okay, I can't wait to have you back. I have missed you silly", Mary said on phone.
There was a pause as she listened to Cynthia's response, then giggled.
"Bye baby girl", she said, and ended the call.
Mary placed her phone back to her breast pocket, then turned her attention to Jennifer.
"Cynthia is coming back tomorrow. She suggested that I pick her at the airport", Mary disclosed to Jennifer.
Jennifer nodded slightly, looking indifferent.
"Lets take a walk down the street. I feel like exercising a bit"
Mary nodded in agreement.
"That's not a bad idea but let me check on mum first. It's time for her to take her drugs", Mary explained.
"Okay, let's do that first", Jennifer replied as they went inside.
They walked in to see her mother in the kitchen, trying to tidy things up. She walked at a slow pace. She had refused on many occasions to sit idle. She argued that it would only make her weak and old. When she finished cleaning up, she took a sit by the kitchen counter to rest a bit. Her mind traveled back in time, reflecting on the good old days when she was newly married to Mary's father. She had come into the marriage with Paulina - Mary's older sister - whom she had when she was in college. It was a big misstep that defined her life, when she had allowed a moment of pleasure to snatch the wheels of her life from her. It was a very rough time for her at the time - the humiliation, scornful look, and lack of proper care. So, when she met Mary's father, years later. It was a true blessing for her. Phil was sweet, caring, always doting on her, and above all, he was willing to care for her child, Paulina, too.
It was a pure moment of joy for Kate Minali, when Phil asked her to marry him. Her joy knew no bound. They tied the knot a month after. It was a small function with few family and friends in attendance. She became pregnant with Mary, five months into the wedding. It was another beautiful moment for the couple, but most especially for Phil who had been looking forward to having his own child. He didn't express his feeling but she saw the longing in his eyes.
Kate smiled fondly at the beautiful old memory. Then her smile slowly vanished when she remembered how her joy was short-lived. It was a terrible day in her life she would never forget. It was barely a month after she put to bed with Mary. Her husband, Phil, had been so excited, expressing his love at every opportunity he got. She was even the reason he stepped out that day; to get her the pizza she had been craving. She had told him to order it but Phil had insisted he would go in person to do his wife's bidding. He had looked fondly at her as he kissed her forehead.
"I'll be back soon baby", he had said but he never came back. Not alive anyway.
Kate sniffled as tears began to roll down her eyes. She would never forgive herself for sending her husband out that day. Phil was run down by an oncoming vehicle. According to the report she got, the vehicle had a brake failure and in the process of trying to avoid an enormous casualty, her husband, Phil, was used as a sacrificial lamb. It happened so fast, he didn't see it coming.